"It's the motor-boat those fellows had who tried to get away with
your turbine model invention, dad. The one they used at the old
General Harkness mansion, in the woods near the lake, and the same
boat that fellow used when he got away from me the day I was
chasing him here."

"Oh, yes, I remember now. But what is the boat doing over at
Lanton?"

"That's where it belongs. It's the property of Mr. Bently
Hastings. The thieves stole it from him, and when they ran away
from the old mansion, the time Mr. Damon and I raided the place,
they left the boat on the lake. I turned it over to the county
authorities, and they found out it belonged to Mr. Hastings. He
has it back now, but I understand it's somewhat damaged, and he
wants to get rid of it. He's going to sell it at auction to-day,
and I thought I'd go over and take a look at it. You see--"

"Yes, I see, Tom," exclaimed Mr. Swift with a laugh. "I see what
you're aiming at. You want a motor-boat, and you're going all
around Robin Hood's barn to get at it."

"No, dad, I only--"

"Oh, I know you, Tom, my lad!" interrupted the inventor, shaking
his finger at his son, who seemed somewhat confused. "You have a
nice rowing skiff and a sailboat, yet you are hankering for a
motor-boat. Come now, own up. Aren't you?"