"I'm going to make that a paying investment if it's a possible thing," answered Dick, as he walked through the well-kept grounds toward the street and thought of Uncle Ezra's place. Mr. Vanderhoof was promptly on time, and had the bonds ready for Dick, who paid for them with a check. The youth, who had about given up trying to recall where he had seen Vanderhoof before, thought the mining promoter smiled more than ever like a cat as he handed over the securities and took the money. "I'm sure I hope you double your capital," he remarked, with a smirk that showed nearly all his teeth. "Oh, if I make twenty-five per cent. I'll be satisfied," answered Dick. "Well, I'll be in town for a few days," Mr. Vanderhoof went on, "and if either of you would like to take some more mining stock I'll be glad to accommodate you." "I have enough," replied the millionaire, and Dick answered that he wanted to see how this investment turned out before venturing another. "Well, I'll be in town, at any rate," was the promoter's parting remark. Dick felt quite like a man of business as he looked over his check book a little later and noted what he had paid out. True, he had taken in nothing since he had come into his fortune, but he knew the wealth his mother had left him was accumulating interest all the while--faster, in fact, than he had spent it so far. Still he wished that he was receiving an income from some efforts of his own. "Never mind, wait until my stock in the gold mine and the milk company begins to boom," he told himself. "That is, if that milk concern doesn't demand another assessment," he added, dubiously. Dick walked slowly home, and, passing around the side of the house, approached the stable. He intended taking a gallop on Rex that afternoon and wanted the groom to have the horse in readiness. As he neared Grit's kennel he noticed that the chain was thrown over the top of the house, as it usually was when the dog was loose. "Where's Grit?" he asked of Peters, the groom. "Grit, Master Dick?" inquired the man, in great surprise. "Sure an' didn't you send for him about an hour ago?" "Me send for him?" repeated Dick in some alarm, for Grit, even if he was unchained, would not stray away from the stable. He was nowhere in sight, and Dick at once became worried. "Sure, Master Dick," went on the groom. "About an hour ago a youngish chap came here and said you'd sent him for Grit." "And you let him take him?" "Why, sure, I thought you'd sent for him, as you did once." "Yes, but then I sent a note, Peters." "That's so, but the young man had Grit's leash, sir; and, though the dog was inclined to be a bit ugly, he seemed to know the leash and went along after a bit." "What sort of a man got him?" asked Dick, quietly, though he was much excited over what seemed to be the theft of his pet.