yet, however," affirmed he, struggling to
be cheerful. "The game isn't up, you know. Dacie and Lyman are clever
men and I have given them a free rein as to money. If there is
anything to be done they ought to be able to accomplish it."

Nevertheless optimistic as the words were it was plain to see that Mr.
Crowninshield was not really as sanguine as he would have Walter
think. There was a pucker of annoyance about the corners of his mouth,
and his eyes looked dull and discouraged. Say what he might His
Highness knew without being told that deep down in his heart of hearts
Lola's master had resigned himself to never seeing her again.

For a few seconds the capitalist lingered, musing. Then he broke the
stillness, hurling a bomb into the air with the words:

"By the by, I have made your brother an offer. I've suggested that he
leave Seaver Bay and come here. I am going to give Dick a radio set
for his birthday and I should like the aid of an expert in rigging it
up. Besides, last season I installed a wireless on my yacht and shall
need some one to operate it. This Bob of yours is precisely the sort
of chap I want."

"Oh, Mr. Crowninshield!" was all Walter could stammer.

"You'd like having him here then?"

"You bet your--yes, sir, I would," gasped His Highness, making a dash
after his manners.

"That's good," remarked the financier, much amused. "I hope he'll
decide to come. You must use your influence to persuade him."

This time Walter did not forget his etiquette.

"I will, sir," replied he meekly.

CHAPTER XI

THE DECISION

That night when his day's duties had been discharged and he was free,
the first thing His Highness did was to pen a much blotted and
somewhat incoherent note to Seaver Bay. Almost every sentence of it
was underlined and some of the persuasive adjectives and verbs were
even emphasized in red pencil. Certainly what the epistle lacked in
neatness and beauty of appearance was compensated for in sincerity and
earnestness. This document mailed and reinforced by an ardent appeal
over the telephone, there was nothing to do but possess one's soul of
patience until Bob decided what it was best for him to do.

To throw up a government job with practically assured employment for a
private venture which might be of short duration seemed madness and
the young radio man with his level head and sober judgment was not one
to leap at a decision. Carefully he weighed the pros and cons and
wh