restaurant to purchase a luncheon with which they were to return
to the boat.

John and George had volunteered their services for the latter
purpose and about fifteen minutes after their departure George
was seen returning to the dock, his arms well laden with packages
of fruit and sandwiches.

"Where's String?" Fred asked as his friend stepped on board and
deposited his packages.

"I don't know. I lost him up here."

"Poor John. Lost in Poughkeepsie. I'm afraid we'll have to
advertise."

"There's one thing we won't do though," said Grant.

"What's that?" inquired Fred.

"We shan't wait for him to come before we begin operations."

"It does my heart good to hear you speak so truthfully," said
George, as at once he opened the packages and passed the various
articles of food which he had obtained.

So busily engaged were the boys that time passed rapidly and a
half-hour later George said, "What do you suppose has become of
that fellow? I told you that his mother said that he was worse
than I am and couldn't find any of his belongings, but I didn't