“Yes, or from an airplane.”
“Or a sub.” Patsy put in.
“Any of these or even an airplane carrier. Which means,” Grandfather went on, “that somewhere on the mainland we have a nest of spies.”
“Spies-spies! Oh, yes, spies,” Betty murmured. She was thinking of her talks with Norma about many strange doings. There might be something to it after all, she concluded.
“They’re up to something,” said Grandfather. “Sending messages back and forth like that. Perhaps it’s something really big. Just now they’re just feeling us out, trying to see how well prepared we are.”
“They got a sample the other night,” said Betty.
“A very fine sample,” the aged inventor agreed. “A very fine sample, indeed. What I fear most is that they may make this island a stepping stone.”
“We have some soldiers now,” Betty suggested.
“Yes, a few men. We’ll have more men later.”