“I hope not.”
The rain had ceased and the sky was brightening. The cadets went on to a fork of the road and then reached a path they knew ran down to the lake front.
“More than likely the Alice had returned to the Hall,” said Andy. “I’d not blame Jack for doing it, in such a rain.”
“Nor I, Andy. But let us look around a little and see. Maybe he tied up at some boathouse during the storm.”
The two boys walked to the edge of the lake and looked up and down the shore.
“There she is!” exclaimed Pepper, and pointed up the lake.
“Sure that’s the Alice?” queried his chum.
“Yes, I’d know her as far as I could see her.” Pepper raised his voice: “Sloop ahoy! On board the Alice!”
At first his cry was not heard. Then Jack caught sight of the pair standing on a rock, and waved his hand in return. The mainsail of the sloop was thrown over, and the Alice came slowly up to the rock and Andy and Pepper leaped on board. Then a straight course was laid for Putnam Hall.
“We tied up at Paul’s boathouse when it started to rain,” said the young major. “It was certainly a heavy shower, eh?”