On the outskirts of the town was a fine flower garden where roses of unusual beauty were grown. One day the girls and ladies visited this and Dick and Songbird went along. In the meantime Tom and Sam walked down to the docks, to see how the repairs to the Rainbow were progressing, and also to look at the vessels going out and coming in.
"A vessel is due from New York," said Tom. "I heard them talking about it at the hotel."
"Let us see if there is anybody on board we know," answered his brother.
They walked to the spot where the people were to come in, and there learned that the steamer had sent its passengers ashore an hour before. A few were at the dock, taking care of some baggage which had been detained by the custom house officials.
"Well, I never!" exclaimed Tom. "If there isn't Peter Slade! What can he be doing here?"
Peter Slade had once been a pupil at Putnam Hall. He had been something of a bully, al though not as bad as Tad Sobber. The boys had often played tricks on him and once Peter had gotten so angry he had left the school and never come back.
"Let us go and speak to him," said Sam.
