"Exactly my way of thinking," answered Roger. "And I've got an idea who took the craft, too."
"Those Rockville cadets?" queried Henshaw.
"Yes."
"They wouldn't be above such a piece of mischief," said Messmer. "They feel mighty sore over the way we outsailed them that time we raced."
"They'll be likely to sail the boat to our dock and leave her there," said Shadow. "Puts me in mind of a story I once heard about——"
"I don't want to listen to any stories just now," grumbled Henshaw. "I want to find that ice-boat. If we can't find her we'll have to walk home."
"What a pity we didn't bring our skates!" cried Dave. "The wind is very light, and if we had them we might catch up with whoever took the craft. I am by no means certain the Rockville cadets are guilty. When we met them they were going home, and they didn't know we were coming here."
"Nobody knew that," said Messmer.
"Who was the last person we met on the river before landing?" questioned the senator's son.
All of the boys thought for a minute.