He began digging in one of the dunes. Almost at once he came upon the box of explosives.
“Exactly as we left it,” he reported, replacing the sand. “No one’s been here.”
“I doubt anyone will come,” Mr. Parker commented. “Probably afraid.”
High overhead and out of sight, Penny heard the drone of planes on coastal patrol. She stared up into the dark sky and then toward the sea. The tide was coming in and long rolling waves washed the beach, dashed themselves on the shoreline and retreated.
“We’ll have to get down out of sight,” Jerry warned. “Mustn’t be seen from the road or the ocean either one.”
“How about this spot?” Mr. Parker suggested, pointing to a hollow between two giant dunes.
The place seemed exactly right, so the trio flattened themselves on the sand. Jerry looked at the luminous dial of his watch.
“One fifteen,” he announced. “No sign of activity.”
“And no sign of any soldiers,” Mr. Parker added. “I hope that whoever is to take over here shows up before long.”
“I don’t,” Penny said, snuggling close between her father and Jerry. “I’m having fun!”