“I suppose that means we are to go across the lake again and see what we can find of the girl?”
“That’s what we ought to do.”
“Then by all means let’s do it. Duty first and pleasure afterward. How long do you intend to stop up here, anyhow?”
“Oh, a day or two. If we fail entirely I think I shall try to persuade Doctor Dan to take me on to Mr. Eglinton’s mine and see if Clara is safe there.”
“That means time lost. How about telegraphing Professor Poynter?”
“We can do that from the mine just as well as from Node Ranch. No doubt there is a line through to there.”
“The girl is a nuisance,” declared Charley. “I really believe you are ready to fall in love with her, Dick.”
“I’m ready to help her if she needs help and to save her from that scoundrel Mudd,” declared Dick, “but don’t let’s do any more talking until we have made a start.”
The boat was soon stretched and the seats placed and the boys then carried it down to the lake and got in.
It was not a pleasant craft to navigate, but Charley had become quite skillful with the paddle and they were soon making good headway across the lake.