"You have no idea who he is?"
"I can't say that we have," replied the guardian slowly.
"Do you know Mr. Dickinson?" asked Harriet, looking sharply at Gordon.
"Dee? Yes."
"What sort of person is he?"
"Oh, Dee's all right. He doesn't amount to a whole lot, but he is a good fellow. Why?" He shot a suspicious glance at Harriet.
"Nothing, except that he was looking after the boat for Miss Elting's brother before we came down here."
George put an end to the conversation by announcing that it was time they got the "Red Rover" out. The motor boat was paddled out into deeper water, then the houseboat was fastened to the motor boat and the power started, while all the boys save two pulled and hauled on the heavy houseboat. It floated slowly out into deeper water, while the girls cheered the efforts of the Tramp Club.
The anchor, in the meantime, had been put on board and a new loop made at the end of the rope. The girls now climbed into the rowboat and were rowed out to the "Red Rover," after which the motor boat began towing the "Red Rover" into the lake, with Captain George Baker at the helm. He had remained aboard to give further assistance, if needed.
"This is the worst old tub to steer that ever I took hold of," he declared.