"That's the size of it."
"And the girls are gone too," went on Tom. "Yes, but the two happenings may have no connection, Tom."
"Don't be so sure of that!"
"What do you mean?"
"I'm thinking about Dan Baxter and Lew Flapp. They wouldn't be above stealing the houseboat."
"I believe you there."
"And if those girls happened to go on board—Look there!"
Tom pointed out in the darkness on the road. Two horses were coming toward them, each wearing a lady's saddle and each riderless.
"There are the horses," said Dick. "But the girls? You think—"
"The girls came down here on their horses and dismounted, to go on board of the houseboat."