"Hu! Well, you'll not get it. I'm going to take that boat,"
retorted the squint-eyed bully. "Dad gave me the money to get
it."

"All right," answered Tom non-committally. "Go ahead. It's a
free country."

He stood his motor-cycle up against a tree and went toward a group
of persons who were surrounding the auctioneer. The time had
arrived to start the sale. As Tom edged in closer he brushed
against a man who looked at him sharply. The lad was just
wondering if he had ever seen the individual before, as there
seemed to be something strangely familiar about him, when the man
turned quickly away, as if afraid of being recognized.

"That's odd," thought Tom, but he had no further time for
speculation, as the auctioneer was mounting on a soapbox and had
begun to address the gathering.


CHAPTER II

SOME LIVELY BIDDING

"Attention, people!" cried the auctioneer. "Give me your
attention for a few minutes, and we will proceed with the business
in hand. As you all know, I am about to dispose of a fine motor-
boat, the property of Mr. Bently Hastings. The reason for
disposing of it at auction is known to most of you, but for the