“Oh, thave me!” muttered Tommy, then fled into the cabin that they might not observe her laughter.

“May we come aboard?” asked Billy.

“Not yet, boys,” returned Miss Elting in reply.  “Our house is not set to rights for company.  Come over later.  We should be pleased to have you.”

“Say.  It’s hot out here.  Suppose we tow you in nearer to our camp.  There will be more shade there too,” suggested Larry.

“Thank you.  That will be nice.”

“Come over and have luncheon with us to-day noon,” urged George.

Miss Elting also accepted this invitation, rather to the surprise of the boys.  Billy, without loss of time, fastened a line to the houseboat attaching the other end of the line to a cleat on the after deck of the launch.  In the meantime Larry had jumped aboard the “Red Rover” and hauled in the anchor for them.  The launch then towed the scow up to the camp of the tramps.  Miss Elting motioned for them to draw the boat a little beyond the camp, which was done.

“Cast off,” shouted Captain Harriet.

Jane slipped the tow line then let the anchor go over with a splash.

“You girls work just like regular sailors,” declared Larry admiringly.

“We will see you at noon,” called Miss Elting.  “You needn’t mind to come out for us.  We have our rowboat.”

“No.  We will come for you with the launch,” answered Billy.

As agreed, the boys came out with the launch shortly before twelve o’clock and took the Meadow-Brook party ashore.  George, with an apron tied about his neck, was deep in preparations for dinner.  Harriet and Jane immediately put on their own aprons, which they had brought along, and went to work, while Hazel and Margery bustled about assisting Larry and Sam in getting the table ready.  The boys had arranged rustic seats in place of chairs, and the table, set under the spreading foliage, looked very neat and attractive.

[Illustration:  George Was Deep in Preparations for Dinner.]

That luncheon was one of the most enjoyable that any member of the party ever recalled having sat down to.  No reference was made to the mysterious appearance and disappearance of the Meadow-Brook Girls until near the close of the meal.

“You haven’t told us where you have been all the time,” said Captain Baker with affected gayety.

“Oh, yes, I have.  I told you we had been near here all the time,” answered Miss Elting, smiling tolerantly.

“But how did you get over to this side of the lake?  That is what you haven’t told us,” spoke up Billy Gordon.

“You mean that that is what you wish to tell us,” replied Harriet.  “You towed us over of course during the night.  You played the first trick and won.  But now you must tell us what became of the ‘Red Rover,’ the next day.”

“But we can’t,” exclaimed George.  “We hunted—­”

“Of course you did,” laughed Harriet.  “We were watching you all the time.”