being across with Dorothy, and, save for the company of Ajax, Mr.
Fopling was alone. Mr. Fopling was in the Marklin library, glaring
ferociously at Ajax, who was blinking disdainful yellow eyes at Mr.
Fopling by way of retort.

Richard explained to Mr. Fopling that through certain deals in stocks he
had become possessed of two hundred shares of one of Mr. Harley's pet
stocks. Mr. Harley would give anything to regain them. Richard desired
to return them to Mr. Harley without being known in the business. Would
Mr. Fopling permit him the favor of his name? He would employ Mr.
Fopling's name most guardedly. Richard did not tell Mr. Fopling that his
sacred name was already in the harness of the affair.

The benumbed Mr. Fopling, by listening attentively, succeeded in getting
an impression that Richard through lucky dexterity and sleight had
obtained some strange hold in stocks on Mr. Harley, and now in a foolish
leniency was about to let him go. This excited Mr. Fopling hugely; he
put in a most vigorous protest.

"Weally, Stawms," he squeaked, "if you've twapped the old curmudgeon you
must stwip him for his last dime, don't y' know! I wemembah a song my
governor used to sing; he said it was his motto. The song wan like this:

"'When you catch a black cat, skin it, skin it!
When you catch a black cat, skin it to the tail!'

"Yes, Stawms, use my name as fweely as you please; but I pwotest against
letting up on this old cweature Harley."

"But, my dear boy," observed Richard, "you must consider! Mr. Harley is
to be my father-in-law, he's Dorothy's father."

Mr. Fopling declined to consider what he called a "technicality." Mr.
Harley must be squeezed.

"Weally, Stawms," said Mr. Fopling, "it's the wules of the game, don't
y' know."

After no little argument, Mr. Fopling yielded his point. Mr. Fopling,
however, bethought him of troubles of his own, and made condition that
Richard stand his friend with Bess as against his enemy, Ajax.

"Bees always sides with Ajax," explained Mr. Fopling plaintively, "and
it ain't wight!"

Richard gave Mr. Fopling a fraternal grip with his mighty hand. He would
be to Mr. Fopling as was Jonathan to David. It should be back to back
and heel to heel with them against Ajax, Bess, and all the world! The
violent loyalty of Richard alarmed Mr. Fopling; he threw in a word of
caution.

"You mustn't be weckless, Stawms."

Bess came back from the Harley house, and found Richard with