r there's fashions in dogs, you know, as well as in coats and hats.
So turn to Tim when you're in a tight place. He'll help you, never
fear."

"I hope he will," sighed His Highness ruefully. "I shall need him."

"Nonsense! Why, Mr. Dick has often cared for the pups when there was
no one else; and certainly you ought to have as many brains as he."

"Tell me about him."

"Richard? You've seen him round town lots of times--you must have. At
the village and other places."

"Oh, of course I've seen him," agreed Walter quickly. "In the summer
he drives past our house almost every day in his car. But I don't know
him any."

"You will now," asserted Jerry. "He's a great chap, Mr. Dick is! About
your age, too, I guess. Quite a mechanic and always tinkering with
tools and machinery. If there's anything wrong with the motor boat he
can usually fix her up all right. As for mending a car, he beats all
the chauffeurs out. They know it and have to say so. Likely you've
seen him fluking through the main street in his racer. She's a trim
little thing and could go like the wind if his Pa hadn't forbidden
letting out the engine. I reckon Mr. Crowninshield is afraid he'll
either kill himself or somebody else, and I will own the thing ain't
no proper toy for a lad his age. Still, city folks ain't content with
what would please you or me. They must have the biggest, the fastest,
the most expensive article there is or 'tain't good for nothin'. The
mere knowin' it's the biggest, fastest, and cost the most seems to
make 'em happy somehow. Funny, ain't it?"

His Highness did not reply. He was thinking.

"And Miss Nancy?" interrogated he presently.

"Ha! There's a girl for you!" ejaculated Jerry with enthusiasm.
"She'll be either seventeen or eighteen come June. Swims like a fish.
In fact, I ain't sure she couldn't outdistance some of 'em. And such
an oar as she pulls! It's strong and steady as any man's. Besides
that, she can beat the crowd at tennis, golf, and those other fool
games such folks play. Has a runabout of her own, too, and drives it
neat as a pin."

"She's better at sports than Mr. Dick, then."

"Oh, she can wipe the ground up with him," sniffed Jerry. "She can
swim overhand to the raft and get back almost before her brother has
started. By Guy! I never saw a woman swim as she does! Dick gets
kinder peeved with her sometimes when she jollies him. But let her car
play a prank and he has her, for she's no more idea what