ake me feel good all over!"

"Thanks; that's kind of you!" returned Olive, thawed by the cordial ring
of his words.

"No need for thanks--wait till I've worked the _deus ex machina_
stunt.... What do you think of my boy?"

"A dear little fellow! But he needs care."

"He looks weak now, but that's the after-effect of the illness. He'll
put on muscle presently. He'll be a match for any boy of his age in six
months' time."

"I hope so."

"Sure. Let's come and join them at the aviary."

They rose and walked to the house, chatting of impersonal matters, and
nothing affecting the Hudson Bay scheme passed between Larssen and Olive
or Sir Francis until the moment of leaving.

The baronet was at the door of the motor, seeing his guests depart, when
Larssen said in a low voice:

"Important matter to see you about. Could you come to the office?"

"When?"

"To-night?"

"To-night I'm due at the banquet to the Australian Team."

"Couldn't you come on afterwards? I shall be at the office till
midnight. It's about the Hudson Bay deal."

"Very well--I'll come about eleven."

"Right! I'll expect you."

As they drove home in the car, Larssen said to his boy:

"Tell me your impressions."

"I think the garden is fine, and the birds are bully little fellows."

"Mrs Matheson--do you like her?"

"Is she----Is she the lady you meant when you said on board ship you
were going to marry someone?"

"I want to know what you think of her."

A troubled look came into Olaf's sensitive eyes. "I don't like her very
much, Dad."

"Why not?"

"I don't think she means what she says."

"You're mistaken. Mrs Matheson has taken a great liking to you, and I
want you to be very nice to her. You must meet her again and get better
acquainted. Now see here, I'd like you to invite her on your yacht.
That's the big test, isn't it?"

Olaf's eyes brightened at the mention of the yacht. "Very well, Dad," he
answered. "If you want me to, of course, I'll try and be nice to her."

"I'll send you down to Southampton Water with Dean, and from the yacht I
want you to write a letter to Mrs Matheson. I'll give you the gist of
what to say, and you'll put it in your own words."

"Are you going to marry Mrs Matheson, Dad?"

"Not if you don't like her after better acquaintance. I promise you
that."

CHAPTER XXXII

THE NEW SCHEME

Larssen had spoken part truth when he told Olive over the tea-table that
he had the glimmering of a pl