Then suddenly she saw a man at one of the barges. Her pulse quickened when she noted it was filled with refuse. The man had his back to them, pushing something onto the barge. It seemed to be a large box, but Kitty had only a glimpse for the man threw a strip of old sail over it and turned sharply at the sound of their footsteps. As he came toward them there was indignation in his very stride.
“What do you want here?” he growled.
As he spoke and came nearer the glow from the hallway, Kitty recognized Punaro, who less than an hour ago had been playing chess in the USO hall with Lieutenant Cary.
“We’re looking for Krome,” said Brad with aggravating nonchalance.
“He’s not down here,” stated Punaro. “You’ll find him up in the recreation room playing chess with Dr. Cary.”
“Thanks. Thanks a lot,” Brad said, and Kitty wondered why his thanks was so profuse.
When they went down the hall they found Ned returning from above. “Chief said if I’d bring his recipe book he’d find the thing you want and let you copy it,” Ned explained. “He’s just about to checkmate Lieutenant Cary and can’t leave his game right now.”
When Ned went into Krome’s quarters Kitty whispered to Brad, “Did you notice anything queer out there?”
“Plenty.”
“Punaro throwing a strip of sail over a box on the barge?”