Beasley--as indeed did his friends in general--as one of the "best
fixed" business men in New York.

"It's true,"' said Lathrop, despairingly. "He has been speculating
foolishly and entered into an agreement with this man Barr to borrow
money for still further stock deals. The only hope he has of paying
his debts is the realization of the profits he could have made on
the ivory. Its theft was a bitter blow to him, not so much for his
own sake, as for my mother and sisters. Myself I don't care, I can
get out and work, but it would break my heart to see them reduced to
poverty."

The situation was a difficult one for the Chester Boys. They had
taken a hearty dislike to the crafty old ivory merchant and had made
up their minds not to enter into any enterprise in which he was
interested. Here, however, was a new complication.

"Give us half-an-hour, Lathrop," said Frank at length, and the two
boys withdrew to another room to talk the matter over. It was ten
minutes past the agreed time when they came back.

In the meantime Lathrop had been joined by his father and the two
had waited in painful anticipation for the Boy Aviators' verdict.

"Well--," began Lathrop eagerly as the two boys with grave faces
reentered the room.

"Well," said Frank, with a smile, "I guess we'll help you out,
Lath."