Captain Gildrock's residence was about twenty miles up the lake on Beaver River, where he had a large estate. Dory had never been there, though he had seen it from the river. It was decided that Mrs. Dornwood and Marian should go to Plattsburgh in the Sylph and then go home with the captain, as Dory was to be away for three days. After dinner Dory went on board of the Goldwing. He had seen and invited the members of the Goldwing Club to go with him, and they were at the wharf when he arrived. In a few minutes they were sailing down the lake. CHAPTER XXX. CAPTAIN GILDROCK DILATES UPON HIS NOTABLE SCHEME. The first thing Corny Minkfield did was to apologize for his conduct the last day he had been on board of the Goldwing. He was afraid then that Dory had been guilty of some offence which might get them all into a scrape. The skipper accepted the apology, and they were as good friends as ever. "We are all invited up to Beech Hill," said Thad, when the difficulty between the skipper and Corny had been healed. "Where is Beech Hill?" asked Dory, who had never heard the name before. "Don't you know the name of your uncle's place?" demanded Dick Short, laughing. "I never was there, and I never heard the name before." "We are going up in the Sylph from Plattsburgh to-night. Captain Gildrock is the bulliest man on the lake," said Nat Long. "He has got something in his head," added Thad. "He treats us fellows like lords." "He asked my mother what I was going to do in the way of business; and she told him she should get a place in a store for me as soon as I got through school," said Corny. "You ought to have heard him talk then! He said I was too much of a fellow to be a counter-jumper." "What is he driving at, Corny?" asked Dory. "I don't know: he didn't let on; but he has got something in his head." The skipper found that his fellow-members of the club knew no more about his scheme than he did himself. They had a very jolly time on the trip; but the wind was light, and the Goldwing did not arrive at her destination until nearly dark. Dory hastened to the hotel to report to the landlord, who was very glad to see him. "I am glad you have come; for there is a gentleman in the house who is very anxious to see you, Dory," said the hotel-keeper. "Who is it, sir?" "It is Pearl Hawlinshed's father. When he heard that his son was in trouble, he hastened back." Dory remembered that he had a secret to keep; and he said nothing, expressing no interest by word or look in the arrival of Mr. Hawlinshed. He asked about the party he was to take out the next morning, and learned that it consisted of two young men from New-York City. They came in while he was at the counter, and he was introduced to them. They appeared to be very gentlemanly young men, and treated the skipper very politely.