"I don't see how Schnitt can help you," puzzled Close.

"He's the tack in the tire. I can see what happened as well as if I
had been there. Ersten knew he ought to move. Lofty tried to buy him
and Schnitt tried to force him. Then he got his Dutch up. Schnitt
left on account of it. Now Ersten won't do anything."

"You can't budge him an inch," prophesied the banker. "I know him."

"I'll coax him," stated Johnny determinedly. "There's a profit in
him, and I have to have it!"





CHAPTER XV

IN WHICH WINNIE CHAPERONS THE ENTIRE PARTY TO CONEY ISLAND




At the last minute, Aunt Pattie Boyden fortunately contracted a
toothache--and the Coney Island party was compelled to go
unchaperoned. They tried to be regretful and sympathetic as the six
of them climbed into the big touring car, but Ashley Loring found
them a solace.

"Never you mind," he soothed them--"Polly will chaperon us."