"She's a beauty!" breathed Frank in deep admiration. "I'll say!" "The smoothest looking boat on the bay!" "And I'll bet it's the fastest." "Oh, boy, if we'd only known this was here all week!" Without further ado, the boys descended from the landing stage and got into the boat to inspect the craft more closely. Everything they saw only served to confirm their first impression that the _Sleuth_ was without doubt the neatest, most compact and most beautiful motorboat ever launched. The fittings were bright and shining, the wheel responded to the lightest touch. "How's the gas and oil?" asked Frank, settling into the steersman's seat. "Full up. And look, Frank, even the license is here!" "All right. Cast off." Joe opened the boathouse doors, unhooked the chains that kept the craft secure, and then leaped into the _Sleuth_ as the engine spluttered and roared. Frank threw in the clutch, the roar died away to a purr, and the boat backed swiftly and smoothly out into the bay. "The engine runs like a watch!" reported Frank, in delight. Once outside the boathouse he headed the craft out toward the open bay. It was soon apparent that the engine of the _Sleuth_ was very powerful, for the boat leaped forward as Frank increased speed, and yet there was very little noise. The nose of the boat cut the water like a knife and the craft skimmed out into the bay like a swallow. Both boys were almost inarticulate with delight. The sense of speed and freedom held them spellbound. Frank changed places with Joe and gave his brother a turn at the wheel. Joe was astonished at the immediate response that came to his lightest touch. In anticipation of getting the boat both lads had taken lessons in running such a craft from Tony Prito and others who had motorboats and, as a consequence, Joe and Frank felt thoroughly at home with both the engine and the steering wheel. They circled about and came down toward shore again. It was a sunny morning and two or three motorboats were spluttering and backfiring in their shelters near the shore. Out of one boathouse came a rakish black craft that the boys recognized instantly as the motorboat belonging to Tony Prito's father. "There's Tony!" exclaimed Frank. "He always goes boating on Saturday mornings. Let's give him a race." "His boat's supposed to be the fastest on the bay." "I don't care whether it is or not. He'll have to go some to beat the _Sleuth_. We'll challenge him." Although Tony had seen their boat he had not yet recognized the boys in it and when they drew alongside he gave a shout of surprise. "Well, gee whiz!" he exclaimed. "Look who's here! I was wondering who owned the swell new tub. Is this the new boat?" "This is she. And she's fast, boy--she's fast. Want to race?" Tony laughed. "I hate to show you up so soon. You won't like your new boat near so well if I beat you the first time you get into a race."