Hydrofoil Mystery by Eric Walters Page A

lost will be a few dollars … start a fight with me and it’ll be your teeth you’ll be leaving behind,” Harry said quietly.
    The other two slowly got up and went over to their friend, taking him by the arms. He cursed under his breath and cast me an ugly look but willingly allowed them to lead him away.
    â€œCome on, kid, it’s time for you to take your money and run,” Harry said.
    I gathered up the money in front of me and stuffed it into my pockets. I looked around for Herbie. He was slumped over in a chair in the corner, snoring away loudly.
    â€œDon’t worry about Herbie. He sleeps here as often as he does at home. Of course, it might be better if you leave by the front door. No telling what might be waiting in the alley.”
    I was thinking the same thing myself.
    â€œCome this way,” Harry said, cocking a finger.
    I followed after him and he led me through a door beside the bar. It led into a darkened shop. We walked down the aisle between rows of canned goods. We were in the general store. I’d been in here earlier in the day getting an ice cream cone. Harry unbolted the front door.
    â€œYou don’t have to worry about those boys. Once the booze is out of them they’ll be fine.”
    â€œAnd while it’s still in them?” I asked.
    â€œThat’s another matter. It looked like Angus was going to try me on for size back there. Thank goodness I didn’t have to put him down. I’ve known him since he was just a lad, and his father before that. You get straight home.”
    I walked out and heard the door being bolted behind me. The street was completely deserted, and only a couple of streetlights were still burning. I looked anxiously alongthe length of the street. They were no place to be seen, but there were shadows everywhere that they could be hiding in.
    â€œGood evening.”
    I jumped and spun around in midair. Corporal O’Malley stepped out of the shadows of a storefront. He walked toward me.
    â€œDid you have yourself a good night?” he asked. “Umm … yeah … I guess so,” I mumbled.
    â€œAnd did you win or lose?”
    I didn’t know what to answer so decided to say nothing. “You look surprised. I already told you last week there isn’t anything in this town I don’t know about, including where every card game is.”
    I dug my hands deeper into my pockets and looked down. The light reflected off his shiny boots—boots like I’d seen that night in the arbour. I looked up at him in shock.
    â€œWhat’s wrong, boy? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
    â€œNo … nothing … I guess I’m just tired. Do you know what time it is?” I asked, trying to divert his attention.
    He pulled a watch out of his vest pocket. “The exact time is one-twenty-five. That is well past the time you should be home. I’ll expect not to see you again at such an hour. Do you understand my meaning?”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œNow, get home,” he ordered. Before I could even think to respond he turned and walked briskly down the street.
    I turned and started to walk in the opposite direction. I walked down the centre of the wide street. I keptswinging my head from side to side, alert for any sign of Angus or his two buddies. As I passed the last darkened house I felt relieved. They were behind me, and there was nothing ahead but a long walk.
    It was funny, usually after a night playing cards I kept on thinking about the game, the way the cards were played, the hands I’d played well and those I should have handled differently. Now, I found myself thinking about that hydrofoil and how they didn’t want me there, even though I was willing to work for free. Just another place I wasn’t wanted.
    I turned around suddenly at the sound of feet on the road. There just thirty feet back were two of the men from the game … two of them. I had a terrible