"With the details your brother gave us Dacie and Lyman have a most encouraging foundation on which to work."
"Have they found out anything yet, sir?"
The question would out despite all Walter could do to stop it. He knew the instant it had left his tongue that he shouldn't have asked it and he stood there hot and embarrassed at his own audacity.
Much to his surprise, however, Mr. Crowninshield did not appear to be in the least offended. On the contrary he seemed pleased by the lad's eager interest and smiled at him kindly.
"Yes, we've found out something," said he, "but it is not very good news, I am sorry to say. Dacie and Lyman traced the car that carried Lola as far as Buzzard's Bay and discovered that there——"
"Yes?" interrupted Walter, so intent on the story that he was unconscious of interrupting.
"There," repeated Mr. Crowninshield, "the thieves embarked on a private yacht that awaited their coming; steamed through the Canal, and——"
"Don't say they are gone, sir!" cried the boy.
"I'm afraid so, sonny."
"Well, if that isn't the limit!"