bad. The bullet was extracted without too much trouble, and no bones
were shattered.”
“He lost so much blood before I could do anything for him,” she said
with regret.
“His strength will come back as soon as he has a transfusion.”
“Oh, Dad, it’s all been so awful!” wailed Kitty. Suddenly she threw her
arms over his shoulders and burst into tears.
Her father held her to him a moment consolingly. “This last experience
was a little too much, eh, Kitten?”
“I just knew he was going to kill you the minute you opened that door!”
“Well, he didn’t! Let’s hope the worst is over now.” Mr. Carter went
toward a cabinet in the corner. “I’m going to fix you a small dose of
medicine to calm your nerves.”
“Oh, I’ll be all right in a moment.”
“No, you’d better take this,” her father insisted. “You’ll need it to
fortify you. We still have much to talk about. Captain Rogers may want
to ask you some questions.”
“Why? Is he—”
“Yes. He’s the man I sent for when you told me all you had uncovered
the other day.”
Kitty felt rather stunned at this information, yet relieved, too. She
would be glad to get the whole business off her mind, and all this
information into responsible hands.
Captain Rogers had gathered the scattered papers and was examining them
while Kitty drank the medicine and let her father lead her again to the
big armchair. He placed two other chairs close, then found an old
sweater and wrapped it around his daughter’s bare feet.
“You mustn’t get chilled after such a trying day,” he said.
Then he joined Captain Rogers at his desk and they stood conferring in
low tones for a few minutes. Gradually Kitty began to feel relaxed, and
infinitely relieved that the suspense of these last weeks had at last
reached a climax. She was now impatient to talk over everything with
her father and his superior officer. There was much she wanted to know,
too.
“Feeling better?” asked her father, coming back and standing by her
chair. He took the damp kerchief from her head, and ran his fingers
through her tumbled curls.
“Oh, much!”
“Well, suppose you tell us what happened this afternoon when you and
Brad went out to Terrapin Island.”
Captain Rogers came over and sat astride a straight chair, his arms
folded over the back as he faced her. This informality instantly put
Kitty at her ease, while she gave a detailed account of her afternoon
up to the time she had brought Brad home.
“Young lady, you have shown remarkable keenness in handling this
situation,” said the Captain.
Kitty flushed. “Oh, no. I’ve made lots of mistakes. You don’t know.”
“Oh, yes, I do,” he retorted. “Your father has told me everything up to
date. However, I must admit you made one mistake in the very beginning.”
She met his piercing brown eyes squarely. “I know,” she nodded. “I
should have reported my very first suspicions to the FBI.”
“Exactly! No sensitive young lady should attempt to deal with Nazi or
Jap saboteurs.”
“But I was afraid to tell anyone until they had been maneuvered into a
position where they could really be caught.”
Captain Rogers laughed unexpectedly. “She doesn’t have a very high
regard for the secret investigators of her country, eh, Carter?”
“Oh, I don’t mean it that way!” Kitty hastened to apologize. “But you
see from the very beginning I—I was afraid that somehow this
office—Dad’s office—was involved. One doesn’t run to the FBI about
things where one’s father may be concerned.”
Captain Rogers glanced significantly at the Chief Pharmacist’s Mate.
“Well, Carter, I suppose that puts a stop to my scolding.” He suddenly
grew serious again as he turned to Kitty to say, “Young lady, if you
had known what perfect confidence we have in this dad of yours you
would have had no fears. When we sent him here we knew he was the one
man who could stop the dirty business going on—if anyone could.”
It was Chief Carter’s turn to look surprised. “But I asked to be sent
here!” he exclaimed.
Captain Rogers laughed. “You were only one step ahead of us. We had
planned to ask you to take this post in hopes of clearing up the
trouble.”
“Then you knew the fault was not in this office?”
“Certainly.”
“But you dumped Chief Dawson down in Santiago.”
“That was only a blind to throw the guilty parties off the track until
we could pin the goods on them. Dawson understands all that, but is
pledged to secrecy.”
“Well, for goodness sake!” burst forth Kitty. “If I’d had any idea of
all that I would have told everything long ago.”
“If several people had had an idea of all this we might never have
sprung this trap,” explained Captain Rogers.
“You speak as if it were really sprung,” said Kitty eagerly.
“It is—practically.”
“It seems rather certain that Punaro is responsible for young Brad
Mason’s wound. He was away from the hospital all afternoon. I’ll order
his arrest shortly. As for Beeson, he’s practically a prisoner on that
island until this blow is over. We’ll be prepared to handle him as soon
as we can get out there.”
“You won’t let anything happen to poor Uncle Mose?”
“We’ll do our best. The old darky is certainly entitled to his reward,
too, in opening your eyes to so much.”
