thinking.

Having no further reason for remaining in the cafe, the girls stepped out into the storm.

“A pity that policeman wasn’t looking for Hank Biglow,” Penny muttered.

“I thought for a minute he was,” responded Louise, stooping to fasten the buckle of her heavy overshoe. “At least Hank acted peculiar.”

“You heard what the cashier said to him?”

“About the cargo he carried?”

“Yes,” nodded Penny, “what do you suppose he meant?”

“Don’t you think it was intended as a joke?”

“It didn’t seem that way to me, Lou. Hank took offense at the remark. He was as nervous as a cat, too.”

Penny stared curiously at the big truck which was parked not far from the police car.

“I wonder what can be in those big boxes, Lou?”

“A few minutes ago you said they contained tools or defense plant products.”

“That was only my guess. I assumed it from the lack of marking on the boxes.”

Penny paused beside the big truck. Pressing her face close to an opening between the slats, she counted ten large crates, all the same size and shape.

“Lou, maybe this isn’t defense plant merchandise,” she speculated. “Maybe it’s some sort of contraband....”

Penny’s words trailed off. Someone had touched her on the shoulder.

Whirling around, she faced the same policeman who a moment before had entered the cafe.

“What do you think you’re doing?” he inquired.

“Why, just looking,” stammered Penny. “We were wondering what’s inside these boxes.”

“Machinery,” replied the policeman. “Now skidoo! Behave yourselves or I’ll have to speak to your parents.”

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