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.""That's so," agreed the youth."That's probably how they did it.They sneakedup here in a rowboat and towed the ARROW off.I'm sure of it.""And I'll wager I know who did it," exclaimed Mr.Jackson energetically."Who?" demanded Tom quickly."Those men who were sneaking aroundHappy Harry and his gang.They stole theboat 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 thelookout for them.It would be too risky.""Oh, those fellows don't care for risk," was the opinion of Mr.Jackson."Takemy word for it, they have your boat.They have been keeping watch, and as soonas 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 toannoy me.They have been trying to get even with meor at least Andy hasforoutbidding him on this boat.He's tried several times, but he hasn'tsucceededuntil now.I'm sure Andy Foger has my boat," and Tom, with a grimtightening 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 wheremy boat is.""Hadn't you better send some word to your father? You can hardly get toSandport now, and he'll be worried about you.""That's so, I will.I'll telephone dad that the boatno, I'll not do thateither, for he'd only worry and maybe get sick.I'll just tell him I've had alittle accident, that Andy ran into me and that I can't come back to theTom Swift And His MotorBoatCHAPTER XIV.THE ARROW DISAPPEARS46hotel for a day or two.Maybe I'll be lucky to find my boat in that time.Butdad won't worry then, and, when Isee 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 telephonereceiver.CHAPTER XV.A DISMAYING STATEMENTTrouble is sometimes good in a way; it makes a person resourceful.Tom Swifthad had his share of annoyances of late, but they had served a purpose.He hadlearned to think clearly and quickly.Now, when he found his boat stolen, heat once began to map out a plan of action."What will you do first?" asked Mr.Jackson as he saw his employer's sonhesitating."First I'm going to Andy Foger's house," declared the young inventor."If he'shome I'm going to tell him what I think of him.If he's not, I'm going to findPage 42 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlhim.""Why don't you take your sailboat and run down to his dock?" suggested theengineer."It isn't as quick as your motorboat, but it's better than walking.""So it is," exclaimed the lad."I will use my catboat.I had forgotten allabout it of late.I'm glad you spoke."He was soon sailing down the lake in the direction of the boathouse on thewaterfront of Mr.Foger's property.It needed but a glance around the dock toshow him that the RED STREAK was not there, but Tom recollected the accidentto the steering gear and thought perhaps Andy had taken his boat to some wharfwhere there was a repair shop and there left it to return home himself.Butinquiry of Mrs.Foger, who was as nice a woman as her son was a mean lad, gaveTom the information that his enemy was not at home."He telephoned to me that his boat was damaged," said Mrs.Foger gently, "andthat he had taken it to get fixed.Then, he said, he and some friends weregoing on a little cruise and might not be back tonight.""Did he say where he was going?" asked our hero, who did not tell Andy'smother why he wanted to see her son."No, and I'm worried about him.Sometimes I think Andy is too well, tooimpetuous, and I'm afraid he will get into trouble."Tom, in spite of his trouble, could hardly forbear smiling.Andy's mother wastotally unaware of the mean traits of her son and thought him a very finechap.Tom was not going to undeceive her."I'm afraid something will happen to him," she went on."Do you think there isany danger being out on the lake in a motorboat, Mr.Swift? I understand youhave one.""Yes, I have one," answered Tom.He was going to say he had once had one, butthought better of it."No, there is very little danger this time of year," headded."I am very glad to hear you say so," went on Mrs.Foger with a sigh."I shallfeel more at ease when Andy is away now.When he returns home, I shall tellhim you called upon him and he will return your visit.I amTom Swift And His MotorBoatCHAPTER XV.A DISMAYING STATEMENT47glad to see that the custom of paying calls has not died out among the presentgeneration.It is a pleasant habit, and I am glad to have my son conform toit.He shall return your kind visit.""Oh, no, it's of no consequence," replied Tom quickly, thinking grimly thathis visit was far from a friendly one."There is no need to tell your son Iwas here.I will probably see him in a day or two."Oh, but I shall tell him," insisted Mrs.Foger with a kind smile."I'm surehe will appreciate your call."There was much doubt concerning this in the mind of the young inventor, but hedid not express it and soon took his leave.Up and down the lake for the restof the day he cruised, looking in vain for a sight of AndyFoger in the RED STREAK, but the racing boat appeared to be well hidden."If I only could find where they've taken mine," mused Tom."Hang it all, thisis rotten luck!" and for the first time he began to feel discouraged."Maybe you'd better notify the police," suggested Mr.Jackson when Tomreturned to the Swift house that night."They might help locate it.""I think I can do as well as the police," answered the youth."If the boat isanywhere it's on the lake, and the police have no craft in which to make asearch.""That's so," agreed the engineer."I wish I could help you, but I don'tbelieve it would be wise for me to leave the house, especially since those menhave been about lately.""No, you must stay here," was Tom's opinion."I'll take another day or two tosearch.By this time Andy and his gang will return, I'm sure, and I can tacklePage 43 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlthem.""Suppose they don't?""Well, then I'll make a tour of the lake in my sailboat and I'll run up toSandport and tell dad, for he will wonder what's keeping me.I'll know betternext time than to leave my boat at the dock without taking out the connectionat the spark coil, so no one can start the motor.I should have done that atfirst, but you always think of those things afterward."The lad began his search again the next morning and cruised about in littlebays and gulfs looking for a sight of the RED STREAK or the ARROW, but he sawneither, and a call at Andy's house showed that the redhaired youth had notreturned.Mrs.Foger was quite nervous over her son's continued absence, butMr.Foger thought it was all right.Another day passed without any results and the young inventor was getting sonervous, partly with worrying over the loss of his boat and partly on hisfather's account, that he did not know what to do."I can't stand it any longer," he announced to Mrs.Baggert the night of thethird day, after a telephone message had been received from Mr.Swift.Theinventor wanted to know why his son did not return to the hotel to join himand Ned."Well, what will you do?" asked the housekeeper."If I don't find my boat tomorrow, I'll sail to Sandport, bring home dad andNed and we three will go all over the lake
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