“We can’t keep him from telling that,” said Kitty, “but let’s not mention how significant that pine seems. I—I’m afraid Dad may forbid my nosing about. I think he already has an idea I’m up to something.” “Maybe it would be better if he did forbid your nosing about, Kitty,” said Brad unexpectedly. “No sense in your taking chances of coming out here to the marshes alone as you did yesterday.” “Oh, I won’t do that again,” she promised. “Now that I know there’s real danger. But to be perfectly frank with you, Brad, I have an awful feeling that somehow Dad’s good name may be at stake in the dirty business that’s going on.” “You’re not alone in wondering about that.” “You know Hazel Dawson let it slip out the other day that Dad asked for this appointment, and she practically admitted that she asked to be sent here, too. I know now that Dad and Hazel are old friends, and are pulling together with one purpose.” “To clear Chief Pharmacist’s Mate Dawson.” “Exactly,” said Kitty. “And if the same complications still exist my own dear dad may get in bad.” They were too near the others now for further discussion. As they joined the older couple Mr. Carter said, “You must have taken a long walk.” “We really did,” Kitty told him. “Billy has been telling us about his tree climbing.” “He almost scared the life out of me,” Kitty reported. “Dad, you’ll really have to scold him again about this tree climbing.” However, she wanted to change the subject as quickly as possible and said, “Let’s eat! I’m starved.” She had brought a luncheon cloth which they spread on the clean pine needles. Brad poured the iced tea from their thermos jug while she set out the sandwiches, cold ham, rolls, pickles and cookies. Food had never tasted quite so good to Kitty. As they ate, the pines made soft music in the gentle breeze, while the lowering sun painted long shadows on the woodland carpet. It seemed hard to believe that any evil deed could be done in so beautiful a spot, and that beyond these peaceful tide-washed shores a world was in chaos because of such intrigue everywhere. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER THIRTEEN A DREAM COMES TRUE On Monday morning Mrs. Evans called Kitty to know if she could go over to Bayport, as they were short of workers for special Canteen duty. “Sure. I’ll be delighted,” she said promptly. “What time shall I report?” “Eleven o’clock.” “I’ll be on the spot. I’m scheduled for dish-washing down at the Snack Bar tonight. Do you think I should be back from Bayport in time for that?” “Oh, sure. It won’t take long for the job over there.”