Part 11 (1/2)
”That's quite right, sir,” Freddy Farh Perhaps robbery was the ar off”
Major Parker h he suddenly had a bad taste in his hed sadly
”Look, Farmer, I'm all of thirty-three!” he said sarcastically, ”I've been around a little Don't give me that kind of an explanation It's silly Whoever it was had tirab your money That is, if it _was_ robbery”
”Well, it was just a thought, sir,” Freddy replied with a weak grin
”Then let's skip it,” theserious, he said, ”Don't think I' to bust in on secret stuff What isn't my business _isn't_ h to learn that I ask for details sis have happened around here lately About ten days ago one of the field laborers, hired by the British, was found dead with a bullet in his brain It turned out to be a Luger bullet Three days ago soh my private files At least, that's the way it looked to ht be all wet Tell et a look at whoever slugged you?”
”I didn't see a thing, or feel a thing, for that matter,” Freddy Far, and the next instant I was out cold”
Dawson started to shake his head, when suddenly he res up to his knees! As a matter of fact, he was barefooted, but he wore pants That's all I saw Just his bare feet and his trouser legs up to his knees”
”Barefooted, eh?” Major Parker murmured ”That could well h of them around here Well, that just makes this confounded business lad when Colonel Welsh arrives”
”I guess that goes for the three of us, sir,” Dawson added with a smile
”Yes, very much so,” Freddy Farmer chimed in
Then followed a few rossed with his own thoughts Presently Major Parker sighed faintly, knocked the coals froot to his feet
”I have to htly inspection tour about the place,” he said ”So, if you till excuse h I won't be long I'll be back for another cup of coffee with you They certainly kno to ht, sir, we'll wait,” Dawson answered for Far we can do to help? Doesn't seem quite fair for us to eat your food, take up your tiet it, Dawson,” Parker interrupted ”I' you shortly”
With a nod and another wave of his hand, Major Parker went outside and left the two youths looking at each other
”I like Major Parker plenty,” Dawson said after a while ”And it sure lish-born air ace wanted to know ”The fact that you like hied ”Of course not I feel like a heel because I can't come clean and tell him all that we know”
”It isn't very esture
”I know, but just the same I wish I could tell hi out on him And like I said, he's such a swell fellow And not the least bit dumb, what I mean”
”Well, you can't be dumb and work for Colonel Welsh, I fancy,” Freddy ree with hilance at Freddy The English-born air ace was toying with his cup of coffee and didn't see the grin that tugged down the corners of Dawson's mouth
”Well, there is one exception,” Dave said ”I could give you his name with one hand tied behind my back”
”And so could I!” Freddy said without soup froht you were being very smart, little man, didn't you, what?”
”Okay, pass the cream!” Dave ordered ”I knohen I'm licked I--Hey!