"
Val opened his eyes. It must have been close to dusk, for the sunlight
was red across the bedclothes. Rupert stood by the window and Ricky was
in the doorway, a tray of covered dishes in her hands.
"Hello!" Val sat up, grimacing at the twinge of pain across his back.
"What day is this?"
Rupert laughed. "Still Tuesday."
"How's Jeems?"
"Doing very well. I've had to have Rupert in to frighten him into
staying in bed," Ricky said. "The doctor thinks he ought to be there a
couple of days at least. But Jeems doesn't agree with him. Between
keeping Jeems in bed and keeping Rupert out of the swamp I've had a full
day."
Rupert sat down on the foot of the bed. "You'd know this Boss and Red
again, wouldn't you?"
"Of course."
"Then you'll probably have a chance to identify them." There was a grim
look about Rupert's jaw. "Ricky's told me all that you overheard. I
don't know what it means but I've heard enough for me to get in touch
with LeFleur. He'll be out tomorrow morning. And once we get something
to work on--"
"I'm beginning to feel sorry for our swamp visitors," Val interrupted.
"They'll be sorry," hinted Rupert darkly. "How about you, Val, beginning
to feel hungry?"
"Now that you mention it, I _am_ discovering a rather hollow ache in my
center section. Supper ready?"
"Half an hour. I'll bring you up a tray--" began Ricky.
But Val had thrown back the sheet and was sitting on the side of the
bed.
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