Walter and the Wireless

o

ork detectives arrived and Wheeler drove their d

throbbing machine. "Left New York at midnight," they said.

ongue to declare the real identity of the strangers, bu

red he, eager to know and yet an

mbled Wheeler, eyeing with disdain the grimy autom

?" persisted

t young enough to do it," snapped Wheeler. "Shouldn't think their

atience for a peep at persons allied with such an intriguing profession. While his reason told him they must, of course, look precisely like other men, nevertheless the hope would persist that perhaps, after al

ho, although charming gentlemen, were not in the least different from anybody else. Mr. Dacie, the younger of the men, was a pleasant, blond-haired fellow who instantly ingratiated himself in

cause dwindled and died. They weren't disguised at all; and if they had pistols they must have had them well concealed for the only suspicious articles produced from their pockets were notebooks and pencils. He had expected to be quite a

erested in Bob and listened attentively to all that was told him about this remarkable big brother. He had a bully brother himself, he said

had been to smile, nod, and let the other fellow babble. It had, to be sure, been a delightful experience to find yourself a lion, and everything you did of interest to your listener; but you did not learn much about

laces where flounders were sure to lurk he eagerly told his new friend about them. And then he had to talk swimming and school-and how he hated it! Why, there were endless things to tell Mr. Dacie. The visit of the two men was, moreover, surprisingly short. They remained at

Dacie had told him nothing suddenly caused the lad to speculate as to whether after al

ad gone. How much better it would have been had he made that inquiry instead of chattering about his own affairs. But somehow when there had been a lull in the conversation they had

hem, together with Lola and her baffling disappearance, out of his mind. This he tried valiantly to do, but in spite of his utmost endeavor his thought constantly reverted to the missing dog,

stifle his natural impulses and curb his tongue, a role very hard for one who had had no previous experience with class distinctions. Difficult as it had been he had made up his mind to being excluded from the gayety that went on about him. It was, to be sure, no fun to view automobile loads of young people roll out of the drive bent on a

nate was he to have so good a place. Having read himself this lecture he was wont to turn to his duties with lighter heart, closing his ears to the laughter and his eyes to the merriment that made up the days of the idle. But what he never coul

id you find out anything?" one awaited the i

nce had seethed and bubbled only a half hour before who should come strolling

ed up as indifferently as if the boy's curiosity were not at the boiling

g, sir," Wal

all

s,

of them

your-n

urned away to c

your brother to-

ob

ninshiel

to the Seaver Bay

ad wa

er, youngster, and one whom

s,

Bob was without being told. Much better tell him what had happened at

, quite a talk w

he reply came

ith much information regardi

s,

ith evident satisfaction, "we have t

s,

us Dacie and Lyman have a most encou

und out anyth

knew the instant it had left his tongue that he shouldn't have a

ear to be in the least offended. On the contrary he seemed p

ood news, I am sorry to say. Dacie and Lyman traced the car that

intent on the story that he wa

ves embarked on a private yacht that awaited t

are gone, sir!

raid so

that isn't

rejoined the el

rowninshield had affirmed that the thieves had taken flight in an aeroplane

pose they'll do

is no way of knowing. Or it may be that the person who hired them to get Lola is on the yacht and having now secu

get the name

s called t

y enough to track her down, board he

n the first place. Moreover, even did we know that she was there, there are a thousand and one places where she could be hidden and defy discovery. And were the villains actu

co

recover Lola is not

sir," was the dis

anced at the dejecte

game isn't up, you know. Dacie and Lyman are clever men and I have given them a free re

r think. There was a pucker of annoyance about the corners of his mouth, and his eyes looked dull and discouraged. Say what he might H

, musing. Then he broke the stillness, hu

Dick a radio set for his birthday and I should like the aid of an expert in rigging it up. Besides, last season I install

ield!" was all Wal

having him

ld," gasped His Highness, mak

h amused. "I hope he'll decide to come. Yo

r did not forge

r," replied