The girls shook hands with them all, one after another. As they started out, Frank began to whistle “Nellie Was a Lady,” and the others, with the exception of Diamond, joined in. This was turned into “Marching Through Georgia,” to which tune they stepped off briskly toward the steamboat wharf.
As they came down the street leading to the wharf the whistling died out, and they walked on in silence.
“The wind is off shore to-night,” said Diamond.
“I hope it will hold that way in the morning,” said Frank.
They reached the wharf. Jack hurried forward and was the first to reach the steps, at the foot of which they had left their boat. He went down the steps quickly, and then a cry came from his lips.
“What’s the matter?” asked Frank.
“Boat is gone!”
“Impossible!”
“It is, all the same. Somebody has stolen her.”
“Well, that is interesting!”