"I'm afraid not, sir," was the dispirited response.
Mr. Crowninshield glanced at the dejected figure before him.
"We mustn't give up beaten 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."