THE LAUNCH BOYS' ADVENTURES IN NORTHERN WATERS

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE
I. A Proposal and an Acceptance 9
II. The Scout of the Kennebec 19
III. At the Inlet 29
IV. A STRANGE RACE 40
V. The Loser of the Race 51
VI. A Warm Reception 62
VII. Science versus Strength 72
VIII. The Lone Guest 83
IX. A Break Down 93
X. At Beartown 104
XI. At the Post Office in Beartown 115
XII. Hostesses and Guests 126
XIII. An Incident on Shipboard 137
XIV. "The Night Shall be Filled with Music" 147
XV. A Knock at the Door 155
XVI. Visitors of the Night 166
XVII. "Tall Oaks from Little Acorns Grow" 177
XVIII. A Clever Trick 188
XIX. In the Nick of Time 198
XX. "I Piped and Ye Danced" 208
XXI. How It Was Done 219
XXII. A Startling Discovery 230
XXIII. Through the Fog 242
XXIV. Bad for Mike Murphy 252
XXV. What Saved Mike 263
XXVI. The Good Samaritans 273
XXVII. An Unwelcome Caller 284
XXVIII. Plucking a Brand From the Burning 296
XXIX. "The Beautiful Isle of Somewhere" 307
XXX. A Through Ticket to Home 318
XXXI. Gathering Up the Ravelled Threads 329

CHAPTER I

A PROPOSAL AND AN ACCEPTANCE


Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were having a merry time in the home of
Mike Murphy, when a servant knocked and made known that a caller was
awaiting Alvin in the handsome bungalow belonging to his father. I have
told you how the boys hurried thither, wondering who he could be, and how
they were astonished to find him the "man in gray," who had become
strangely mixed up in their affairs during the preceding few days.

But Alvin was a young gentleman, and asked the stranger to resume his
seat, as he and Chester set the example. They noticed that the visitor
was without the handbag which had hitherto seemed a part of his
personality. Self-possessed and vaguely smiling, he spoke in an easy,
pleasant voice:

"Of course you are surprised to receive a call from me." He addressed
Alvin, who replied:

"I don't deny it. Heretofore you have seemed more anxious to keep out of
our way than to meet us."

"I admit that it did have that look, but the cause exists no longer."

This remark did not enlighten the youths. Chester for a time took no part
in the conversation. He listened and studied the man while awaiting an
explanation of what certainly had the appearance of a curious proceeding.

"I don't understand what could have been the cause in the first place,"
said Alvin, "nor why my friend and myself should have been of any
interest at all to you."