“Roy did beautifully,” Harry said. “I couldn’t have got along without him.” Roy bowed impressively, and Chub grunted in derision. But the latter had to acknowledge that the doughnuts couldn’t have been better even without Roy’s interference. Dinner over, Harry declared that they must go to the store and make certain that Jennie had arrived. “We’ll all go,” said Dick. “I want to see your old store.” The doctor elected to stay at home and do some work, and they left him on the upper deck, immersed in his books, with a fountain pen clasped tightly between his teeth, and his pad of paper on his knee. “I think,” laughed Roy, “that any one could come along and steal everything out of the boat without the doctor knowing anything about it.” “Sure they could,” Chub agreed. “But no one will come around when they see him there.” When they came in sight of the store, Harry gave out a cry of distress. “There’s nobody there!” she exclaimed. “It’s all closed up! She never came.” “Well,” murmured Chub, sorrowfully, “I never did have much faith in Jennie.” “I guess we might as well go back, then,” said Dick. “Nothing of the sort!” returned Harry, determinedly. “We’ll get the key and open the store. Mrs. Peel left us in charge, and it’s our duty to do it. Why, just think of all the money we may have missed already to-day! It’s a perfect shame, Chub.” “I know; thousands of dollars, likely.” Chub shook his head gloomily. “Maybe we’ll have to go into bankruptcy. You run over and get the key, Harry.” But Harry shook her head in distress. “Oh, I couldn’t, Chub. I never could make her hear me. You go.” “Well,” answered Chub, “I’ll do my best, but my voice isn’t very strong to-day.” He crossed the road toward the little cottage. CHAPTER XX “GASOLINE AND SUPPLIES” Chub mounted the porch and tapped with the iron knocker, while the rest waited and watched on the other side of the empty street. After a while he tapped again, and after a longer while the door opened and the same old lady peered out, her spectacles astride the tip of her nose. Harry and Roy and Dick heard the conversation begin, saw the old lady lean forward and place a hand behind one ear, and saw Chub nerve himself for a new effort. After that they heard every word beautifully. “I called for the key of the store,” said Chub, loudly. “Nothing to-day,” replied the old lady, starting to close the door. Chub deftly introduced one knee between the door and the frame. “You don’t understand! I want the key of the store!” He pointed across the street. “Mrs. Peel’s store!” The old lady shaded her eyes and peered across at the waiting group. “Feels sore, does he? Which one is it? How’d he do it?” “He didn’t! I mean--Look here, ma’am, I want the key we left here last night! The key! _Key!_” “Key?” asked the old lady mildly. “Yes’m.” They could almost hear Chub’s sigh of relief. “We’re going to open the store. Mrs. Peel’s niece didn’t come.” “You want the key?” “Yes’m, please.”