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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/34850-h.zip b/34850-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3fd99bb --- /dev/null +++ b/34850-h.zip diff --git a/34850-h/34850-h.htm b/34850-h/34850-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3d37b18 --- /dev/null +++ b/34850-h/34850-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6059 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<title>Signal in the Dark, by Mildred A. Wirt</title> +<style type="text/css"> + body { margin-left:1.5em; margin-right:1.5em; } + h1, h2, h3, h4, .center { text-align:center; clear:right; } + h2 { margin-top:4em; margin-bottom:2.5em; line-height:1.7em; } + h3 { font-style:italic; } + table { clear:right; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } + p, blockquote, li { text-align:justify; max-width:25em; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } + div.bq { margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; max-width:23em; margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:2em; } + .bq p { margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em; } + div.box { border-style:double; margin-bottom:2em; max-width:20em; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-top:2em; } + div.subbox { border-style:double; margin:.2em; } + div.img { margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; text-align:center; margin-top:1em; } + .large { font-size:120%; } + .small { font-size:90%; } + .smaller { font-size:80%; } + .sc { font-variant:small-caps; } + .gsw { margin-left:3em; } + .tb { margin-top:2em; } + .fndef p { font-size:100%; margin-left:0em; text-indent:0em; } + div.fndef { margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em; text-align:justify; font-size:80%; margin-top:1em; } + a sup { font-size:60%; } + span.pb, div.pb, dt.pb, p.pb /* PAGE BREAKS */ + { text-align: right; float:right; margin-right:-1em; } + div.pb { display:inline; } + .pb { text-align:right; float:right; margin-left: 1.5em; + margin-top:.5em; margin-bottom:.5em; display:inline; + font-size:80%; font-style:normal; font-weight:bold; } + div.index .pb { display:block; } + dt.xx { text-align:justify; margin-left:2em; text-indent: -2em; } + dd { text-align:justify; margin-left:3em; text-indent: -2em; } +dl.toc { clear:both; } + /* CONTENTS (.TOC) */ + .toc dt.center { text-align:center; clear:both; margin-top:3em; margin-bottom:1em; } + .toc dt { text-align:right; clear:left; + margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; max-width:20em; } + .toc dt.smaller { max-width:25em; } + .toc dd { text-align:right; clear:both; margin-left:2em; } + .toc dd.t { text-align:right; clear:both; margin-left:4em; text-indent:0em; } + .toc dt a, .toc dd a { text-align:left; clear:right; float:left; } + .toc dt.sc { text-align:right; clear:both; } + .toc dt.scl { text-align:left; clear:both; font-variant:small-caps; } + .toc dt.sct { text-align:right; clear:both; font-variant:small-caps; margin-left:1em; } + .toc dt.jl { text-align:left; clear:both; font-variant:normal; } + .toc dt.scc { text-align:center; clear:both; font-variant:small-caps; } + .toc dt span.lj { text-align:left; display:block; float:left; } + .toc dt a { font-variant:small-caps; } + .poem { margin-bottom:1em; margin-top:1em; max-width:25em; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } + p.t0 { margin-bottom:0em; margin-top:0em; margin-left:2em; } + p.t { margin-bottom:0em; margin-top:0em; margin-left:3em; } +</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Signal in the Dark, by Mildred A. Wirt + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Signal in the Dark + +Author: Mildred A. Wirt + +Release Date: January 4, 2011 [EBook #34850] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIGNAL IN THE DARK *** + + + + +Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Charlie Howard, and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + +<div id="cover" class="img"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Signal in the Dark" width="380" height="500" /> +</div> +<div class="box"> +<h1>Signal +<br />in the +<br />Dark</h1> +<p class="center"><i>By</i> +<br />MILDRED A. WIRT</p> +<p class="center"><i>Author of</i> +<br /><span class="small">MILDRED A. WIRT MYSTERY STORIES +<br />TRAILER STORIES FOR GIRLS</span></p> +<p class="center"><span class="small"><i>Illustrated</i></span></p> +<p class="center"><span class="small">CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY +<br /><i>Publishers</i> +<br />NEW YORK</span></p> +</div> +<div class="box"> +<div class="subbox"> +<p class="center"><span class="large"><b>PENNY PARKER</b></span> +<br />MYSTERY STORIES</p> +<p class="center"><span class="small"><i>Large 12 mo. <span class="gsw">Cloth</span> <span class="gsw">Illustrated</span></i></span></p> +</div> +<p class="center">TALE OF THE WITCH DOLL +<br />THE VANISHING HOUSEBOAT +<br />DANGER AT THE DRAWBRIDGE +<br />BEHIND THE GREEN DOOR +<br />CLUE OF THE SILKEN LADDER +<br />THE SECRET PACT +<br />THE CLOCK STRIKES THIRTEEN +<br />THE WISHING WELL +<br />SABOTEURS ON THE RIVER +<br />GHOST BEYOND THE GATE +<br />HOOFBEATS ON THE TURNPIKE +<br />VOICE FROM THE CAVE +<br />GUILT OF THE BRASS THIEVES +<br />SIGNAL IN THE DARK +<br />WHISPERING WALLS +<br />SWAMP ISLAND +<br />THE CRY AT MIDNIGHT</p> +<div class="subbox"> +<p class="center"><span class="smaller">COPYRIGHT, 1946, BY CUPPLES AND LEON CO.</span></p> +<p class="center">Signal in the Dark</p> +<p class="center"><span class="smaller">PRINTED IN U. S. A.</span></p> +</div></div> +<div id="front" class="img"> +<img src="images/front.png" alt="PENNY UTTERED A LITTLE CRY" width="400" height="619" /> +<p class="center"><span class="small">PENNY UTTERED A LITTLE CRY +<br />“<i>Signal in the Dark</i>” <span class="gsw">(<a href="#Page_195">See Page 195</a>)</span></span></p> +</div> +<h2><i>CONTENTS</i></h2> +<dl class="toc"> +<dt class="smaller"><span class="lj">CHAPTER</span> PAGE</dt> +<dt><a href="#c1">1 HELP WANTED</a> <i>1</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c2">2 EXPLOSION!</a> <i>10</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c3">3 SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT</a> <i>18</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c4">4 THE MISSING PLATES</a> <i>26</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c5">5 SHADOW ON THE SKYLIGHT</a> <i>35</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c6">6 BEN’S STORY</a> <i>44</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c7">7 MAN OVERBOARD!</a> <i>52</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c8">8 A SWINGING CHAIN</a> <i>61</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c9">9 THE METAL DISC</a> <i>69</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c10">10 COUNTRY SKIES</a> <i>79</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c11">11 A FAMILIAR CAR</a> <i>87</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c12">12 THE PROFESSOR’S HELPER</a> <i>96</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c13">13 BEHIND OFFICE DOORS</a> <i>104</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c14">14 A NOTE FROM BEN</a> <i>112</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c15">15 THE DEMONSTRATION</a> <i>120</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c16">16 SUSPICION</a> <i>128</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c17">17 MAJOR BRYAN</a> <i>137</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c18">18 A SECOND TEST</a> <i>144</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c19">19 THE LANTERN SIGNAL</a> <i>153</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c20">20 A CROOK EXPOSED</a> <i>161</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c21">21 IN SEARCH OF WEBB</a> <i>170</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c22">22 SALT’S MISSING CAMERA</a> <i>178</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c23">23 ESCAPE BY NIGHT</a> <i>184</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c24">24 A RAID ON THE <i>Snark</i></a> <i>192</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c25">25 PICTURE PROOF</a> <i>200</i></dt> +</dl> +<div class="pb" id="Page_1">[1]</div> +<h2 id="c1"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">1</span> +<br /><i>HELP WANTED</i></h2> +<p>“The situation is getting worse instead of +better, Penny. Three of our reporters are sick, and +we’re trying to run the paper with only a third of our +normal editorial staff.” Anthony Parker, publisher of +the <i>Riverview Star</i>, whirled around in the swivel chair +to face his daughter who sat opposite him in the +private office of the newspaper. “Frankly, I’m up +against it,” he added gloomily.</p> +<p>Penny, a slim girl with deep, intelligent blue eyes, +uncurled herself from the window ledge. Carefully, +she dusted her brown wool skirt which had picked up +a cobweb and streaks of dirt.</p> +<p>“You could use a janitor around here too,” she +hinted teasingly. “How about hiring me?”</p> +<p>“As queen of the dustmop brigade?”</p> +<p>“As a reporter,” Penny corrected. “I’m serious, +Dad. You’re desperate for employes. I’m desperate +for spending money. I have three weeks school vacation +coming up, so why not strike a bargain?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_2">[2]</div> +<p>“The paper needs experienced workers, Penny.”</p> +<p>“Precisely.”</p> +<p>“You’re a very good writer,” Mr. Parker admitted. +“In fact, in months past you turned in some of the best +feature stories the <i>Star</i> ever printed. But always they +were special assignments. We must have a reporter +who can work a daily, eight-hour grind and be depended +upon to handle routine stories with speed, +accuracy and efficiency.”</p> +<p>“And you think I am not what the doctor ordered?”</p> +<p>“I think,” corrected Mr. Parker, “that you would +blow your pretty little top by the end of the second +day. For instance, it’s not easy nor pleasant to write +obituaries. Yet it must be done, and accurately. On +this paper, a new reporter is expected to do rewrites +and other tedious work. You wouldn’t like it, +Penny.”</p> +<p>“I’d take it neatly in my stride, Dad. Why not try +me and see?”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker shook his head and began to read the +three-star edition of the paper, its ink still damp from +the press.</p> +<p>“Give me one sound, logical reason for turning me +down,” Penny persisted.</p> +<p>“Very well. You are my daughter. Our editors +might feel that they were compelled to treat you with +special consideration—give you the best assignments—handle +you with kid gloves.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_3">[3]</div> +<p>“You could take care of that matter easily enough.”</p> +<p>“If they took my instructions seriously, you might +not like it,” the newspaper owner warned. “A reporter +learns hard and bitter lessons. Mr. DeWitt, for +instance, is a fine editor—our best, but he has a temper +and—”</p> +<p>The frosted glass door swung open and an elderly, +slightly bald man in shirt sleeves slouched in. Seeing +Penny, he would have retreated, had not Mr. Parker +called him back.</p> +<p>“What’s on your mind, DeWitt?”</p> +<p>“Trouble,” growled the editor. “That no-good, +addle-brained boy we hired as night police reporter, +just blew up! Said it was too confining to sit in a +police station all night waiting for something to happen! +So he gets himself a job in a canning factory! +Now we’re another employee short.”</p> +<p>“Dad, let me take over the night police job!” Penny +pleaded.</p> +<p>Both her father and Mr. DeWitt smiled as if suffering +from intense pain. “Penny,” Mr. Parker explained +gently. “Night police work isn’t suitable for +a girl. Furthermore, it is one of the most undesirable +jobs on a paper.”</p> +<p>“But I want to work somewhere, and you’re so +stubborn!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_4">[4]</div> +<p>Mr. DeWitt studied Penny with concentrated interest. +Hope flickered in his eyes. Turning abruptly to +Mr. Parker he asked: “Why not, Chief? We could +use her on the desk for rewrite. We’re mighty hard +up, and that’s a fact.”</p> +<p>“What about the personnel problem?” Mr. Parker +frowned. “How would the staff take it?”</p> +<p>“Some of the reporters might not like it,” Mr. +DeWitt admitted, “but who’s running this paper anyhow?”</p> +<p>“I often wonder,” sighed Mr. Parker.</p> +<p>Detecting signs of a weakening, Penny appealed to +Mr. DeWitt. “Wouldn’t I be a help to you if I were +on the staff?” she urged.</p> +<p>“Why, sure,” he agreed cautiously.</p> +<p>“There, you see, Dad! Mr. DeWitt wants me!”</p> +<p>“Penny, it’s a personnel problem,” her father explained +with growing impatience. “The other reporters +might not consider you a welcome addition +to the staff. You would expect favors.”</p> +<p>“I never would!”</p> +<p>“We need her,” said Mr. DeWitt significantly. +“We really do.”</p> +<p>With two against him, Mr. Parker suddenly gave in.</p> +<p>“All right,” he agreed. “Penny, we’ll put you on +as a cub reporter. That means you’ll start as a beginner +with a beginner’s salary and do routine work +until you’ve proved your merit. You’ll expect no +special consideration. Is that understood?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_5">[5]</div> +<p>“Perfectly!” Grinning from ear to ear, Penny +would have agreed to anything.</p> +<p>“Furthermore, if the work gets you down, I won’t +have you coming to me asking for a change.”</p> +<p>“I’ll never darken your office door, Dad. Just one +question. How much money does a beginner get?”</p> +<p>“Twenty-five dollars.”</p> +<p>Penny’s face was a blank.</p> +<p>“It will be more than you are worth the first few +weeks,” Mr. Parker said.</p> +<p>“I’ll take it,” Penny declared hastily. “When do I +start?”</p> +<p>“Right now,” decided her father. “DeWitt, introduce +her to the staff, and put her to work.”</p> +<p>Feeling highly elated but a trifle self-conscious, +Penny followed Editor DeWitt past the photography +studio and the A.P. wire room to the main newsroom +where reporters were tapping at their typewriters.</p> +<p>“Gang,” said Mr. DeWitt in an all inclusive introduction. +“This is Penny Parker. She’ll be working +here for a few weeks.”</p> +<p>Heads lifted and appraising eyes focused upon her. +Nearly everyone nodded and smiled, but one girl who +sat at the far end of a long typewriter table regarded +her with an intent, almost hostile stare. And as luck +would have it, Mr. DeWitt assigned Penny to the +typewriter adjoining hers.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_6">[6]</div> +<p>“This is Elda Hunt,” he introduced her. “Show +Penny the ropes, will you?”</p> +<p>The girl, a blonde, with heavily-rouged cheeks, +patted the rigid rolls of her hair into place. Staring +at Mr. DeWitt, she answered not a word.</p> +<p>“I’ll have a lot to learn,” Penny said, trying to make +friendly conversation.</p> +<p>Elda shrugged. “You’re the publisher’s daughter, +aren’t you?” she inquired.</p> +<p>“Yes.”</p> +<p>“Then I don’t think you’ll have too hard a time,” +the girl drawled.</p> +<p>Penny started to reply, but thought better of it. +Seating herself beside Elda, she unhooded the typewriter, +rolled a sheet of copy paper into it, and experimented +with the keys.</p> +<p>The main newsroom was a confusion of sound. +Although work was being handled with dispatch, +there was an air of tension, for press time on the five-star +edition was drawing close. Telephones were +ringing, and Editor DeWitt, who sat at the head of +the big rectangular desk, tersely assigned reporters +to take the incoming calls. Not far from Penny’s ear, +the police shortwave radio blared. Copy boys ran to +and fro.</p> +<p>Benny Jewell, the assistant editor, tossed her a handful +of typewritten sheets.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_7">[7]</div> +<p>“Take these handouts and make ’em into shorts,” +he instructed briefly.</p> +<p>“Handouts?” Penny asked in bewilderment. +“Shorts?”</p> +<p>“Cut the stories to a paragraph or two each.”</p> +<p>“Oh,” said Penny, catching on. “You want me to +rewrite them.”</p> +<p>At her elbow, Elda openly snickered.</p> +<p>Color stained Penny’s cheeks, but she quietly read +the first sheet, which was an account of a meeting to +be held the following week. Picking out the most +important facts, she boiled the story down to two +short paragraphs, and dropped the finished copy into +the editor’s wire basket.</p> +<p>Only then did Elda speak. “You’re supposed to +make two carbons of every story you write,” she said +pityingly.</p> +<p>The girl might have told her sooner, Penny thought. +However, she thanked her politely, and finding carbon +paper, rewrote the story. In her nervousness she +inserted one of the carbons upside down, ruining the +impression. As she removed the sheets from the +machine, she saw what she had done. Elda saw too, +and smiled in a superior way.