WHAT STOPPED THE ENGINE
With a chug-chug the motor boat started down along the sandy shore of
Christmas Tree Cove. The children sat up in front, at the bow, as it is
called, and Harry's recently recovered dog was with them, being petted
first by one and then the other of the three little friends. Mrs. Brown
and Mrs. Slater sat behind the children, and in the back, or stern, near
the engine, were Mr. Ravenwood and Uncle Tad and Bunker Blue.
"Which dock shall I steer for?" asked Mr. Ravenwood, as the boat moved
out from shore.
"Right there," and Uncle Tad pointed to the one nearest Bark Lodge.
"It certainly is strange how things happen in this world," said Uncle
Tad, as he and Mr. Ravenwood were talking about the finding of the
floating box and the recovery of Sandy. "If we could only find the lost
pocketbook and the diamond ring now, I would say it might be almost like
a fairy story."
"Yes," agreed Mr. Ravenwood, "it certainly might be called that." He was
listening to the noise of the engine as he sat with one hand on the
steering wheel.
"What's the matter?" asked Bunker Blue. "Anything wrong?"
"The motor sounds rather strange," answered the pattern-maker. "I was
just wondering----"
He did not finish the sentence before the engine suddenly stopped with a
sort of wheeze and groan which showed something was wrong.
"Something's caught in the flywheel," declared Bunker Blue.
"That's what it sounds like to me," added Uncle Tad.
"We'll have a look," stated Mr. Ravenwood, as he shut off the gasolene
supply and opened the electric switch. Then he proceeded to lift the
wooden covering of the engine.
"What's the matter?" asked Bunny Brown, looking back.
"The engine has stopped," his mother told him.
"What made it?" Sue wanted to know.
"That's what Mr. Ravenwood is trying to find out," said Uncle Tad.
Idly the boat floated on the water while Mr. Ravenwood looked in the
covering case and around the flywheel.
"There's something jammed down under the flywheel, between it and the
keel of the boat," he said. "I can just feel it. Seems to be a bit of
rag or cotton waste that I use to wipe off the oil and grease from my
hands and to polish the machinery. Wait, I can get it out," he went on,
as he thrust his arm down deeper. "I have my hand on it, but it is
jammed in pretty tight and----"
He gave a grunt and a pull, and then up came his arm, and in his hand he
held something black, which dripped with water and oil.
"There it is," said the young man. "It must have been in the pit for
some time to get so soaked as that. I don't remember dropping anything
in there. In fact, I'm very careful, for there isn't much room between
the rim of the flywheel and the keel, and even a small bit of waste will
stop the wheel, just as this did."
"Is it waste?" asked Uncle Tad.
"No, it doesn't seem to be," was Mr. Ravenwood's answer. "Why--why----"
he went on in surprise, as he laid the object down on top of the engine
cover and examined it. "Why, it's an old leather pocketbook!"
"A pocketbook!" cried Bunny Brown and his sister Sue, and they looked at
one another with startled eyes.
"Yes, that's what it is--an old pocketbook," went on Mr. Ravenwood. "How
in the world it ever came here I can't imagine, unless----"
"Is it really a pocketbook?" asked Mrs. Brown in a strange voice, and
her face was slightly pale as she turned to look at what had been taken
out from under the engine. "Let me see it."
"Don't touch it!" cautioned Mr. Ravenwood. "It's soaked with oil and
grease."
"What is in it--if anything?" went on Bunny's mother, in that same
strange voice.
"I'll look," offered Mr. Ravenwood. "My hands can't get much more oily."
While the others eagerly watched, he opened the object, which really was
a water and oil-soaked pocketbook, and he thrust his fingers down in the
different compartments.
"Seems to have a little money in," he said, as he took out some nickles
and pennies, and laid them on the cover. "Here's a--well, I declare,
it's a five-dollar bill!" he said, as he opened a piece of paper. "It's
covered with oil and grease, but it can be washed clean and will be as
good as ever."
"A five-dollar bill!" exclaimed Mrs. Brown. "Oh, is there--is there
anything else in the pocketbook? If there is, it must be----"
Mr. Ravenwood thrust his fingers into another section. A strange look
came over his face as he drew out and held up in the sunlight something
that gleamed and glinted and sparkled.
"A diamond ring!" he cried.
"Oh, it's my mother's! It's my mother's!" shouted Bunny Brown. "Give it
to her!"
