Having failed to attract any attention from the “Red Rover” the Tramp Boys returned to camp, tied up the motor boat and sat down to watch and wait.  Nine o’clock came, then ten, but still no sign of life on board.

Captain George grew a little uneasy.  He did not know that the Meadow-Brook Girls had eaten their breakfast more than an hour before that, and that the girls were watching the boys, chuckling over the perplexity of the latter.

Once more the motor boat was taken out.  As they neared the houseboat for a second time they saw Harriet Burrell come out to the after deck, and stooping over examine the anchor rope.

“Halloo, there!” shouted George.

Harriet paid no attention to the “halloo.”  Apparently she did not hear them.  George called again, and when Harriet turned and entered the house, without having once glanced in George’s direction, he grew red in the face.

“She didn’t hear you,” chuckled Larry.  “You didn’t yell loudly enough.  Why didn’t you let me give them a roar?  I’ll guarantee to attract the attention of any one within half a mile of me.”

“Run alongside, Billy.  I’m going to make somebody notice me.”

Billy grinned, then steered the launch up close to the “Red Rover.”  George rapped on the deck of the scow with a boathook.  He had rapped several times, and was again getting red in the face when some one appeared.  It was Harriet, who finally opened the door and peered out.  Her face wore an expression of disapproving inquiry.

“Good morning,” called George.  The boys took off their hats.

“Why, it’s George Baker,” cried Harriet as though greatly surprised to see these visitors.  “Girls, come out.  Here are the boys.”

The Meadow-Brook Girls hurried on deck.

“Where have you been?” questioned Miss Elting.  “We did not think you would desert us in this fashion.  We have been expecting you ever since we last saw you.”

George blinked rapidly.  The boys glanced at each other and looked perplexed and uneasy.  Somehow, they had a feeling that they were being placed in an unenviable light.

“The question is, where have you been?” asked George in as gruff a tone as he could assume.

“Where have we been?” repeated Harriet wonderingly.  “Are you joking, Mr. Baker?”

“No, I’m not joking.  We have been worried about you.  Where have you been?”

“Why, we have been not far from here all the time.  And you mean to tell me that you didn’t know where we were?”

George shook his head.  His companions looked sheepish.

“Did you sail over here so early in the morning to call on us?” questioned Harriet innocently.

“No, we are camping over there.”

“Oh!  Then you came over to be near us?  Isn’t that fine?” laughed Crazy Jane.

“We—­we thought may—­maybe the fishing was better over here,” replied George lamely.