hen, Miss Elting?" asked the
captain.

"I don't mind admitting that there is, Mr. Baker," answered the
guardian. "What do you say, girls, shall we tell the boys?" she
inquired, turning to her wards.

"If you think best," agreed Harriet.

"Surely. Tell them. Maybe they'll be able to catch the rascal," urged
Jane McCarthy.

"This is not the first time we have been troubled by some person who
wishes to annoy us," Miss Elting informed the Tramp Club. "Before we
began to live on the boat, and while we were getting it ready for
occupancy, some person did the same thing. That is, he cut the rope and
cast the boat adrift. It was anchored at Johnson's dock. Perhaps you do
not know where that is."

"I know," spoke up Billy. "It's about two miles above here. That's where
we landed to-day, George."

Captain Baker nodded.

"How do you know they cast the 'Red Rover' adrift?" he asked.

"The rope had been cut," replied Harriet Burrell. "It was just as Miss
Elting has told you. The anchor rope had been cut cleanly with a sharp
knife. This time the loop, instead of the rope, has been cut."

"I thought you said you had no enemies," observed Sam Crocker.

"Nor have we, as far as we know," answered the guardian.

"I don't know what you would call the person who did this, then. This is
all the more reason why you should anchor near our camp."

"Oh, no. We are perfectly able to take care of ourselves," smiled Miss
Elting. "Experiences such as these aid in making us self-reliant."

"Have you a revolver on board?" questioned Gordon.

"Miss Elting has a revolver," answered Jane.

"We hope never to be forced to use it, however. The trouble is that our
friend doesn't show himself. But just wait. One of these fine nights
we'll catch him, then he'll take a bath in the lake."

"You have no idea who he is?"

"I can't say that we have," replied the guardian slowly.

"Do you know Mr. Dickinson?" asked Harriet, looking sharply at Gordon.

"Dee? Yes."

"What sort of person is he?"

"Oh, Dee's all right. He doesn't amount to a whole lot, but he is a good
fellow. Why?" He shot a suspicious glance at Harriet.

"Nothing, except that he was looking after the boat for Miss Elting's
brother before we came down here."

George put an end to the conversation by announcing that it was time
they got the "Red Rover" out. The motor boat was paddled out into deeper
water, then the houseboat was fastened to the motor boat and the power
star