“The other one gave me a shove,” declared Agnes. “If I had known what he was up to he wouldn’t have got away so easily. I haven’t been playing basket ball for nothing!” she boasted.
“Well, I think there is nothing more to be done,” said their guardian. “While there is no great rush, I think the sooner we get started on our houseboat trip the better. So if you’ll come with me, I’ll take you home, we can gather up the last of the baggage and make a quick trip to the Bluebird. I have the side curtains up and the rain is stopping, I think.”
“Oh, are we going on the trip—now—after the robbery?” asked Ruth doubtfully.
“Yes. Why not?” inquired the lawyer, with a smile. “You can do nothing by staying here, and if the men should be arrested I can arrange to bring you back to identify them. I know how bad you feel, but the trip will be the best thing in the world for you, for it will take your mind from your loss.”
“Yes, Ruth, it will!” agreed Agnes, for she saw that her sister was much affected.
“Well, we’ll go back home, anyhow,” assented Ruth. And after they had thanked the Stetson’s for their hospitality the two sisters left in charge of Mr. Howbridge. As he had said, the rain was stopping, and when they reached the Corner House the sun was out again, glistening on the green leaves of the trees.
“It’s a good omen,” declared Agnes.
Of course there was consternation at the Corner House when the story of the robbery was told. But even Aunt Sarah Maltby agreed with Mr. Howbridge that it would do Ruth and Agnes good to make the houseboat trip. Accordingly, after the two robbed ones had calmed down a little more, the last belongings were gathered together, Dot and Tess, who had considerably mussed their clothes playing tag around the furniture, were straightened out, good-bys were said over and over again, and then, in Mr. Howbridge’s automobile, the little party started for the Bluebird.
“Where’s Neale?” asked Agnes, as they neared the canal.
“He’ll meet us at the boat,” said the lawyer. “I just received a letter from his uncle, the circus man, which contains a little information about the boy’s father.”