</p> +<p>“She dislikes me intensely,” Penny thought. “I +wonder why? I’ve not done a thing to her.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_8">[8]</div> +<p>Aware that she had wasted paper and valuable time, +Penny recopied the story a third time and turned it in +to the editor. After that, she rewrote the additional +stories with fairly good speed. By watching other +reporters she learned that the carbon copies were +speared on spindles which at intervals a copy boy +collected and carried away.</p> +<p>A telephone rang, and this time, Mr. DeWitt, looking +straight at Penny, said: “An obituary. Will you +take it?”</p> +<p>She went to the phone and copied down the facts +carefully, knowing that while death notices were routine, +they were of vital interest to readers of the paper. +Any mistake of fact could prove serious.</p> +<p>Returning to her typewriter, she wrote the item. +But after she had turned it in, Mr. DeWitt called her +to his desk. He was pleasant but firm.</p> +<p>“What day are services to be held?” he asked. +“Who are the survivors? Where did the woman die? +Furthermore, we never use the word ‘Funeral Home’. +Instead, we say ‘mortuary’.”</p> +<p>Penny telephoned for more information, and finally +after rewriting the notice twice more, succeeded in +getting it past Mr. DeWitt. But as he tossed the story +to a copy reader, she saw that he had pencilled several +changes.</p> +<p>“There’s more to writing routine stories than I +thought,” she reflected. “I’ll really have to dig in unless +I want to disgrace Dad.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_9">[9]</div> +<p>Penny was given another obituary to write which +proved nearly as difficult as the first. Hopelessly discouraged, +she started for the rest room to get a drink +and wash her hands.</p> +<p>As she entered the lounge, voices reached her ears, +and instantly she realized that Elda Hunt was talking +to another girl reporter about her.</p> +<p>“The publisher’s daughter!” she heard her say +scathingly. “As if we aren’t having a hard enough +time here, without having to coddle her along!”</p> +<p>“I didn’t think she seemed so bad,” the other replied. +“She’ll catch on.”</p> +<p>“She’ll be promoted over all our heads if that’s what +you mean!” Elda retorted bitterly. “I know for a fact, +she’s starting at fifty a week, and no experience! If +you ask me, it’s unfair! We should walk out of here, +and see how those fine editors would like that!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_10">[10]</div> +<h2 id="c2"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">2</span> +<br /><i>EXPLOSION!</i></h2> +<p>Penny’s first thought was to accost the two girls +and correct the misstatements. But sober reflection +convinced her she could make no graver mistake. Far +better, she reasoned, to ignore the entire matter.</p> +<p>She quickly washed her hands, purposely making +enough noise to draw attention to her presence. Elda +and her friend became silent. A moment later, coming +through the inner door of the powder room, they +saw her, but offered no comment. Penny hastily returned +to the newsroom.</p> +<p>For the remainder of the day she worked with deep +concentration, only dimly aware of what went on +about her. Seemingly there were endless numbers of +obituaries to write. Telephones rang constantly. +Work was never finished, for as soon as one edition +was off the press, another was in the making.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_11">[11]</div> +<p>Now and then Penny caught herself glancing toward +an empty desk at the far corner of the room. +Jerry Livingston had sat there until a year ago when +he had been granted a leave of absence to join the +Army Air Force. Unquestionably the <i>Star’s</i> most +talented reporter, he had been Penny’s best friend.</p> +<p>“I wish Jerry were here,” she thought wistfully. +“But if he were, he’d tell me to buckle down and not +let this job lick me! Dad warned me it would be hard, +monotonous work.”</p> +<p>Penny worked with renewed energy. After awhile +she began to feel that she was making definite progress. +Mr. Jewell, the assistant editor, made fewer corrections +as he read over her copy, and now and then she +actually saw him nod approvingly. Once when she +turned in a rewritten “hand-out”—a publicity story +which had been sent to the paper in unusable form—he +praised her for giving it a fresh touch.</p> +<p>“Good lead,” he commented. “You’re coming +along all right.”</p> +<p>Elda heard the praise and her eyes snapped angrily. +At her typewriter, she slammed the carriage. No one +noticed except Penny. A moment later, Mr. DeWitt +called Elda to his desk, saying severely:</p> +<p>“Watch the spelling of names, Elda. This is the third +one we’ve checked you on today. Don’t you ever +consult the city directory?”</p> +<p>“Of course I do!” Elda was indignant.</p> +<p>“Well, watch it,” Mr. DeWitt said again. “We must +have accuracy.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_12">[12]</div> +<p>With a swish of skirts, Elda went back to her desk. +Her face was as dark as a thunder cloud. Deliberately +she dawdled over her next piece of copy. After she +had turned it in, she returned to the editor’s desk to +take it from the wire basket and make additional corrections.</p> +<p>“Just being extra careful of names,” she said arrogantly +as the assistant editor shot her a quick, inquiring +glance.</p> +<p>Thinking no more of the incident, Penny kept on +with her own work. She took special care with +names, even looking up in the city directory those of +which she was almost certain. When she turned in a +piece of copy, she was satisfied that not a name or fact +was inaccurate.</p> +<p>Late in the afternoon, she noticed that Mr. DeWitt +and Mr. Jewell appeared displeased about a story they +had found in the Five Star edition of the paper. After +reading it, they talked together, and then sorted +through a roll of discarded copy, evidently searching +for the original. Finally, Mr. DeWitt called:</p> +<p>“Miss Parker!”</p> +<p>Wondering what she had done wrong, Penny went +quickly to his desk.</p> +<p>“You wrote this story?” he asked, jabbing a pencil +at one of the printed obituaries.</p> +<p>“Why, yes,” Penny acknowledged. “Is anything +wrong with it?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_13">[13]</div> +<p>“Only that you’ve buried the wrong man,” DeWitt +said sarcastically. “Where did you get that name?”</p> +<p>Penny felt actually sick, and her skin prickled with +heat. She stared at the story in print. It said that +John Gorman had died that morning in Mercy Hospital.</p> +<p>“The man who died was John Borman,” DeWitt +said grimly. “It happens that John Gorman is one of +the city’s most prominent industrialists. We’ve made +the correction, but it was too late to catch two-thirds +of the papers.”</p> +<p>Penny stared again at the name, her mind working +slowly.</p> +<p>“But Mr. DeWitt,” she protested. “I don’t think +I wrote it that way. I knew the correct name was +Borman. I’m sure that was how I turned it in.”</p> +<p>“Maybe you hit a wrong letter on the typewriter,” +the editor said less severely. “That’s why one always +should read over a story after it’s written.”</p> +<p>“But I did that too,” Penny said, and then bit her +lip, because she realized she was arguing about the +matter.</p> +<p>“We’ll look at the carbons,” decided Mr. DeWitt.</p> +<p>They had been taken from the spindles by copy +boys, but the editor ordered the entire day’s work returned +to his desk. Pawing through the sheets, he +came to the one Penny had written. Swiftly he compared +it with the original copy.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_14">[14]</div> +<p>“You’re right!” he exclaimed in amazement. “The +carbons show you wrote the name John Borman, not +Gorman.”</p> +<p>“I knew I did!”</p> +<p>“But the copy that was turned into the basket said +John Gorman. Didn’t you change it on the first +sheet?”</p> +<p>“Indeed I didn’t, Mr. DeWitt.”</p> +<p>Scowling, the editor compared the two copies. Obviously +on the original sheet, a neat erasure had been +made, and a typewritten letter <i>G</i> had been substituted +for <i>B</i>.</p> +<p>“There’s something funny about this,” Mr. DeWitt +said. “Mighty funny!” His gaze roved about the +typewriter table, focusing for an instant upon Elda +who had been listening intently to the conversation. +“Never mind,” he added to Penny. “We’ll look into +this.”</p> +<p>Later, she saw him showing the copy sheets to the +assistant editor. Seemingly, the two men were deeply +puzzled as to how the error had been made. Penny +had her own opinion.</p> +<p>“Elda did it,” she thought resentfully. “I’ll wager +she removed the sheet from the wire basket when she +pretended to be making a correction on her own +story!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_15">[15]</div> +<p>Having no proof, Penny wisely kept her thoughts to +herself. But she knew that in the future she must take +double precautions to guard against other tricks to +discredit her.</p> +<p>At the end of the day, the newsroom rapidly emptied. +One by one, reporters covered their typewriters +and left the building. A few of the girls remained, +among them, Penny and Elda. Editor DeWitt was +putting on his hat when the telephone rang.</p> +<p>Absently he reached for it and then straightened to +alert attention. Grabbing a sheet of copy paper, he +scrawled a few words. Eyes focused upon him, for +instinctively everyone knew that something important +had happened.</p> +<p>DeWitt hung up the receiver, his eyes staring into +space for an instant. Then he seized the telephone +again and called the composing room.</p> +<p>“Hold the paper!” he ordered tersely. “We’re +making over the front page!”</p> +<p>The news was electrifying, for only a story of the +greatest importance would bring an order to stop the +thundering presses once they had started to roll.</p> +<p>Calling the photography room, DeWitt demanded: +“Is Salt Sommers still there? Tell him to grab his +camera and get over to the Conway Steel Plant in +double-quick time! There’s been a big explosion! +They think it’s sabotage!”</p> +<p>The editor’s harassed gaze then wandered over the +little group of remaining reporters. Elda pushed toward +the desk.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_16">[16]</div> +<p>“You want me to go over there, Chief?” she demanded +eagerly.</p> +<p>DeWitt did not appear to hear her. Seizing the +telephone once more, he tried without success to get +two of the men reporters who had left the office only +a few minutes earlier.</p> +<p>Slamming down the receiver, his gloomy gaze focused +upon Elda for an instant. But he passed her by.</p> +<p>“Miss Parker!”</p> +<p>Penny was beside him in a flash.</p> +<p>“Ride with Salt Sommers to the Conway Plant!” +he ordered tersely. “Two men have been reported +killed in the explosion! Get everything you can and +hold on until relieved!”</p> +<p>Seizing hat and purse, Penny made a dash for the +stairway. No need for DeWitt to tell her that this +was a big story! Because all the other reporters except +Elda were gone, she had been given the assignment! +But could she make good?</p> +<p>“This is my chance!” she thought jubilantly. “DeWitt +probably thinks I’ll fold up, but I’ll prove to him +I can get the facts as well as one of his seasoned reporters.”</p> +<p>Penny was well acquainted with Salt Sommers, who +next to Jerry Livingston was her best friend. Reaching +the ground floor, she saw his battered car starting +away from the curb.</p> +<p>“Salt!” she shouted. “Wait!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_17">[17]</div> +<p>The photographer halted and swung open the car +door. She slid in beside him.</p> +<p>“What are you doing here, Penny?” he demanded, +shifting gears.</p> +<p>“I’m your little assistant,” Penny broke the news +gently. “I just started to work on the paper.”</p> +<p>“And DeWitt assigned you to this story?”</p> +<p>“He couldn’t help himself. Nearly everyone else +had left the office.”</p> +<p>The car whirled around a corner and raced through +a traffic light just as it turned amber. Suddenly from +far away, there came a dull explosion which rocked +the pavement. Salt and Penny stared at each other +with alert comprehension.</p> +<p>“That was at the Conway Plant!” the photographer +exclaimed, pushing his foot hard on the gas pedal. +“Penny, we’ve got a real assignment ahead of us!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_18">[18]</div> +<h2 id="c3"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">3</span> +<br /><i>SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT</i></h2> +<p>Darkness shrouded the streets as the press +car careened toward the outskirts of the city where +the Conway Steel Plant was situated. Rattling over +the river bridge, Salt and Penny caught their first +glimpse of the factory.</p> +<p>Flames were shooting high into the sky from one +of the buildings, and employes poured in panic +through the main gate. No policemen were yet in +evidence, nor had the fire department arrived.</p> +<p>Pulling up at the curb, Salt seized his camera and +stuffed a handful of flashbulbs into his pockets. +Grabbing Penny’s elbow, he steered her toward the +gate. To get through the barrier, they fought their +way past the outsurging, panic-stricken tide of fleeing +employes.</p> +<p>“Scared?” Salt asked as they paused to stare at the +shooting flames.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_19">[19]</div> +<p>“A little,” Penny admitted truthfully. “Will there +be any more explosions?”</p> +<p>“That’s the chance we’re taking. DeWitt shouldn’t +have sent you on this assignment!”</p> +<p>“He couldn’t know there would be other explosions,” +Penny replied. “Besides, someone had to cover +the story, and no one else was there. I can handle it.”</p> +<p>“I think you can too,” said Salt quietly. “But you’ll +have to work alone. My job is to take pictures.”</p> +<p>“I’ll meet you at the car,” Penny threw over her +shoulder as she left him.</p> +<p>Scarcely knowing how or where to begin, she ran +toward the burning building. One of the smaller storage +structures of the factory, it was not connected +with the main office. The larger building remained +intact. Workmen with an inadequate hose were making +a frantic effort to keep the flames from spreading +to the other structures.</p> +<p>Penny ran up to one of the men, plucking at his +sleeve to command attention.</p> +<p>“What set off the explosion?” she shouted in his ear.</p> +<p>“Don’t know,” he replied above the roar of the +flames.</p> +<p>“Anyone killed?”</p> +<p>“Two workmen. They’re over there.” The man +waved his hand vaguely toward another building.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_20">[20]</div> +<p>Unable to gain more information, Penny ran toward +the nearby structure. The wind, she noted, was +carrying flames in the opposite direction. Unless +there were further explosions, danger of the fire +spreading was not great.</p> +<p>Entering the building, she met several men who appeared +to be officials of the company.</p> +<p>“I’m looking for Mr. Conway!” she accosted them. +“Is he here?”</p> +<p>“Who are you?” one of the men asked bluntly.</p> +<p>“I’m Penny Parker from the <i>Star</i>.”</p> +<p>“My name is Conway. What do you want to +know?”</p> +<p>“How many killed and injured?”</p> +<p>“Two killed. Three or four injured. Perhaps +more. We don’t know yet.”</p> +<p>Penny asked for names which were given her. But +when she inquired how the explosion had occurred, +Mr. Conway suddenly became uncommunicative.</p> +<p>“I have no statement to make,” he said curtly. “We +don’t know what caused the trouble.”</p> +<p>As if fearing that Penny would ask questions he did +not wish to answer, the factory owner eluded her and +disappeared into the darkness.</p> +<p>Running back to the burning building, Penny +caught a glimpse of Salt taking a picture. From another +workman she sought to glean additional details +of the disaster.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_21">[21]</div> +<p>“I was in the foundry when the first blast went off!” +he revealed. “Just a minute before the explosion, I +seen a man in a light overcoat and a dark hat, run from +the building.”</p> +<p>“Who was he?”</p> +<p>“No one I ever saw workin’ at this plant. But I’ll +warrant, he touched off that explosion!”</p> +<p>“Then you think he was a saboteur?”</p> +<p>“Sure.”</p> +<p>Penny did not place too much stock in the story, +but as she wandered about among the excited employes, +she heard others saying that they too had seen +the strange man running from the building. No one +knew his name nor could they provide an accurate description.</p> +<p>Sirens screamed, proclaiming the arrival of fire engines. +As the ladders went up, and streams of water +began to play on the blazing structure, Salt snapped +several more pictures. His hat was gone, and his face +had become streaked with soot.