"I guess the charges are all right," said Matt humorously, "for it's a long haul. And then, too, the crate, and the engine, and the boat weigh up to beat the band."
"Going to take it?"
Matt's mind had been rapidly going over the points of the case. Madison was surrounded by lakes, and motor-boating was a hobby with a large number of the people. By sending the Sprite to Matt, Ping had undoubtedly determined that he should have the boat. The Sprite was speedy—Matt had tried her out in San Francisco Bay and knew that—and with some changes in the reversing gear Matt believed she could show her heels to anything from First Lake to Fourth. On such a showing, the boat could undoubtedly be sold at a good price, and while $262.50 was a big sum to pay out, just for express charges, still——
Then Matt had another thought, and it was a "startler." George wanted a motor boat for the race. The Sprite wasn't a five-thousand-dollar "speeder," but she could run like a streak with the right kind of a fellow at the engine. Mr. Lorry had refused to help George to a boat, and this unexpected arrival of the Sprite seemed almost providential.
"I'm going to take the boat," said Matt, pushing a hand into his pocket and stepping up to the counter.
[CHAPTER VI.]
"PICKEREL PETE."
By bringing the submarine boat Grampus safely around South America the king of the motor boys had made a good deal of money. Most of this he had invested on the Pacific Slope, but he had more than enough of the "ready" with him to settle the express charges and to keep him afloat until George Lorry's affairs had been put in proper shape.
Having paid over the money and signed the express receipt, the question as to what should be done with the Sprite presented itself.