“I don’t like to say as to that,” answered the major of the school battalion slowly. “I might be mistaken and get the wrong people into trouble.”
“But you think you know something?” put in Colonel Colby quickly.
“I didn’t recognize the motor-boat so far as looks go,” answered Jack. “It was the peculiar put-put the engine made when the boat came in and when it went away. You know, motor-boats are apt to have a peculiar sound of their own.”
“What did this motor-boat sound like, Rover? If you have any definite idea I think you ought to let me know.”
“I don’t want to hide anything, Colonel Colby. In fact, I’m almost as anxious to find out who set this fire as you are,” went on Jack, with a little smile. “But I’d hate to accuse anybody wrongly. If, however, you insist upon knowing what is in my mind, I’ll say that the put-put of that engine sounded to me like the put-put of one of the Longley Academy boats.”
“Longley Academy!” exclaimed Colonel Colby and Captain Dale simultaneously.
“Are you sure of this?” demanded the captain.
“No, I’m not. That’s the reason I didn’t want to say anything about it.”
“Why should any one from Longley come over here and want to burn down our boathouse?” demanded the colonel.