</p> +<p>“I got some good shots!” he told Penny enthusiastically +as he sought her at the fringe of the crowd. +“What luck you having?”</p> +<p>Penny told him everything she had learned.</p> +<p>“We’ll talk with the Fire Chief and then let’s head +for a telephone and call the office,” Salt declared.</p> +<p>As they started toward the fire lines, a strange sound +accosted their ears. Hearing it, Salt stopped short to +listen. From the gates outside the factory came the +rumbling murmur of an angry crowd.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_22">[22]</div> +<p>“A mob must be forming!” Salt exclaimed. “Something’s +up!”</p> +<p>He started for the gate with Penny hard at his heels.</p> +<p>At first they could not see what had caused the +commotion. But as the group of angry employes +swept nearer the gate, a man in a light overcoat who +apparently was fleeing for his life, leaped into a car +which waited at the curb.</p> +<p>“Quick!” Penny cried. “Take a picture!”</p> +<p>Salt already had his camera into position. As the +car started up, the flash bulb went off.</p> +<p>“Got it!” Salt exclaimed triumphantly.</p> +<p>Penny tried to note the license number of the automobile, +but the plate was so covered with mud she +could not read a single figure. The car whirled +around a corner and was lost to view.</p> +<p>“Salt, that man may have been the one who set off +the explosion!” Penny cried. “The mob is of that +opinion at least!”</p> +<p>Angry employes now were bearing directly toward +Penny and Salt. Suddenly a woman in the +crowd pointed toward the photographer, shouting: +“There he is! Get him!”</p> +<p>Dismayed, Penny saw then that Salt wore a light +overcoat which bore a striking resemblance to the +garment of the fleeing stranger. Their builds too +were somewhat similar, for both were thin and angular. +In the darkness, the mob had failed to see the car +roll away, and had mistaken Salt for the saboteur.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_23">[23]</div> +<p>“Let’s get out of here!” Salt muttered. “One thing +you can’t do is argue with a mob!”</p> +<p>He and Penny started in the opposite direction, +only to be faced by a smaller group of workmen who +had swarmed from another factory gate. Escape was +cut off.</p> +<p>“Tell them we’re from the <i>Star</i>!” Penny urged, but +as she beheld the angry faces, she realized how futile +were her words.</p> +<p>“They’ll wreck my equipment before I can explain +anything!” Salt said swiftly. He thrust the camera +into her hands. “Here, take this and try to keep it +safe! And these plates!”</p> +<p>Empty-handed, Salt turned to face the mob. Not +knowing what to do, Penny tried to cut across the +street. But the crowd evidently had taken her for a +companion of the saboteur, and was determined she +should not escape.</p> +<p>“Don’t let her get away!” shouted a woman in +slacks, her voice shrill with excitement. “Get her!”</p> +<p>A car was coming slowly down the street. Its +driver, a woman, was watching the flaming building, +and had rolled down the window glass to see better. +The window of the rear seat also was halfway down.</p> +<p>As the women of the mob bore down upon Penny, +she acted impulsively to save Salt’s camera and the precious +plates. Without thinking of the ultimate consequence, +she tossed them through the open rear window +onto the back seat of the moving car.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_24">[24]</div> +<p>The driver, her attention focused upon the blazing +factory, apparently did not observe the act, for she +continued slowly on down the street.</p> +<p>“D F 3005,” Penny noted the license number. “If +only I can remember!”</p> +<p>The factory women were upon the girl, seizing her +roughly by the shoulders and shouting accusations. +Penny’s jacket was ripped as she jerked free.</p> +<p>“I’m a reporter for the <i>Star</i>!” she cried desperately. +“Sent here to cover the story!”</p> +<p>The words made not the slightest impression upon +the women. But before they could lay hands upon +her again, she fled across the street. The women did +not pursue her, for just then two police cars rolled up +to the curb.</p> +<p>Penny, greatly relieved, ran to summon help.</p> +<p>“Quick!” she urged the policemen. “That crazy +mob has mistaken a reporter for one of the saboteurs +who escaped in a car!”</p> +<p>With drawn clubs, the policemen battled their way +through the crowd. Already Salt had been roughly +handled. But arrival of the police saved him from further +mistreatment, and fearful of arrest, the mob began +to scatter. In another moment the photographer was +free, although a bit battered. His coat had been torn +to shreds, one eye had been blackened, and blood +trickled from a cut on his lower lip.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_25">[25]</div> +<p>“Are you all right?” he asked anxiously as Penny +rushed to him.</p> +<p>“Oh, yes! But you’re a sight, Salt. They half +killed you!”</p> +<p>“I’m okay,” Salt insisted. “The important thing is +we’ve got a whale of a story, and we saved the camera +and pictures.”</p> +<p>A stricken look came over Penny’s face.</p> +<p>“Salt—” she stammered. “Your camera—”</p> +<p>“It was smashed?”</p> +<p>“No, I tossed it into a car, but the car went on down +the street. How we’ll ever find it again I don’t +know!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_26">[26]</div> +<h2 id="c4"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">4</span> +<br /><i>THE MISSING PLATES</i></h2> +<p>Salt did not criticise Penny when he learned exactly +what had happened.</p> +<p>“I’d rather lose a dozen pictures than have my camera +smashed,” he declared to cheer her. “Anyway, +we may be able to trace the car and get everything +back. Remember the license number?”</p> +<p>“D F 3005,” Penny said promptly, and wrote it +down lest she forget.</p> +<p>“Let’s call the license bureau and get the owner’s +name,” the photographer proposed, steering her toward +a corner drugstore. “Gosh, it’s late!” he added, +noticing a clock in a store window. “And they’re +holding the paper for our story and pictures!”</p> +<p>“I certainly messed everything up,” Penny said dismally. +“At the moment, it seemed the thing to do. +When those women started for me, I thought it was +the only way to save the camera.”</p> +<p>“Don’t worry about it,” Salt comforted. “I’ll get +the camera back.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_27">[27]</div> +<p>“But how will we catch the edition with your pictures?”</p> +<p>“That’s a horse of a different color,” Salt admitted +ruefully. “Anyway, it’s my funeral. I’ll tell DeWitt +something.”</p> +<p>“I’ll tell him myself,” Penny said firmly. “I lost the +pictures, and I expect to take responsibility for it.”</p> +<p>“Let’s not worry ahead. Maybe we can trace that +car if we have luck.”</p> +<p>Entering the drugstore, Penny immediately telephoned +Editor DeWitt at the <i>Star</i>, reporting all the +facts she had picked up.</p> +<p>“Okay, that’s fine,” he praised. “One of our men +reporters, Art Bailey, is on his way out there now. +He’ll take over. Tell Salt Sommers to get in here fast +with his pictures!”</p> +<p>“He’ll call you in just a minute or two,” Penny said +weakly.</p> +<p>From another phone, Salt had been in touch with +the license bureau. As Penny left the booth to join +him, she saw by the look of his face that he had had +no luck.</p> +<p>“Couldn’t you get the name of the owner?” she +asked.</p> +<p>“It’s worse than that, Penny. The license was made +out to a man by the name of A. B. Bettenridge. He +lives at Silbus City.”</p> +<p>“Silbus City! At the far end of the state!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_28">[28]</div> +<p>“That’s the size of it.”</p> +<p>“But how did the car happen to be in Riverview?”</p> +<p>“The man or his wife probably is visiting relatives +here, or possibly just passing through the city.”</p> +<p>“And there’s no way to trace them,” Penny said, +aghast. “Oh, Salt, I’ve not only lost your pictures, +but your camera as well!”</p> +<p>“Cheer up,” Salt said brusquely. “It’s not that bad. +We’re sunk on the pictures, that’s sure. But unless +the people are dishonest, I’ll get the camera again. +I’ll write a letter to Silbus City, or if necessary, go +there myself.”</p> +<p>Penny had little to say as she rode back to the <i>Star</i> +office with the photographer. Editor DeWitt was +not in the newsroom when they returned, but they +found him in the composing room, shouting at the +printers who were “making up the paper” to include +the explosion story.</p> +<p>Seeing Penny and Salt, he whirled around to face +them. “Get any good pictures?” he demanded.</p> +<p>“We lost all of ’em,” Salt confessed, his face long.</p> +<p>“You what?”</p> +<p>“Lost the pictures. The mob tore into us, and we +were lucky to get back alive.”</p> +<p>DeWitt’s stony gaze fastened briefly upon Salt’s +scratched face and torn clothing, “One of the biggest +stories of the year, and you lose the pictures!” he commented.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_29">[29]</div> +<p>“It was my fault,” Penny broke in. “I tossed the +camera and plates into a passing car. I was trying to +save them, but it didn’t work out that way.”</p> +<p>DeWitt’s eyebrows jerked upward and he listened +without comment as Penny told the story. Then he +said grimly: “That’s fine! That’s just dandy!” and +stalked out of the composing room.</p> +<p>Penny gazed despairingly at Salt.</p> +<p>“If you hadn’t told him it was your fault, he’d have +taken it okay,” Salt sighed. “Oh, well, it was the only +thing to do. Anyway, there’s one consolation. He +can’t fire you.”</p> +<p>“I wish he would. Salt, I feel worse than a worm.”</p> +<p>“Oh, buck up, Penny! Things like this happen. +One has to learn to take the breaks.”</p> +<p>“Nothing like this ever happened before—I’m sure +of that,” Penny said dismally. “What ought I to do, +Salt?”</p> +<p>“Not a thing,” he assured her. “Just show up for +work tomorrow the same as ever and don’t think any +more about it. I’ll get the camera back, and by tomorrow +DeWitt will have forgotten everything.”</p> +<p>“You’re very optimistic,” Penny returned. “Very +optimistic indeed.”</p> +<p>Not wishing to return through the newsroom, she +slipped down the back stairs and took a bus home. +The Parker house stood on a knoll high above the +winding river and was situated in a lovely district of +Riverview. Only a few blocks away lived Louise +Sidell, who was Penny’s closest friend.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_30">[30]</div> +<p>Reluctant to face her father, Penny lingered for a +while in the dark garden, snipping a few roses. But +presently a kitchen window flew up, and Mrs. Maude +Weems, the family housekeeper called impatiently:</p> +<p>“Penny Parker, is that you prowling around out +there? We had our dinner three hours ago. Will you +please come in and explain what kept you so long?”</p> +<p>Penny drew a deep sigh and went in out of the +night. Mrs. Weems stared at her in dismay as she entered +the kitchen.</p> +<p>“Why, what have you done to yourself!” she exclaimed.</p> +<p>“Nothing.”</p> +<p>“You look dreadful! Your hair isn’t combed—your +face is dirty—and your clothes! Why, they smell of +smoke!”</p> +<p>“Didn’t Dad tell you I started to work for the <i>Star</i> +today?” Penny inquired innocently.</p> +<p>“The very idea of you coming home three hours +late, and looking as if you had gone through the rollers +of my washing machine! I’ll tell your father a thing +or two!”</p> +<p>Mrs. Weems had cared for Penny since the death +of Mrs. Parker many years before. Although employed +as a housekeeper, salary was no consideration, +and she loved the girl as her own child. Penny and +Mr. Parker regarded Mrs. Weems almost as a member +of the family.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_31">[31]</div> +<p>“Where is Dad?” Penny asked uneasily.</p> +<p>“In the study.”</p> +<p>“Let’s not disturb him now, Mrs. Weems. I’ll just +have a bite to eat and slip off to bed.”</p> +<p>“So you don’t want to see your father?” the housekeeper +demanded alertly. “Why, may I ask? Is there +more to this little escapade than meets the eye?”</p> +<p>“Maybe,” Penny admitted. Then she added earnestly: +“Believe me, Mrs. Weems, I’ve had a wretched +day. Tomorrow I’ll tell you everything. Tonight I +just want to get a hot bath and go to bed.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Weems instantly became solicitous. “You +poor thing,” she murmured sympathetically. “I’ll get +you some hot food right away.”</p> +<p>Without asking another question, the housekeeper +scurried about the kitchen, preparing supper. When +it was set before her, Penny discovered she was not as +hungry as she had thought. But because Mrs. Weems +was watching her anxiously, she ate as much as she +could.</p> +<p>After she had finished, she started upstairs. In passing +her father’s study, she saw his eyes upon her. Before +she could move on up the steps, he came to the +doorway, noting her disheveled appearance.</p> +<p>“A hard day at the office?” he inquired evenly.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_32">[32]</div> +<p>Penny could not know how much her father already +had learned, but from the twinkle of his eyes she +suspected that DeWitt had telephoned him the details +of her disgrace.</p> +<p>“Oh, just a little overtime work,” she flung carelessly +over her shoulder. “See you in the morning.”</p> +<p>Penny took a hot bath and climbed into bed. Then +she climbed out again and carefully set the clock +alarm for eight o’clock. Snuggling down once more, +she went almost instantly to sleep.</p> +<p>It seemed that she scarcely had closed her eyes when +the alarm jangled in her ear. Drowsily, Penny reached +and turned it off. She rolled over to go to sleep again, +then suddenly realized she was a working woman and +leaped from bed.</p> +<p>She dressed hurriedly and joined her father at the +breakfast table. He had two papers spread before +him, the <i>Star</i>, and its rival, the <i>Daily Times</i>. Penny +knew from her father’s expression that he had been +comparing the explosion stories of the two papers, and +was not pleased.</p> +<p>“Any news this morning?” she inquired a bit too +innocently.</p> +<p>Her father shot back a quick, quizzical look, but +gave no further indication that he suspected she might +have had any connection with the Conway Steel Plant +story.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_33">[33]</div> +<p>“Oh, they did a little dynamiting last night,” he +replied, shoving the papers toward her. “The <i>Times</i> +had very good pictures.”</p> +<p>Penny scanned the front pages. The story in the +<i>Star</i> was well written, with her own facts used, and a +great many more supplied by other reporters. But in +comparison to the <i>Times</i>, the story seemed colorless. +Pictures, she realized, made the difference. The <i>Times</i> +had published two of them which half covered the +page.</p> +<p>“Can’t see how DeWitt slipped up,” Mr. Parker +said, shaking his head sadly. “He should have sent +one of our photographers out there.”</p> +<p>“Dad—”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker, who had finished his breakfast, hastily +shoved back his chair. “Well, I must be getting to +the office,” he said. “Don’t be late, Penny.”</p> +<p>“Dad, about that story last night—”</p> +<p>“No time now,” he interposed. “On a newspaper, +yesterday’s stories are best forgotten.”</p> +<p>Penny understood then that her father already +knew all the details of her downfall. Relieved that +there was no need to explain, she grinned and hurriedly +ate her breakfast.</p> +<p>Because her father had taken the car and gone on, +she was compelled to battle the crowd on the bus. +The trip took longer than she had expected. Determined +not to be late for work, she ran most of the way +from the bus stop to the office. By the time she had +climbed the stairs to the newsroom, she was almost +breathless.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_34">[34]</div> +<p>As she came hurriedly through the swinging door, +Elda Hunt, cool and serene, looked up from her typewriter.</p> +<p>“Why the rush?” she drawled, but in a voice which +carried clearly to everyone in the room. “Are you +going to another fire?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_35">[35]</div> +<h2 id="c5"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">5</span> +<br /><i>SHADOW ON THE SKYLIGHT</i></h2> +<p>Ignoring the thrust, Penny hung up her hat +and coat and went to work. Neither Editor DeWitt +nor his assistant, Mr. Jewell, made any reference to +the explosion story of the previous day.