d name a dozen right offhand, which
have ships sailing around the world. Now, there's the Dockett concern,
for instance. Holy smokes! but they're wealthy. If I told you the
business they do you wouldn't believe me."

"No?" David laid his pipe upon the verandah railing. He had to do it
because his hand was trembling so violently that he could hold it no
longer.

"Indeed you wouldn't," the captain continued, not noticing his
companion's agitation. "And you should see old Dockett himself, who
owns it all, so I understand."

"What about him?" David asked in a voice scarcely above a whisper. For
once he had forgotten his beloved falls.

"Ho, ho, I wish you could see him," and the captain leaned back and
laughed as he had not laughed for months. "He certainly is a queer
one."

"In what way?" David questioned.

"Well, it is hard to explain. He looks like a bear, and he acts like
one, too. My, I've heard him get his tongue on men lots of times, and
he is a holy terror. But he's a great business man, so I believe, and
has made heaps of money."

"What does he do with it?" David asked.

"Piles it up, I guess. He hasn't a chick to leave it to, so I
understand."

"Hasn't he a wife?"

"No, not when I last heard of him, which was five years ago. It isn't
likely he's married since then."

David was unusually quiet the rest of the day. There was a far-away
look in his eyes and nothing interested him, not even the voice of his
falls. Betty was quite anxious, and confided her trouble to Mrs.
Peterson.

"Do you think he is going to be sick?" she asked. "Suppose he should
die, what will become of that great thing he has in his head?"

"Oh, I guess he is all right," Mrs. Peterson soothed. "Perhaps he is
thinking out something else, and will surprise us with some new idea."

"Oh, do you think so?" and the girl's eyes grew big with wonder.
"Won't it be great if he does!"

David was much brighter the next morning and sat for some time out upon
the verandah. Betty had gone to the office for the mail, as Mrs.
Peterson was too busy about the house. She did this nearly every day
now, and enjoyed the walk. The captain was always anxious to get his
daily paper, and sometimes there would be a letter from an old friend.

It was almost noon when Betty arrived. Her cheeks were flushed more
than usual and she was greatly excited.

"What's up now?" the captain enquired. "Haven't been scared, have ye?"

"It's a