Then there was a happy time on the beach, different parts of the strange stories being told over and over again. Sandy seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself, and he eagerly ate the pieces of bread and meat the children tossed to him.
At last, however, the time came to go home. Mr. Brown was expected up from Bellemere and Mr. Ravenwood said he would wait over and meet him.
"We can all get in my boat, and ride to the dock," proposed the young pattern-maker.
"Oh, that will be fun!" cried Bunny. "Come on!"
The lunch baskets were gathered up, and as they went down the beach to Mr. Ravenwood's boat Sue put her arms around Sandy's neck, looked into the brown eyes of the dog, and said very seriously:
"Can't you tell what you did with my mother's pocketbook and diamond ring?"
Sandy only wagged his tail, gave a little bark, and raced off after Harry and Bunny, who were getting into the boat.
"All aboard!" called Mr. Ravenwood, as he helped in Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Slater. "All aboard!"
"I'll push off and you can start the engine," offered Bunker Blue. "I'm used to it and I can hop on after she gets started."
"All right," said Mr. Ravenwood, and he went back to the stern of the craft where the gasolene motor was placed under a cover made of wood, to keep out the rain and the salty spray.