</p> +<p>Another reporter had written the “follow-up” on +it which Penny read with interest. Cause of the explosion, +responsible for more than $40,000 damages, +had not yet been determined. However, Fire Chief +Schirr had stated that there was evidence the explosion +had not been accidental. Several witnesses had +reported seeing a man in light overcoat flee from the +building only a few minutes before the disaster.</p> +<p>“He must have been the fellow who leaped into that +waiting car and escaped!” Penny thought. “And to +think, Salt’s picture might actually be evidence in the +case, if I hadn’t thrown it away!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_36">[36]</div> +<p>She was staring glumly at the story when DeWitt +motioned for her to take a telephone call. It was another +obituary.</p> +<p>“After muffing a good story, I’ll probably be assigned +to these things for the rest of my time on the +paper,” Penny thought as she mechanically scribbled +notes.</p> +<p>All morning the obituaries kept coming in, and then +there were the hospitals to call for accident reports, +and the weather bureau. After lunch, a reporter was +needed to interview a famous actress who had arrived +in Riverview for a personal appearance. It was just +the story Penny wanted to try. She knew she could +do it well, for in months past, she frequently had contributed +special feature stories to the paper.</p> +<p>Mr. DeWitt’s gaze focused upon her for an instant, +but he passed her by.</p> +<p>“Elda,” he said, and she went quickly to his desk to +receive instructions.</p> +<p>Elda was gone a long while on the assignment. +When she returned in the afternoon, she spent nearly +two hours typing the interview. Several times Editor +DeWitt glanced impatiently at her, and finally he said: +“Let’s have a start on that story, Elda. You’ve been +fussing with it long enough.”</p> +<p>She gave it to him. As Mr. DeWitt read, he used +his pencil to mark out large blocks of what had been +written. But as he gave the story to a copy reader +who would write the headline, he said: “Give her a +byline.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_37">[37]</div> +<p>Elda heard and grinned from ear to ear. A byline +meant that a caption directly under the headline +would proclaim: “By Elda Hunt.”</p> +<p>Penny, who also heard, could not know that Mr. +DeWitt had granted the byline only because it was +customary with a personal interview story. She felt +even more depressed than before.</p> +<p>“See if you can find a picture of this actress in the +photography room,” DeWitt instructed Elda. “Salt +Sommers took one this morning, but it hasn’t come up +yet.”</p> +<p>With a swishing of skirts, for she now was in a fine +mood, Elda disappeared down the corridor. Fifteen +minutes elapsed. Penny, busy writing hand-outs and +obituaries, had forgotten about her entirely, until Mr. +DeWitt summoned her to his desk.</p> +<p>“See if you can find out what became of Elda,” he +said in exasperation. “Tell her we’d like to have that +picture for today’s paper.”</p> +<p>Penny went quickly toward the photography room. +The door was closed. As she opened it, she was startled +half out of her wits by hearing a shrill scream. +The cry unmistakably came from an inner room of the +photography studio and was Elda’s voice. At the +same instant, a gust of cool air struck Penny’s face.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_38">[38]</div> +<p>“Elda!” she called in alarm.</p> +<p>“Here,” came the girl’s muffled voice from the inner +room.</p> +<p>Fearing the worst, Penny darted through the doorway. +Elda had collapsed in a chair, her face white +with terror. Wordlessly, she pointed toward the +ceiling.</p> +<p>Penny gazed up but could see nothing amiss. Warm +sunshine was pouring through the closed skylight +which covered half the ceiling area.</p> +<p>“What ails you, Elda?” she asked. “Why did you +scream?”</p> +<p>“The skylight!”</p> +<p>“What about the skylight?” Penny demanded with +increasing impatience. “I can’t see anything wrong +with it.”</p> +<p>“Only a moment ago I saw a shadow there,” Elda +whispered in awe.</p> +<p>“A shadow!” Penny was tempted to laugh. “What +sort of shadow?”</p> +<p>“I—I can’t describe it. But it must have been a human +shadow. I think a man was crouching there.”</p> +<p>“Nonsense, you must have imagined it.”</p> +<p>“But I didn’t,” Elda insisted indignantly. “I saw it +just before you opened the door.”</p> +<p>“Did the skylight open?”</p> +<p>“Not that I saw.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_39">[39]</div> +<p>Recalling the cool gust of wind that had struck her +face, Penny took thought. Was it possible that Elda +actually had seen someone crouching on the skylight? +However, the idea seemed fantastic. She could think +of no reason why any person would hide on the roof +above the photography room.</p> +<p>“Oh, snap out of it, Elda,” she said carelessly. +“Even if you did see a shadow, what of it?”</p> +<p>“It was a man, I tell you!”</p> +<p>“A workman perhaps. Mr. DeWitt sent me to tell +you he was in a hurry for that picture.”</p> +<p>“Oh, tell Mr. DeWitt to jump in an ink well!” +Elda retorted angrily. “He’s always in a hurry.”</p> +<p>“You haven’t been watching a shadow all this time, +I judge,” Penny commented.</p> +<p>“Of course not. I went downstairs to get a candy +bar.”</p> +<p>With a sigh, Elda pulled herself from the chair. +She really did look as if she had undergone a bad +fright, Penny observed. Feeling a trifle sorry for the +girl, she helped her find the photograph, and they +started with it to the newsroom.</p> +<p>“I’d not say anything about the shadow if I were +you, Elda,” Penny remarked.</p> +<p>“Why not, pray?”</p> +<p>“Well, it sounds rather silly.”</p> +<p>“Oh, so I’m silly, am I?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_40">[40]</div> +<p>“I didn’t say that, Elda. I said the idea of a shadow +on the skylight struck me that way. Of course, if you +want to be teased about it, why tell everyone.”</p> +<p>“At least I didn’t make a mess of an important +story,” Elda retorted, tossing her head.</p> +<p>“Elda, why do you dislike me?” Penny demanded +suddenly.</p> +<p>The question was so unexpected that it threw the +girl off guard. “Did I say I did?” she countered.</p> +<p>“It’s obvious that you do.”</p> +<p>“I’ll tell you what I dislike,” Elda said sharply. +“The rest of us here have to work for our promotions. +You’ll get yours without even turning a hair—just because +you’re Mr. Parker’s one and only daughter.”</p> +<p>“But that’s not true, Elda. I’m expected to earn my +way the same as you. I’m working at a beginner’s +salary.”</p> +<p>“You can’t expect me to believe that!”</p> +<p>“Was it because you thought I was making more +money than you, that you changed the name on the +Borman obituary?”</p> +<p>Elda stopped short. She tried to register indignation, +but instead, only looked frightened. Penny was +certain of her guilt.</p> +<p>“I haven’t told Mr. DeWitt, and I don’t intend to,” +she said quietly. “But I’m warning you! If anything +like that happens again, you’ll answer for it!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_41">[41]</div> +<p>“Well, of all the nerve!” Elda exploded, but her +voice lacked fire. “Of all the nerve!”</p> +<p>Penny deliberately walked away from her.</p> +<p>The day dragged on. At five-thirty Penny covered +her typewriter and telephoned Mrs. Weems.</p> +<p>“I’ll be late coming home tonight,” she said apologetically. +“I thought I might get dinner downtown +and perhaps go to a show.”</p> +<p>“Another hard day?” the housekeeper asked sympathetically.</p> +<p>“Much easier than yesterday,” Penny said, making +her voice sound cheerful. “Don’t worry about me. +I’ll be home no later than nine.”</p> +<p>Though she would not have confessed it even to +herself, Penny was reluctant to meet her father at +dinner time. He might not ask questions, but his all-knowing, +all-seeing eyes would read her secrets. At +a glance he could tell that newspaper work was not +going well for her, and that she disliked it.</p> +<p>“I certainly won’t give him an opportunity to even +think, ‘I told you so,’” she reflected. “Even if it kills +me, I’ll stick here, and I’ll pretend to like it too!”</p> +<p>Because it was too early to dine, Penny walked aimlessly +toward the river. She paused at a dock to watch +two boys fishing, and then sauntered on toward the +passenger wharves.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_42">[42]</div> +<p>A young man in an unpressed suit, and shoes badly +in need of a shine, leaned against one of the freight +buildings. Seeing Penny, he pulled his hat low over +his eyes, and became engrossed in lighting a cigarette.</p> +<p>She would have passed him by without a second +glance, save that he deliberately turned his back to +shield his face. The hunch of his shoulders struck her +as strangely familiar.</p> +<p>Involuntarily, she exclaimed: “Ben! Ben Bartell!”</p> +<p>He turned then and she saw that she had not been +mistaken. The young man indeed was a former reporter +for the <i>Riverview Mirror</i>, a news magazine +published weekly. Ben had not shaved that day, and +he looked years older than when she last had seen him.</p> +<p>“Hello, Penny,” he said uncomfortably.</p> +<p>“Ben, what has happened to you?” she asked. +“Why were you trying to avoid me?”</p> +<p>Ben did not reply for a moment. Then he said +quietly: “Why should I want to see any of my old +friends now? Just look at me and you have your +answer.”</p> +<p>“Why, Ben! You were one of the best reporters +the <i>Mirror</i> ever had!”</p> +<p>“<i>Were</i> is right,” returned Ben with a grim smile. +“Haven’t worked there for six months now. The +truth is, I’m down and out.”</p> +<p>“Why, that’s ridiculous, Ben! Nearly every paper +in town needs a good man.”</p> +<p>“They don’t need me.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_43">[43]</div> +<p>“Ben, you sound so bitter! What has happened to +you?”</p> +<p>“It’s a long story, sister, and not for your dainty +little ears.”</p> +<p>Penny now was deeply troubled, for she had known +Ben well and liked him.</p> +<p>“Ben, you must tell me,” she urged, taking his arm. +“We’re going into a restaurant, and while we have +dinner together, you must explain why you left the +<i>Mirror</i>.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_44">[44]</div> +<h2 id="c6"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">6</span> +<br /><i>BEN’S STORY</i></h2> +<p>Ben held back.</p> +<p>“Thanks,” he said uncomfortably, “but I think I +ought to be moving on.”</p> +<p>“Have you had your dinner?” Penny asked.</p> +<p>“Not yet.”</p> +<p>“Then do come with me, Ben. Or don’t you want +to tell me what happened at the <i>Mirror</i>?”</p> +<p>“It’s not that, Penny. The truth is—well—”</p> +<p>“You haven’t the price of a dinner?” Penny supplied. +“Is that it, Ben?”</p> +<p>“I’m practically broke,” he acknowledged ruefully. +“Sounds screwy in a day and age like this, but I’m not +strong enough for factory work. Was rejected from +the Army on account of my health. Tomorrow I +guess I’ll take a desk job somewhere, but I’ve held off, +not wanting to get stuck on it.”</p> +<p>“You’re a newspaper man, Ben. Reporting is all +you’ve ever done, isn’t it?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_45">[45]</div> +<p>“Yes, but I’m finished now. Can’t get a job anywhere.” +The young man started to move away, but +Penny caught his arm again.</p> +<p>“Ben, you <i>are</i> having dinner with me,” she insisted. +“I have plenty of money, and this is my treat. I really +want to talk to you.”</p> +<p>“I can’t let you pay for my dinner,” Ben protested, +though with less vigor.</p> +<p>“Silly! You can take me somewhere as soon as you +get your job.”</p> +<p>“Well, if you put it that way,” Ben agreed, falling +willingly into step. “There’s a place here on the waterfront +that serves good meals, but it’s not stylish.”</p> +<p>“All the better. Lead on, Ben.”</p> +<p>He took her to a small, crowded little restaurant +only a block away. In the front window, a revolving +spit upon which were impaled several roasting chickens, +captured all eyes. Ben’s glands began to work as +he watched the birds browning over the charcoal.</p> +<p>“Ben, how long has it been since you’ve had a real +meal?” Penny asked, picking up the menu.</p> +<p>“Oh, a week. I’ve mostly kept going on pancakes. +But it’s my own funeral. I could have had jobs of a +sort if I had been willing to take them.”</p> +<p>Penny gave her order to the waitress, taking double +what she really wanted so that her companion would +not feel backward about placing a similar order. Then +she said:</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_46">[46]</div> +<p>“Ben, you remarked awhile ago that you can’t get a +newspaper job anywhere.”</p> +<p>“That’s true. I’m blacklisted.”</p> +<p>“Did you try my father’s paper, the <i>Star</i>?”</p> +<p>“I did. I couldn’t even get past his secretary.”</p> +<p>“That’s not like Dad,” Penny said with troubled +eyes. “Did you really do something dreadful?”</p> +<p>“It was Jason Cordell who put the bee on me.”</p> +<p>“Jason Cordell?” Penny repeated thoughtfully. +“He’s the editor of the <i>Mirror</i>, and has an office in the +building adjoining the <i>Star</i>.”</p> +<p>“Right. Well, he fired me.”</p> +<p>“Lots of reporters are discharged, Ben, but they +aren’t necessarily blacklisted.”</p> +<p>Ben squirmed uncomfortably in his chair.</p> +<p>“You needn’t tell me if you don’t wish,” Penny said +kindly. “I don’t mean to pry into your personal affairs. +I only thought that I might be able to help +you.”</p> +<p>“I want to tell you, Penny. I really do. But I don’t +dare reveal some of the facts, because I haven’t sufficient +proof. I’ll tell you this much. I stumbled into +a story—a big one—and it discredited Jason Cordell.”</p> +<p>“You didn’t publish it?”</p> +<p>“Naturally not.” Ben laughed shortly. “I doubt if +any newspaper would touch it with a ten-foot pole. +Cordell is supposed to be one of our substantial, respectable +citizens.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_47">[47]</div> +<p>“Actually?”</p> +<p>“He’s as dishonorable as they come.”</p> +<p>Knowing that Ben was bitter because of his discharge, +Penny discredited some of the remarks, but +she waited expectantly for him to continue. A waitress +brought the dinner, and for awhile, as the reporter +ate ravenously, he had little to say.</p> +<p>“You’ll have to excuse me,” he finally apologized. +“I haven’t tasted such fine food in a year! Now what +is it you want to know, Penny? I’m in a mood to tell +almost anything.”</p> +<p>“What was this scandal you uncovered about Mr. +Cordell?”</p> +<p>“That’s the one thing I can’t reveal, but it concerned +the owner of the Conway Steel Plant. They’re +bitter enemies you know.”</p> +<p>Penny had not known, and the information interested +her greatly.</p> +<p>“Did you talk it over with Mr. Cordell?” she asked.</p> +<p>“That was the mistake I made.” Ben slowly stirred +his coffee. “Cordell didn’t have much to say, but the +next thing I knew, I was out of a job and on the +street.”</p> +<p>“Are you sure that was why he discharged you?”</p> +<p>“What else?”</p> +<p>Penny hesitated, not wishing to hurt Ben’s feelings. +There were several things she had heard about him—that +he was undependable and that he drank heavily.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_48">[48]</div> +<p>“Most of the things you’ve been told about me +aren’t true,” Ben said quietly, reading her thoughts. +“Jason Cordell started a lot of stories intended to +discredit me. He told editors that I had walked off a +job and left an important story uncovered. He pictured +me as a drunkard and a trouble maker.”</p> +<p>“I’ll talk to my father,” Penny promised. “As short +as the <i>Star</i> is of employes, I’m sure there must be a +place for you.”</p> +<p>“You’re swell,” Ben said feelingly. “But I’m not +asking for charity. I’ll get along.”</p> +<p>Refusing to talk longer about himself, he told +Penny of amusing happenings along the waterfront. +After dessert had been finished, she slipped a bill into +his hand, and they left the restaurant.</p> +<p>Outside, the streets were dark, for in this section of +the city, lights were few and far between. Ben offered +to escort Penny back to the <i>Star</i> office or wherever +she wished to go.</p> +<p>“This isn’t too safe a part of the city for a girl,” he +declared. “Especially after night.”</p> +<p>“All the same, to me the waterfront is the most fascinating +part of Riverview,” Penny declared. “You +seem to know this part of town well, Ben.”</p> +<p>“I should. I’ve lived here for the past six months.”</p> +<p>“You have a room?”</p> +<p>“I’ll show you where I live,” Ben offered. “Wait +until we reach the next corner.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_49">[49]</div> +<p>They walked on along the river docks, passing warehouses +and vessels tied up at the wharves. Twice they +passed guards who gazed at them with intent scrutiny. +However, Ben was recognized, and with a friendly +salute, the men allowed him to pass unchallenged.