CHAPTER IX
THE MYSTERIOUS ROWBOAT
Fred Cunningham turned away from the crowd and walked over to where Irene Rich was tying the last of the bundles when Frank shot this decidedly pointed shaft at him.
This action on Cunningham’s part reacted on Frank’s mind, and he, now amazed at what he had said and the result it had produced, grew quiet while he made his preparations to get aboard the Rocket.
Minnie Cuthbert came over to his side while he was making ready to cast off from the river bank.
“Frank, may I ride back with you to town? I’d like to go up the river instead of riding back in a car.”
“Surest thing you know!” he exclaimed. Not only was he delighted to take Minnie along because he wished her company, but he also felt that Cunningham would realize that he had not done so much damage as he thought.
“Won’t you please tell me,” she asked when they had got away from shore and Lanky, Paul, and Ralph had gone forward to allow the two to be alone at the cockpit, “what you meant when you said what you did to Fred? And why did he turn and leave so suddenly?”
“I wish I could tell you, Minnie. But right now I may not tell you the truth. I am guessing at some things. That wild guess may be right and it may be wrong. At any rate, it had an effect that surprised me.”
“What does it all mean? Has it anything to do with that robbery at Mrs. Parsons? I’ve heard so many things dropped that I am very curious.”