Where is Miss Orphy and what did she want me to meet you and her in here. That woman is getting to be pushy, even if she was given full authority to arrange everything as grandmother wanted,” Gibby said.

A voice interrupted them saying.

“It is not for you to understand and certainly was not any business of the world, other than the two of them. And yes, I am pushy and will continue to do so until all of this is over. Remember I was put in charge and this is my house now,” Miss Orphy said.

“Miss Orphy, I did not know and had never any hint they were close friends. How was this kept a secret?” Eddie ask.

“They have been friend for close to sixty-five years. Their friendship in the beginning was not a big secret, as time went on the press and public did not know. So the two of them kept it a secret. It is never, under any circumstance to be divulge at any time in the future they were friends.

This was their private world, their secret and out of respect for them . You can not ever say or give the slightest hint to anyone concerning it,” Miss Orphy said. Pausing, then added.

“Especially your wives and children. Actually, there are several secrets that you can not ever tell them or anyone for that fact,” Miss Orphy said.



MY MOST TRUSTED FRIENDS? ARE SPIES!!

“Peterkus! I though you were dead?” Aaron said with surprise.

“I will be, if you don’t get me in out this cold. My side is bleeding, my stitches have come loose,” Peterkus said.

“You are wounded? Never mind, can you get up and get on the Air Rover?” Aaron ask.

“With your help,” he answered.

“Now, tell us where and how you got wounded?” Greta ask.

“To think about it, my first fatal mistake was not to destroy the phone. The second was not to take the train from Paris and fly to Stockholm.

I felt safe and wanted to take the early 20th century steam train to see the beautiful landscape. When I left Strasbourg, France, I had the uneasy feeling I was being followed, but could not put a finger on it. The next morning, I was standing in front of the window of the hotel. I was a clear target, two rounds hit me at once in the side. The only ones I can think of and I do not know who they were. About seven months ago, in San Marco. Three men, at lest I think they were men, only one of them spoke. They were hooded, gloved and never stood up. They wanted to sell me the plans for the famed Alexandra for seventy-five million American dollars. We met in a dimly lite hotel room, with only a spot light on the table where they had the plans laid out.



POLLY & Nell, BETTER NOT CROSS THEM!

“Hello Polly, it’s Nell. The hotel staff thinks the world law agencies are after me. What’s with all these urgent messages you have sent for the past four month? This is an American phone number, what are you doing there and where are you?” She said.

“Clam down Nell. I’m in Dodge City, and...,” Polly was saying.

“Dodge City? Why, your not a cowgirl? Nell ask laughing.

“If you would shut up and listen, you would not have to ask so many questions. Where have you been for the past four months?” Polly ask.

“Sorry, I was not aware that I had to sign in and out. I’ve been on a four month trip thru central Africa. Now, what is so urgent?” Nell ask.

“First, you need to get here as soon as you can. Cousin Cora’s twins are in trouble. It seems the twins father had a boating accident and did not survive. The dumb part is, that was two years ago,” Polly said.

“One more thing, for the time being we need to keep a very low profile. Don’t come with the splendor like the Queen of the Pharos and attract the news media, your bright orange bird is enough.

Four days later, Nell arrived in the lobby of the Hotel. Polly was bent over with laughter. So much for not attracting attention. There she stood in a dark brown tweed, a large floppy black hat, over sized dark glasses, wearing no makeup or jewelry and pair of white granny shoes and five luggage.



THE GREEN ANGEL

...As darkness fell, the rain had slacked a little, but there was still a lot of water on the street where drainage was not adequate, as he headed home at a good clip. He had only met two cars and one very large truck that gave him almost a tidal wave of water. His own pickup truck was creating a fair wave on each side.

All of sudden he caught the glimpse of a figure on a bicycle moving towards his right from a side street, to late to swerve to the left, he caught the figure with a full wave of water. He saw the bicycle sail to the side of the street into some bushes. He stopped as soon as he could and backed up quickly, sending another wave of water.

When he reach the figure, he found front wheel of the bicycle spinning at a wobble and figure was not moving.

He ask if they were hurt and the reply came back, You idiot! No, I’m not hurt, at least I don’t think so. Help me get up.

...I live about five blocks, came a voice that sounded irritated, as he helped her into the pickup. She told him to bring her bicycle, she would show him where to drop her off. Deke realized they were in the middle of a block in front of Thornhill Manson. Deke had only lived in Mt. Ash for a few of years. But, he had been there long enough to know, from rumors, that a very mean woman named Opal Thornhill lived in this house.