“Oh, hang!” exclaimed Bob, throwing down his pen, pushing back his chair, and making for Tom. “You’re worse than Poe’s raven, Tommy!” He pulled the paper out of Tom’s hands and whacked him over the head with it. “Now you speak out plainly and say what you’re trying to say, Tommy, and get it over with. Go ahead! Tell us all about it quite calmly.” “Tu-tu-tu-tell you!” stammered Tom crossly. “I’ve bu-bu-bu-been tu-tu-telling you for half an hour!” “Well, tell us again,” said Bob soothingly. “Listen attentively, fellows; Tommy’s got a great secret to unfold.” “I tu-tu-tell you the Su-su-su-su-su——!” “It’s all off!” exclaimed Dan despairingly. “Tommy’s missing sparks again!” “——Su-su-su-_Sue_ won the ru-ru-race!” “Oh! What race is that, Tommy?” asked Nelson. “Why, the ru-ru-race to New York.” “The launch race?” cried Nelson. “Is that so? The _Sue_ won, eh?” “Good for her!” said Bob. “She was the smallest one of the lot, wasn’t she, Nel?” “Yes. Is it in the paper, Tommy? Read it out to us.” So Tom, appeased by the flattering if tardy interest, read the account. The _Sue_ had finished last in thirty-nine hours and five minutes, averaging an actual speed of 8.25 miles an hour. With her handicap of thirteen hours and four minutes she won the race from her nearest competitor, the _Sizz_, by about an hour and three-quarters. The _Gnome_ had made the best actual speed, averaging just under ten miles an hour. Of the twelve starters nine had finished the race. They had found good weather all the way save while in the neighborhood of Martha’s Vineyard, when the sou’wester had met them. “Say,” asked Nelson when Tom had finished, “when was that race?” “Why,” answered Tom, “it was the day before yesterday, wasn’t it?” “Day before yesterday!” exclaimed Dan. “What are you talking about, Tommy?” “It was!” “Tommy’s right,” said Bob, “but——” “Well, if it doesn’t seem like two weeks ago I’ll eat my hat!” said Nelson. “I should say so!” agreed Dan. “Then we left Boston only four days ago? That can’t be right, fellows!” “It is, though,” answered Bob. “And to-morrow’s Sunday. We haven’t been cruising a week yet and enough has happened to fill a month.” “That’s so,” said Dan. “If the rest of the trip is like the last four days—!” He stopped and whistled expressively. “It’s been great fun,” said Tom eagerly. “It sure has,” Dan agreed. “Why, if——” But just then Barry, who had been curled up in the only upholstered chair in the writing room, jumped to the floor, yawning loudly. “You’re right, Barry,” said Bob gravely. “It’s time we went to bed. Let’s finish our letters, fellows, and get back to the boat.”