The news soon circulated that the Sprite had been stolen, and Mr. Shale offered a reward of ten dollars to anybody who would locate the craft.
"I won't offer any more than that just now," said he to Mr. Westmore. "As they can't take the boat off the lake we are bound to find her sooner or later."
Ten dollars was quite a sum to some men and boys living in the vicinity of Pine Lake, and many went out Sunday afternoon and all day Monday, looking for the Sprite. But, strange as it may appear, not a trace of the sloop was discovered. Then Mr. Shale increased his reward to fifty dollars.
"Maybe they sunk her," suggested Joe. "They could do that, and then raise her after the search is over, and give her a different coat of paint and a new name."
"Well, I guess anybody who would steal her would be mean enough to do almost anything with her," answered Harry.
The members of the baseball club were very anxious to get the best uniforms possible for their money, and so the secretary of the club was ordered to send to half a dozen firms for samples and prices. The latter were speedily forthcoming, and one firm, more energetic than the rest, sent along four sample suits, so that they might be inspected.
"That firm certainly has faith in its goods," said Joe. "If they didn't they wouldn't send us four complete suits."
"And their prices are a little lower than the other firms," added Fred. "I guess we'll have to get our outfit from them." And the majority of the boys thought the same.
Some were anxious to don the new uniforms and they were loaned out to Harry, Paul, Link and Matt. All were cautioned to keep the suits clean and in good order and promised to do so.
"Now I feel like a real baseball player," declared Harry, after he had the suit on.