It's the property of Mr. Bently
Hastings. The thieves stole it from him, and when they ran away
from the old mansion, the time Mr. Damon and I raided the place,
they left the boat on the lake. I turned it over to the county
authorities, and they found out it belonged to Mr. Hastings. He
has it back now, but I understand it's somewhat damaged, and he
wants to get rid of it. He's going to sell it at auction to-day,
and I thought I'd go over and take a look at it. You see--"
"Yes, I see, Tom," exclaimed Mr. Swift with a laugh. "I see what
you're aiming at. You want a motor-boat, and you're going all
around Robin Hood's barn to get at it."
"No, dad, I only--"
"Oh, I know you, Tom, my lad!" interrupted the inventor, shaking
his finger at his son, who seemed somewhat confused. "You have a
nice rowing skiff and a sailboat, yet you are hankering for a
motor-boat. Come now, own up. Aren't you?"
"Well, dad, a motor-boat certainly would go fine on Lake Carlopa.
There's plenty of room to speed her, and I wonder there aren't
more of them. I was going to see what Mr. Hastings' boat would
sell for, but I didn't exactly think of buying it' Still--"
"But you wouldn't buy a damaged boat, would you?"
"It isn't much damaged," and in his eagerness the young inventor
(for Tom Swift had taken out several patents) stood his
motor-cycle up against the fence and came closer to his father.
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