His Highness glowed with satisfaction. Some of his self-esteem was returning.
"Fortunately your brother had the good sense to warn his allies to act carefully and not alarm the thief, so that the life of the dog might not be jeopardized. He seems to have thought of everything, this brother Bob of yours. If we get Lola back it will be largely his doing—and yours. I sha'n't forget the fact, either."
Walter flushed under the great man's praise.
"It was just a happen," murmured he. "I thought I had blundered."
He saw Mr. Crowninshield color at having his own word hurled back at him.
"Some of the most fortunate strokes in our lives are achieved by chance," replied he, laughing. "See how capable I am of shifting my philosophy," he added with good humor. "Nevertheless, although this indiscretion of yours has turned out well I still maintain that, generally speaking, a silent tongue is a great asset. In nine cases out of ten keeping still does far less harm than talking. Jerry is a shining example of my creed. In all the years he has been here he has never let his tongue outrun his solid judgment. And yet," concluded he with a twinkle, "had we trusted to Jerry, we should never have heard of his Brockton telephone communication. So there you are! Which is the better way? It seems to be a toss up in this case."
"I guess the better way is never to make a mistake," smiled Walter.
"Do you know the infallible person who can boast such a record?" came whimsically from Mr. Crowninshield.
"N—o, sir."
"Nor I."