"It makes us a livelihood. But 'twould pay better if me an' my partner had the capital we need to build a shed for saltin' swordfish when the market's low, and so go at it right." "That your partner?" asked the man, nodding toward the departing Joe Bassett. "Yes, sir. And a mighty nice feller, if he is a city man. You know, we don't us'ally think much of off men about boat _an'_ gear. But he's all right. If he had two thousand dollars to put into my scheme I cal'late he'd be put' nigh perfect," said Barzilla, smiling again broadly. Carolyn's friend continued to stare after the figure plodding up the lane toward the cottage on the bluff. The baby, in his eagerness, almost leaped into Barzilla's arms. "He knows his father, it seems," said the woman, in a more friendly tone than was usually her way. "I cal'late he do, Marm," said Barzilla politely. "But I ain't his father." "No?" she said in well-bred surprise. "No, Marm. There goes his pop," pointing to Joe Bassett in the distance. "This little Tom-cod's an off child. But he's might' nice folks." "Who is his father?" asked the woman quickly, staring now as did her husband after the figure plodding up the lane. "My partner, Marm," replied Barzilla, simply. "Or, he would be my partner, fair _an'_ full, if he could scrape together 'bout two thousand dollars to put into the firm against my _Snatch It_ and my 'know how.'" The woman turned swiftly to look at her husband. "The dear little baby!" she murmured. There must have been something more in her look and tone than was apparent in the mere words she said, for the man spoke to Barzilla as the carriage rolled away: "Tell Mr. Laird to come to see me. I may be able to help you boys out. I take a flyer sometimes for old times' sake. I was longshore-bred, myself." "Good-bye! Good-bye!" shouted the children after the carriage. Barzilla said: "He ain't got Mr. Bassett's name jest right, has he? But, hi gummy! looks though there might be a chance't for us to git what we want. Glad I spoke as I did." * * * * * Mr. Cameron came again, and when he returned to New York on Sunday afternoon, Edna went home with him. She departed with one desire unsatisfied. There had been no opportunity for the little girls to make another attempt to unveil the mystery of the Double O's wooden legs. "But you just keep at 'em till they tell you, Carolyn May," commanded Edna. "I shall expect to hear all about 'em when you come back home. To think of it! Two cousins and both wearing wooden legs. I never _did_!" Carolyn and her mother and Prince drove over to the dock in Uncle Smith Dodge's carriage to see Edna and Papa Cameron off. The _White Streak_ still lay in the Great Salt Pond; but Carolyn saw nothing of her friends who were staying at the Orowoc House. And the turbine meant nothing to her, for she did not see the dark complexioned man or René about the dock.