g inventor said to
Andy. "I can use some tools from the shop then, and by to-night I'll
have the RED STREAK in running order."

The breeze was in the right quarter, fortunately, and with the
motor-boat dragging behind, the ARROW's owner put the nose of the
sailing craft toward his home dock.

When Tom reached his house he found that Mrs. Baggert had received
another telephone message from Mr. Swift, inquiring why his son had not
returned to Sandport.

"He says if you don't come back by to-morrow," repeated the
housekeeper, "that he'll come home by train. He's getting anxious, I
believe."

"Shouldn't wonder," admitted Tom. "But I want him to stay there. The
change will do him good. I'll soon have my boat back, now that I can
go about the lake swiftly, and then I'll join him. I'll tell him to be
patient."

Tom talked with his father at some length, assuring him that everything
was well at the Shopton house and promising to soon be with him. Then
the young inventor began work on the motor of the RED STREAK. He found
it quite a job and had to call on Mr. Jackson to help him, for one of
the pistons had to be repaired and a number of adjustments made to the
cylinders.

But that night the motor was fully mended and placed back in the boat.
It was in better shape than it had been since Andy had purchased the
craft.

"There," remarked Tom, "now I'm ready to hunt for those scoundrels.
Will you leave your boat at my dock to-night, Andy?"

"Yes, so you can start out early in the morning. I'm not going."

"Why not?" demanded Tom quickly.

"Well--er--you see I've had enough of motoring for a while," explained
Andy. "Besides, I don't believe my mother would like me to go out on a
chase after thieves. If we had to shoot I might hit one of them, and--"

"Oh, I see," answered Tom. "But I don't like to take your boat alone.
Besides, I don't fancy there will be much shooting. I know I'm not
going to take a gun. In fact, the one Mr. Duncan gave me is in the
boat. All I want is to get the ARROW back."

"That's all right," went on Andy. "You take my boat and use it as long
as you like. I'll rest up a few days. When you find your boat you can
bring mine back."

Tom understood. He was just as glad not to have Andy accompany him in
the chase, as he and the red-haired lad had never been good friends and
probably never would be. So it would cause some embarrassment to be
together in a boat all day. Then again