The girls looked at one another in surprise. Then a light dawned on
them.
"Don't have us arrested!" pleaded another voice, with laughter in it.
"That's Will!" cried Grace.
"And Frank Haley!" added Amy.
"And Paul!" spoke Mollie. "Little brother, are you in there?"
They listened for the answer.
"Ess, I'se here. Oo dot any tandy?"
"The boys put him up to that," whispered Grace.
Betty slid open the door, and there stood Will and Frank, with Paul
between them. The boys looked sheepish-- the child expectant.
"I ought to put you two in irons," spoke Betty, but with a smile. "I
believe that is what is done with stowaways."
"Couldn't you ship us before the mast?" asked Will, with a chuckle.
"That is the very latest manner of dealing with gentlemen who are
unexpectedly carried off on a cruise."
"Unexpectedly?" asked Grace, with meaning.
"Certainly," went on her brother. "We just happened to come aboard to
look over the boat, Frank and I. Then Paul wandered down here, and
before we knew it we heard you coming. For a joke we hid under the
bunks, and thought to give you a little scare.
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