“What’s that over there?”
All turned to look.
“Seems like a water-logged boat,” said Nelson. “Run her over there, Bob.”
Bob obeyed and two minutes later the Vagabond floated alongside the puzzling object, puzzling no longer. It was the tender, filled with water almost to the gunwales and empty of everything except the oars and a few dead fish. The four stared at each other in consternation.
CHAPTER XII—WHEREIN NELSON SOLVES THE MYSTERY
The Vagabond rolled and dipped while the boys silently struggled with the problem confronting them.
Where was Spencer Floyd?
There was the boat, there were the oars, there were the fish which he had promised, and, entangled with one of the oars, was the line he had used. But—where was he? Also, why was the tender full of water?
“It’s the funniest thing I ever ran up against!” breathed Dan, finally breaking the silence. After that questions came fast and furious and no one tried to supply the answers until Tom cried:
“I know! Su-su-su-su-somebody ru-ru-ran him du-du-du——!”