Horatio Alger

“ The hermit's boy was willing, and watching their chance, between the downpours, they ran around to another portion of the old lodge.
"It certainly is a little better here," observed Joe, as he dashed the water from his cap.
A minute later the rumbling of the thunder ceased for the time being, and they heard a murmur of voices coming from one of the rooms of the lodge.
"Why, somebody must be here!" ejaculated Ned. "Who can it be?"
"Two men, by their voices," answered the hermit's boy. "Wait till I take a look at them?"
"Why not go in?" questioned the rich youth, carelessly. ”

“ Anybody who has done wrong ought to be locked up for it," went on Ned boldly.
With caution the two boys made their way to the narrow window, and Ned looked in as Joe had done. The backs of the two men were still towards the opening, so the lads were not discovered.
"What is this new game?" they heard the man called Malone ask, after a peal of thunder had rolled away among the mountains.
"It's the old game of a sick miner with some valuable stocks to sell," answered Gaff Caven. ”

“ But never mind, my boy, fortune will favor us again in the near future."
A crash of thunder drowned out the conversation following, and Joe hurried back to where he had left Ned.
"Well, have you found out who they are?" demanded the rich youth, impatiently. ”