“But there are others. Brad thinks one of the ward attendants may be
helping, too.”
“Oh, yes. They figure they have a perfect set-up,” said Captain Rogers.
“First they put the incinerator out of order to make an opening for
traffic into the marshes. Lieutenant Cary, with the assistance of your
father’s stenographer—”
“Dad’s stenographer?” exclaimed Kitty, completely shocked.
“I was just as surprised as you, Kitten, when that amazing fact dawned
on me,” explained Mr. Carter. “Miss Dales seemed such a quiet, clinging
vine sort I couldn’t feature her daring to mix in anything like this.”
“Why, Dad, I can’t believe it! She acted as though she would do
anything in the world for you.”
“She had been Dawson’s secretary, so I thought surely she was all
right.”
“We were rather relieved you kept her on,” put in Rogers. “We had our
suspicions of her all along. Any change might have put them too much on
the alert.”
“If you hadn’t given me a hint about her, Captain Rogers,” said Carter,
“I might not have thought of setting this trap tonight. We finished up
these order sheets just before I left the office and I told her to mail
them.”
“Instead she left them where Cary could get them tonight—as she has
done numberless times before, so he could add his order for medicine
for the German subs, above your signature.”
“Exactly!” said Mr. Carter.
“So that’s why there’s been so much suspicion about the orders that go
in,” said Kitty. “But how has Lieutenant Cary been getting hold of the
extra supplies when they come back?”
“The shipments are carried to Cary’s office. That’s in the normal
routine. It is a very simple matter for him to take out the extra
things he has ordered. Punaro, in collecting rubbish, places the
supplies intended for German subs under the trash in his dump cart, and
later hides it aboard the rubbish barge.”
“And Beeson?” asked Kitty. “You really think he’s the middleman?”
“No doubt of that,” replied Captain Rogers. “He probably carts off
quite a bit of fresh food with him when he comes for scraps for his
hogs.”
“That’s just what we figured,” said Kitty. “And I suppose Hazel Dawson
was right about Lieutenant Cary playing chess with Krome to keep him
occupied while Punaro gets away with the dirty work in the galley?”
“No doubt that’s been his program.”
While they had been talking, the fury of the wind had increased. Mr.
Carter kept glancing uneasily toward the rattling windows.
“Captain, if you’ll excuse me I think I’d better go back to our
bungalow and bring my little boy and his nurse here. This wind is
reaching an alarming force.”
“Yes, yes, of course! They say it’s likely to reach hurricane
proportions by morning.”
Mr. Carter got up quickly. “I’m afraid it’s going to be ahead of
schedule. Our small cottage is no place to spend the night.”
Kitty threw aside the old sweater and jumped to her feet, frightened
for Billy.
“No, dear, you’d better not come with me. No use for you to get wet
again,” said her father. “You’ve been through enough for one day. Hazel
is on night duty. You can get some sleep in her room.”
“Yes, young lady, you mustn’t take any more chances. We may need you
here in the morning anyhow to answer further questions.”
“I’ll stop by and tell Hazel you’re going to her room,” said her father
when they started out. “I’ll arrange for Billy and Jane somehow here.
Restrictions will be let down for such an emergency. So you just put
everything out of your mind and get some sleep.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER TWENTY
REWARDS
Mr. Carter’s orders for Kitty to put all worries out of her mind and
sleep, were easier given than followed. She knew that very well as she
entered Hazel’s room. She thought a hot bath would do her more good
than anything else. There were plenty of fresh towels on the rack in
the bathroom, and Kitty was sure her friend would want her to make
herself at home. She was just rubbing down after a relaxing soak, when
she heard someone come in.
“That you, Hazel?” she called.
“Yes. Your dad told me you were here. I came as soon as I could get
away.”
“Could you lend me some pajamas? I helped myself to a bath.”
“You’re more than welcome, darling. I’ll get you something to sleep in.”
A moment later a pair of flowered pajamas were thrust inside the
bathroom door. When Kitty came out arrayed in the sleeping garments two
sizes too large for her, Hazel had the cover already turned down on the
bed.
“You hop right in, and I’ll tuck you up for the night.”
“You’re an angel to let me rest here.”
“It’s a privilege. The hospital will be jammed tonight.”
“I won’t feel easy till Billy and Jane are safely in. Where do you
suppose they’ll sleep?”
“Your father is having a cot put in his own room for Billy. Jane will
sleep in the maids’ quarters. They’re putting up cots in the recreation
room and library for other people. Everyone on the island has been
ordered to take refuge in the larger buildings. They say none of the
cottages will be safe by morning.”
“There’ll be lots for the Canteen workers to do after this.”
“So you’d better stretch out there and get some sleep. But first drink
this warm milk I brought you. Your father said you’d had no supper.”
