"I suppose that is what Mr. Ackerman meant when he spoke of the history of steamboating," said the boy slowly. "Yes. He and his family had a hand in that great game and I do not wonder he is proud of it. And speaking of Mr. Ackerman reminds me that he called up this afternoon to ask if you would like to take a motor-ride with him to-morrow morning while I am busy." "You bet I would!" was the fervent reply. "I thought as much, so I made the engagement for you. He is coming for you at ten o'clock. And he will have quite a surprise for you, too." "What is it?" the boy asked eagerly. "It is not my secret to tell," was the provoking answer. "You will know it in good time." "To-morrow?" "I think so, yes." "Can't you tell me anything about it?" "Nothing but that you were indirectly responsible for it." "_I!_" gasped Stephen. Mr. Tolman laughed. "That will give you something to wonder and to dream about," he responded, rising from the table. "Let us see how much of a Sherlock Holmes you are." Steve's mind immediately began to speculate rapidly on his father's enigmatic remark. All the way up in the elevator he pondered over the conundrum; and all the evening he turned it over in his mind. At last, tired with the day's activities, he went to bed, hoping that dreams might furnish him with a solution of the riddle. But although he slept hard no dreams came and morning found him no nearer the answer than he had been before. He must wait patiently for Mr. Ackerman to solve the puzzle. CHAPTER XIII DICK MAKES HIS SECOND APPEARANCE When Mr. Ackerman's car rolled up to the hotel later in the morning the puzzle no longer lacked a solution for in the automobile beside the steamboat magnate sat Dick Martin, the lad of the pocketbook adventure. At first glance Steve scarcely recognized the boy, such a transformation had taken place in his appearance. He wore a new suit of blue serge, a smartly cut reefer, shiny shoes, a fresh cap, and immaculate linen. Soap and water, as well as a proper style of haircut had added their part to the miracle until now, with face glowing and eyes alight with pleasure, Dick was as attractive a boy as one would care to see. "I have brought Dick along with me, you see," the New Yorker explained, when the three were in the car and speeding up Fifth Avenue. "He and I have been shopping and now he is coming home to stay with me until we hear from one of the schools to which I have written. If they can find a place for him he will start at once. Then he is going to study hard and see what sort of a man he can make of himself. I expect to be very proud of him some day." The lad flushed. "I am going to do my best," said he, in a low tone. "That is all any one can do, sonny," declared Mr. Ackerman kindly. "You'll win out. Don't you worry! I'm not." He smiled and Dick smiled back timidly. "Have you been up to Mr. Ackerman's house yet and seen the boats?" Stephen asked, to break the pause that fell between them.