"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?"