“Yes,” replied Mr. De Vere, rather solemnly.  “Blowitz was killed shortly after the tug gave up the chase.”

“How?”

“The boiler blew up when the tug was trying to tow the derelict in, and he and several of the crew were burned to death.  The survivors floated on the wreckage until they were picked up.  So I have nothing more to fear from Blowitz.  But I called to know if you boys, and the young ladies, Mr. Seabury and Professor Snodgrass, would not be my guests at a little dinner I am to give at the hotel.  I want to show you that I appreciate what you did for me.”

“I think you have already done so,” said Jerry.

“Perhaps I have, but I would like you to come to my dinner.  Will you?”

The boys promised.  So did the girls and Mr. Seabury, whose health was much improved by the California climate.  The professor, with a far away look in his eyes, said he would be there if he could.

“What’s to prevent you?” asked Bob.

“Well, I haven’t found that horned toad yet, and I’m still searching.”

The dinner came off three nights later.  It was a grand affair, served in the best of style of which the San Felicity hotel chef was capable.  The girls and the boys were there, dressed in their best, and Ponto was taken along as a sort of chaperon, which gave him great delight.  He did not once fall asleep.

“But where is Professor Snodgrass?” asked Mr. De Vere, when it was nearly time to sit down.  “Isn’t he coming?”

“He promised to be here,” announced Mr. Seabury.  “Probably he is on his way now.”

At that moment a commotion was heard outside the private dining-room which Mr. De Vere had engaged.  A voice was saying: 

“I tell you I will go in!  I’m invited!  My clothes?  What about my clothes?  All mud?  Of course they’re all mud.  I couldn’t help it!”

Then the door flew open and a curious sight was presented.  There stood the professor, his coat split up the back, his trousers torn, and his hat smashed.  Splashes of mud were all over him.

“What is the matter?” cried Mr. Seabury, in alarm.

“Nothing,” replied the professor calmly.  “I have caught two horned toads, that’s all.  I saw them as I was on the way here, and I had to go into a mud puddle to get them.  I fell down, but I got the toads,” and he held up a small cage, in which were the ugly creatures.

“Ugh!” exclaimed Nellie.

“Good for you, Professor!” cried Jerry.  “You got the toads and we got our prize money!”

“Yes, but I would rather have these toads than all your prize money,” replied the professor.  “They are beauties,” he added, fondly.

The dinner was a joyous affair, and it is a question who was the happiest, the professor, over the capture of the horned toads, the boys over the successful outcome of their cruise on the Pacific, or Mr. De Vere, who had recovered his fortune.  At any rate they all had a good time.