"What!"
"The houseboat is gone—and so is that planter who said he'd take care of her."
"Mine cracious me!" burst out Hans Mueller. "You ton't tole me alretty!"
"Tom, you don't mean" Dick paused.
"The houseboat is gone, clean and clear, Dick."
"And that planter, Gasper Pold"
"Is gone too," returned Sam. "And so is that carpenter who said he'd repair the craft."
"This is certainly too bad. Tell me the particulars," and Dick's face grew decidedly serious.
"There isn't much to tell," said Tom. "We got there, looked around, made a search, and here we are. No boat in sight, no person to be seen, just nothing and nobody."
"But the houseboat must be somewhere, Tom."
"I agree with you, but not being a second-sight mind reader I can't tell you where."
Alexander Pop, who was with the boys, had listened closely with his eyes rolling in wonder.
"Fo' de lan' sakes!" he ejaculated. "Dat's de wuss news I's heard in a long time. Seems lak da was no end of troubles fo' dis crowd!"
"Well, if this doesn't beat the Dutch!" murmured Fred Garrison.
"Yah, und it beats der Irish too alretty!" came
