“I’ll try and stem the tide,” observed Vincent smartly, as a bright idea seemed to strike him. He dived into one of the bedrooms and reappeared in his band costume, cornet in hand. “Open the door, Pep,” he directed. “Never mind routine this time—what we want to do is to get the crowd.” Vincent posted himself under the shelter of the canopy that ran over the ticket booth. Soon his instrument was in action. The delightful music halted more than one hurrying group. The inviting shelter beyond the open doors attracted attention. The word went down the beach. The shower would be over in an hour and here was a fine place to spend the interim. “Twenty minutes to two and the house nearly full,” reported Pep gleefully, to Jolly at the piano. The shower was over in half an hour, but when the first crowd passed out there was another one ready to take its place. About half the seats were occupied when the second entertainment began, but during the programme as many more came in. The last matinee could not accommodate the crowd. The Wonderland caught the throngs going to the boats and trains as well as those arriving. The boys and their friends were at supper when there was a visitor. He proved to be the officer from the city who had arrested the two burglars. He had come in response to the telegram Vincent had sent him. The latter told him about the finding of the necklace and added the story of Pep’s later adventures. “The necklace is down at the bank in our safety deposit box,” explained Vincent. “We didn’t want to risk having it around here any longer.” “I knew from the circumstances and your description that it is part of the plunder I am after,” said the city officer. “I wish you would meet me at the hotel in the morning. I will have the local police head there. As a mere formality the goods will be delivered by you to him, who will turn them over to me. Then I will give you an order for your share of the reward.” Randy pricked up his ears and Pep looked interested. “How much is it?” inquired Vincent. “Five hundred dollars. I think it fair to divide it; don’t you?” “I know that will be very acceptable to our young friends here,” assented Vincent, nodding at Pep and Randy. “All the credit for finding the necklace is theirs.” Pep and Randy were considerably fluttered. They had their heads together animatedly discussing their good fortune as Vincent accompanied his visitor to the door. “I say, you lucky young fellows,” hailed the ventriloquist airily, “what you going to do with all that money?” “Oh, Randy and I have settled that,” proclaimed Pep. “Have, eh?” “Yes, sir. That two hundred and fifty dollars goes into the capital fund of the Wonderland.” CHAPTER XXIII—THE BROKEN SIGN “It blew big guns last night, fellows,” observed Randy Powell. “Yes, it has been working up to a storm for several days,” said Ben Jolly, casting a weather eye through the open window in the living room.