"Well, I suppose you might call it gardening. They were interested in raisin' vegetables, I know that."
Judah laid down the clam knife and regarded his former skipper. "Raisin' vegetables?" he repeated slowly. "What—? Look here Cap'n Sears, who was they? Where'd they come from?"
"I believe they came from next door?"
"Next door? From the Harbor?" He rose to his feet, suspicion dawning upon his face above the whiskers.
"Yes, Judah."
"Cap'n Sears, answer me right straight out. Have those dummed everlastin' Fair Harbor hens been in my garden again?"
"Yes, Judah."
"Have they—have they?——" Words failed him. He strode up the path to the garden. Then, after a moment's comprehensive gaze upon the scene of ruin, the words returned.