Cap'n Lote. Yes, yes," observed Mr. Keeler and departed. The
captain looked thoughtfully at the card.

"Al," he said, after a moment's reflection, "we'll have to cut this
talk of ours short for a little spell. You go back to your desk and wait
there until I call you. Hold on," as his grandson moved toward the door
of the outer office. "Don't go that way. Go out through the side door
into the yard and come in the front way. There's--er--there's a man
waitin' to see me, and--er--perhaps he'd better not see you first."

Albert stared at him uncomprehendingly.

"Better not see ME?" he repeated. "Why shouldn't he see me?"

Captain Zelotes handed the card to Albert.

"Better let me talk with him first, Al," he said. "You can have your
chance later on."

The card bore the name of Mr. Fletcher Story Fosdick.

CHAPTER XI

Albert read the name on the card. He was too astonished to speak. Her
father! He was here! He--

His grandfather spoke again, and his tone was brisk and businesslike.

"Go on, Al," he ordered. "Out through this side door and around to the
front. Lively, son, lively!"

But the young man's wits were returning. He scowled at the card.

"No," he said stoutly, "I'm not going to run away. I'm not afraid of
him. I haven't done anything to be ashamed of."

The captain nodded. "If you had, I should ASK you to run away," he said.
"As it is, I just ask you to step out and wait a little while, that's
all."

"But, Grandfather, I WANT to see him."

"All right, I want you to--but not until he and I have talked first.
Come, boy, come! I've lived a little longer than you have, and maybe I
know about half as much about some things. This is one of 'em. You clear
out and stand by. I'll call you when I want you."

Albert went, but reluctantly. After he had gone his grandfather walked
to the door of the outer office and opened it.

"Step aboard, Mr. Fosdick," he said. "Come in, sir."

Mr. Fletcher Fosdick was a large man, portly, and with a head which was
rapidly losing its thatch. His smoot-shaven face was ruddy and his blue
eye mild. He entered the private office of Z. Snow and Co. and shook the
hand which Captain Zelotes proffered.

"How do you do, Captain Snow?" he asked pleasantly. "You and I have had
some business dealings, but we have never met before, I believe."

The captain waved toward a chair. "That's a fact, Mr. Fosdick," he said.
"I don't believe we ever have, but it's better late than by