“Then Billy didn’t get the germ from that dump—or there was no greater chance of his getting it there than anywhere else. But the foolish thing, Kitty, was you two going alone. You might have taken Brad with you as long as you had discussed these things with him.” “He was down at the beach for the afternoon. I picked up more clues down there, too, which made it seem certain supplies are going out from our hospital to the German subs. One of the Coast Guard men told about them finding Bayshore Bakery bread on one of those captured subs.” “If that was all they’re getting I might not have so much to worry about,” said her father. Kitty glanced at him sharply. “What do you mean, Dad? You think they’re getting more than that?” “No doubt they are.” Kitty knew he was keeping something from her. However, she was determined now to tell him all. “Another strange thing happened yesterday that may or may not be significant.” “Yes. What was that?” “It was odd, after seeing old Uncle Mose on Terrapin Island Sunday, someone on the troop train yesterday asked me about him.” Kitty gave a sprightly account of the veteran returned from the Pacific. “And by the way I have that dollar and must take some tobacco to the old man.” “And what connection does all this have with the clues you’re running down?” “Vera Parsons told me that the owner of Terrapin Island was near when I was talking to that fellow. She said he actually glared at me when he heard I’d been on the island. Of course it was all posted over with ‘No trespassing’ signs, and maybe we shouldn’t have eaten our supper there.” “We did no harm. Those signs generally apply to hunting, fishing and fire-making.” “But Dad, Brad and I are wondering if this Beeson isn’t in on the dirty work.” He paused in front of her, his face showing alert interest. “How do you figure that out?” “Uncle Mose told us Beeson comes here to the hospital for food scraps for his hogs. Brad and I figure there’s obliged to be a middleman to make the contact between the hospital and the spies from the subs.” Chief Carter’s face was eager as he said, “Kitty, you may have picked up a missing link!” She jumped to her feet now, and stood facing her father. “Dad, you’ve been keeping something from me, too!” ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Illustration: _“You May Have Picked Up a Missing Link!”_] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ “I’ll have to admit I have, Kitten. You had enough on your young shoulders without being burdened with my problems.” Suddenly apprehension pierced her heart. It was one thing to work for the sheer thrill of trapping spies, but quite another to find her father was really involved. “Dad, what is it?” she asked. “Does all this in any way affect you? A while back I thought it might and then—” “I’m afraid it does, Kitty. But go on, I want to hear your reasons for believing Beeson is involved.”