New Britain herald., 1922-06-06
By ARTHUR B. REEVE
 1929 NEA Service. Inc.

lne youngsters muttered, Snoopln
 again! What does he want? You cal just bet he's not here for n swim
 Come on. fellows. He's been here lonI
 enough. I move we put them off th
 beach. Hey, all ready let's giv,
 them the bums rush."
 A general laugh followed. Ther,
 was an uncertain motion. Rutl
 nared.
 "At least we can show Guy ant Dick we're not so exclusive tha we're rotters! I feel partly respon
 sible for their being here. raced
 them on the road and dared them tt
 follow-and here they are-eh Glenn? Just this once, boys. Theyl
 not bother us again. I'll sponsor
 them, Come on. Glenn, smile a lit
 tie and be nice"
 Ruth capered over to Dick, tool
 him by the arm and started up thu
 beach. Guy followed with Virs while Glenn sulked.
 T wish you had your bathing suit
 on, Dick. I'd enjoy a swim across the harbor with you this hot fore noon."
 She nodded vivaciously back al Garrick. Even if she were doing a bit of nasty figuring on the why oi their presence. thought Guy, she was perfectly at ease. Her graceful limbs showed fascinating lines through the folds of the cape she had carelessly thrown over her. No wonder Dicks frantic over her." he thought. She's a danger combination" Still chatting. Ruth and Vira stepped into the canoe with Dick and Guy. while the others plunged into the water and swan. They soon slipped alongside the houseboat with its gilt letters SEA VAMP. Garrick realized as they mounted the ladder that the marine engine had materially changed the old time houseboat from mere scow or barge with a low flat house on it moored in bay or river and only with difficulty and expense lowed from one place to another Now the houseboat like the Sea Vamp" was really 2. fair-sized yacht
 She was perhaps sixty feet long and a most attractive craft with a hull yachty in appearance and of a type which could safely make long runs along the coast, staunch, sea- worthy boat-of course without the speed of a regularly designed yacht, but more than making up in com fort for those on board what was lost in speed.
 As they approached he had looked her over carefully. One of the first things he noticed was that strung from two masts forward and astern was the aerial of a wireless.
 They cambered aboard and dragged up the canoe. At the stern they saw a stockily- built man in sea togs making fast a dory, and taking out a rather complete set of fishing tackle and other duffle.
 "Hye, Cap'n," said Glenn, shaking the water from his eyes as he bounded on deck. Amy luck?"
 That's Captain Brock" asided Ruth to Garrick. We hire him to take charge of the Sea Vamp'."
 "Too early for snappers yet. Got q couple of flat fisl1-and an eel" He caught sight of Guy and Dick and glowed under bushy eyebrows. Who are they?" he growled under his breath.
 They're with me. Captain" ex- plained Ruth. "Mr. Garrick and Mrs. Defoe, Captain Brock. Just a couple | of friends who are interested in how | spend my time.'
 Well, so long as it's time they l IT eloking for all right"
 Garrick could not resist startled | second glance as tucked away in he duffle with great care, he caught sight of an electron tube, with fila nent and grids, precisely the latest ype used in radio receiving. He judged Dick, but Dick was equally luick. The fishing pole was equipped with a miniature aerial and he had ,oticed it.
 Neither betrayed either interest or he burning curiosity they felt as Brock clumped forward with his turf. Why, when Brock was even ishing away from the Sea Vamp" lid he carry this compact wireless eceiving set? What station must le be always in touch with, or what message did he expect that he must ,e listening in?
 Excuse us. We'll go down below. let the shaker and some ice and
 you know. I guess we can ntertain," thrilled Vira. @
 Alone in the comfortably furnished aloon, Garrick glanced at Dick who hrugged at the unconventionality of all, then made hasty survey of the lace. At one end was sort of closet r clothes press Shopping" he nod ed as he opened the door.
 Inside hung a nondescript array f old clothes. In the back corner. n the floor where it had been brown lay a girls cloth hat. He S icked it up, smoothed it out, then 'ith a suppressed "Ouch!" drew his t and away and loosened a pin aught in its folds. 'N