“And you are exactly right, Betty!” unexpectedly exclaimed a voice from behind the closed door.  “That’s exactly how it happened.  We’re sorry—­ we’ll be good!”

“Dot any tandy?” came in childish accents from another of the stowaways.

The girls looked at one another in surprise.  Then a light dawned on them.

“Don’t have us arrested!” pleaded another voice, with laughter in it.

“That’s Will!” cried Grace.

“And Frank Haley!” added Amy.

“And Paul!” spoke Mollie.  “Little brother, are you in there?”

They listened for the answer.

“Ess, I’se here.  Oo dot any tandy?”

“The boys put him up to that,” whispered Grace.

Betty slid open the door, and there stood Will and Frank, with Paul between them.  The boys looked sheepish—­ the child expectant.

“I ought to put you two in irons,” spoke Betty, but with a smile.  “I believe that is what is done with stowaways.”

“Couldn’t you ship us before the mast?” asked Will, with a chuckle.  “That is the very latest manner of dealing with gentlemen who are unexpectedly carried off on a cruise.”

“Unexpectedly?” asked Grace, with meaning.

“Certainly,” went on her brother.  “We just happened to come aboard to look over the boat, Frank and I. Then Paul wandered down here, and before we knew it we heard you coming.  For a joke we hid under the bunks, and thought to give you a little scare.  We didn’t think you were going for a spin, but when you started we just made up our minds to remain hidden until you got far enough out so you wouldn’t want to turn back.  That’s what stowaways always do,” he concluded.

“I’m glad you do things as they ought to be done,” remarked Betty, swinging the wheel over.  She had changed her mind about going ashore after an officer.

“Dot any tandy?” asked Paul again.

“Do give him some, if you have any,” begged Will.  “We bribed him with the promise of some to keep quiet.  Surely he has earned it.”

“Here,” said Grace, impulsively, as she extended some to the tot, who at once proceeded to get as much outside his face as into his mouth.  Then she added rather sternly:  “I don’t think this was very nice of you, Will.  Betty didn’t invite you aboard.”

“Oh, that’s all right!” said Betty, good-naturedly.  “I’m glad they’re here now—­ let them stay.  I’m so relieved to find they aren’t horrid tramps.  Besides, the motor may not—­ mote—­ and we’d need help—­ We will make them work their passage.”

“Aye, aye, sir!” exclaimed Frank, pulling his front hair, sailor-fashion.  “Shall we holystone the decks, or scrub the lee scuppers?  You have but to command us!” and he bowed exaggeratedly.

“You may steer if you like,” said Betty, graciously, and Frank and Will were both so eager for the coveted privilege that they had to draw lots to settle who should stand the first “trick.”