Mr. Ravenwood wiped the diamond ring on a clean bit of white waste, and
then handed it to Mrs. Brown.
"Yes, it is mine. It's my diamond engagement ring that was in the
pocketbook the dog took away! Oh, how glad I am!" she said, and there
were tears in her eyes as she slipped the ring on her finger.
"Of all the remarkable happenings!" exclaimed Mrs. Slater.
"Just like a fairy story!" laughed Sue.
"Did Sandy drop the pocketbook in the boat?" asked Bunny.
"I think that must be how it happened," answered Mr. Ravenwood, as he
looked in the purse for anything more that it might contain; but there
was nothing. "Do you want it saved?" he asked Mrs. Brown.
"No, it was an old pocketbook and you might as well toss it overboard,"
she answered. "I have all I wanted out of it--my diamond ring."
"Well, we got the money back, too," said Bunny. "Can you really wash a
five-dollar bill?" he asked.
"Oh, yes," Uncle Tad assured him. "I'll wash this and iron it and make
it look like new." And this he did a little later.
The old pocketbook was tossed overboard. It sank in a circle of rainbow
colors, caused by the oil on it, and as the boat started off again Mrs.
Brown looked joyfully at her diamond ring so strangely recovered.
"I see how it must have happened," said Mr. Ravenwood, as they landed at
the dock. "Sandy must have had the pocketbook in his mouth when he
leaped aboard my boat, but I didn't notice it, as my back was turned. He
must have dropped it inside the engine box, which was open, and it has
been there ever since. To-day it worked its way under the wheel and
stopped the machinery, or I might not have found it until I laid the
boat up for the winter, when I always take the engine out to clean it."
"I think that is how it really did happen," said Mrs. Slater. "Sandy,
you were a bad dog to take the pocketbook!" and she shook her finger at
him. Sandy hung his head for a moment, but he was soon wagging his tail
joyfully as Bunny, Sue, and Harry petted him.
And so Mrs. Brown's pocketbook and diamond ring, so strangely taken
away, were found again. Sandy did not drop the purse in the carpenter
shop, as was supposed. He carried it out again in his mouth, and kept it
until he leaped aboard the boat, when he dropped it.
Mr. Ravenwood looked at the box in the woodshed, declaring it to be the
one that had been lost overboard in the storm.
"So each one has his own again," said the young pattern-maker. "I have
my box, Harry has his dog, and Mrs. Brown has her diamond ring."
There was much rejoicing, as you may imagine, and when Daddy Brown came
up that night he had to hear the whole story over and over again.
Mr. Ravenwood departed that evening, taking his box with him and
promising to call and see the Browns in Bellemere when they returned
home.
But the joyous days at Christmas Tree Cove were not yet over. Many happy
times followed, and Bunny Brown and his sister Sue were in the midst of
them. They had some adventures, also, but every one agreed that the one
of the lost and found diamond ring and dog was the most remarkable. And
now, for a time, we shall take leave of our little friends, perhaps to
meet them again in new scenes.
* * * * *
_This Isn't All!_
Would you like to know what became of the good
friends you have made in this book?
Would you like to read other stories continuing
their adventures and experiences, or other books
quite as entertaining by the same author?
On the _reverse side_ of the wrapper which comes
with this book, you will find a wonderful list of
stories which you can buy at the same store where
you got this book.
_Don't throw away the Wrapper_
_Use it as a handy catalog of the books you want
some day to have. But in case you do mislay it,
write to the Publishers for a complete catalog._
THE BUNNY BROWN SERIES
By LAURA LEE HOPE
Author of the Popular "Bobbsey Twins" Books, Etc.
Durably Bound. Illustrated. Uniform Style of Binding.
Each Volume Complete in Itself.
These stories are eagerly welcomed by the little folks from about five
to ten years of age. Their eyes fairly dance with delight at the lively
doings of inquisitive little Bunny Brown and his cunning, trustful
sister Sue.
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON GRANDPA'S FARM
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE PLAYING CIRCUS
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CAMP-REST-A-WHILE
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT AUNT LU'S CITY HOME
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE IN THE BIG WOODS
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON AN AUTO TOUR
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AND THEIR SHETLAND PONY
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE GIVING A SHOW
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CHRISTMAS TREE COVE
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE IN THE SUNNY SOUTH
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE KEEPING STORE
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AND THEIR TRICK DOG
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT A SUGAR CAMP
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON THE ROLLING OCEAN
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON JACK FROST ISLAND
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT SHORE ACRES
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT BERRY HILL
GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK
THE BOBBSEY TWINS BOOKS
For Little Men and Women
By LAURA LEE HOPE
Author of "The Bunny Brown Series," Etc.
