ics or swimming
parties.

Jerry looked at his watch. "It's Saturday afternoon, and she usually
doesn't work, but we're getting out our monthly statements, so she's
probably there."

"Swell. Now how well do you know the cop on this beat?"

"We're good friends. I gave him a plug in the paper once. He deserved
it, but he thinks I did it out of the goodness of my heart."

Scotty's grin widened. He lowered his voice and rapidly sketched the
part each was to play. As he talked, Rick, too, began to grin.

When Scotty had finished, Rick and Cap'n Mike sauntered to the front
of the store. Rick glanced through the big plate-glass windows, but he
saw no sign of Carrots. That meant nothing, because Carrots would be a
complete cabbagehead to let himself be seen. Rick was sure he was
watching. He and Cap'n Mike stood talking for a moment, then Scotty
appeared beside them, and said, "Well, here goes--Jerry's on the phone
now," and faded into the crowd again.

Rick let five minutes elapse while he and the Captain stood in plain
sight, then he glanced at his watch and motioned to the old seaman.
The two of them went out the front of the store. Long before this,
Scotty and Jerry had gone through the side entrance that opened on
another street.

Rick waited in front of the store, glancing in now and then, and
trying to act impatient. Then he and the Captain started up Main
Street at a slow walk. If everything was working out, Carrots would
have chosen to follow them rather than to wait at the store for Scotty
and Jerry. That was what Rick would have done in his place. He had a
hunch Carrots had picked them up in Seaford and had followed them
largely because of Cap'n Mike's presence. It was entirely possible
that the Kelsos were equally anxious to know of Captain Killian's
whereabouts. Or perhaps they were just interested in seeing if Cap'n
Mike knew where he was.

As they passed Dean's Department Store, Rick glanced into the doorway
and saw Mildred Clark. He breathed a little easier. The others had
made it on time. And coming down the street toward him was the
policeman who always patrolled this beat. Although he knew Rick well,
he made no sign.

They neared the entrance of the parking lot and Jerry motioned from
behind a car. He was peering down the street behind them. "Watch
this!" he said gleefully, and stepped into plain view.

Rick whirled just as Carrots Kelso came abreast of Dean's doorway.
Mildred stepped out ahead o