“He might do as Alden did, and keep the prize. My chum, Latham, is the only one I dare trust to win and divide spoils, and he is abroad now, you know.” “Right glad I am, for Marrion Latham is a marvellous success with womankind. Still, I want some one to oppose me, for no game is worth a rap for a rational man to play unless he has competition”--this with decided emphasis. “What’s the matter with Fred Stanhope? I think he will make it interesting for you.” “Oh, I want a man, not a sissy. He is just the son of Mr. Stanhope. He hasn’t enough sense to grease gimlets. He is a rich-born freak, and I think he has set out to make a condign idiot of himself, in the briefest, directest manner, and he will doubtless succeed. I prefer you for a rival.” “But Frost, I would be powerless, quite powerless, with you in the field.” “Ah, you idealize me, make me too great a hero,” answered Frost, quite pleased within himself. “Not a hero,” spoke Robert slowly, “but a smooth calculating man of the period, just the manner of man to take with that type of woman. She, this charming, intense creature, is so innocent, so ‘un-woke-up’, I might say.” “I am a holy terror at awakening one, and if there is any money with it I shall exert myself to arouse her.” There was an awkward silence. Frost paused and lighted a cigarette. “Has she any plantations, stock farms, and the like? You seem so well up in her history.” “No, with the exception of a thousand dollars or so, she is absolutely without means.” “That settles it,” said Frost, flippantly. “You and your John Alden may open negotiations for her beauty and innocence, but they are too tame for me.” “You are a fisherman, Frost, and if you can’t catch a whale you catch a trout, and if you can’t catch a trout you would whip in the shallows for the poor little minnows.” “Minnows have their use as bait,” returned the other, with a meaning smile. “But not to catch whales with, and you direct the training of my harpoon toward a big haul, yet you can stop to fish where you get but a nibble? What a peculiar adviser--rather inconsistent, don’t you think?” observed Robert, with a cynical sense of amusement. “I shall keep an eye on you.” “And I shall keep an eye on that fact,” muttered Frost to himself when he had left his friend. “It is not much, but it would answer the small demands of an honest girl. I will see about that _thousand dollars_.” CHAPTER II. DREAMS AND SCHEMES.