Part 24 (2/2)
”I believe Tom is right,” came from Sam. ”And if that is true, Dora was taken off on a boat beyond a doubt.'
”If she was it won't take very long to find her,” returned d.i.c.k.
”Let us go to Cedarville and see if anybody has seen the _Falcon_.”
d.i.c.k had scarcely spoken when a small steam tug hove into sight, bound up the lake.
”There's a tug now!” exclaimed Tom. ”Hi there! Hi!” he yelled.
”Stop!”
The captain of the tug heard him and saw him waving his hand, and, slowing up, made a half circle toward sh.o.r.e.
”What's wanted, young man?” he asked. ”Anything wrong?”
”Yes, a good deal is wrong,” replied Tom. ”Have you seen a yacht named the _Falcon_ today?”
”No, but I saw her late yesterday afternoon,” was the reply.
”Around here?”
”No, further down the lake. I think she was bound for Cayuga.”
”Did you notice who was on board?”
”You seem to be very particular about it.”
”We are particular. A young lady has disappeared, and we think she was taken away on that yacht,” explained d.i.c.k, as the steam tug came to a halt.
”Is that so? Yes, I did see a young lady on board of her. She called to our boat as we pa.s.sed, but I thought it was only in fun.”
”I guess she wanted you to help her,” said d.i.c.k bitterly. Then he continued suddenly: ”Have you anything to do just now?”
”No; I was going up to Ithaca to look for a tow.”
”What will you charge to take us down to Cayuga?”
The captain of the tug thought for a moment. ”Three dollars. It ought to be worth that to find the young lady.”
”We'll go you,” answered d.i.c.k promptly. ”Swing in and we'll jump aboard.”
Captain Lambert did as requested, and in a moment more the three Rover boys were on board of the _Cedar Queen_, as the craft was named. The captain proved to be a nice man and became thoroughly interested in the story the lads had to tell.
”I hope we spot the rascals,” he said. ”I'll certainly do all I can for you.”
The _Cedar Queen_ was a little craft and somewhat slow, and the boys fretted a good bit at the long time it took to reach Cayuga.
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