"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 time," Rick agreed. "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 maybe informative. Well, are we going to sit here all night?"
"Nope. We're going to Steve's. Looks as if we have a small research project."
"To be followed by a second project," Scotty added. "First we read up on Calvert's Favor, and then we find it and look it over."