As the others raised their eyes and gazed in the direction their leader indicated they, too, uttered a cry of astonishment.

From the mouth of the inlet there had stolen a long, low, black craft, gliding through the water at tremendous speed.
In the strange craft the boy scouts had little difficulty in recognizing Sam Redding's hydroplane.
"So he's got her back," exclaimed Merritt, recovering from his first astonishment.
"Yes, and she seems little the worse for her experience," remarked Tubby.

"It doesn't appear, though, that they are going to profit by their lesson of the other day, for there they go out to sea again." "Probably consulted the glass this time," remarked Rob.

"It read 'set fair' when we started out." "Well, that's the only kind of weather for them," commented Merritt; "though as both Jack and Bill can swim, I wouldn't mind seeing them get a good ducking." "I suppose the coincidence has struck you fellows, too ?" remarked Rob suddenly, as he skillfully twisted and turned the dancing Flying Fish through the devious ways of the channel at low water.
"What on earth are you talking about ?" demanded Merritt.
"Why, that it seems rather queer that Sam, who was round town desperately trying to raise money with which to get his boat out of pawn suddenly manages to redeem her, and that on the very day after the robbery of Captain Hudgins hut." "By hookey, that's right!" shouted Tubby.

"I'll bet your guess was correct, Rob--that gang of Jack's robbed the old captain." "And stole our uniforms," put in Merritt.
"Yes; but how are we going to prove it ?" was Rob's "cold water" comment which silenced further speculation for the time being.