Frank and Andy Afloat Part 40

Mr. Racer explained to the boys how he and Mr. Lacey had set out in search for them, and how they had run down the rowboat. Then sure, after a fruitless search in the storm, that his sons were drowned, the silk merchant was distracted. He was more so when the _Gull_ was found adrift a little later, having dragged her anchor in the gale.

After that Mr. Racer, in the motor boat of Mr. Lacey, made a search up and down the coast for his sons' bodies. Paul Bartlett, who was much improved, went with them, and it was Paul who suggested the possibility of the boys still being on the island. Accordingly another trip was made there, with what result we have seen.

"Oh, I'm so glad I know who I am, and that I have a father!" exclaimed Paul, when word had been sent to the invalid in the sanitarium. "I thought I would never get my memory back."

"It was the shock of seeing Shallock the second time that did it," said Dr. Martin. "You are as good as ever now, Paul, and you won't need any more medicine."

And the doctor was right. The former invalid joined his father, who also recovered his health and Paul grew into a st.u.r.dy youth who had many good times with the Racer boys, and with Bob Trent. He also helped to play several jokes on Chet Sedley, the Harbor View dude, for Paul was as lively as was Andy.

"I declare I don't know what to do with of two boys," said Mrs. Racer in despair one day to her husband. "Here is the latest. Andy took out that Chet Sedley for a row, and dumped him overboard. Something ought to be done."

"I suppose they ought to be sent away school," said Mr. Racer reflectively. "They getting to be old enough now."

"Yes, a good quiet school would do them good," said his wife. "I think I know of right place, kept by an old professor who is very deep student. It is a nice quiet place."

"We'll send them there," decided Mr. Racer.

And how the Racer boys went to this same "quiet" school, and how they gave that same school a very rude, but very necessary, awakening will be related in the second volume of this series, to be called, "Frank and Andy at Boarding School; or, Rivals for Many Honors."

Paul went back to his sick father a few days after the mystery had been cleared up, taking the important papers with him. He gave Andy and Frank the wrecked motor boat, which they brought from Cliff Island and had repaired, so that it was a fine craft. In it the brothers and Bob Trent had many a trip.

Mr. Bartlett's health improved very much after his son joined him at the sanitarium. Though the truth about the lad's disappearance had been kept from him as much as possible, yet something of it had to be told, and this, naturally, made the invalid worry.

"But I am all right, now that you are safe, Paul," he said, affectionately patting his son on the shoulder. "I think I will soon be able to leave this place."

And he was, for his condition grew rapidly better after that. The finding of the important papers, without which much of his fortune would have gone to Shallock, no doubt aided in Mr. Bartlett's return to health.

"I should like to meet those brave Racer boys who aided you so much, Paul," said his father one day. "How would it do for you and me to take a trip to Harbor View?"

"Just the thing, dad!" exclaimed the boy, and thither they went. That Frank and Andy were glad to see their chum once more goes without saying, and in the repaired motor boat they went to the island where Frank and Andy had undergone such an experience, visiting the cave where the lads had been held prisoners.

Paul and his father remained at Harbor View for some weeks, and then business called Mr. Bartlett away. He left, promising to see his friends again soon.

"Come on," called Andy to Frank one day, "I've just thought of a fine trick to play on Chet Sedley."

"Not for mine!" exclaimed Frank. "I've had enough of your tricks for a while. I'm going fis.h.i.+ng. We haven't much more time at the beach, as it will soon be time to go back to New York."

"And then for boarding school," exclaimed Andy, turning a handspring.

"I heard dad talking to mother about it. Say! Maybe we won't have sport!"

"If we don't, it won't be your fault," spoke Frank.

Then he and his brother went for a run in the _Swallow_; and here we will take leave of them for a time.