"Maybe Garret took it out to try and see that it worked all right," he said hopefully."He knows how to run a boat.Maybe he wanted to see how the rudder behaved and is out in it now.He got through dinner before I did.But I should have thought he'd have said something to me if he was going out in it."This was the one weak point in Tom's theory, and he felt it at once.
"I'll see if Garret is in his shop," he went on as he turned back toward the house.
The first person he met as he headed for the group of small structures where Mr.Swift's inventive work was carried on was Garret Jackson, the engineer.
"I---I thought you were out in my boat!" stammered Tom.
"Your boat! Why would I be out in your boat?" and Mr.Jackson removed his pipe from his mouth and stared at the young inventor.
"Because it's gone!"
"Gone!" repeated the engineer, and then Tom told him.The two hurried down to the dock, but the addition of another pair of eyes was of no assistance in locating the ARROW.The trim little motor craft was nowhere to be seen.
"I can't understand it," said Tom helplessly."I wasn't gone more than an hour at dinner, and yet---""It doesn't take long to steal a motor-boat," commented the engineer."But I think I would have heard them start it," went on the lad."Maybeit drifted off, though I'm sure I tied it securely.""No, there's not much likelihood of that.There's no wind to-day and no currents in the lake.But it could easily have been towed off by some one in a rowboat and then you would not have heard the motor start.""That's so," agreed the youth."That's probably how they did it.They sneaked up here in a rowboat and towed the ARROW off.I'm sure of it." "AndI'llwagerIknowwhodidit,"exclaimedMr.Jacksonenergetically.
"Who?" demanded Tom quickly.
"Those men who were sneaking around---Happy Harry and his gang.They stole the boat once and they'd do it again.Those men took your boat, Tom."The young inventor shook his head.
"No," he answered, "I don't believe they did." "Why not?""Well, because they wouldn't dare come back here when they knew we're on the lookout for them.It would be too risky.""Oh, those fellows don't care for risk," was the opinion of Mr.Jackson."Take my word for it, they have your boat.They have been keeping watch, and as soon as they saw the dock unprotected they sneaked up and stole the ARROW.""I don't think so," repeated Mr.Swift's son."Who do you think took it then?""Andy Foger!" was the quick response."I believe he and his cronies did it to annoy me.They have been trying to get even with me-or at least Andy has---for outbidding him on this boat.He's tried several times, buthe hasn't succeeded---until now.I'm sure Andy Foger has my boat," and Tom, with a grim tightening of his lips, swung around as though to start in instant pursuit.
"Where are you going?" asked Mr.Jackson.
"To find Andy and his cronies.When I locate them I'll make them tell me where my boat is.""Hadn't you better send some word to your father? You can hardly get to Sandport now, and he'll be worried about you.""That's so, I will.I'll telephone dad that the boat---no, I'll not do that either, for he'd only worry and maybe get sick.I'll just tell him I've had a little accident, that Andy ran into me and that I can't come back to the hotel for a day or two.Maybe I'll be lucky to find my boat in that time.But dad won't worry then, and, when I see him, I can explain.That's what I'll do," and Tom was soon talking to Mr.Swift by telephone.
The inventor was very sorry his son could not come back to rejoin him and Ned, but there was no help for it, and, with as cheerful voice as he could assume, the lad promised to start for Sandport at the earliest opportunity.
"Now to find Andy and my boat!" Tom exclaimed as he hung up the telephone receiver.
