Hydrofoil Mystery Read Free Page B

ship?” I questioned in a trembling voice.
    â€œHerbie, don’t be giving the kid such a hard time,” the younger man cautioned.
    â€œI’m just playing with the lad. This is the Blue Hill . It would be mighty funny if you’d jumped on the wrong ship, is all.”
    â€œWe’re Baddeck bound. What’s so important about you getting there?” the younger man asked.
    â€œI’m going up there to work for the summer.” I deliberately didn’t tell them where. I didn’t want anybody to think of me as some sort of servant or farm hand.
    â€œWell, you’ll get there in time for work tomorrow. Now, judging by the way you came aboard, I would guess you didn’t have time to pay your fare.”
    â€œNo … I didn’t have time.”
    â€œWell you have time now. We won’t be getting into Baddeck for close to four hours. You just go and see the first mate and pay for your passage.”
    I pushed my left hand deep into the pocket of my trousers and felt for the few remaining coins. There were four or five. “How much is it?” I asked, wondering if I had enough and what would happen if I didn’t. I pictured myself shovelling coal into the boiler for the entire trip.
    â€œTwenty-five cents for a one-way trip. And if you’re looking for a little breakfast you can find fresh buns, baked goods and hot coffee in the forward lounge. We always put aboard the best fresh baking from the bakery in Iona.”
    I dug the coins out and looked at them. Two dimes, a nickel and a penny. Enough for the passage but not for breakfast.
    â€œI’m not really hungry,” I lied.
    Almost on cue my stomach gurgled, and I felt like cursing out loud.
    â€œCome on with me and we’ll find the first mate,” Herbie said as he started around the side of the ship. I fell in behind. We circled around to the front and he pointed out a man with a beard standing at the very prow of the ship.
    I started toward the first mate.
    â€œHold on, son,” Herbie called out, and I stopped. “The mate might be a little bit miffed about you coming on without a ticket … especially if he hears how you came aboard. Give me your money and I’ll take care of things for you.”
    Was he trying to get my money? Was he tricking me? I tightened the hold on my cash.
    â€œCome on, lad, do you think I’m trying to take your few coins?” Herbie asked.
    â€œNo,” I lied uncomfortably. Hesitantly I turned over the money. I watched him walk over to the other sailor. I felt better when I saw them exchange a few words I couldn’t hear, then Herbie pointed in my direction and pressed the coins into the other man’s hand.
    I looked away and around the ship. It was fairly large for a ferry. Other sailors were working on the deck, and a few passengers milled around or stood at the railing looking out at the water. It was calm, and except for the wake of the ferry there was hardly a ripple on the surface. The sun was bright and there weren’t any clouds anywhere in the sky. What little breeze there was carried the smell of the baked goods from the lounge. I inhaled deeply and my stomach rumbled in response.
    â€œHere you go, laddie.”I turned around. It was Herbie, and he was holding out a cup of steaming coffee and a bun split down the middle with orange marmalade peeking out.
    â€œTake these,” he said.
    â€œI’m not hungry,” I immediately replied.
    â€œFirst thing, you are hungry. Second, even if you weren’t you’d still want to sink your teeth into this bun. Now take them!” he ordered. “And don’t worry none about the money.”
    My eyes fell to my feet.
    â€œNo crime in being a little short. I’ve been there a few times myself. If it makes it any easier, think of it as a loan.”
    â€œA loan?”
    â€œYep. Baddeck is a small place. We’ll run into each other a few times during the