“I would,” advised Aunt Kate.” “It may amount to nothing, but it can do no harm to let your father know. And I think it wise not to let these young men know that you were in that runaway. If they really were not careless, as it seemed at first, you can tell them later, when you see how the investigation by Mr. Ford turns out.” “That will be best,” spoke Betty. “Oh, see, it is a boat on fire!” They had reached a place where they could see a small motor boat, not far from shore, wrapped in a pall of black smoke, through which could be observed flickering flames. “There—he’s jumped!” cried Mollie, as a figure leaped from the burning craft. “He’s safe, anyhow.” “There go Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Stone in their boat!” exclaimed Grace, as the slender racing craft shot out from shore. Whatever may have been the faults of the young men as motorists, they knew how to act promptly in this case. As they passed the man who had leaped from the burning boat they tossed him a life preserver. Then, nearing the burning boat, they halted their own, and began using a chemical extinguisher—the only safe thing save sand with which to fight a gasoline blaze. The fire did not have a chance to get much headway, and it was soon out, another boat coming up and lending aid. The man who had jumped was taken aboard this second boat, and his own, rather charred but not seriously damaged, was towed to shore. Later the girls learned that there had been some gasoline which leaked from his tank. He had been repairing his motor, which had stalled, when a spark from the electric wire set fire to the gasoline. There was a slight explosion, followed by the fire. “And it came just in time to stop me from telling what might have spoiled your plans, Grace,” said Mollie, when they went back to gather up their lunch baskets. “Well, I haven’t any plans. I am going to let father or Will make them, after I send the information,” she answered, “But I think it best to let the two young men remain in ignorance, for a while.” “Oh, I do, too!” exclaimed Betty. “They will probably not refer to it again, being so busy over the regatta.” There was a busy time for the girls, too. They finally decided to convert the _Gem_, as nearly as possible under the circumstances, into a Venetian gondola. By building a light wooden framework about it, and tacking on muslin, this could be done without too much labor. Betty engaged the help of a man and boy, and with the girls to aid the work was soon well under way. The girls saw little of Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Stone—save passing glimpses—after the picnic. Grace telephoned to her father, who promised to at once look into the matter. “I do hope we win a prize!” exclaimed Mollie, on the evening of the regatta. “The _Gem_ looks lovely!” “Yes, I think it is rather nice,” admitted Betty.