Five minutes later the Sea Scouts had their first glimpse of the Spindrift. She was a powerful, able-looking craft, looking spick-and-span with her freshly painted topsides and newly varnished spars and cabin-top. Apparently her sails had been hoisted for airing purposes during the morning, for the sail covers were off and the canvas loosely furled.
For the moment, it must be confessed, Desmond was forgotten. In their eagerness to inspect their new possession Scoutmaster and Sea Scouts jumped on board and went below.
"What a decent cabin!" exclaimed Hayes. "Almost as big as the Ocean Bride's."
"But not quite so high," added Findlay, speaking feelingly, for he had just seen a galaxy of stars through his head coming in contact with a deck-beam.
"Two bunks," continued Hayes.
"Four," corrected Jock. "Those seats form bunks, and there are two swinging cots above them. And here's the fo'c'sle. Quite a posh affair."
It was certainly larger than the average run of fo'c'sle in craft of that size. One portion was partitioned off, forming a pantry to starboard and a galley to port. On either side were "sparred" lockers, giving plenty of fresh air, while above were two folding cots. Right for'ard was the chain-locker, while the floor space was occupied by a miscellaneous assortment of ropes, blocks, navigation lamps, bucket and mop, and other articles of a yacht's equipment.
Meanwhile Mr. Graham had gone ashore to interview the two workmen concerning Desmond. Already he was pretty certain that the Patrol Leader hadn't been on board. Had he been so he would have carried out the Scoutmaster's instructions and rested his foot. None of the leather cushions in the cabin bore traces of having been sat upon recently; nor was there any sign of Desmond's kit. Having once been on board he was not likely to have gone off without leaving his blankets and other baggage behind him.
The boat-builders were emphatic that no one except the employees of the firm had been on board that morning or afternoon—not even during the dinner hour, for they had brought their food with them, since they lived at Stratton, a good two miles away.
"Lads!" exclaimed Mr. Graham. "We haven't found Desmond."