Part 11 (1/2)

Rick thought quickly ”Come on”

Back inside the Sports Center, he went to the er and borrowed a powerful monocular--a pocket telescope that was really one half of a pair of binoculars Then he and Scotty went across the street, taking care to keep out of sight of the barbershop by using parked cars as cover

Rick found a vantage point behind a sedan that had all its s open He focused the monocular on the barbershop

Vince Lardner, the shop owner and--until now--the sole barber, was cutting the hair of a nized as a local resident A second barber was cutting the hair of another local man, but the barber had his back to the street for the mo?”

”Only his back Wait a minute”

Presently the barber spun the chair around and walked to the sink In a ht close-up the powerful glass provided

Rick sank his teeth into his lip and handed the glass to Scotty wordlessly

The pieces were beginning to fall in place now, and the assu step closer to proved fact

The Washi+ngton barber had come to Whiteside!

”Wonder what he's after?” Scotty asked

”One thing is for sure,” Rick stated grimly ”He isn't here just to cut hair!”

CHAPTER VIII

The Mind Reader Strikes

Jerry Webster often spoke of himself as ”Whiteside's best reporter,”

which Rick considered a fair description, since he was the only reporter in town Of course Duke Barrows, the editor, did so himself, but that didn't count since he carried the title of ood reporter because I can sense a story,” Jerry told Rick and Scotty ”You two have that certain look that spells trouble What gives?”

”No trouble,” Rick answered swiftly ”We just need a little help”

Duke Barrows glanced up fro ”When Spindrift needs a little help, there's always a story in it We'll ive us the story and we'll supply the help”

Rick knew Duke and Jerry well, so it wasn't necessary to beat around the bush ”No story At least not yet, and I can't even give you a hint Only we do need help”

”Two kinds,” Scotty added

”That's right First of all, we have guests at Spindrift Name of Morrison You'll pick that up sooner or later, because Barby is running around toith Janice Morrison What we need is a promise that you won't mention it in the paper”

Duke's eyebroent up ”Ahah! Trying to suppress legitimate news, are you? What do you think, Jerry?”