“He can hardly wait to tell them about climbing the pine,” Brad said.
“We can’t keep him from telling that,” said Kitty, “but let’s not mention how significant that pine seems. I—I’m afraid Dad may forbid my nosing about. I think he already has an idea I’m up to something.”
“Maybe it would be better if he did forbid your nosing about, Kitty,” said Brad unexpectedly. “No sense in your taking chances of coming out here to the marshes alone as you did yesterday.”
“Oh, I won’t do that again,” she promised. “Now that I know there’s real danger. But to be perfectly frank with you, Brad, I have an awful feeling that somehow Dad’s good name may be at stake in the dirty business that’s going on.”
“You’re not alone in wondering about that.”
“You know Hazel Dawson let it slip out the other day that Dad asked for this appointment, and she practically admitted that she asked to be sent here, too. I know now that Dad and Hazel are old friends, and are pulling together with one purpose.”
“To clear Chief Pharmacist’s Mate Dawson.”
“Exactly,” said Kitty. “And if the same complications still exist my own dear dad may get in bad.”
They were too near the others now for further discussion. As they joined the older couple Mr. Carter said, “You must have taken a long walk.”
“We really did,” Kitty told him.