"Humph! Under the doctor's care, eh?" mused the steamboat owner. "This certainly seems to be serious after all. He will certainly make trouble for me even if he doesn't win his case."
Again the steamboat owner interviewed Captain Hadley, and then the pair called in Randy, to learn what he could tell about the Bangs family in general. Our hero told all he knew, including the trouble Mr. Bartlett was having with the iron manufacturer.
"Evidently he is a man to get money in any manner possible," mused Andrew Shalley. "He will certainly bring suit."
"I don't believe Bob is sick," said Randy. "He must be shamming."
"I wish I knew for sure."
"Perhaps I can find out for you—if you'll give me a day or two off," said our hero, struck by a sudden idea.
"A good plan!" cried Captain Hadley. "Let the lad see what he can do, by all means."
The matter was talked over, and the upshot was that on the next trip of the steamboat Randy went ashore at Catskill, near which town Bob Bangs and his mother were spending their vacation.
From some men at the dock our hero was enabled to find out all about the damaged sloop, which had been returned to Catskill. It was to cost twenty dollars to put the craft in good condition again.
"Those folks are stopping at a small hotel on the Burnham road," said one of the dock men. "It's called the Sharon House."