“You seem to have made it,” observed Randy, in a rather hostile tone, while Pep seemed bristling all over. “Glad I did,” piped Peter, cheerfully. “Wouldn’t have missed it for worlds. Just in time to hear you fellows going over your dandy scheme, and say--it’s a winner! Photo playhouse on the beach! Why, it’ll coin money!” Nobody said anything. Frank was minded to treat the intruder civilly and resumed his chair. Suddenly Pep flared out: “Have you been waiting out in the hall there, listening to our private conversation?” “Guess I have; glad I did,” chuckled the thick-skinned Peter. “I heard you say you were short of funds and something about a partner. What’s the matter with me? I suppose you know my aunt is rich and we’re some folks here. We live up on the Terrace--most fashionable part of the town. Why, if I had an interest in your show I could fill your place with complimentaries to the real people of Seaside Park. They’d advertise you, my friends would, till there’d be nothing but standing room left.” “Think so?” observed Randy, drily. “Know it. I’m my aunt’s heir, you know, and she’s got scads of money. She’s been drawing the tight rein on me lately. I smashed an automobile last week and it cost her over four hundred dollars, and she’s holding me pretty close on the money question. But in business, she’d stake me for anything I wanted. Says she wants to see me get into something.” “You got into the water when the motor boat blew up, all right,” remarked Pep. “Hey?” spoke Peter, struggling over the suggestion presented. “Oh, you mean a joke? Ha! ha! yes, indeed. Business, though, now,” and Peter tried to look shrewd and important. “We have not yet decided what we are going to do,” said Frank. “As you have overheard, we need a little more capital than what we actually have. I will remember your kind offer, and if we cannot figure it out as we hope I may speak to you on the subject later.” “I wish you would come right up to the house now and tell my Aunt Susie all about it,” pressed Peter, urgently. “I couldn’t think of it,” answered Frank. “No, you leave matters just as I suggest and we will see what may come of it.” “Say, Frank,” whispered Pep, on fire with excitement, “you don’t mean to think of encouraging this noodle; do you?” “I want to get rid of him,” answered Frank, and all hands were relieved to see the persistent Peter rise from his seat. “Oh, say,” he suddenly exclaimed--“I came for something, that’s so. My aunt wants to see you, all three of you. Miss Porter gave her your names and addresses and she wouldn’t rest until I had come down here. She wants you all to come to dinner to-morrow evening and she won’t take no for an answer.” “Why, we may not be here then,” said Frank.