The missing chums

Four close‑knit teens spend a lazy Bayport afternoon on Barmet Bay, swapping jokes while Biff Hooper learns to pilot his new motorboat under the watchful eyes of the Hardy brothers. Their banter about leaks, greasy seats and wild sea‑shanties paints a picture of classic summer camaraderie, even as the boys imagine the upcoming coastal cruise they hope to share. When the boys finally set the Envoy moving, the water ripples with the excitement of a season that feels like pure freedom.

The fun takes an unexpected turn when a massive, dull‑gray vessel looms behind them, its clumsy hull cutting through the water like a silent intruder. The boys pause, curiosity outweighing caution, and wonder where the unknown craft came from and why it seems to be watching. Their light‑hearted adventure quickly shifts toward a puzzling search for the missing chums who may have boarded that eerie boat, setting the stage for a mystery that will test their wits and loyalty.