Kitty’s heart swelled with gratitude. “You’re a dear, Hazel. I love you
very much.”
Hazel suddenly put down the cup of milk and sat on the side of the bed,
catching Kitty’s hands in hers. “And I love you very much, too,
darling. It’ll be wonderful to have a daughter like you.”
Surprised, Kitty asked, “You mean—you really mean—?”
“Yes. I mean your father and I have planned to marry as soon as we
could clear up this trouble.”
“Oh, Hazel, I _am_ delighted!”
“He had only a moment just now to whisper that the worst is over, and
that you helped bring it about.”
Kitty’s eyes were shining. “There’s so much to talk about I don’t think
I can sleep. If I could only know Brad’s going to be all right I’d be
too happy for words.”
“But you must sleep, dear. Your father said you’ve been through awful
things and must rest. Here, drink this milk and go to sleep. I’ll come
in as soon as you wake up and tell you how Brad is.”
Kitty drank the milk while Hazel stood beside her bed. As she handed
her the cup she said softly, “It’ll seem almost like having my own
mother again, Hazel, to have you.”
Quick tears welled in her friend’s eyes. “Nothing you could have said
would make me feel more welcome, Kitten.” With a quick movement Hazel
brushed the tears aside and said, “Now I must hurry back to my ward.
I’ll see you in the morning.”
As Kitty settled down on the pillow she had no idea she could sleep.
Even if her mind had not been so full of things to think about the
howling wind was enough to keep anyone awake. She had not realized how
utterly weary she was until she sank into that soft bed. The bath and
the warm milk seemed to have magic effect, for almost at once she felt
drowsy and soon slept.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Illustration: _“Oh, Hazel,” Kitty Said, “I’m Delighted!”_]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
When she roused the shades were drawn, but she could see it was day.
The wind was still blowing, but not with such fury as when she had gone
to sleep. She glanced at the bedside clock and was shocked to see it
was eleven-thirty. Hazel should have long since had her turn in the
bed. When she sat up she saw her two suitcases on the floor, all stuck
over with labels from her college days. Dear old Dad, he thought of
everything. At least she would now have something to wear if their
cottage had blown down during the night.
Her first thought on waking had been of Brad. How had he fared through
the night? She found her yellow and blue plaid skirt and a blue sweater
among the things her father had brought. She had dressed and was just
brushing her hair when she heard someone at the door and turned to see
Hazel.
“I feel terrible that I slept so late!” Kitty exclaimed.
“I’m delighted you could sleep. I put just a bit of sleeping powder in
that milk last night. I was sure you’d need it.”
“Oh, you did! Guess I wouldn’t have slept without it. My mind was in
such a turmoil. How’s Brad?”
“Much better. He wants to see you as soon as you wake. Room eighteen,
third floor.”
“Oh, I’m so relieved.” Kitty gave a final flip to her hair, and turned
to Hazel. “You look fresh as ever. Where did you sleep?”
“Oh, I had a good rest in Elsie’s room while she was on duty.” She sat
down near the window. “Your dad and I had a long talk over our
breakfast. He told me everything. You’ve been a wonder, Kitty.”
“But I won’t feel easy till Punaro and Beeson are captured. Did they
arrest Punaro last night?”
Hazel shook her head. “No, he didn’t come in.”
“Seems no doubt he was the one who shot Brad.”
“The FBI have gone out now in a powerful motorboat. The wind is down
enough for them to take a chance. They’re afraid to wait too long for
fear the pair will get away.”
“Did the storm do much damage on the island?”
“I hate to tell you how much, dear. You can get a view of the
destruction from Brad’s room.”
Kitty was instantly alert. “Then we’ll need every Canteen worker on the
island. I must try to get in touch with Mrs. Evans. I suppose all the
wires are down.”
“Oh, yes. But Mrs. Evans and her family slept in the recreation hall.
She asked me to tell you to report to the USO as soon as possible.”
“Glad to know it weathered the blow.”
Kitty couldn’t go anywhere until she saw for herself how Brad was. The
nurse was just propping him up for his dinner as Kitty entered.
“Surely is grand to see you eating, Brad!” she said happily when she
went in.
Though his left arm was bound against his body he could feed himself
with his right hand.
“That transfusion put the kick right back into me,” Brad said. “Sorry I
was such a nuisance last night.”
“Don’t be silly!”
She followed the nurse to the door and closed it tightly. “Brad, the
whole thing came to a climax last night. Feel able to hear about it?”
“Sorry you don’t get the privilege, Kit, but Chief Carter and Captain
Rogers were in here a couple of hours ago. They told me everything.
You’ve really been super through it all.”
“I’m glad they talked with you. Hazel told me they’ve gone out to
Terrapin Island now to get Beeson and Punaro. Sure hope no harm comes
to Uncle Mose before they get there.”
