The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-16
Val Looks For Trouble

ness. Leu me udIlQIe JIllS IIOIu nov
on in, Eddie Amt we done swell
SO far? Amt I been like a fathel
to you?"
Eddie smiled. "Sure, Duffy
Sure. But know I'm right. Dom
worry about anything. Not ever
Corky Briggs"
Hes got the right slant, Duffy,
Val put in. "Eddie's indifference
will make up for those 10 pounds
he'll be giving away"
Duffy surrendered. Guess that
settles it. Every time that dame
puts the clincher on an idea ii
takes two years off my life"
Looks like a nice little town, u
Eddie observed when they came up
on deck after mess. Darkness had
just fallen and the light of the
city winked cheerfully. We'll" he
inquired. What are We going to
do?"
What do you mean?' Val asked
somewhat puzzled.
He nodded toward shore. Might
as we'll give old terra firma a whirl
again. How about walk around
town."
Sure" she accepted with alac-
rity. She didn't mention that she'd
previously accepted Captain Han
sens invitation to do the same
thing. Oh, well, Stevie wouldn't
mind.
Fifteen minutes later they were
swinging off down the dock.
We're not unloading anything
until tomorrow morning, you
know" Val said. "Steve wants
everything handled in daylight,
especially that mining machinery"
still worried, eh?"
steve has to be. He's doubling
the watch tonight"
What does he expect-someone
to walk off with the ship?"
From what know of the situa-
ton, it isn't so funny"
One of the first things she want
ed to do was get some newspapers
She wound up with several and,
standing under a street light, she
turned hastily to the sports pages.
Here it is" she chortled. "And
look at it splashed all over the
page, would you?" 1t was her
story on the rescue of the previous
night.
Come to think of it," she NUT
tered, this is page one stuff if
anything ever was"
She looked up and saw the
stoney, immobile expression on
Eddie's face. Val tossed the papers
into convenient refuse can with
out a further word. They walked
on silently for another block. She
could just about read his mind.
He probably preferred to forget
the whole thing
"Tired?" he asked about an
hour later.
mo, but I've walked up my
appetite again, Got the price of
a sandwich on you?"
Just about" he grinned. Bet
ter not order lettuce with it,
though"
They strolled into a little tavern
on Victoria street and sat down at
a booth.
Toasted chees and coffee" she
said to the walter.
Same" Eddie told him.
They were only half through
when man entered and walked
quickly to a booth little in back
of them. There was something
furtive about him that drew Walls
attention Immediately.
THE Bellies in the man said
in a low voice - but not too softly
for Val to cate hit. She clutched
Eddies arm and motioned for
silence.
There were two men in the
ether booth. They walked out
quickly with the man who brought
the news.
Val stood up. did you hear
what he said?' she said excitedly.
What business was it of his? Who
are they, I wonder?" She grabbed
Eddie by the arm again. Come
on, we're going to follow them"
You're batty," he told her.
"Just because one guy tells an
other that ship is in port is no
reason for you to pull a Scotland
Yard act"
I'll go alone, then" she flashed,
and strobe toward the door.
He sprang after her. paid the
check and followed her out the
door.
"Al right, bloodhound, which
way did they go and what do you
expect to find out?'
She nodded across the street.
There they go. I haven't even
got a good hunch-yet. But where
the Northern Belle is concerned,
so am l."
TboJ, fo1louyoI tIo +rio So. +,x-o