What they said was quite flattering to their host and to roof gardens. Bedtime came very late that night and breakfast time very late the next morning. It was an insufferably hot day in the city and that fact made them less regretful over leaving the comforts of Dan’s home. But the Speedes were busy getting ready to go to the country and even Tom felt that their presence wasn’t exactly necessary to Mrs. Speede’s happiness. Besides, their cruise was nearing its end, since the last letter that Nelson had received from his father made it plain that the _Vagabond_ was expected back at Boston in a few days. So the Four said good-by at eleven and returned to the launch. They were to head for Boston, but as they had four or five days in which to get there, they proposed to stop once or twice along the Long Island shore on the way. But first it was necessary to put in gasoline, and to that end they dropped down the river to a wharf near the Brooklyn Bridge where that necessity was sold. The fogs which made that summer well remembered along the coast had not yet taken their departure, and on the river distant objects were veiled in gray haze. So the _Vagabond_ made the trip very cautiously, keeping a sharp watch for ferry boats, which, as every experienced launch knows, are blundering, awkward things which would just as lief run you down as not. But the wharf was made without misadventure and the _Vagabond_ snuggled up to its side under the counter of a small schooner. While Nelson and Dan went ashore to order the gasoline Bob and Tom busied themselves cleaning up about the deck. It was while engaged at this task that Tom heard voices almost overhead. One of the voices sounded familiar in a dim sort of way and he began to wonder who was talking. From where he was he could not see the persons, for they were on the deck of the schooner and hidden by her rail. But presently Tom climbed to the cabin roof and craned his head. The next moment he was down again and out of sight in the cockpit. He had glimpsed only the heads and shoulders of two men. One was a well-dressed man, evidently a landsman, and Tom had never seen him before. But the other, and Tom had needed but the briefest glance to satisfy himself of the fact, was Captain Sauder! Excitedly he dragged Bob into the engine room and told him. Bob laughed. “Nonsense, Tommy!” he said. “Captain Sauder’s up North somewhere by this time.” “Look yourself!” answered Tom. “But du-du-du-don’t let him su-su-see you!” “I will,” answered Bob. But it wasn’t necessary, for as he returned to the cockpit his eyes traveled upward over the schooner’s stern and there in gold letters was the name: HENRY NELLIS NEW YORK