s to look pretty. And you let me
monkey with the motor, and get all grease and dirt while you-- Say, I
guess we'll call off this eating stunt," and he swung over the steering
wheel.

"Oh, I say?" protested Innis.

"Don't be mean?" added Paul. "We haven't seen the girls in some time,
and there's three of 'em--"

Dick laughed. On the dock, under the shade of an awning, he had caught
sight of three pretty girls from town--girls he and his chums knew
quite well. They were Mabel Hanford, in whom Dick was more than
ordinarily interested, Grace Knox, and Irene Martin.

"I thought I'd get a rise out of you fellows," the young millionaire
went on. "Trying to get me in bad, were you!"

The boat swerved away from the dock. The girls, who had arisen,
evidently to come down to the float, and welcome the approaching
cadets, seemed disappointed. One of them had waved her handkerchief in
response to a salute from Paul.

"Here, take some of this and clean your face," suggested Paul, handing
Dick some cotton waste from a seat locker.

"And here's a bit for your shoes," added Innis, performing a like
service. "You'll look as good as we do."

"What about my hands?" asked Dick. "Think I want to go up and sit
alongside of a girl with paws like these?" and he held out one that was
black and oily.

"Haven't you any soap aboard?" asked Innis, for he, like Paul, seemed
anxious that Dick should land them at the dock where the girls were.

"Oh, well, if you fellows are as anxious as all that I s'pose I'll have
to humor you," agreed Dick, with a grin. "I dare say Bruce can let me
wash up in his place," and he turned the craft back on the course he
had previously been holding. A little later the motor-boat was made
fast to the float, and the three cadets were greeting the three girls.

"Look out for my hands!" warned Dick, as Miss Hanford's light summer
dress brushed near him. "I'm all oil and grease. I'll go scrub up, if
you'll excuse me."

"Certainly," said Mabel Hanford, with a rippling laugh.

When Dick returned, he ordered a little lunch served out on the end of
the dock, where they could sit and enjoy the cool breezes, and look at
the river on which were many pleasure craft.

"Where were you boys going?" asked Grace Knox, as she toyed with her
ice-cream spoon.

"Coming to see you," answered Paul promptly.

"As if we'd believe that!" mocked Irene. "Why, you were going right
past here, and only turned in when you