then to take it to Burns! That was a master stroke. The idea would
never have entered my head. But what puzzles me is the message itself.
Do you suppose O'Connel has kidnapped Lola; or how has he got
possession of her? And how has he contrived to escape from the yacht
without being held up? I don't understand it at all. It isn't likely
Daly has let him walk off unmolested with the dog. The thing is more
than I can fathom."

"Perhaps Mr. Daly has relented and is sending Lola back," suggested
Walter.

"Not on your life, youngster! You don't know Daly," was the instant
reply. "He would never admit himself beaten and give up that pup.
Moreover the affair has cost him too much money, risk and trouble for
him to abandon his scheme. If he wanted Lola bad enough to hire
somebody to steal her he still wants her, mark my word! No, there is
something behind all this that we haven't reached. O'Connel has made
off with the dog somehow. Just how I am at a loss to tell. We shall
have to wait until he himself comes and enlightens us."

"Anything heard from Bob?" questioned Walter.

"Yes, I've had a wire. They've got the men they were after all right
and he will be back to-night."

"What did he say about it?" asked Dick eagerly.

"Nothing. You cannot tell an entire story in a telegram, you know. But
he has accomplished what he went for. I fancy he always does," added
the master of the estate with a smile.

"Generally, sir," nodded Walter proudly.

Mr. Crowninshield took a turn or two across the room.

"I mean to keep Bob with us this winter if I can prevail upon him to
stay," remarked the financier presently. "He is too able a chap to
lose sight of. I can find a big paying berth for him in New York and
if he will take it, your mother won't have to worry any further about
money affairs. And if you, sonny, make good and do as well as your
brother"--he patted Walter's shoulder, "I'll do the same for you some
day. You have done well this summer. Finish up your school work and
then we'll see."

"You are very kind, Mr. Crowninshield," the boy stammered.

"Not a bit. We all ought to give the chap who is willing to climb a
hand up the ladder. What are we in the world for?"

"I know my mother will be----"

"There, there!" interrupted the great man. "Your mother has two fine
sons that she may well be proud of. She has had a little hard sledding
to get them on their feet, that's all. Now it is their turn to lift
the burden and r