“Hope so, too. We can use the old darky when we build our summer
cottage in the pine thicket.”
“Our summer cottage in the pine thicket!” exclaimed Kitty and laughed
suddenly. “Oh, Brad, what a dreamer you are! They must have you sort of
doped still.”
But he was entirely himself as he looked at her seriously. “Really,
Kit, wouldn’t you like that?”
“I think I would, Brad,” she replied just as seriously. “But we’ve an
awful lot to do first.”
“Oh, of course. We’ve got to finish this big job!”
“And I can’t stay here long now. There’s work to be done down yonder.”
She moved toward the window as she spoke. A few blocks away she could
see where the storm had struck with full force. It looked as though a
giant mowing machine might have laid everything level in its path.
“Oh, our cottage is ruined!” she burst forth.
“Sorry, Kit. Your dad told me about it.”
How happy they had been there, she thought. But, of course, they had
owned neither the house nor the furniture, so their loss was nothing to
compare with that of many others near by. And they would be needing her
services right now. There were many hungry mouths to feed and she must
hurry off to her Canteen work. This was no time to dream of a bright
future or stop to talk over a troubled past.
A few minutes later she ate a hasty lunch with her father and Billy
before she put on her Canteen uniform to report for duty at the USO.
The wind was still too high for them to feed the homeless outdoors, so
the hall was turned into an emergency dining-room. Kitty worked hard
all day and until the last dish was washed that night. It was almost
twelve o’clock when she finally returned to the hospital to get a few
hours’ sleep in Hazel’s bed.
She was roused next morning by Hazel standing by her bed. “I’m going to
have breakfast with your father. Wouldn’t you like to come along?”
“Yes, indeed!” Kitty was out of bed with a bound, and soon had on her
clothes. “Anything develop while I was away yesterday?” she asked.
“Very satisfactory development. They got Beeson all right.”
“How about Uncle Mose?”
“He was quite safe in his cabin, so they left him there.”
“That’s a relief! What about Punaro?”
“He wasn’t on Terrapin Island, or Mangrove either. There’s a
possibility his boat went down in the storm, when he tried to return
here—or perhaps get to Terrapin Island. They found the rifle.”
“The rifle!” exclaimed Kitty.
“The one that shot the slug into Brad. It was in a cache on Mangrove
Island along with several boxes of medicine and hospital supplies. The
stuff all bore Punaro’s fingerprints.”
“The gun, too?”
Hazel nodded. “The whole set-up seems quite clear now,” she continued.
“The Germans have evidently been coming in as far as Mangrove Island in
their rubber boat. There they change to different clothes and an old
bateau kept hidden in the mangroves, in case they meet anyone on their
way to Terrapin.”
“The same boat the boys found in the mangroves, I suppose.”
“No doubt it was. They found enormous supplies of canned goods and
other foods stored at Beeson’s place.”
“Makes me shiver now that I really know what chances we took,” said
Kitty, when they were ready to go down.
“And well you may shiver, my child. It’s a miracle you came through it
with a whole skin.”
“Poor Brad didn’t.”
“Oh, Brad’ll be all right. He’s going to have breakfast with us.”
“Not really!”
A few minutes later they found her father, Brad and Billy waiting for
them in the dining-room.
“What a wonderful family reunion!” exclaimed Kitty.
When they had been served Chief Carter leaned across the table and skid
to his daughter, “Kitten, I have a nice surprise for you.”
“Oh, Dad, I don’t know if I can stand any more. First we nip this
saboteur business in the bud, then I hear that you and Hazel are going
to be married, and—and Brad talks deliriously about building us a
summer home in the pines on Terrapin Island.”
“Now it’s our turn to be surprised, isn’t it, Hazel?” exclaimed her
father.
“Well, not exactly. My eyes have been open for quite a while.”
“But now you talk of another surprise,” said Kitty.
“And this includes you both,” said Chief Carter, suddenly growing
serious again. “Captain Rogers has just told me that you both will be
given service awards, for special help to your country.”
“Oh, Dad, not really!”
“I didn’t do anything but get shot!” exclaimed Brad, but Kitty could
see a slight color rising in his pale cheeks.
“You did so! I couldn’t have done anything without you.”
“Well, we won’t have any argument over that. You’re both entitled to
recognition,” stated Chief Carter.
“Oh, Dad, I’m so thrilled! I’ve wanted so to help, but I never dreamed
it would turn out like this.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transcriber’s Note
Punctuation has been normalized. Variations in hyphenation have been
retained as they were in the original publication. The following
changes have been made:
She realized now that a {Canten changed to Canteen} worker {Page 40}
pounding the door with her {firsts changed to fists} {Page 216}
Italicized phrases are presented by surrounding the text with
_underscores_.