"One thing is certain,—if the houseboat was stolen, the mist and rain will aid the thieves to get away with her," said Dick.
It was a rather silent crowd that rode into Skemport an hour and a half later. Here a doctor was roused up and sent to the stock farm, to see if Mrs. Stanhope needed him, for she was weak and might collapse completely when least expected.
Once at the spot where the Dora had been tied up, another search was begun for the girls and the houseboat. Some went up the shore and others down, each with a lantern which had been provided to dispel the gloom.
"Oh, where? Oh, where?
In dire despair
We search the shore in vain!"
came lowly from Songbird, but then he felt too heavy-hearted to finish the verse and heaved a sigh instead. "This is simply heart-rending," he said.
"That's what it is," answered Dick.
Hans was not far off, shambling along in his own peculiar fashion. He held up his lantern and by the dim rays made out a building some distance away.
"I yonder vot is in dare?" he said to himself. "Maype I go und look, hey? It ton't cost me noddings."
Through the mist and rain he approached the building and walked around to the door, which was closed. He flung it open and held up his lantern to see inside.
"Du meine Zeit! Vot is dis?" he gasped. "Cabtain Starr, or I vos treaming! Hi, Cabtain, vot you vos doing here, alretty?" he called out.