"Oh, no, please don't," begged Kitty. "I couldn't let Roy go out of my sight—I wouldn't," she protested.
"But you may all come along. How would that be?" replied Richard Gordon. "My launch is lying at the pier, and the Royal is at anchor just over there."
"And is our big yacht out there?" asked the little boy.
"Surest thing," answered the yachtsman.
"But how do I know—know you are not a kidnapper?" Kitty stammered suddenly.
Every one laughed, but Kitty's distress was genuine.
"He is not a kidnapper, Kitty. He is my Ricky," said Royal. "Please hurry and take me to mother."
The girls were too surprised at the whole proceedings to venture any suggestion, but upon being pressed by Neal and Dick, it was arranged that all hands should take a flying trip out to the launch, and see Royal presented to his mother.
Kitty objected—said she was afraid of the ocean, and made other excuses, but when she finally realized that the little boy would be taken off without her if she did not go, she at last consented.
"Another excursion," called out Cleo. "Come on girls, the more the merrier," and chaperoned by Leonore, the party undertook that delightful sight—seeing a millionaire's yacht.