"I was going to New York State to get the youngest Rover boy in my power," he said to Dan, "but fate has thrown Dick in our path, and so we will take him instead. Once he is absolutely in our power, I am sure I can bring Anderson Rover to terms and make him turn the entire right to that Eclipse mine over to my representatives."
"It's a ticklish job," replied the son. "What of this doctor here? Won't he suspect anything?"
"I reckon the doctor is no better than he ought to be, Dan. I think I see my way clear to doing as I please with him. A couple of hundred dollars will go a long way with fellows of his stripe."
A conversation lasting half an hour followed, and Dan promised to keep close watch while his father went away to the docks.
Arnold Baxter was absent the best part of the morning, but came home with a face which showed he was well satisfied with what he had accomplished.
"I fell in luck," he explained. "Ran across a man I used to know years ago—Gus Langless—a sly old dog, up for anything with money in it. Langless owns a small schooner, the Peacock, and he says I can have her for a month, with the serv-
