The well-known steamer Island Belle is a good boat of moderate speed, and pursuing its winding course was moored at the wharf in Boothbay Harbor before noon. The boys had kept a sharp lookout for the stolen launch, but did not get a glimpse of it. Beyond the brief message of Mr. Richards they were wholly in the dark, and since he was absent they did not know whom to question. They could easily have hired a boat to take them to Mouse Island, less than two miles away, but the chances were that when they reached there they would learn that their friend had gone somewhere else.
While the youths stood debating on the low float, they observed the Nellie G. coming in. The genial bewhiskered Captain Williams in the pilot house recognized them and waved his hand. Then for a few minutes he was busy making fast and seeing that his passengers landed safely. Everybody knows and likes the captain, and as soon as he was at leisure the boys stepped up to him and shook hands warmly.
"I'm glad you've got your boat back," he remarked, when they had talked for a few minutes.
"We heard that it had been found," said Alvin, "but we haven't seen it since it was stolen yesterday. Have you?"
"I saw it yesterday afternoon when I was over at Squirrel Island."
"Where?" asked the astonished Alvin.
"Why, I talked with the wild Irishman who had it in charge."
"Do you mean Mike Murphy?"
"I'm not certain of his last name, but they call him Mike, and he is redheaded, with the most freckled face I ever saw."
"That's our Mike!" exclaimed the delighted Chester. "Tell us about it."