</p> +<p>“The waterfront is strictly guarded now,” the reporter +told Penny. “Even so, plenty goes on here that +shouldn’t.”</p> +<p>“Meaning?”</p> +<p>Ben did not answer for they had reached the corner. +Beyond, on a vacant lot which Penny suspected might +also be a dumping ground, stood three or four dilapidated +shacks.</p> +<p>“See the third one,” Ben indicated. “Well, that’s +my little mansion.”</p> +<p>“Oh, Ben!”</p> +<p>“It’s not bad inside. A little cold when the wind +blows through the chinks, but otherwise, fairly comfortable.”</p> +<p>“Ben, haven’t you any friends or relatives?”</p> +<p>“Not here. I thought I had a few friends, but they +dropped me like a hot potato when I ran into trouble.”</p> +<p>“This is no life for you, Ben. I’ll certainly talk to +my father tomorrow.”</p> +<p>Ben smiled and said nothing. From his silence, +Penny gathered that he had no faith she would be able +to do anything for him.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_50">[50]</div> +<p>They walked on, and as they approached a small +freighter tied up at the wharf, Ben pointed it out.</p> +<p>“That’s the <i>Snark</i>,” he informed her.</p> +<p>The name meant nothing to Penny. “Who owns +her?” she inquired carelessly.</p> +<p>“I wish I knew, Penny. There’s plenty goes on +aboard that vessel, but it’s strictly hush-hush. I have +my suspicions that—”</p> +<p>Ben suddenly broke off, for several men had appeared +on the deck of the <i>Snark</i>. The vessel was some +distance away, and in the darkness only shadowy +forms were visible.</p> +<p>Seizing Penny’s arm, Ben pulled her flat against a +warehouse.</p> +<p>Amazed by his action, she started to protest. Then +she understood. Aboard the <i>Snark</i> there was some +sort of disturbance or disagreement. The men, although +speaking in low, almost inaudible tones, were +arguing. Penny caught only one phrase: “Heave him +overboard!”</p> +<p>“Ben, what’s happening there?” she whispered anxiously.</p> +<p>“Don’t know!” he answered. “But nothing good.”</p> +<p>“Where are the guards?”</p> +<p>“Probably at the far end of their beats.”</p> +<p>Aboard the <i>Snark</i>, there was a brief scuffle, as someone +was dragged across the deck to the rail.</p> +<p>“That’ll teach you!” they heard one of the men +mutter.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_51">[51]</div> +<p>Then the helpless victim was raised and dropped +over the rail. Shrieking in terror, he fell with a great +splash into the inky waters. Frantically, he began to +struggle.</p> +<p>“Those fiends!” Penny cried. “They deliberately +threw the man overboard, and he can’t swim!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_52">[52]</div> +<h2 id="c7"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">7</span> +<br /><i>MAN OVERBOARD!</i></h2> +<p>Penny and Ben ran to the edge of the dock, peering +into the dark, oily waters. On the deck of the +<i>Snark</i> there was a murmur of voices, then silence.</p> +<p>Casting a quick glance upward, Penny was angered +to see that the men who had been standing there had +vanished into a cabin or companionway. Obviously, +they had no intention of trying to aid the unfortunate +man.</p> +<p>“There he is!” Ben exclaimed, suddenly catching +another glimpse of the bobbing head. “About done in +too!”</p> +<p>Kicking off his shoes and stripping off his coat, the +reporter dived from the dock. He struck the water +with an awkward splash, but Penny was relieved to see +that he really could swim well. He struck out for the +drowning man, but before he could reach him, the fellow +slipped quietly beneath the surface.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_53">[53]</div> +<p>Close by were two barges lashed together, and the +current would take a body in that direction. Ben +jack-knifed and went down into the inky waters in a +surface dive. Unable to find the man, he came up, +filled his lungs in a noisy gulp, and went down again. +He was under such a long time that Penny became +frantic with anxiety.</p> +<p>She decided to turn in an alarm for the city rescue +squad. But before she could act, Ben surfaced again, +and this time she saw that he held the other man by the +hair.</p> +<p>As Ben slowly towed the fellow toward the dock, +Penny realized that she must find some way to get +them both out of the river. She could expect no help +from anyone aboard the <i>Snark</i>. Gazing upward again, +she thought she saw a man watching her from the vessel’s +bow, but as her gaze focused upon him, he retreated +into deeper shadow, beyond view.</p> +<p>No guards were anywhere near, and the entire waterfront +seemed deserted. Penny’s eyes fastened upon +a rope which hung loosely over a dock post. It was +long enough to serve her purpose, and finding it unattached, +she hurled one end toward Ben.</p> +<p>He caught it on the second try and made a loop fast +about the body of the man he towed. Penny then +pulled them both to the dock.</p> +<p>“You can’t haul us up,” Ben instructed from below. +“Just hold on, and I think I can get out of here by myself.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_54">[54]</div> +<p>He swam off in the darkness and was lost to view. +Penny clung desperately to the rope, knowing that if +she relaxed for an instant, the man, already half +drowned, would submerge for good. Her arms began +to ache. It seemed to her she could not hold on another +instant.</p> +<p>Then Ben, his clothes plastered to his thin body, +came running across the planks.</p> +<p>Without a word he seized the rope, and together +they raised the man to the dock. In the darkness +Penny saw only that he was slender, and in civilian +clothes.</p> +<p>Stretching him out on the dock boards, they prepared +to give artificial resuscitation. But it was unnecessary. +For at the first pressure on his back, the +man rolled over and muttered: “Cut it out. I’m +okay.”</p> +<p>Then he lay still, exhausted, but breathing evenly.</p> +<p>“You were lucky to get him, Ben,” Penny said as +she knelt beside the stranger. “If the current had carried +him beneath those barges, he never would have +been taken out alive.”</p> +<p>“I had to dive deep,” Ben admitted. “Found him +plastered right against the side of the first barge. +Yeah, I was lucky, and so is he.”</p> +<p>The man stirred again, and sat up. Penny tried to +support him, but he moved away, revealing that he +wanted no help.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_55">[55]</div> +<p>“Who pushed you overboard?” Ben asked.</p> +<p>The man stared at him and did not answer.</p> +<p>Observing that Ben was shivering from cold, and +that the stranger too was severely chilled, Penny proposed +calling either the rescue squad or an ambulance.</p> +<p>“Not on your life,” muttered the rescued man, trying +to get up. “I’m okay, and I’m getting out of here.”</p> +<p>With Ben’s help, he managed to struggle to his feet, +but they buckled under him when he tried to walk.</p> +<p>The man looked surprised.</p> +<p>“We’ll have to call the rescue squad,” Penny decided +firmly.</p> +<p>“I have a better idea,” Ben supplied. “We can take +him to my shack.”</p> +<p>Penny thought that the man should have hospital +treatment. However, he sided with Ben, insisting he +could walk to the nearby shack.</p> +<p>“I’m okay,” he repeated again. “All I need is some +dry clothes.”</p> +<p>Supported on either side, the man managed to walk +to the shack. Ben unlatched the door and hastily +lighting an oil lamp, helped the fellow to the bed +where he collapsed.</p> +<p>“Ben, I think we should have a doctor—” Penny began +again, but Ben silenced her with a quick look.</p> +<p>Drawing her to the door he whispered: “Let him +have his way. He’s not badly off, and he has reason +for not wanting anyone to know what happened. If +we call the rescue squad or a doctor, he’ll have to answer +to a lot of questions.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_56">[56]</div> +<p>“There are some things I’d like to know myself.”</p> +<p>“We’ll get the answers if we’re patient. Now stay +outside for a minute or two until I can get his clothes +changed, and into dry ones myself.”</p> +<p>Penny stepped outside the shack. A chill wind +blew from the direction of the river, but with its freshness +was blended the disagreeable odor of factory +smoke, fish houses and dumpings of refuse.</p> +<p>“Poor Ben!” she thought. “He never should be living +in such a place as this! No matter what he’s done, +he deserves another chance.”</p> +<p>Exactly what she believed about the reporter, Penny +could not have said. His courageous act had aroused +her deep admiration. On the other hand, she was +aware that his story regarding Jason Cordell might +have been highly colored to cover his own shortcomings.</p> +<p>Within a few minutes Ben opened the door to let +her in again. The stranger had been put to bed in a +pair of the reporter’s pajamas which were much too +small for him. In the dim light from the oil lamp, she +saw that he had a large, square-shaped face, with a +tiny scar above his right eye. It was not a pleasant +face. Gazing at him, Penny felt a tiny chill pass over +her.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_57">[57]</div> +<p>Ben also had changed his clothes. He busied himself +starting a fire in the rusty old stove, and once he +had a feeble blaze, hung up all the garments to dry.</p> +<p>The room was so barren that Penny tried not to +give an appearance of noticing. There was only a +table, one chair, the sagging bed, and a shelf with a +few cracked dishes.</p> +<p>“I’ll get along with him all right,” Ben said, obviously +expecting Penny to leave.</p> +<p>She refused to take the hint. Instead she said: +“This man will either have to go to a hospital or stay +here all night. He’s in no condition to walk anywhere.”</p> +<p>“He can have my bed tonight,” Ben said. “I’ll +manage.”</p> +<p>The stranger’s intent eyes fastened first upon Penny +and then Ben. But not a word of gratitude did he +speak.</p> +<p>“You’ll need more blankets and food,” Penny said, +thinking aloud. “I can get them from Mrs. Weems.”</p> +<p>“Please don’t bother,” Ben said stiffly. “We’ll get +along.”</p> +<p>Though rebuffed, Penny went over to the bedside. +Instantly she saw a bruise on the stranger’s forehead +and a sizeable swollen place.</p> +<p>“Why, he must have struck his head!” she exclaimed, +then corrected herself. “But he didn’t strike +anything that we saw. Ben, he must have been slugged +while aboard the <i>Snark</i>!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_58">[58]</div> +<p>The stranger turned so that he looked directly into +the girl’s clear blue eyes. “Nuts!” he said emphatically.</p> +<p>“Our guest doesn’t seem to care to discuss the little +affair,” Ben commented dryly. “I wonder why? He +escaped drowning by only a few breaths.”</p> +<p>“Listen,” said the stranger, hitching up on an elbow. +“You fished me out of the water, but that don’t give +you no right to put me through the third degree. My +business is my business—see!”</p> +<p>“Who are you?” demanded Penny.</p> +<p>She thought he would refuse to answer, but after a +moment he said curtly: “James Webster.”</p> +<p>Both Penny and Ben were certain that the man had +given a fictitious name.</p> +<p>“You work aboard the <i>Snark</i>?” Ben resumed the +questioning.</p> +<p>“No.”</p> +<p>“Then what were you doing there?”</p> +<p>“And why were you pushed overboard?” Penny +demanded as the man failed to answer the first question.</p> +<p>“I wasn’t pushed,” he said sullenly.</p> +<p>“Then how did you get into the water?” Penny +pursued the subject ruthlessly.</p> +<p>“I tripped and fell.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_59">[59]</div> +<p>Penny and Ben looked at each other, and the latter +shrugged, indicating that it would do no good to question +the man. Determined to keep the truth from +them, he would tell only lies.</p> +<p>“You can’t expect us to believe that,” Penny said +coldly. “We happened to see you when you went +overboard. There was a scuffle. Then the men who +threw you in, disappeared. For the life of me, I can’t +see why you would wish to protect them.”</p> +<p>“There are a lot of things you can’t see, sister,” he +retorted. “Now will you go away, and let me sleep?”</p> +<p>“Better go,” Ben urged in a low tone. “Anyone as +savage as this egg, doesn’t need a doctor. I’ll let him +stay here tonight, then send him on his way tomorrow +morning.”</p> +<p>“You really think that is best?”</p> +<p>“Yes, I do, Penny. We could call the police, but +how far would we get? This bird would deny he was +pushed off the boat, and we would look silly. We +couldn’t prove a thing.”</p> +<p>“I suppose you’re right,” Penny sighed. “Well, I +hope everything goes well tonight.”</p> +<p>Moving to the door, she paused there, for some +reason reluctant to leave.</p> +<p>“I’ll take you home,” Ben offered.</p> +<p>“No, stay here,” Penny said firmly. “I’m not afraid +to go alone. I only hope you get along all right with +your guest.”</p> +<p>Ben followed her outside the shack.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_60">[60]</div> +<p>“Don’t worry,” he said, once beyond hearing of the +stranger. “This fellow is a tough hombre, but I know +how to handle him. If he tries to get rough, I’ll heave +him out.”</p> +<p>“I never saw such ingratitude, Ben. After you +risked your life to save him—”</p> +<p>“He’s just a dock rat,” the reporter said carelessly.</p> +<p>“Even so, why should he refuse to answer questions?”</p> +<p>“Obviously, he’s mixed up in some mess and doesn’t +dare talk, Penny. I’ve always had my suspicions about +the <i>Snark</i> and her owners.”</p> +<p>“What do you mean, Ben?”</p> +<p>Before the reporter could answer, there came a +thumping from inside the shack. Welcoming the interruption, +Ben turned quickly to re-enter.</p> +<p>“Can’t tell you now,” he said hurriedly. “We’ll +talk some other time. So long, and don’t worry about +anything.”</p> +<p>Firmly, he closed the door.</p> +<p>Penny stood there a moment until satisfied that +there was no further disturbance inside the shack. +Then with a puzzled shake of her head, she crossed +the vacant lot to the docks.</p> +<p>“Those men aboard the <i>Snark</i> should be arrested,” +she thought indignantly. “I wish I could learn more +about them.”</p> +<p>She stood for a moment lost in deep reflection. +Then with sudden decision, she turned and walked +toward the <i>Snark</i>.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_61">[61]</div> +<h2 id="c8"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">8</span> +<br /><i>A SWINGING CHAIN</i></h2> +<p>Approaching the <i>Snark</i>, Penny saw several +men moving about on the unlighted decks. But as she +drew nearer, their forms melted into the darkness. +When she reached the dock, the vessel appeared deserted.</p> +<p>Yet, peering upward at the towering vessel, the girl +had a feeling that she was being watched. She was +satisfied that the rescue of the man who called himself +James Webster had been observed. She was equally +certain that those aboard the <i>Snark</i> were aware of her +presence now.</p> +<p>“Ahoy, the <i>Snark</i>!” she called impulsively.</p> +<p>There was no answer from aboard the tied-up vessel, +but footsteps pounded down the dock. Penny +whirled around to find herself the target for a flashlight. +Momentarily blinded, she could see nothing. +Then, the light shifted away from her face, and she +recognized a wharf guard.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_62">[62]</div> +<p>“What you doing here?” he demanded gruffly.</p> +<p>Though tempted to tell the entire story, Penny held +her tongue. “Just looking,” she mumbled.</p> +<p>“Didn’t I hear you call out?”</p> +<p>“Yes.”</p> +<p>“Know anyone aboard the <i>Snark?</i>”</p> +<p>“No.”</p> +<p>“Then move along,” the guard ordered curtly.</p> +<p>Penny did not argue. Slipping quietly away, she +sought a brightly lighted street which led toward the +newspaper office. Midway there, she stopped at a +corner drugstore to call home and inquire for her +father. Mrs. Weems told her that so far as she knew +Mr. Parker had returned to the <i>Star</i> office to do a little +extra work.</p> +<p>“Then I’ll catch him there,” Penny declared.</p> +<p>“Is anything wrong?” the housekeeper inquired +anxiously.</p> +<p>“Just something in connection with a news story,” +Penny reassured her. “I’ll be home soon.”</p> +<p>Hanging up the receiver before the housekeeper +could ask any more questions, she walked swiftly on +to the <i>Star</i> building. The front door was locked, but +Penny had her own key. Letting herself in through +the darkened advertising room, she climbed the stairs +to the news floor.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_63">[63]</div> +<p>A few members of the Sunday staff were working +at their desks, but otherwise the room was deserted. +Typewriters, like hooded ghosts, stood in rigid ranks.