“You’ll be surprised! Tell you what.” The young inventor’s tone changed. “You know that open space out in the center of the pine grove?”
“Yes, sure.”
“Meet me there day after tomorrow about two in the afternoon. I—I’ll bring this—this er—pitcher round. Let—well, sort of let him throw over a few.”
“All right, I’ll be there. But I don’t see—” Johnny looked up. Goggles was gone.
“Now what’s he up to!” Johnny muttered as he turned toward home.
“I’ll wander over to that Chink spice shop,” he told himself with sudden resolve. “See if Tao Sing’s there.” He felt in his pocket. Yes, the latest think-o-graph of the wise Wung Lu’s thoughts was there. He would give it to Tao Sing and then go right home.
“You want Tao Sing?” the clerk behind the counter asked as Johnny entered the shop.
“Sure.”
“No can do.” The Chinaman showed all his yellow teeth in a broad grin. “Tao Sing gone velly fast, velly far, mebby not come back velly quick.” He laughed a dry mirthless laugh.
“Oh!” Johnny’s eyes swept the place nervously.