an farmer, Captain Nemo, is that a gentleman farmer makes
no profit on his crops. Now my friends say I'm losing an awful lot of
money and am sowing an awfully big crop. And according to them, instead
of practicing sensible crop rotation, I'm a foolish one-crop farmer--and
my one crop is wild oats."

"I see," said Larry.

"Of course I do do a little something else on the side. Avocation. I'm
in the brokerage business. But my chief business is looking after the
Sherwood interests. You see, my mother--father died ten years before she
did--my mother, being dotty about the innate superiority of the male,
left me in control of practically everything, and I do as well by it as
the more important occupation of farming will permit. Which completes
the racy history of myself."

"I'm sorry I can't reciprocate."

"That's all right, Captain Nemo. There's plenty of time--and it doesn't
make any difference, anyhow." For all his light manner and careless
chatter, Larry had a sense that Dick had been sizing him up all this
while; that, in fact, to do this was the real purpose of the present
call. Dick slipped to his feet. "If you're just now a bit shy on duds,
as I understand you are, why, we're about the same size. Tell Judkins
what you want, and make him give you plenty. What time you got?"

"Just ten o'clock."

"By heck--time a farmer was pulling on his overalls and going forth to
his dew-gemmed toil!"

"And time for me to be seeing your sister," said Larry, rising.

"Come on. I'm a good seneschal, or major domo, or what you like--and
I'll usher you into her highness's presence."

A moment later Larry was pushed through the library door and Dick
announced in solemn tone:

"Senorita--Mademoiselle--our serene, revered, and most high sister
Isabel, permit us to present our newest and most charming friend,
Captain Nemo."

"Dick," exclaimed Miss Sherwood, "get out of here and get yourself into
some clothes!"

"Listen to that!" complained Dick. "She still talks to me as though I
were her small brother. Next thing she'll be ordering me to wash behind
my ears!"

"Get out, and shut the door after you!"

The reply was Dick's stately exit and the sharp closing of the door.

"Has Dick been talking to you about himself?" asked Miss Sherwood.

"Yes."

"What did he say?"

Larry gave the substance of the autobiography which Dick had
volunteered.

"Part of that is more than the truth, part less than the truth," Miss
Sherwoo