Part 7 (1/2)
The boys finished the meal with a scoop of lemon sherbet and rose reluctantly ”We'll be back,” Rick promised
”That ill,” Scotty echoed
The old waiter bowed the, Rick paused ”Do you know that white-haired man at the table near us?”
”Why, sir, that's Mr Merlin Suht one of the old mansions This is his second summer with us”
”Which one of the old uidebooks, sir We have copies for sale if you'd like one”
”We have one,” Rick replied ”Thank you”
”Not at all, gentlemen Hurry back”
The boys walked into a lovely su just above the horizon By unspoken agreement, they put the top down on Steve's convertible Rick was just snapping it in place when he sensed so ot to the point without preli the waiter about Mr Merlin”
”We thought he looked familiar, but we couldn't place him,” Rick replied ”We meant no discourtesy”
”I'm sure you didn't,” the h his voice was pleasant enough ”Mr Merlin is a very proet away from people Naturally, he doesn't welcome inquiries I'm sure you understand”
”We have no intention of intruding,” Rick stated coolly ”As I said, he looked familiar We merely asked out of curiosity”
”You're not local boys” It was a statement
”No We're visitors”
”The local people have learned not to ask questions about Mr Merlin I suggest you follow their example” The man turned and walked back into the restaurant
The boys stared after him, openmouthed
”If that poor soul only knew,” Scotty said, ”he picked the best possible way to arouse our curiosity”
”I haven't been warned so politely in a long tireed ”Come on, son Let's head for Martins Creek” He slid behind the wheel while Scotty got into the passenger side
Rick started the car and listened to it purr for a moment ”I noticed that Steve has quite a few books about the Eastern Shore on his bookshelves,” he said casually
”So did I Including one called _Tidewater Maryland_ Lots of pictures of the old estates in that one”
”Be interesting if there was a picture of Calvert's Favor, wouldn't it?”
”Interesting and ht?”
”Nope We're going to Steve's Looks as if we have a small research project”