</p> +<p>Pausing to chat for a moment with the Sunday +editor, Penny asked if her father were in the building.</p> +<p>“He was in his office a few minutes ago,” the man +replied. “I don’t know if he left or not.”</p> +<p>Going on through the long newsroom, Penny saw +that her father’s office was dark. The door remained +locked.</p> +<p>Disappointed, she started to turn back when she +noticed a light burning in the photography room. At +this hour she knew no one would be working there, +unless Salt Sommers or one of the other photographers +had decided to develop and print a few of his own +pictures.</p> +<p>“Dad, are you there?” she called.</p> +<p>No one answered, but Penny heard a scurry of +footsteps.</p> +<p>“Salt!” she called, thinking it must be one of the +photographers.</p> +<p>Again there was no reply, but a gust of wind came +suddenly down the corridor. The door of the photography +room slammed shut.</p> +<p>Startled, Penny decided to investigate. She pushed +open the door. The light was on, but no one was in +the room.</p> +<p>“Salt!” she called again, thinking that the photographer +might be in the darkroom.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_64">[64]</div> +<p>He did not reply. As she started forward to investigate, +the swinging chain of the skylight drew +her attention. The glass panels were closed and there +was no breeze in the room. Yet the brass chain swung +back and forth as if it had been agitated only a moment +before.</p> +<p>“Queer!” thought Penny, staring upward. “Could +anyone have come in here through that skylight?”</p> +<p>The idea seemed fantastic. She could think of no +reason why anyone should seek such a difficult means +of entering the newspaper office. To her knowledge, +nothing of great value was kept in the photography +rooms.</p> +<p>Yet, the fact remained that the light was on, the +chain was swaying back and forth, and a door had +slammed as if from a gust of wind.</p> +<p>Studying the skylight with keen interest, Penny +decided that it would be possible and not too difficult +for a person on the roof to raise the glass panels, and +by means of the chain, drop down to the floor. But +could a prowler reverse the process?</p> +<p>Penny would have dismissed the feat as impossible, +had not her gaze focused upon an old filing cabinet +which stood against the wall, almost directly beneath +the skylight. Inspecting it, she was disturbed to find +imprints of a man’s shoe on its top surface.</p> +<p>“Someone was in here!” Penny thought. “To get +out, he climbed up on this cabinet!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_65">[65]</div> +<p>The brass handles of the cabinet drawers offered +convenient steps. As she tried them, the cabinet +nearly toppled over, but she reached the top without +catastrophe. By standing on tiptoe, her head and +shoulders would just pass through the skylight.</p> +<p>Pulling the brass chain, she opened it, and peered +out onto the dark roof. No one was in sight. In the +adjoining building, lights burned in a number of +offices.</p> +<p>Suddenly the door of the photography room +opened. Startled, Penny ducked down so fast that she +bumped her head.</p> +<p>“Well, for Pete’s sake!” exclaimed a familiar voice. +“What are you doing up there?”</p> +<p>Penny was relieved to recognize Salt. She closed +the skylight and dropped lightly to the floor.</p> +<p>“Looking for termites?” the photographer asked.</p> +<p>“Two legged ones! Salt, someone has been prowling +about in here! Whoever he was, he came in +through this skylight.”</p> +<p>“What makes you think so, kitten?” Salt looked +mildly amused and not in the least convinced.</p> +<p>Penny told him what had happened and showed him +the footprints on the filing cabinet. Only then did the +photographer take her seriously.</p> +<p>“Well, this is something!” he exclaimed. “But who +would sneak in here and for what reason?”</p> +<p>“Do you have anything valuable in the darkroom?”</p> +<p>“Only our cameras. Let’s see if they’re missing.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_66">[66]</div> +<p>Striding across the room, Salt flung open the door +of the inner darkroom, and snapped on a light. One +glance assured him that the cameras remained untouched. +But several old films were scattered on the +floor. Picking them up, he examined them briefly, +and tossed them into a paper basket.</p> +<p>“Someone has been here all right,” he said softly. +“But what was the fellow after?”</p> +<p>“Films perhaps.”</p> +<p>“We haven’t anything of value here, Penny. If we +get a good picture we use it right away.”</p> +<p>Methodically, Salt examined the room, but could +find nothing missing.</p> +<p>“Perhaps the person, whoever he was, didn’t get +what he was after,” Penny speculated. “I’m inclined +to think this isn’t his first visit here.”</p> +<p>Questioned by Salt, she revealed Elda Hunt’s recent +experience in the photography room.</p> +<p>“That dizzy dame!” he dismissed the subject. “She +wouldn’t know whether she saw anything or not.”</p> +<p>“Something frightened her,” Penny insisted. “It +may have been this same man trying to get in. Can’t +the skylight be locked?”</p> +<p>“Why, I suppose so,” Salt agreed. “The only +trouble is that this room gets pretty stuffy in the daytime. +We need the fresh air.”</p> +<p>“At least it should be locked when no one is here.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_67">[67]</div> +<p>“I’ll see that it is,” Salt promised. “But it’s not +likely the prowler will come back again—especially as +you nearly caught him.”</p> +<p>It was growing late. Convinced that her father had +left the <i>Star</i> building, Penny decided to take a bus +home. As she turned to leave, she asked Salt carelessly:</p> +<p>“By the way, did you know Ben Bartell?”</p> +<p>“Fairly well,” he returned. “Why?”</p> +<p>“Oh, I met him tonight. He’s had a run of hard +luck.”</p> +<p>“So I hear.”</p> +<p>“Salt, what did Ben do, that caused him to be blacklisted +with all the newspapers?”</p> +<p>“Well, for one thing, he socked an editor on the +jaw.”</p> +<p>“Jason Cordell of the <i>Mirror</i>?”</p> +<p>“Yes, they got into a fight of some sort. Ben was +discharged, and he didn’t take it very well.”</p> +<p>“Was he a hard drinker?”</p> +<p>“Ben? Not that I ever heard. I used to think he +was a pretty fair reporter, but he made enemies.”</p> +<p>Penny nodded, and without explaining why the information +interested her, bade Salt goodnight. Leaving +the <i>Star</i> building by the back stairway, she walked +slowly toward the bus stop.</p> +<p>As she reached the corner, she heard the scream of +a police car siren. Down the street came the ambulance, +pulling up only a short distance away. Observing +that a crowd had gathered, Penny quickened +her step to see who had been injured.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_68">[68]</div> +<p>Pushing her way through the throng of curious +pedestrians, she saw a heavy-set man lying unconscious +on the pavement. Policemen were lifting him onto a +stretcher.</p> +<p>“What happened?” Penny asked the man nearest +her.</p> +<p>“Just a drunk,” he said with a shrug. “The fellow +was weaving all over the street, and finally collapsed. +A storekeeper called the ambulance crew.”</p> +<p>Penny nodded and started to move away. Just +then, the ambulance men pushed past her, and she +caught a clear glimpse of the man on the stretcher. +She recognized him as Edward McClusky, a deep +water diver for the Evirude Salvage Company. She +knew too that under no circumstances did he ever +touch intoxicating liquors.</p> +<p>“Wait!” she exclaimed to the startled ambulance +crew. “I know that man! Where are you taking +him?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_69">[69]</div> +<h2 id="c9"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">9</span> +<br /><i>THE METAL DISC</i></h2> +<p>“We’re taking this man to the lockup,” the +policemen told Penny. “He’ll be okay as soon as he +sobers up.”</p> +<p>“But he’s not drunk,” she protested earnestly. “Edward +McClusky is a diver for the Evirude Salvage +Co. Whatever ails him must be serious!”</p> +<p>The policeman stared at Penny and then down at +the unconscious man on the stretcher. “A deep sea +diver!” he exclaimed. “Well, that’s different!”</p> +<p>Deftly he loosened the man’s collar, and at once his +hand encountered a small disc of metal fastened on a +string about his neck. He bent down to read what +was engraved on it.</p> +<p>“Edward McClusky, 125 West Newell street,” he +repeated aloud. “In case of illness or unconsciousness, +rush this man with all speed to the nearest decompression +lock.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_70">[70]</div> +<p>“You see!” cried Penny. “He’s had an attack of +the bends!”</p> +<p>“You’re right!” exclaimed the policeman. He consulted +his companions. “Where is the nearest decompression +chamber?”</p> +<p>“Aboard the <i>Yarmouth</i> in the harbor.”</p> +<p>“Then we’ll rush him there.” The policeman +turned again to Penny. “You say you know this man +and his family?”</p> +<p>“Not well, but they live only a few blocks from +us.”</p> +<p>“Then ride along in the ambulance,” the policeman +suggested.</p> +<p>Penny rode in front with the driver, who during +the speedy dash to the river, questioned her regarding +her knowledge of the unconscious man.</p> +<p>“I don’t know much about him,” she confessed. +“Mrs. Weems, our housekeeper, is acquainted with +his wife. I’ve heard her say that Mr. McClusky is +subject to the bends. Once on an important diving +job he stayed under water too long and wasn’t properly +put through a decompression lock when he came +out. He is supposed to have regular check-ups from +a doctor, but he is careless about it.”</p> +<p>“Being careless this time might have cost him his +life,” the driver replied. “When a fellow is in his +condition, he’ll pass out quick if he isn’t rushed to a +lock. A night in jail would have finished him.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_71">[71]</div> +<p>“Will he be all right now?”</p> +<p>“Can’t tell,” was the answer. “Even if he does +come out of it, he may be paralyzed for life.”</p> +<p>“Do you know what causes bends?” Penny inquired +curiously.</p> +<p>“Nitrogen forms in bubbles in the blood stream,” +the driver answered, and drew up at the waterfront.</p> +<p>Penny followed the stretcher aboard the <i>Yarmouth</i>. +In the emergency of offering quick treatment to McClusky, +no one heeded her. The man was rushed into +the air lock and placed on a long wooden bench.</p> +<p>A doctor went into the chamber with him, signaling +for the pressure to be turned on. Bends could be +cured, Penny knew, only by reproducing the deep +water conditions under which the man previously had +worked. Pressure would be raised, and then reduced +by stages.</p> +<p>“How long will it take?” she asked a man who +controlled the pressure gauges.</p> +<p>“Ordinarily only about twenty minutes,” he replied. +“But it will take at least two hours with this +fellow.”</p> +<p>“Will he come out of it all right?”</p> +<p>“Probably,” was the answer. “Too soon to tell +yet.”</p> +<p>To wait two hours was out of the question for +Penny. After discussing the matter with police, she +agreed to notify Mrs. McClusky of her husband’s difficulty. +Glad to be rid of the duty, they dropped her +off at the house on West Newell street.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_72">[72]</div> +<p>Mrs. McClusky, a stout, red-faced woman with two +small children clinging to her skirts, seemed stunned +by the news.</p> +<p>“Oh, I knew this would happen!” she cried. “Ed +has been so careless lately. Thank heavens, he was +taken to the decompression chamber instead of the +police station! A good friend of Ed’s lost his life +because no one understood what was wrong with +him.”</p> +<p>Penny called a taxicab for Mrs. McClusky while she +excitedly bundled up the children.</p> +<p>“Bless you, for letting me know and for helping +Ed,” the woman murmured gratefully as she climbed +into the cab. “Will you tell me your name?”</p> +<p>“Oh, I’m just a reporter at the <i>Star</i>,” Penny returned +carelessly. “I do hope your husband suffers no +ill effects.”</p> +<p>The taxi rattled away. With a tired sigh, Penny +hastened on home. Lights burned downstairs, and +both her father and Mrs. Weems had waited up for +her.</p> +<p>“Now don’t ask me where I’ve been,” the girl +pleaded, as she tossed her hat into a chair and collapsed +on the sofa. “What a night! I’ve had enough +adventures to fill a book.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_73">[73]</div> +<p>Despite her admonition, both Mrs. Weems and her +father plied her with questions. Penny told them +about the deep sea diver and then worked back to the +story of what had happened in the photography room.</p> +<p>“Are you certain anyone came through the skylight?” +her father asked dubiously. “It doesn’t sound +convincing to me.”</p> +<p>“Footprints don’t lie, Dad. They were on top of +the cabinet.”</p> +<p>“The janitor may have stood on it to fix a light +bulb or something.”</p> +<p>Penny became slightly nettled. “I’m sure someone +was sneaking around in that room tonight!” she declared +flatly. “And it wasn’t the janitor either!”</p> +<p>“I’ll order the skylight kept locked except during +office hours,” Mr. Parker declared, yawning. “Any +further adventures?”</p> +<p>“Plenty,” Penny said, “but they’ll keep until morning. +There’s just one thing I want to ask you. Are +you in need of a good male reporter?”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker came instantly to life. “Just lead me to +him,” he said. “I’m desperate.”</p> +<p>“Then why not hire Ben Bartell?”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker’s face lost all animation. “I couldn’t +do that,” he commented.</p> +<p>“Why not?”</p> +<p>“He’s not the type of reporter I want on my paper.”</p> +<p>“Exactly what do you mean?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_74">[74]</div> +<p>“Oh, Penny, I don’t like to go into all this with you. +Ben has a bad reputation. He’s hot tempered and +unreliable.”</p> +<p>“Because he got into a fist fight with Jason Cordell?”</p> +<p>“Yes, and he foments trouble among employes. I +have enough problems without adding him to the list.”</p> +<p>“Ben didn’t strike me as a trouble maker. Who told +you about him?”</p> +<p>“Why, I don’t remember—Jason Cordell, I suppose.”</p> +<p>“That’s just the point!” Penny cried. “Cordell +hated him because Ben gained damaging evidence +against him! Then to protect himself, Cordell told lies +about Ben and got all of Riverview’s publishers to +blacklist him!”</p> +<p>“What gave you that idea, Penny?”</p> +<p>“I talked to Ben tonight.”</p> +<p>“It strikes me he filled you with hot air,” the newspaper +owner commented dryly. “Penny, you must +learn not to believe everything you hear.”</p> +<p>“Then you’ll not consider hiring Ben?”</p> +<p>“Afraid not,” her father declined. “I’ve no special +liking for Jason Cordell, who always impressed me as +a stubborn, unscrupulous fellow, but I certainly can’t +employ Ben without more evidence in his favor than +you have presented.”</p> +<p>“There is more,” said Penny, “but I’m too tired to +tell you tonight.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_75">[75]</div> +<p>She went wearily to bed, and though she slept hard, +still felt tired when the alarm went off the next morning. +Hastening through breakfast, she rode with her +father to the office, and en route related to him how +Ben had rescued the stranger from the river.</p> +<p>“Commendable,” nodded her father, “but it still +doesn’t prove he isn’t a trouble maker.”</p> +<p>“Oh, Dad, I think you’re being unfair to him.”</p> +<p>“And I think you have been unduly influenced,” +Mr. Parker returned. “However, I’ll tell you what +I’ll do. I’ll have Mr. DeWitt investigate the young +man. If his findings are good, we’ll give him another +chance.”</p> +<p>“Oh, Dad! That’s grand!” Penny cried, squeezing +his arm.</p> +<p>At the office, Penny found a letter tucked behind +the roller of her typewriter. Although addressed to +her, it had been sent to the <i>Star</i>. Instantly she knew +the reason, for it was from Jerry Livingston, who had +worked for the paper many years.</p> +<p>Eagerly, she ripped open the envelope and read the +message. Jerry, in an Army camp in the west, expected +to pilot a big bomber to Hawaii within the +next few weeks. “Best regards to the newspaper +gang,” he concluded.</p> +<p>“Any news from Jerry?” inquired Mr. DeWitt, +who had recognized the handwriting.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_76">[76]</div> +<p>Penny gave him the letter to read.</p> +<p>“Let’s tack it on the bulletin board,” the editor suggested. +“Jerry has a lot of friends here.”