going to. I am sure we can find our boat there."

Half an hour later the four chums turned wearily away from another
fruitless quest. They were now in a part of Baltimore which none of
them had ever seen before. A few blocks farther down the street they
could see the line of the water and the masts of several sailing
vessels that were lying near the shore.

"I tell you, Madge Morton," declared Phyllis Alden firmly, "whether or
not we ever find a houseboat, there is one thing certain: I positively
must have something to eat. I am half starved. What good would
finding the boat do me if I were to die of hunger before I have even
seen it?"

"Please don't be cross, Phil," soothed Madge. "I am sure we are all as
hungry as you are. I am awfully sorry. We ought to have eaten
luncheon before we came here. There isn't a restaurant in sight."

"I am sure I saw the sign of a funny little restaurant as we came by
the corner," broke in Lillian. "It did look queer, but I suppose it
would not be any harm for us to go in there."

"We don't care if it does look queer," declared Phyllis stoutly.

Turning, the girls retraced their steps to the corner.

Outside the swinging door of the small restaurant they hesitated. "I
don't think we ought to go in there," argued Eleanor, "it is such a
dreadfully rough-looking place."