"Waiting for us? What for?" asked Sam Snedecker.
"What for? As if you didn't know!" blurted out the owner of the
ARROW. "I want my boat, Andy Foger, the one you stole from me and
hid! Tell me where it is at once or I'll have you arrested!"
"Your boat!" repeated the bully, and there was no mistaking the
surprise in his tones.
"Yes, my boat! Don't try to bluff me like that."
"I'm not trying to bluff you. We've been away, three days and
just got back."
"Yes, I know you have. You took my boat with you, too."
"Are you crazy?" demanded Pete Bailey.
"No, but you fellows must have been to think you could take my
boat and me not know it," and Tom, filled with wrath, grasped the
gunwale of the RED STREAK as if he feared it would suddenly shoot
away.
"Look here!" burst out Andy, and he spoke sincerely, "we didn't
touch your boat. Did we, fellows?"
"No!" exclaimed Sam and Pete at once, and they were very much in
earnest.
"We didn't even know it was stolen, did we?" went on Andy.
"No," agreed his chums. Tom looked unconvinced.
"We haven't taken your boat and we can prove it," continued the
bully. "I know you and I have had quarrels, but I'm telling you
the truth, Tom Swift. I never touched your boat."
There was no mistaking the sincerity of Andy.
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