</p> +<p>Penny allowed him to keep the letter and thought +no more of it. Soon she became absorbed in the morning’s +work. There were obituaries to write as usual, +but now and then Mr. DeWitt gave her a more interesting +task. Seemingly he had forgotten about her +unfortunate experience at the fire.</p> +<p>But Penny had not forgotten. It troubled her that +Salt’s camera remained missing. When he came to the +desk to drop a handful of finished pictures, she asked +him what he had learned.</p> +<p>“Haven’t been able to trace the car yet,” he answered. +“But we’ll locate it eventually. Don’t worry +about it, Penny.”</p> +<p>The morning wore on. She saw Elda Hunt read +Jerry’s letter on the bulletin board, and later giggle +and laugh as she talked with other girls in the office.</p> +<p>“That little witch said something uncomplimentary +about me!” Penny thought. “If I weren’t the publisher’s +daughter, I certainly would tangle with her! +Maybe I will yet!”</p> +<p>At twelve o’clock, she put on her hat, intending to +go to lunch. As she turned toward the wooden barrier +gate, she saw that the receptionist was talking to a +male visitor.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_77">[77]</div> +<p>“I don’t know the name of the girl,” she heard him +say distinctly, “but she saved my life. I know she +works on the <i>Star</i> and I want to thank her.”</p> +<p>He turned then and saw her. “Why, she looks like +the one my wife described!” he exclaimed.</p> +<p>“Mr. McClusky!” Penny greeted him, extending +her hand. “I’m so glad you’re up and around today. +How do you feel?”</p> +<p>“Fine!” he boomed in a voice which carried to every +desk in the room. “Thanks to you. Aren’t you the +girl who saved my life?”</p> +<p>“I asked the police to take you to the <i>Yarmouth</i> if +that’s what you mean,” Penny said self-consciously. +“As for saving your life—”</p> +<p>“You certainly did, and the doc will say the same +thing. Another ten minutes and I’d have been too far +gone to have pulled out of it. Now I’ll be okay—at +least unless I have another attack of bends.”</p> +<p>“I’m very glad you’re feeling better,” Penny said, +edging away. She was painfully conscious that all of +the reporters were listening to the conversation. All +noise in the office had ceased.</p> +<p>“If there’s anything I can do for you, just let me +know!” the diver offered heartily.</p> +<p>“Sometime when I need a good waterfront story, I +may call on you,” Penny said jokingly.</p> +<p>“If I can give you a tip on anything, I sure will,” he +promised. “I know every inch of the river, and most +of the folks that live along ’er.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_78">[78]</div> +<p>“Have you heard of a boat called the <i>Snark</i>?” Penny +asked impulsively.</p> +<p>McClusky’s expression changed. He lowered his +voice. “Sure, I know the <i>Snark</i>,” he nodded soberly. +“And here’s a little tip. If you want a story—a good +hot one with plenty o’ trouble hooked up to it, then +just go hunting around her berth. Maybe sometime I +can help you.”</p> +<p>With a friendly nod, he was gone.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_79">[79]</div> +<h2 id="c10"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">10</span> +<br /><i>COUNTRY SKIES</i></h2> +<p>No more was said to Penny about her unfortunate +experience at the Conway Steel Plant explosion, +but she considered herself responsible for Salt’s lost +camera. Although the plates no longer would have +picture value from the newspaper standpoint, she +thought that they might provide a clue to the identity +of the man who had escaped by automobile.</p> +<p>Police had been unsuccessful in apprehending any +of the persons responsible for the explosion, and the +story had died out of the newspapers.</p> +<p>After working for a week at the <i>Star</i>, Penny was +tired in body and worn in mind. However, she was +beginning to enjoy the routine. To receive her first +hard-earned pay check gave her a real thrill of +pleasure.</p> +<p>Louise Sidell, a school girl friend who lived near the +Parker home, asked Penny how she planned to spend +the money.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_80">[80]</div> +<p>“I think I’ll have the check framed,” Penny laughed.</p> +<p>She and Louise were sitting on the front steps of the +Parker home, watching a chattering squirrel on the +lawn. It was a warm, sunny day with scarcely a cloud +coasting around in the azure sky.</p> +<p>“Wish we could have a picnic or go to the country,” +Louise commented wistfully.</p> +<p>“Why not?” Penny asked, getting up. “I intended +to drive to the waterfront this morning and see how +Ben Bartell is making out. Then we could go out into +the country from there.”</p> +<p>“Who is Ben Bartell?” Louise inquired with interest.</p> +<p>Penny related her experience near the <i>Snark</i>, telling +of the stranger who had been given shelter by the +newspaper reporter.</p> +<p>“Ben probably has learned all about him by this +time,” she added. “Shall we stop there?”</p> +<p>“Let’s,” agreed Louise enthusiastically.</p> +<p>Dressed in comfortable slacks, the chums prepared +sandwiches, and then, in Penny’s battered old car, +drove to the waterfront.</p> +<p>“I haven’t much gasoline, so we can’t go far,” she +warned as they parked not far from the vacant lot +where Ben’s shack stood. “Wonder if anyone will +be here?”</p> +<p>Walking across the lot which was strewn with tin +cans and rocks, they tapped lightly on the sagging +door of the shack. Almost at once it was opened by +Ben who looked even less cheerful than when Penny +last had seen him.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_81">[81]</div> +<p>“Well, how is your patient this morning?” she inquired +brightly.</p> +<p>“He’s gone,” replied Ben flatly. “My watch with +him!”</p> +<p>“Your watch!”</p> +<p>Ben nodded glumly. “That’s the thanks a fellow +gets! I saved his life, took him in and gave him my +bed. Then he repays me by stealing my watch and +my only good sweater. It makes me sick!”</p> +<p>“Oh, Ben, that is a shame! You didn’t learn who +the man was?”</p> +<p>“He wouldn’t put out a thing. All I know is that +his first name was Webb.”</p> +<p>“Did you try to find him at the <i>Snark</i>?” Penny +questioned.</p> +<p>“Sure, but there they just raise their eyebrows, and +say they never heard of such a person. So far as anyone +aboard that tub is concerned, no one ever fell into +the brink either!”</p> +<p>“Ben, why not report to police?”</p> +<p>“I considered it, but what good would it do?” Ben +shrugged. “The watch is gone. That’s all I care +about.”</p> +<p>“But those men aboard the <i>Snark</i> must be criminals! +We know they pushed Webb off the boat.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_82">[82]</div> +<p>“Probably had good reason for doing it too,” Ben +growled. “But we can’t prove anything—no use to +try.”</p> +<p>“Ben, you’re just discouraged.”</p> +<p>“Who wouldn’t be? I had planned on pawning +that watch. It would have kept me going for a couple +of weeks at least. I’d join the Army, only they’ve +turned me down three times already.”</p> +<p>Penny and Louise had not expected to stay long, but +with the reporter in such a black mood, they thought +they should do something to restore his spirits. Entering +the dingy little shack, Penny talked cheerfully of +her newspaper experiences, and told him that she had +spoken to her father about adding him to the editorial +staff.</p> +<p>“What’d he say?” the reporter demanded quickly.</p> +<p>“He promised to look into the matter.”</p> +<p>“Which means he doesn’t want me.”</p> +<p>“Not necessarily. My father takes his time in arriving +at a decision. But it always is a just one.”</p> +<p>“Well, thanks anyhow,” Ben said gloomily. “I appreciate +how you’ve tried to help, Penny. It’s just no +use. Maybe I’ll pull out of here and go to another +city where I’m not known.”</p> +<p>“Don’t do that,” Penny pleaded. “Sit tight for a +few days, and something will break. I’m sure of it.”</p> +<p>Knowing that Ben was too proud to take money, +she did not offer any. But before leaving, she gave +him a generous supply of their picnic food, and invited +him to ride along into the country.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_83">[83]</div> +<p>“No, thanks,” he declined. “I would only spoil the +fun. I’m in no mood today for anything except +grouching.”</p> +<p>The visit, brief as it was, tended to depress the girls. +However, once they were speeding along the country +road, their spirits began to revive. By the time they +had reached a little town just beyond the state line, +they had forgotten Ben and his troubles.</p> +<p>“Let’s stop somewhere near Blue Hole Lake,” Penny +proposed. “This locality is as pretty as we’ll find anywhere. +Besides, I haven’t much gasoline.”</p> +<p>“Suits me,” agreed Louise, amiable as always.</p> +<p>Finding a grove within view of the tiny lake, they +spread out their picnic lunch. Afterwards, they +stretched flat on their backs beneath the trees and relaxed.</p> +<p>“It’s getting late,” Penny finally remarked regretfully. +“Time we’re starting home.”</p> +<p>“I want a drink of water first,” Louise declared. +“Pass me the thermos, will you please?”</p> +<p>“It’s empty.” Penny uncorked the bottle and held +it upside down. “But we can stop at a farmhouse. I +see one just up the road.”</p> +<p>Returning to the car, they drove a few hundred +yards down the highway, pulling up near a large two-story +frame house which bore a sign in the front +yard: “Tourist rooms.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_84">[84]</div> +<p>In response to their knock on the side door, a pleasant, +tired-faced woman of mid-fifty came to admit +them.</p> +<p>“I’m full up,” she said, assuming that they wished to +rent a room. “My last suite was taken by the professor +and his wife.”</p> +<p>Penny explained that all they wanted was a drink +of water.</p> +<p>“Goodness, just help yourselves at the well!” the +woman exclaimed. “Wait, I’ll fetch a clean glass.”</p> +<p>The deep well, which operated with a chain and a +crank, was situated in a vine-covered summer house +only a few yards away. The farm woman, who said +her name was Mrs. Herman Leonard, showed them +how to operate it. The water, coming from deep in +the earth, was cool and sweet.</p> +<p>“It must keep you quite busy, running a tourist +home,” Penny said to make conversation.</p> +<p>“Indeed, it does,” sighed the woman. “Most of my +roomers aren’t so bad, but this last couple runs me +ragged. They seem to expect hotel service.”</p> +<p>“The professor and his wife?”</p> +<p>“Yes, Professor and Mrs. Bettenridge.”</p> +<p>“Bettenridge,” Penny repeated alertly. “I’ve heard +that name before. Does the professor come from Silbus +City?”</p> +<p>“He never said. But he’s an inventor, and he +brought his invention with him.”</p> +<p>“What sort of invention is it?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_85">[85]</div> +<p>“A light ray machine which explodes mines on +land or sea. The affair is very complicated.”</p> +<p>At Penny’s expression of doubt, Mrs. Leonard +added: “It really works too! The first night the professor +came here, he exploded a mine out in the lake. +Such a splash as it made! I saw it with my own eyes! +The professor expects to sell it to the Army or Navy +for a lot of money.”</p> +<p>“If it will do all he claims, why hasn’t the government +taken it over before this?”</p> +<p>“Oh, it takes a long while to complete negotiations,” +Mrs. Leonard replied. “The professor is expecting an +officer here tomorrow to witness another demonstration.”</p> +<p>“Where is the machine kept? In your house?”</p> +<p>“Oh, dear no! The professor has it in a little shack +down by the lake. You can see the place from here.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Leonard led the girls a short distance from the +summer house, pointing through the trees to a knoll at +the edge of Blue Hole Lake.</p> +<p>“The professor and his wife went down there a few +minutes ago,” she revealed. “Why don’t you ask +them to show you the invention? They might do it.”</p> +<p>“I doubt if we have time.”</p> +<p>“Oh, let’s take time,” Louise urged. “It sounds so +interesting, Penny.”</p> +<p>Thus urged, Penny agreed, and with her chum, +walked down the hill toward the lake.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_86">[86]</div> +<p>“It sounds fishy to me,” she declared skeptically. +“Probably this professor is just a crack-pot who thinks +he has a wonderful invention, but hasn’t.”</p> +<p>“Mrs. Leonard said she saw a successful demonstration.”</p> +<p>“I know, Lou. But how could a light ray machine +explode mines that were under water? Why, if it +could be done, military warfare would be revolutionized!”</p> +<p>“Unbelievable changes are coming every day.”</p> +<p>“This one certainly is unbelievable! I’ll take no +stock in it unless I see the machine work with my own +eyes!”</p> +<p>Approaching the shack, the girls saw no one. The +door was closed. And it was locked, Penny discovered, +upon testing it.</p> +<p>“No one here,” she said in disappointment.</p> +<p>“They must be around somewhere,” Louise declared, +unwilling to give up. “Maybe that car belongs +to them.”</p> +<p>A sedan stood in a weed-grown lane not far away. +Penny, turning to gaze carelessly at it, suddenly became +excited.</p> +<p>“Lou, this trip has been worth while!” she cried. +“Look at the license number of that auto! It’s D F +3005!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_87">[87]</div> +<h2 id="c11"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">11</span> +<br /><i>A FAMILIAR CAR</i></h2> +<p>Louise gazed again at the automobile parked in +the lane and at its mud-splattered license number.</p> +<p>“D F 3005,” she read aloud. “What about it, +Penny?”</p> +<p>“Why, that is the number of the car that went off +with Salt Sommers’ camera and plates the night of the +big explosion,” her chum explained excitedly.</p> +<p>“You’re sure it’s the same auto?”</p> +<p>“It certainly looks like it. Now I remember! Salt +traced the license to an owner named Bettenridge!”</p> +<p>Hopeful of recovering the lost property, Penny, +with Louise close at her side, tramped through the +high grass to the deserted lane. Apparently the car +owner had not gone far, for the doors had not been +locked.</p> +<p>Penny climbed boldly in. A glance assured her +that the camera or plates were not on the back seat +where they had been tossed. As Penny ran her hands +beneath the cushions, Louise plucked nervously at her +skirt.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_88">[88]</div> +<p>“Someone is coming, Penny! A man and a woman! +They’re heading straight toward this car.”</p> +<p>“All the better,” declared Penny, undisturbed. “If +they own the car, we may be able to learn what became +of Salt’s property.”</p> +<p>The man, middle-aged, was tall and thin and wore +rimless glasses. He walked with a very slight limp. +His wife, a striking brunette, who appeared many +years his junior, might have been attractive had she +not resorted to exaggerated make-up.</p> +<p>“Good afternoon,” the professor said, eyeing the +girls sharply. “My car seems to interest you.”</p> +<p>“I was searching for something I thought might be +on the back seat,” Penny explained.</p> +<p>“Indeed? I’m afraid I don’t understand.”</p> +<p>“I was looking for a camera and plates.”</p> +<p>“I regret I still fail to follow you,” the man said +stiffly. “Why should our car contain a camera? My +wife and I take no interest in photography.”</p> +<p>“Aren’t you Professor Bettenridge?”</p> +<p>“I am.”</p> +<p>Penny gazed again at the car. “This must be the +automobile,” she said, deeply troubled. “On the night +of the Conway Steel Plant explosion, I tossed a camera +and photographic plates into the back seat to prevent +them being destroyed by a mob.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_89">[89]</div> +<p>“Not this car,” said the professor with quiet finality. +“I have not been in Riverview for nearly a month.”</p> +<p>“A woman who resembled your wife was driving +the car.”</p> +<p>“Are you accusing me of stealing a camera?” the +woman demanded angrily.</p> +<p>“Oh, no! Certainly not! I just thought—” Penny +became confused and finished: “The camera was expensive +and didn’t belong to me.”</p> +<p>“I know nothing about the matter! You certainly +have your nerve accusing me!”</p> +<p>“Come, come,” said the professor, giving his wife a +significant, warning glance. “There is no need for +disagreement. The young ladies are quite welcome to +search the car.”</p> +<p>“We’ve already looked,” Penny admitted. “The +camera isn’t there.”</p> +<p>“Isn’t it possible you were mistaken in the automobile?”</p> +<p>“I may have jotted down a wrong license number,” +Penny acknowledged reluctantly. “I’m sorry.”</p> +<p>She turned to leave.</p> +<p>“That’s quite all right,” the professor assured her, +his tone now becoming more friendly. “Do you girls +live near here?”