Bets thought she would swim out to them. So off she went, striking out valiantly. She didn't see a punt coming smoothly through the water, and before she could save herself, she felt a sharp blow on her shoulder, and screamed.
The punt slid on, unable to stop, but a boat following behind, swung round, and a man caught hold of her and held her.
"You're all right, aren't you?" he said, bending over her. "Can you swim?"
"Yes," gasped Bets, striking out again. "Fatty! Fatty! Come here quickly!"
The others swam over to the frightened little girl. They helped her to the shore and she gazed after the distant boat, and gulped.
"Oh," she said, "oh, I've missed the most wonderful Clue! But I couldn't help it! Oh, Fatty, the man in that boat had odd eyes—one blue and one brown. I couldn't help noticing them when he caught hold of my shoulder. And now the boat is gone—and I never even noticed its name!"
"Oh, Bets!" said every one, and Bets looked ready to cry. "Didn't you notice what colour it was, or anything?" asked Larry.
Bets shook her head. "No—I suppose I was too frightened. Oh, I'm so sorry. It was such a wonderful Clue—and a Suspect, too—and I've lost them both!"
Something Happens At Last.
That afternoon things really began to happen. Fatty disguised himself once more as the old man (who was keeping remarkably out of the way), and went to the bench in the village street as usual. He limped most realistically this time, because his foot had swollen up from being run over by the tricycle. He had provided himself with plenty of newspapers to read, and he sat down as carefully as ever, letting out a little groan as he did so.