CHAPTER XXII.
MASCULINE AND FEMININE Uncle John and the girls, after consulting together, decided to stop at the Hollywood studio and pick up Flo and Mrs.Montrose.
"It would be a shame to visit that lovely yacht without them," said Patsy; "and we were all invited, you know." "Yes, invited by a host who is unavoidably detained elsewhere," added Uncle John.
"Still, that yacht is very exclusive," his niece stated, "and I'm sure we are the first Americans to step foot on its decks." They were all in a brighter mood since the interview at the jail, and after a hurried lunch at the hotel, during which Maud related to the others the morning's occurrences, they boarded the big Merrick seven-passenger automobile and drove to Santa Monica Bay.

Louise couldn't leave the baby, who was cutting teeth, but Arthur and Beth joined the party and on arrival at the beach Uncle John had no difficulty in securing a launch to take them out to the _Arabella_.
"They won't let you aboard, though," declared the boatman.

"A good many have tried it, an' come back disjointed.

There's something queer about that craft; but the gov'ment don't seem worried, so I guess it ain't a pirate." The beauty of the yacht grew on them as they approached it.

It was painted a pure white in every part and on the stern was the one word: _Arabella_, but no name of the port from which she hailed.