Part 42 (1/2)
Both looked for some means of getting out of the stateroom and suddenly Dora uttered a cry of delight.
”Oh, why didn't I think of it before!”
”Think of what?”
”That key on the hook over there. It fits the door.”
”Then we can get out!”
”If that other key isn't on the outside.”
Dora got down and looked through the keyhole. It was clear and she quickly inserted the key taken from the hook. It fitted perfectly, and in a second more the door was unlocked.
”Wait,--until I make sure that n.o.body is around!” whispered Dora.
She was so agitated she could scarcely speak.
She opened the door cautiously and looked out. Not a soul was in sight. From the galley came a steady hum of voices and a rattle of pots and dishes.
”They are too busy to watch us just now--the way is clear,” she whispered. ”Come on.”
”Let us lock the door behind us, and stuff the keyhole,” answered Nellie. ”Then they will think we are inside and won't answer.”
This was done, and with their hearts beating wildly the two girls stole to the end of the houseboat, where lay the small rowboat Dora had mentioned.
CHAPTER XXVI
THE SEARCH ON THE RIVER
As may be surmised, the news which d.i.c.k and Tom had to tell to the others at the stock farm produced great excitement.
”Dora and Nellie gone!” gasped Mrs. Stanhope. ”Oh, d.i.c.k, what has become of them?”
”They must have gotten into some trouble!” cried Mrs. Laning. ”You found no trace of them?”
”We did not,” said Tom. ”But we tried hard enough, I can a.s.sure you.”
”Oh, what shall we do?” wailed Mrs. Stanhope, and then she fainted away, and it was a good quarter of an hour before she could be restored.
All the boys were highly excited, and Sam was for making a search for the missing houseboat without delay.
”They may have gone on board and Captain Starr may have sailed off with them,” said the youngest Rover. ”Remember, he is a queer stick, to say the least.”
”That doesn't explain the screams I heard,” said Tom.
”I d.i.n.k me dot Paxter got somedings to do mit dis,” said Hans. ”He vos a rascals from his hair to his doenails alretty!”
”The only thing to do is to make a search,” came from Songbird Powell.
”I'm ready to go out, rain or no rain.”