Durably Bound. Illustrated. Uniform Style of Binding.
Every Volume Complete in Itself.
These books for boys and girls between the ages of three and ten stand
among children and their parents of this generation where the books of
Louisa May Alcott stood in former days. The haps and mishaps of this
inimitable pair of twins, their many adventures and experiences are a
source of keen delight to imaginative children.
THE BOBBSEY TWINS
THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SCHOOL
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SNOW LODGE
THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON A HOUSEBOAT
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT MEADOW BROOK
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT HOME
THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN A GREAT CITY
THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON BLUEBERRY ISLAND
THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON THE DEEP BLUE SEA
THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE GREAT WEST
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CEDAR CAMP
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE COUNTY FAIR
THE BOBBSEY TWINS CAMPING OUT
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AND BABY MAY
THE BOBBSEY TWINS KEEPING HOUSE
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CLOVERBANK
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CHERRY CORNERS
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AND THEIR SCHOOLMATES
THE BOBBSEY TWINS TREASURE HUNTING
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SPRUCE LAKE
GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS SERIES
By LAURA LEE HOPE
Author of The Bobbsey Twins Books, The Bunny Brown Series, The Blythe
Girls Books, Etc.
Durably Bound. Illustrated. Uniform Style of Binding.
Every Volume Complete in Itself.
Delightful stories for little boys and girls which sprung into immediate
popularity. To know the six little Bunkers is to take them at once to
your heart, they are so intensely human, so full of fun and cute
sayings. Each story has a little plot of its own--one that can be easily
followed--and all are written in Miss Hope's most entertaining manner.
Clean, wholesome volumes which ought to be on the bookshelf of every
child in the land.
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT GRANDMA BELL'S
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT AUNT JO'S
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT COUSIN TOM'S
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT GRANDPA FORD'S
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT UNCLE FRED'S
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT CAPTAIN BEN'S
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT COWBOY JACK'S
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT MAMMY JUNE'S
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT FARMER JOEL'S
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT MILLER NED'S
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT INDIAN JOHN'S
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT HAPPY JIM'S
SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT SKIPPER BOB'S
GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK
THE HONEY BUNCH BOOKS
By HELEN LOUISE THORNDYKE
Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations Drawn by
WALTER S. ROGERS
Honey Bunch is a dainty, thoughtful little girl, and to know her is to
take her to your heart at once.
Little girls everywhere will want to discover what interesting
experiences she is having wherever she goes.
HONEY BUNCH: JUST A LITTLE GIRL
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE CITY
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS ON THE FARM
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE SEASHORE
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST LITTLE GARDEN
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS IN CAMP
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST AUTO TOUR
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST TRIP ON THE OCEAN
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST TRIP WEST
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST SUMMER ON AN ISLAND
GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK
CAROLYN WELLS BOOKS
Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers.
THE MARJORIE BOOKS
Marjorie is a happy little girl of twelve, up to mischief, but full of
goodness and sincerity. In her and her friends every girl reader will
see much of her own love of fun, play and adventure.
MARJORIE'S VACATION
MARJORIE'S BUSY DAYS
MARJORIE'S NEW FRIEND
MARJORIE IN COMMAND
MARJORIE'S MAYTIME
MARJORIE AT SEACOTE
THE TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES
Introducing Dorinda Fayre--a pretty blonde, sweet, serious, timid and a
little slow, and Dorothy Rose--a sparkling brunette, quick, elf-like,
high tempered, full of mischief and always getting into scrapes.
TWO LITTLE WOMEN
TWO LITTLE WOMEN AND TREASURE HOUSE
TWO LITTLE WOMEN ON A HOLIDAY
THE DICK AND DOLLY BOOKS
Dick and Dolly are brother and sister, and their games, their pranks,
their joys and sorrows, are told in a manner which makes the stories
"really true" to young readers.
DICK AND DOLLY
DICK AND DOLLY'S ADVENTURES
GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
* * * * *
Transcriber's note:
Obvious punctuation errors have been repaired.