“Besides,” said Crane, “haow could he get there? He didn’t take the canoe.”
“He must be hungry,” said Stone. “He hasn’t had any dinner.”
Five minutes later some distance away on the lake they perceived a small white rowboat that seemed to be heading for their camp. In the boat a single person plied the oars industriously.
“We’re going to have a visitor” said Stone. “Wonder who it is?”
“Cuc-can’t be Mr. Granger,” was Springer’s immediate decision. “He came in a canoe t’other time.”
“It doesn’t look like Granger,” said Grant, stepping out from the trees and shading his eyes with his hand. “Great Caesar! fellows, I believe it’s Piper!”
“Piper! No, no; you must be mistaken.”
But, as they watched the boat draw nearer and were able to get a better view of its occupant, they were compelled to acknowledge that he looked like Sleuth. And Sleuth it was who came rowing serenely into the cove and beached the boat.
“Ho, comrades!” he hailed, stepping out. “I have returned. I am with you once again.”
They surrounded him.