“But do you think any developments from shore will make it necessary to get the ‘Meteor’ on the jump over to Wood’s Hole?” broke in Joe.
“You might keep the boat within sight of our flagpole,” replied Mr. Dunstan. “That will allow you to sail some miles away if you use the glass every few minutes. In case we want you to return here in haste we’ll hoist one red pennant. If we want you to make full speed for Wood’s Hole, without first returning here, we’ll hoist two red pennants. In the latter case you can land Mrs. Lester and her daughters and they can go to the hotel at Wood’s Hole until your work with the boat is done. Then you can bring them back.”
“That’ll all be clear and easy,” nodded Tom. “Well, sir, we’re ready when you are.”
“I’ll be right back with the ladies,” promised Mr. Dunstan. Joe began to oil the engine, while Jed made a dive for his cleanest white duck suit. Tom carefully brushed his uniform; he had secured another coat, at the owner’s expense, since leaving that other behind in the tight grip of Jonas French. It was a trim, natty-looking boat’s crew that met the ladies when Mr. Dunstan brought them aboard. Mrs. Lester was a woman of forty, still young looking and handsome. The girls—Elsie, aged seventeen, and Jessie, fifteen, looked extremely sweet and dainty in their white dresses, blue reefers and yachting caps.
Mr. Dunstan left them almost immediately.
“Shall I take you aft to the deck chairs?” inquired Tom.
Mrs. Lester assented, but the girls declared that, if they might, they much preferred to remain on the bridge deck and watch the running of the boat. To this Tom gladly assented.
The “Meteor” slipped gracefully away from her pier, then turned and headed over in the direction of Muskeget Island. This was a course that would keep them easily in sight of the Dunstan flagpole.
“You must look upon us as splendid nuisances?” suggested Elsie.
“Yes, to that, if you’ll leave out the word ‘nuisances,’” smiled Captain Tom gallantly.