Part 22 (1/2)
”You girls work just like regular sailors,” declared Larry admiringly.
”We will see you at noon,” called Miss Elting. ”You needn't mind to come out for us. We have our rowboat.”
”No. We will come for you with the launch,” answered Billy.
As agreed, the boys came out with the launch shortly before twelve o'clock and took the Meadow-Brook party ash.o.r.e. George, with an ap.r.o.n tied about his neck, was deep in preparations for dinner. Harriet and Jane immediately put on their own ap.r.o.ns, which they had brought along, and went to work, while Hazel and Margery bustled about a.s.sisting Larry and Sam in getting the table ready. The boys had arranged rustic seats in place of chairs, and the table, set under the spreading foliage, looked very neat and attractive.
[Ill.u.s.tration: George Was Deep in Preparations for Dinner.]
That luncheon was one of the most enjoyable that any member of the party ever recalled having sat down to. No reference was made to the mysterious appearance and disappearance of the Meadow-Brook Girls until near the close of the meal.
”You haven't told us where you have been all the time,” said Captain Baker with affected gayety.
”Oh, yes, I have. I told you we had been near here all the time,”
answered Miss Elting, smiling tolerantly.
”But how did you get over to this side of the lake? That is what you haven't told us,” spoke up Billy Gordon.
”You mean that that is what you wish to tell us,” replied Harriet. ”You towed us over of course during the night. You played the first trick and won. But now you must tell us what became of the 'Red Rover,' the next day.”
”But we can't,” exclaimed George. ”We hunted--”
”Of course you did,” laughed Harriet. ”We were watching you all the time.”
The faces of the boys grew crimson. Forks were dropped on plates with a noisy clatter.
”What's the use?” cried George Baker, getting up hurriedly. ”Fellows, we've got to confess that we're beaten in the first round by a lot of girls who are a good deal smarter than we think we are, or than we ever shall be.”
George sat down again and began mopping the perspiration from his damp forehead.
”And that isn't all,” continued Harriet, laughing. ”Unless you are prepared to tell us just how we got back into the lake again we shall consider ourselves ent.i.tled to the second honors, too.”
CHAPTER XIV
THE MIDNIGHT ALARM
The Meadow-Brook Girls shouted with laughter at this speech. Then, after a few seconds of hesitation, the boys of the Tramp Club joined in the merriment.
”You win,” replied George. ”We can't answer you. Now tell us how you disappeared so mysteriously, boat and all, and reappeared just as suddenly.”
”Excuse me, but I don't propose to reveal our methods of procedure,”
laughed Harriet. ”Oh, you can't outwit us. You will find us ready for you every time. We know all about last night, too.”
”I'd certainly like to know where you were last night,” said Captain Baker.
”We were near you all the time, and you didn't know us,” laughed Harriet. ”Even when you came out here yesterday you pa.s.sed us by without a single look. You did not see us. Then last night, when you were chasing some one whom you thought was spying on your camp, you pa.s.sed us again, and--”
”So that was you, eh?” jeered Larry.