ited, was just coming out of the
house.

"May I speak to you a moment, sir?" panted the boy.

"Yes, if it is important. I'm in a rush so do not delay me."

"But it's about Lola."

"Lola! Go ahead, then, if you have anything to say."

The lad told his story.

"Ha! Well done, Achilles!" exclaimed the financier when the tale was
told. "Well done, old fellow! And well done you too, little shaver!
Between you you have given us a big boost toward catching the thief.
Now just one thing, sonny. I meant to caution you before you left but
forgot it. You are not to speak of this affair to any one--not to any
one at all. Do you understand? A false move on our part might undo
everything and ruin our cause. Nobody is going to be caught red-handed
with that dog in his possession. Rather than be trapped he would kill
her. We mustn't let that happen. We shall follow up our man quietly
without letting him suspect that he is being watched. That is the only
way we can hope to get the pup back again. So mind you hold your
tongue. Not a word to anybody on your life. Not a syllable. Be dumb as
the grave and let me see how capable you are of keeping your own
counsel. The trouble with most people is they blab everything. They
can't wait to tell it. Let anything happen and they are off to confide
it to some one before you can say Jack Robinson. Now don't you do
that--at least not this time. Hold your tongue. This isn't your
secret; it's mine."

In terror Walter hung his head. Should he confess that he had already
telephoned Bob or should he keep silent.

Of course Bob wouldn't tell. There wouldn't be anybody to tell way off
there at Seaver Bay. Besides, he himself could ring him up and caution
him not to. Why need Mr. Crowninshield know anything about it?

But suppose Bob had told already and harm was done? Certainly it would
be more honest to speak.

The boy took a big swallow.

"I'm afraid, sir, that I have already told some one," he blurted out
miserably. "I didn't know it would do any harm and so I called up my
brother and----"

"You young idiot!" burst out Mr. Crowninshield indignantly. "Why in
thunder couldn't you keep still? We're in a nice mess now! If the
story gets about and the police start to track down the thief it is
good-by to Lola. Why did you have to run hot-footed to the telephone
the first thing? Jove!"

"I'm very sorry, sir. I had no idea it would do any harm."

"But you have an idea of it now, haven't you?