The captain cut him short. “Never mind,” he said, “never mind. Goodbye.”
Captain Bob walked off. Paul smiled to himself and went home. All afternoon he brooded over his problem. The mystery continued to be a mystery to him. He wondered what Captain Bob was up to, whether he was still following him and his friends and also whether the old man was conducting an investigation of his own. His father came up the steps of the porch. “What are you brooding about, son?” he asked.
“Oh, nothing much,” was the answer. “Just thinking.”
Dr. Morrison looked askance at his son. “Well,” he commented, “let’s hope you are really thinking and not pretending you are thinking.”
“W-w-what was that you said?” gasped Paul.
But Dr. Morrison laughed softly and walked into the house. Paul got out of his seat and walked off. Jack was busy tinkering with his father’s car. He looked up and called out, “Hello, Paul. Anything new?”
Paul sat down on the box of tools. “A little,” he answered nonchalantly.
Jack wiped his greasy hands. “What do you mean.”
“I saw Mr. Grey.” Jack opened his eyes wide and stared at his friend. “And I spoke to him, too,” he added.