Part 32 (2/2)
”Who did?” Scotty demanded
”One of the women It doesn't matter, Scotty It didn't hurt Anyway, they said we could stop worrying about as going to happen to them Then one of the men asked if we knehat had happened to the three scientists We said yes And he saidhe said ” Barby suddenly turned white
Jan finished for her ”He said they were going to erase ourto put us back in the water” The words were no sooner out than Jan had a delayed reaction, too
Rick rushed the two of them into the cabin and made theave them each a drink
”You've acted like a couple of champs,” Rick told them ”But for the love of mike, don't faint now!”
Barby lifted her chin ”I have no intention of fainting,” she said defiantly ”It's justwell, it's ”
”I know,” Rick assured her ”Take it easy, Sis”
He looked up The sound of a racing speedboat was echoing inside the cabin Good They'd be hoave the girls a corin What a pair!
The machine on the table attracted his eye He walked over and studied it The recording dru of Jan's brain pattern It made no sense to him, but it would to Parnell Winston
”They had you taped,” he told the girl gently ”But you saved your own bacon by telling Barby to turn on the radio If you hadn't ”
A shudder ran through Jan's slih the door when you did!”
Rick's finger traced a line on the recording drulad myself,” he admitted
CHAPTER XX
JANIG Closes In
Steve Ames walked around the objects on the laboratory table ”Nothing deadly looking about these gadgets,” he said ”Which goes to shoappearances can be”
The objects included the barber's e et from the houseboat, and a TV set with an indoor antenna of the kind known as ”rabbit ears”
Parnell Winston admitted, ”There is plenty we don't know about them, especially the inside of that TV set But we'll learn”
Steve smiled at the assembly of faces In addition to the project teairls were in the group So was Joe Blake
Rick regretted that Jerry, Duke, and Cap'n Mike could not be invited
But the matter was still not for discussion with people on the outside If a story ever could beRecord_ would be the first to have it, but in all probability the facts would ree room in the lab basement the four houseboaters and the barber waited under heavy guard for the arrival of a Coast Guard cutter The barber was there courtesy of Captain Douglas, who had picked him up and delivered him to Spindrift after a call from Joe Blake
Steve rapped for attention ”We're about to tie up soet seated, because the cutter will be here any moment”