Part 21 (1/2)

”You and me both!”

”Dietz ain't to be trusted,” the heavy-set man said and his s.h.a.ggy eyebrows drew together in a scowl. ”He's thinking first and last of his own skin. We've got to watch him.”

”And the girl, too. She's a dumb one and plenty apt to talk if the going gets rough.”

Penny lost the remainder of the conversation as Jerry spoke to her.

”We couldn't have picked a worse place,” he complained. ”Look at all the breakfast egg on the tablecloth. I'm in favor of walking out even now.”

”I'm not,” replied Penny.

”Say, what's got into you anyway?” Jerry demanded. ”You're acting mighty funny.”

”Notice those two men at the last table,” she indicated.

”What about them?”

”See that heavy-set fellow with the tattooed anchor on his arm? Well, I'm satisfied he is the same boatman who cruised near the Kippenberg estate yesterday afternoon.”

”It might be,” Jerry agreed, unimpressed. ”The Kobalt is only a stone's throw away. And this place seems to be frequented by rivermen.”

”You didn't hear what they were saying?” whispered Penny. ”Listen!”

Jerry immediately fell silent, centering his attention upon the two men.

But by this time they had lowered their voices so that only an occasional word could be distinguished.

”What were they saying anyway?” Jerry asked curiously.

Before Penny could answer, the proprietor came from the kitchen bearing two plates of food which he set down before them. The sandwiches were covered with a dark brown, watery gravy, potatoes bore a heavy coating of grease and the coffee looked weak.

”Anything more?” the man inquired indifferently.

”That's all,” Jerry replied, with emphasis. ”In fact, it's too much.”

At the adjoining table the two men abruptly hauled to their feet. Paying their bill they quitted the restaurant.

”Let's leave, too,” suggested Penny. ”I should like to see where they go.”

Jerry pushed his plate aside. ”Suits me,” he agreed. ”Even my cast-iron stomach can't wrestle with such food as this.”

He paid at the cash register and they went out into the night. Penny looked about for the two men and saw them walking toward the river.

”Hold on,” said Jerry as she started to follow. ”Tell me what all the excitement is about.”

Tersely, Penny repeated the conversation she had overheard.

”They're tough looking hombres all right,” Jerry admitted. ”Likely as not mixed up in some dirty business. But to say they're involved in the Kippenberg affair--”

”Oh, Jerry,” Penny broke in impatiently, ”we'll never learn anything if we take that att.i.tude. We must run down every possible clue. Please, let's see if they go down to the river.”