will be day after to-morrow. The fact
is, I've been putting off going down there, and now I find I've a winter
house party on, up in Lenox, and---- Well, you see the box I'm in."

"Sure!" says I. "You want me to sub for you at Lenox?"

"Deuce take it, no!" says Duke. "I want you to go down and look at that
land for me."

"Huh!" says I. "What I know about real estate wouldn't----"

"Oh, that's all right," says Duke. "It's only a matter of form. The boys
say they want it, and I'm going to buy it for them anyway; but, just to
have it all straight and businesslike, either I ought to see the land
myself, or have it inspected by my personal representative. Understand?"

"Duke," says I, "you're a reg'lar real estate Napoleon. I wouldn't have
believed it was in you."

"I know," says he. "I'm really surprised at myself."

Next he explains how he happened to think of sendin' me, and casually he
wants to know if a couple of hundred and expenses will be about right for
spoilin' two days of my valuable time. How could I tell how much it would
lose me? But I said I'd run the chances.

Then Chick shows up, and they begin to talk over the details of this new
bungalow boom town that's to be located on the Jersey side.

"I tell you," says Chick, "it'll be a winner from the start. Why, there's
every advantage anyone could wish for,--ocean breezes mingled with pine
scented zephyrs, magnificent views, and a railroad running right through
the property! The nearest station now is Clam Creek; but we'll have one
of our own, with a new name. Clam Creek! Ugh! How does Pinemere strike
you?"

"Perfectly ripping, by Jove!" says Duke, so excited over it that he
lights the cork end of his cigarette. "Shorty, you must go right down
there for me. Can't you start as soon as you've had your coffee?"

Oh, but it was thrillin', listenin' to them two amateur real estaters
layin' plans that was to make a seashore wilderness blossom with
surveyors' stakes and fresh painted signs like Belvidere-ave., Ozone
Boulevard, and so on.

It struck me, though, that they was discussin' their scheme kind of free
and public. I spots one white haired, dignified old boy, doing the
solitaire feed at the table back of Duke, who seems more or less
int'rested. And I notices that every time Clam Creek is mentioned he
pricks up his ears. Sure enough, too, just as we're finishing, he steps
over and taps Duke on the shoulder.

"Why, howdy do, Mr. Cathaway?" says Duke.