“Hazel doesn’t think he is—quite the contrary. And it wouldn’t be very likely. A man who’s been in the service ten or twelve years.” “Did Hazel tell you why she’s been learning to play chess? I was very curious but didn’t dare ask.” To Kitty’s surprise her father laughed heartily. “Hazel’s keen, and certainly has done a grand job as detective since she’s been here, but I doubt if she’ll make a go of the chess racket.” “What do you mean?” “She has a theory that Lieutenant Cary engages Krome in a chess game every time Punaro wants to get away with something in the galley.” Something clicked in Kitty’s mind. “And there’s every reason to believe she’s right!” “Huh, so you’re backing her up in the far-fetched idea!” “Not far-fetched at all, and I’ll tell you why. The other night when Brad and I ran into Punaro down at the dock, we told him we were looking for Chief Krome. Right away he said, ‘He’s upstairs in the recreation room, playing chess with Dr. Cary.’ Note he said Dr. Cary, not Lieutenant.” There was a slightly quizzical expression on Chief Carter’s face as he asked, “Well, is that significant?” “Very. A man who had known Cary before he went into the service would call him doctor under excitement, and Punaro was not only excited, but furious at us.” “Kitten, I become more certain every day that you should give up your Canteen work and join the FBI.” “No, indeed! I have more pleasant ambitions for service to my country,” she retorted. “So Punaro knew just where his Chief was the other night?” “Just like that!” said Kitty, snapping her fingers. “It certainly looks as though Hazel’s got the right idea—that Lieutenant Cary keeps Krome occupied while Punaro has a free hand below.” “Does sound plausible,” her father conceded. “But you haven’t told me Hazel’s idea in learning to play chess herself.” “Oh, I think she hopes to engage Cary sometimes in a chess game, when he would prefer to have Krome as a partner.” Kitty laughed. “She thinks then that Krome may go below and find Punaro at his dirty work.” “She said if that could happen it would be worth the discomfort of sitting opposite Cary for a game of chess.” On Friday evening over a cup of coffee and a doughnut at the Snack Bar Kitty and Brad made plans to go to Terrapin Island the following afternoon, as Brad would have the afternoon off. When Kitty went to town Saturday morning she spent the dollar the veteran had given her for smoking tobacco, and bought a new pipe as her own gift to Uncle Mose. This time she left Billy in good hands, for her father was taking Hazel into Bayport to a picture, and Billy was to go with them. So Kitty started off with Brad in their launch early in the afternoon with a free mind. With patriotic zeal they put their hands to the oars, instead of using the gasoline in the tank. “Kit, I’ve been doing a little spying since we last had a chance to talk,” Brad told her. “Hope you picked up something valuable.”