Harry Brackett eyed Harvey maliciously; but he had a mission to perform, and he was bound to go through with it. “Say, I know it wasn’t the square thing to lay that upset out there in the bay to you fellows,” he said, with an effort. “But, you see, I knew father would be furious about the boat—and, well, I told him the first thing that came into my head about it. I didn’t think he would try to make trouble for you, though.” “No?” replied Harvey, skeptically. “Probably you don’t know him as well as some of the rest of us do.” “Well, here, don’t go yet,” said Harry Brackett, as Harvey started to brush past him. “I’ve got something I want to talk to you about.” Harvey paused in surprise. “It’s about the boat,” explained Harry Brackett. “You fellows don’t need two boats—and two such good ones as the _Viking_ and the _Surprise_—” Harvey’s wrath broke forth again at the mention of the _Surprise_. “That was a fine trick you tried to play on us, stealing the _Surprise_ after we had her up,” he said. “I didn’t want to do it,” said Harry Brackett. “I told John Hart you fellows must have floated her in there, but he wouldn’t believe it.” “Any more than I believe you,” sneered Harvey. Harry Brackett twisted uneasily. He was making poor progress. “Say, Harvey,” he said, abruptly, “I want to buy that new yacht of yours, the _Viking_.” “You mean you want to steal her if you get a chance, don’t you?” retorted Harvey. “No, I don’t,” cried Harry Brackett, the perspiration standing out on his forehead. “I mean just what I say. I want to buy her, in dead earnest. You’ve got the _Surprise_ back, and you don’t need the other one. I’ll pay you fifteen hundred dollars for the _Viking_. Come, will you sell her?” “Who wants to buy her?” asked Harvey. “I do, myself,” replied Harry Brackett. “I tell you I’ll pay you fifteen hundred dollars in cash for her.” Harvey winked an eye, incredulously. “You must be a millionaire,” he said. “Well, I can afford to pay that much for a good boat,” said Harry Brackett, with a well-feigned air of indifference as to money matters. “And have you talked it over with the squire since last night?” inquired Harvey, whose curiosity was now aroused. “I haven’t talked it over with anybody,” replied Harry Brackett, impatiently. “I don’t have to. It’s my money.” Harvey gave a whistle denoting surprise. “Well,” he said, “the _Viking_ is not for sale. Besides, Henry Burns owns half of her. You’ll have to talk with him. He won’t sell, though, I know, because the boat was a gift to us.” “Perhaps he would, if you urged him to,” suggested young Brackett.