ouseboat go to?"

"It was heading straight down the river when we saw it last."

"Then come!" cried Dick. "Let us go after the craft and lose no time."

A moment later the steam tug parted company with the launch, and the
chase after the _Dora_ was resumed.

CHAPTER XXVII

CAUGHT ONCE MORE

The two girls hardly dared to breathe as they stood at the rear of
the houseboat, trying to untie the small rowboat which lay on the deck.

"Oh, Dora, supposing they find us out?" gasped Nellie.

"I don't think we'll be any worse off than we were," answered her cousin.

"Do you think we can launch the rowboat and get into it without
upsetting?"

"We can try."

The small craft was soon unfastened and they dragged it to the edge
of the houseboat. There was a small slide, on hinges, and they had
seen the boys use this more than once, and knew how it worked. Down
went the rowboat with a slight splash, and they hauled the craft up
close by aid of the rope attached to the bow.

"Now the oars!" whispered Dora.

They were at hand, in a rack at the back of the dining room, and
soon she had secured two pairs.

"You drop in first, Nellie," went on Dora. "Be quick, but don't fall
overboard."

Nellie obeyed, trembling in every limb. She landed safely and in a
few seconds Dora followed. Just as this was done a man appeared on
the deck of the houseboat, followed by another.

"Oh, Dora--" began Nellie, when her cousin silenced her. Then the
rope was untied, and the rowboat was allowed to drift astern of the
larger craft.

"Hullo, there!" came suddenly out of the darkness. "What's up back
there?"

"Who are you calling to, Hamp?" came from the galley.

"Something doing back here," answered Hamp Gouch. "Somebody just cut
loose from our stern."

"What's that?" burst out Dan Baxter, and tumbled out on deck, followed
by the others.

"I said somebody just cut loose from this houseboat. There they go,"
and the horse thief pointed with his hand.

"It can't be the girls!" cried Flapp.

"Run to the stateroom and see," answered Baxter. "I'll get the big
lantern."

Lew Flapp hurried to the door of the state-room, taking with him the
key Baxter handed over.

"Hullo, in there!" he shouted. "Are you awake?"

Receiving no answer he knocked loudly on the door.

"I say, why don't you answer?" he went on. "I'm coming in."

Still receiving no reply, he started to put the key in the lock and
found that he could not do so.