"I made the first payment Friday, and Saturday morning we went out after dawn for a fishing trip--not a phoney one, Boss--I meant it real 'cause I wanted the low down on how I'd work it when the time was ripe. I knew by then they couldn't swim, but like I say it was a try-out. It was a hazy morning and the water was rough and we hadn't got far out when that Shorty stands up in the boat to pass something to Biff. Next thing I know we was in the water and the Greeks was shoutin' their heads off and the tide was pushin' me down-stream like anything. I couldn't swim against it and I was lucky to grab the end of the boat that was floatin' upside down. Anyway, a guy fishin' in near shore hears the racket and comes out. But the Greeks had got it and he was lucky to help me." "Did they find 'em?" Devlin's question was eager. "Sure, and say, wasn't I plastered with sympathy at that boardin' house! Things just blew my way. I won't have no trouble gettin' the money. In three weeks I'm going back and collect. I told 'em out there that I was comin' East to look for work 'cause the trouble didn't make Pittsburgh look so good to me." "That's better, Frost--I didn't think you had it in you. Those two downstairs will be off my hands by that time--I'll go out with you." "I wouldn't take no chances if I was you, Boss. I got today's papers in the car. They're playin' up on the Delafield kids and they hinted there was a racket behind it!" "_What?_" Devlin's heavy foot pounded on the floor. "Yeah," Frost answered as if he were almost enjoying the telling of it, "one paper says the dicks are hep and some famous detective has promised to run down the brains of it." "_Carlton Conne!_" was all Devlin said. "That's what I thought right away. You know that guy, Boss, so I'd lay off a little. You might get jammed in Pittsburgh. I can collect them two G's all right." "I realize that, Frost," said Devlin coldly. "But trouble or no trouble, I'm going to go to Pittsburgh with _you--understand_?" The boys could not hear Frost's reply. He might not have voiced his opinion at all. But Devlin's heavy steps overhead seemed to speak volumes. Suddenly he hurled a question that made Skippy's heart stand still. "Frost," he was shouting, "where's that memorandum book of mine, eh?" The boys sprang into the kitchen. They closed the door noiselessly behind them and sat down, stunned and hopeless looking. "Well, it's come, hah?" Skippy nodded. "Gee whiz, I did forget. We just gotta deny it like we planned." "Yeah, but that ain't sayin' Devlin's gonna believe us, kid." Skippy leaned forward on the table, his eyes blinking thoughtfully. "Listen, Nickie, it don't make no difference what he believe, does it? If we don't get help, we'll have to go with him an' take the chance like we planned. So we should worry about it either way."