“Let’s,” agreed Louise enthusiastically.
Dressed in comfortable slacks, the chums prepared sandwiches, and then, in Penny’s battered old car, drove to the waterfront.
“I haven’t much gasoline, so we can’t go far,” she warned as they parked not far from the vacant lot where Ben’s shack stood. “Wonder if anyone will be here?”
Walking across the lot which was strewn with tin cans and rocks, they tapped lightly on the sagging door of the shack. Almost at once it was opened by Ben who looked even less cheerful than when Penny last had seen him.
“Well, how is your patient this morning?” she inquired brightly.
“He’s gone,” replied Ben flatly. “My watch with him!”
“Your watch!”
Ben nodded glumly. “That’s the thanks a fellow gets! I saved his life, took him in and gave him my bed. Then he repays me by stealing my watch and my only good sweater. It makes me sick!”
“Oh, Ben, that is a shame! You didn’t learn who the man was?”
“He wouldn’t put out a thing. All I know is that his first name was Webb.”