“Now, I guess you fellows will tell me I’m hearing things that ain’t so; but, honest, I believe that was the chug-chug of a motor that came down the wind. It was just as Nick was singing that funny song of his about the Dutchman who didn’t know his own name, because he and his twin brother got mixed in the cradle, and the other fellow died. Did anybody else get the sound, or are my ears the only sharp ones?”
“I thought I did,” Jack spoke up; “but you see, Nick was leaning over the side of his boat and sending his voice right at me, so I couldn’t make sure.”
Herb also admitted that he had heard something, he couldn’t say what.
“Now, don’t laugh,” George went on; “but it struck me I’d heard that rackety chug before.”
“Meaning the noisy engine of that stubby little boat the Ann Arbor professor came in?” asked Jack, quietly.
“You hit it right at the first jump, Jack, for that was in my mind,” George said.
“Well,” remarked Nick, “don’t you remember that he said he’d like to spend one night with us here, in hopes of seeing our pet ghost. Perhaps he’s concluded to return and do it.”
“Oh, rats;” exclaimed Josh, “We ain’t going to see any more ghost. What’s the use of keeping that silly idea up? But I reckon all of us’d like to see that gentleman again. He was good company, and he knows boys from the ground up.”
“He ought to, seeing that it’s his business to be with boys and young men all the time. I bet you he’s a prime favorite at college,” Nick remarked; and then looked in surprise at Jack because the other actually chuckled.
“I don’t believe Jack takes much stock in Professor Marshland,” said George, who had also noticed this little demonstration.