Every boat on the lake in the vicinity was regarded with suspicion.

But it was not until nearly five o'clock that Hazel came in with the report that the launch was heading across the upper end of the island, evidently making for the dock visited by it earlier in the day.
After reaching the landing, Captain Baker went up to the farmhouse alone.

With his companions he had been searching along the lake the greater part of the afternoon for information about the "Red Rover," but without result.

It was therefore with some misgivings that he once more knocked at the door of the farmhouse.
"Have you seen anything of the young ladies ?" he asked the instant the door was opened in response to his knock.
"Oh! You are the young man who was here this morning?
Yes, I've heard from them," replied the woman, with a twinkle in her eyes that Captain Baker failed to observe.
"You have?
What have you heard ?" "The young women were here very shortly after you left this morning." "You don't say so?
Thank you ever so much.

Did they say where they were stopping ?" he questioned eagerly.
The woman shook her head.
"But they must be near here ?" "Maybe they are and maybe they ain't." The farmer's wife did not know exactly where the girls were, so she had told him no untruth.
"Haven't you seen their boat ?" "Not since the other day." "That is queer.