That's what he says," continued Mr. Burns, calmly rereading the
document he held. "Evidently some relation--or at least a person who
feels he has the right to boss, for he says he wants to be met at the
train."

"Did I get the name?"

"Yes, that's here. I may's well read you the whole thing with the
exception of the extra touches you've added."

"I wish to goodness you would."

"'Tain't nothin' interestin', as I said before," insisted Mr. Burns,
readjusting his spectacles. "'_Coming on afternoon train and bringing
Lola. Meet me, O'Con_----' Where in thunder you goin?" The operator
gazed in amazement as a pair of chubby legs vanished up the platform.

"That's all right, Mr. Burns! I don't want the paper back. You can
keep it to remember me by. Thanks!" Then to Dick he shouted as he
sprang into the car:

"We're off for home fast as we can make it, old man! Such news! Your
father will be crazy! Whee! Hurrah!"

"If it is all the same to you," observed Dick with scorching sarcasm,
"it would be pleasant to know the import of the message I took down."

"_You_ took down--well I like that! _You_ took down! Why, man, you
could not even read it yourself! It is the message _I_ took down, my
son."

"_We_ took down," corrected Dick.

They both laughed.

"O'Connel's coming this afternoon! What do you say to that?"

"Great Scott! But what----"

"He's bringing his wife or daughter," continued Walter with a wicked
twinkle in his eye.

"What?" exclaimed his bewildered listener.

"Oh, this is rich! Rich!" continued His Highness with a paroxysm of
laughter. "Wait until we tell your father! My soul and body! I'm sick
laughing!"

"You might tell me the joke."

"I can't--I can't!" roared the boy. "It is too good!"

"And--and what about Lola?" stammered Dick.

"Why, you see Burns thought--my, but it's rich! Ha, ha! Burns
understood that--oh, it's a scream!" and with that Dick was forced to
be content.

CHAPTER XX

THE RETURN OF THE WANDERERS

When Walter and Dick returned to Surfside with their tidings Mr.
Crowninshield's satisfaction and delight could hardly be expressed.
How he laughed at Burns's interpretation of O'Connel's message! And
how Dick laughed when at last the joke was imparted to him!

"Well, you two boys have been almighty clever between you," commented
the elder man. "I would not have credited either of you with so many
brains. To think of your getting that radio call! It is marvelous. And