Brad and Dan slipped into a booth diagonally opposite a table where Paper Bag Eddie and his companion sat.
“You know your orders, Frisk,” they heard the one with the weasel-like face say. “When you get the signal—”
He broke off as his gaze fastened upon Dan and Brad. The Cubs instantly looked away but Paper Bag Eddie’s suspicions had been aroused.
Shoving back his chair, he walked over to the booth.
“Say, what’s the idea?” he demanded in a soft, purring voice.
“I don’t know what you mean,” Brad returned, meeting his gaze steadily.
“You followed me in here. Now you’re trying to eavesdrop.”
“This is a free country,” Brad retorted. “If my friend and I want to come in here for a sandwich, I’d like to see you stop us!”
“You would, eh?” the man replied, his lips parting in an ugly smile. He grasped Brad by the shoulder, pulling him half-way out of the booth. “Who are you and what’s your game?”
Before Brad could answer, the proprietor of the Green Parrot came quickly from the direction of the kitchen. He had seen what was happening and did not want any trouble in his place.