"Did you expect him to stay out so long?"

"No, I didn't. I was looking for him in last evening."

"Who did he take out?"

"Two gentlemen, I believe. He made the engagement himself. I don't know who
they were."

"Have you any idea where he can be?"

"They sailed up the lake, so Jack Harper says. Maybe they might be puttin'
in the time around the islands. Sometimes these sportsmen don't care to
come home at dark, but want the fun of camping out over night."

This last remark afforded Mrs. Nelson some relief. If the supposition was
correct, Ralph might be perfectly safe.

"I hope he comes back soon," she said. "Would you mind if I stay around the
boat-house for a while?"

"Why, no, Mrs. Nelson; make yourself at home," returned Franchard,
heartily. "We ain't got very good accommodations here, but such as they are
you are welcome to."

The widow sat down and watched the boatman mending his craft. Thus an hour
passed. Then came a hail from the water.

"Ahoy there, Franchard!"

The boatman looked up and saw a young fellow in a rowboat.

"Hullo, Evans!" he called back.

"Say, one of your boats is ashore over to Mack's meadow," went on the youth
in the rowboat.

"One of my boats! Which one?"

"The _Minnie_. I saw her as I came past, and I thought I'd tell you about
her. She isn't tied up there."

"My gracious! what can it mean?" cried Mrs. Nelson. "That was the boat
Ralph had, wasn't it?"

"It was," returned Franchard. "Jump in this rowboat, Mrs. Nelson, and we'll
go over to the meadow and take a look at the boat."

He ran for a pair of oars, and soon the two were on the water. Mack's
meadow was less than half a mile away, and Franchard, who was an expert
rower, soon pulled the boat to it.

"There is the _Minnie_, sure enough!" he exclaimed, as they rounded a
little point.

And he pointed to where the sloop lay half-hidden in the water and high
meadow grass.

"Is--is any one on board?" asked Mrs. Nelson, in a trembling tone.

"Not a soul."

"Oh, Mr. Franchard, what do you suppose has happened?" she burst out.

"I can't say, ma'am. Wait till I go on board and take a look around."

Franchard was soon on the sloop. Everything appeared to be in order,
although there were the marks of muddy feet on the flooring and on the
seats. Martin and Toglet had taken good care that no clew that should lead
to their identity should be left behind.

"Do you see anything belonging to Ralph?" asked Mrs. Nelson.