</p> +<p>“In Riverview,” Louise supplied eagerly. “We +drove over for a picnic. Mrs. Leonard told us about +your light ray machine!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_90">[90]</div> +<p>“Indeed.” Professor Bettenridge looked none too +pleased.</p> +<p>“She said you might be willing to show it to us.”</p> +<p>“Mrs. Leonard displays a remarkable interest in our +affairs,” Mrs. Bettenridge commented sarcastically.</p> +<p>Again her husband shot her a warning glance.</p> +<p>“My dear, it is only natural that she should be interested +in such an amazing machine as ours,” he said. +“I see no reason why the young ladies should not view +it.”</p> +<p>“Oh, may we?” Louise cried eagerly.</p> +<p>Although his wife scowled with displeasure, the +professor bade the girls follow him to the nearby +shack. The door was padlocked and he opened it +with a key.</p> +<p>Inside, the room was bare of furniture. There +were a few boxes and a large table upon which rested +a sizeable object covered with canvas.</p> +<p>“My secret ray machine is expected to revolutionize +warfare,” the professor said proudly. “Behold the +product of fifteen years of faithful work!”</p> +<p>Dramatically he jerked aside the canvas cover, revealing +a complicated mechanism of convex and concave +mirrors which rotated on their bases. In the +center of the machine was a small crystal ball.</p> +<p>“How does it operate?” Louise asked, deeply impressed.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_91">[91]</div> +<p>“I am afraid a technical explanation would be too +involved for you to understand. Briefly, a musical +note produced on the crystal globe, is carried by ultra +violet ray to the scene of the mine. The vibration +will cause any unstable substance such as melinite to +explode.”</p> +<p>“And you claim you actually can explode mines +with this machine?” Penny asked.</p> +<p>“I not only claim it, I have demonstrated the machine’s +powers,” Professor Bettenridge replied. “How +I do it, of course, is my own secret.”</p> +<p>“Will you explode a mine for us now?” Louise +questioned eagerly.</p> +<p>Professor Bettenridge looked mildly amused. “My +dear young lady,” he said. “Do you realize that mines +are very expensive? I have been able to obtain only +a few, and naturally I must save them for official tests.”</p> +<p>“Of course,” stammered Louise. “I hadn’t thought +of that.”</p> +<p>“Besides, the demonstrations have a certain element +of danger,” the professor resumed. “I never give one +without my assistant.”</p> +<p>Penny, who had been studying the machine with +increasing interest, remarked that a story about it +might make an interesting feature for the <i>Star</i>. To +her surprise, the professor did not seem to favor the +idea.</p> +<p>“You are employed by a newspaper?” he inquired.</p> +<p>“Yes, the <i>Star</i>.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_92">[92]</div> +<p>“I must ask you to say nothing about this matter,” +the professor directed. “Under no circumstance +could I permit a story to be written about my work.”</p> +<p>“But why?”</p> +<p>“Publicity at this time might rob me of an opportunity +to sell the machine. A very prominent man, +James Johnson, is now considering its purchase.”</p> +<p>“But I thought you were expecting to sell your invention +to the government,” Penny said, puzzled.</p> +<p>Professor Bettenridge bit his lip. Obviously, he +was beginning to share his wife’s annoyance at the +girls.</p> +<p>“I regret I can’t tell you all the details of my negotiations,” +he said. “My wife and I are very tired, so +if you will excuse us—”</p> +<p>“Certainly,” said Penny, taking the hint. “Louise +and I must be on our way to Riverview.”</p> +<p>They started to leave, but before they could reach +the door, someone tapped lightly on it. Professor +Bettenridge and his wife exchanged a quick glance +which Penny could not fathom. For a fleeting instant, +she thought they both looked frightened.</p> +<p>Then the professor went to the door and opened +it. A little man in a derby hat and with an apologetic +manner stood on the threshold.</p> +<p>“Mr. Johnson!” exclaimed the professor, extending +his hand. “My wife and I did not expect you until +tomorrow.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_93">[93]</div> +<p>“I came a little sooner than I planned,” the newcomer +admitted. “A business conference I had expected +to attend was postponed until tomorrow. +Naturally, that has upset my schedule. I had hoped +you might consent to a demonstration of your machine +tonight.”</p> +<p>“Tonight?” The professor seemed caught off +guard. “But that is impossible!”</p> +<p>“Impossible?” inquired Mr. Johnson. “Why?”</p> +<p>“For one thing, my assistant is not here.”</p> +<p>“Can’t you get in touch with him?”</p> +<p>“I doubt it. Besides, I have another engagement.” +The professor hesitated and added: “Officials of the +Navy have invited me to confer with them tonight at +the Gables Hotel in Riverview. I rather expect them +to make me a very attractive offer for my invention.”</p> +<p>“But you promised me first option on it!” Mr. Johnson +protested. “If necessary, I can wait for the demonstration +tomorrow night, though it will greatly inconvenience +me.”</p> +<p>“Tomorrow at eight o’clock,” the professor nodded. +“If you should care to put up a small sum of money as +a guarantee of your intentions, I promise to make no +final deal with the Navy until after that time.”</p> +<p>“Why, yes,” Mr. Johnson agreed, taking out his +check book. “Any amount you say.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_94">[94]</div> +<p>Feeling themselves no longer welcome by the Bettenridges, +Penny and Louise slipped quietly away. +As they climbed the hill they could hear the professor +and Mr. Johnson discussing the amount to be paid.</p> +<p>“It’s a graft, if you ask me,” Penny declared. “Poor +Mr. Johnson seems hypnotized.”</p> +<p>“I wish we could see that test tomorrow night!”</p> +<p>“So do I. In fact, I’d be willing to bet the machine +won’t work.”</p> +<p>“What makes you think so?”</p> +<p>“Just my doubting nature, I suppose. No, there’s +more to it than that, Lou. Didn’t you notice how +startled the Bettenridges were when their star customer +appeared?”</p> +<p>“They did look a bit upset.”</p> +<p>“And the professor refused to give a demonstration +tonight, although obviously it would have been to his +advantage.”</p> +<p>“He explained he had an engagement with Navy +men.”</p> +<p>“Which I suspect was all a made-up story. No, +Lou, there must be another reason why the professor +was unwilling to give the demonstration. He probably +knows his machine won’t work.”</p> +<p>“You’re convinced he’s a fraud.”</p> +<p>“Yes, I am,” Penny said. “Furthermore, I believe +he knows what became of Salt’s camera.”</p> +<p>“We can’t prove anything.”</p> +<p>“No, but if he would steal a camera he might also +take to swindle in a big way.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_95">[95]</div> +<p>“There’s nothing we can do unless we want to report +him to the police.”</p> +<p>“I have a little idea,” Penny confessed. “As soon +as we reach Riverview I propose to check the Gables +Hotel and learn if any Navy men have registered +there. By talking to them, we may get at the truth.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_96">[96]</div> +<h2 id="c12"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">12</span> +<br /><i>THE PROFESSOR’S HELPER</i></h2> +<p>Climbing the hill, Penny and Louise sought their +parked car. The day had been an interesting one, +replete with surprises, and yet another surprise was in +store.</p> +<p>As they were ready to drive away, a man came +slowly down the road, cut across the Leonard yard +and vanished down a path which led toward Blue +Hole Lake.</p> +<p>“See that fellow!” Penny exclaimed.</p> +<p>“Why, yes,” agreed Louise, surprised by her chum’s +tense manner. “What about him?”</p> +<p>“I’m sure he’s Webb!”</p> +<p>“Webb?”</p> +<p>“The man who was pushed off the <i>Snark</i> and who +stole Ben’s watch!”</p> +<p>“What would he be doing here?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_97">[97]</div> +<p>“That’s exactly what I want to learn! I’d like to +get Ben’s watch back for him!” Quickly Penny +pushed open the car door and jumped out.</p> +<p>“What are you going to do, Penny?” Louise asked +anxiously.</p> +<p>“Follow that man and learn for certain who he is!”</p> +<p>“But it’s late,” Louise protested. “Besides, he looks +like an unpleasant sort of individual.”</p> +<p>Penny paid no heed, but started off in pursuit of the +stranger. He had already disappeared among the trees +and was well on his way toward the lake. Not wishing +to be deserted, Louise quickly followed her chum.</p> +<p>“He’s going to the professor’s shack!” Penny observed +a moment later.</p> +<p>“Perhaps he is another prospective buyer of the +secret ray machine,” Louise speculated. “Business +seems to be rushing today.”</p> +<p>Penny was not convinced. “I’m sure it is Webb,” +she declared. “If we can force him to admit his identity, +we may get Ben’s watch back.”</p> +<p>Not wishing to attract attention, the girls paused +behind a large rock on the hillside. From there they +could watch the man without being seen.</p> +<p>He walked directly to the shack and tapped on the +door. In a moment it was opened by the professor, +who looked anything but pleased to see the new arrival. +Closing the door behind him as if fearful that +Mr. Johnson would hear, he stepped out of doors.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_98">[98]</div> +<p>The girls were too far away to overhear the conversation, +but they saw the two men talk earnestly together +for a moment. Then the man they believed to +be Webb, walked on down the hill toward the lake’s +edge. Professor Bettenridge reentered the shack.</p> +<p>“Now what?” inquired Louise, straightening up +from a cramped position behind the rock.</p> +<p>“Let’s follow Webb. I have a hunch he may be +the assistant Professor Bettenridge told Mr. Johnson +about.”</p> +<p>“But the man wasn’t expected here until tomorrow.”</p> +<p>“Which may or may not have been true, Lou. +There’s more to this deal than meets the eye. Let’s +see what we can learn.”</p> +<p>Already the man had disappeared from view, so +the girls walked swiftly after him. Reaching the +lake’s edge, they saw him striding along the sandy +beach. Apparently he had no suspicion that he was +being trailed, for he did not glance backward.</p> +<p>Presently the girls noticed another shack which +had been erected in a clump of trees a few yards back +from the beach. It was much smaller than the other +little house, a mere box-like structure with a flat, low +roof.</p> +<p>Walking directly toward it, the man unfastened a +padlock and went inside. He closed the door behind +him.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_99">[99]</div> +<p>“Now what is he doing in there?” Penny fretted, +as minutes elapsed and the man remained inside the +building. “Listen!”</p> +<p>Both girls could hear a peculiar grinding sound as if +from machinery turning inside the shack. The building +was windowless, so it was impossible to see what +was going on.</p> +<p>“This is maddening!” Penny muttered with increasing +impatience. “I wonder—?” She broke off, and +gazed thoughtfully at the flat roof of the shack.</p> +<p>“Lou, how is that building lighted?” she demanded.</p> +<p>“From here it looks as if there might be double +panels of glass in the roof—a make-shift skylight.”</p> +<p>“Lou, if we could get up there, we might be able +to see what is going on!”</p> +<p>“And get caught too!”</p> +<p>“Not if we’re careful. We can climb that tree +which brushes against it, and perhaps see from there.”</p> +<p>“What if we should be caught?”</p> +<p>“We’ll decide that part when the time comes,” +Penny chuckled. “This should be fun.”</p> +<p>Circling the shack, they climbed into the low-hanging +boughs of a giant, scraggly maple tree. Inch by +inch lest they make a sound which would betray them, +they climbed out on the heavy branches.</p> +<p>“Penny, we’re taking an awful chance,” her chum +murmured nervously. “If that man should look up—”</p> +<p>“He won’t,” Penny whispered confidently. “He’s +too busy with whatever he’s doing.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_100">[100]</div> +<p>Lying flat on the branch, she could look directly +through the glass. In the room below she saw at least +four large, oval-shaped mines without detonators, +made of steel.</p> +<p>Evidently the man had finished whatever work had +brought him to the shack, for he laid aside a tool, and +then went out the door, carefully locking it behind +him again.</p> +<p>“We were too late,” Penny whispered in disgust +after the man was a safe distance down the beach. “I +wish I knew why he came here! One thing is certain, +he’s mixed up with Professor Bettenridge on this secret +ray invention.”</p> +<p>“Do you still believe the man is the one who was +pushed off the <i>Snark</i>?”</p> +<p>“Yes, I do, and that part we can learn!” Realizing +that much valuable time was being wasted, Penny slid +down from the tree, snagging a stocking in the process. +She helped Louise to reach the ground.</p> +<p>“What’s the plan now?” her chum asked.</p> +<p>“Webb evidently is returning either to Professor +Bettenridge’s shack or to town. Let’s overtake him +and I’ll ask a few questions. After helping fish him +out of the river, I certainly have the right.”</p> +<p>The man walked directly toward the shack which +contained the secret ray apparatus, but when he drew +close, paused and whistled twice as if in signal. No +response came from within the cabin. Seemingly the +man expected none, for he turned and selected a trail +which led toward the road.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_101">[101]</div> +<p>At that moment, the shack door opened. Professor +Bettenridge, his wife, and Mr. Johnson came out together, +chatting pleasantly. Without paying the +slightest heed to Webb, they walked toward the farmhouse.</p> +<p>“What do you make of all that?” Louise asked in +perplexity.</p> +<p>“I’m not sure,” Penny admitted. “But I have a +suspicion the professor doesn’t want Mr. Johnson to +know Webb is here today. He might insist on a test +of the secret ray machine.”</p> +<p>“Why all the mystery? Professor Bettenridge certainly +can’t expect to sell the invention unless he can +give a successful demonstration.”</p> +<p>“I suspect that may be the point, Lou. Things +aren’t properly set for a successful test today. Tomorrow +night may be a different story.”</p> +<p>“But if the machine is as good as the professor +claims, it should explode mines as well one time as +another.”</p> +<p>“It should,” Penny agreed, “but whether or not it +does, is a horse of a different color. My guess is that +the professor is a fraud, and that Webb helps him in +his scheme.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_102">[102]</div> +<p>The man believed to be Webb walked so rapidly +that the girls realized they would lose sight of him +unless they hastened on. Cutting across a field, they +were able to get ahead of him.</p> +<p>“Yes, it’s Webb,” Penny whispered as they waited +for the man to approach. “I’m certain.”</p> +<p>Not until he was quite close did the man see the +girls. Momentarily startled at recognizing Penny, he +ignored her, and would have passed without a word.</p> +<p>“Webb!” she exclaimed. “Don’t you remember +me?”</p> +<p>The man halted, gazing at her with ice-cold, unfriendly +eyes.</p> +<p>“Webb ain’t my name,” he said gruffly. “I never +saw you before.”</p> +<p>“You may not remember. I helped pull you out of +the river after you had fallen from the deck of the +<i>Snark</i>.”</p> +<p>“Are you coo-coo?” the man demanded. “I don’t +know what you’re talking about.”</p> +<p>“I think you do,” Penny said, losing patience. “You +stayed with Ben Bartell at his shack by the river. For +saving your life, you repaid him by stealing his +watch!”</p> +<p>“Say, young lady, better be careful what you’re +sayin’!” the man snapped. “No one can accuse me of +being a thief!”</p> +<p>“I want Ben’s watch.”</p> +<p>The man started on down the road, but Louise and +Penny stood their ground, blocking his way.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_103">[103]</div> +<p>“I want the watch!” Penny repeated firmly. “If +you won’t give it up, I’ll report you to the police.”</p> +<p>“Oh, you will, eh?” The man whirled toward her, +his face convulsed with anger. “You’ll get no watch +from me, but here’s something to teach you to mind +your own business!”</p> +<p>With a cruel laugh, he pushed her so hard that she +sprawled backwards into the ditch.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_104">[104]</div> +<h2 id="c13"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">13</span> +<br /><i>BEHIND OFFICE DOORS</i></h2> +<p>“Are you hurt, Penny?” Rushing to her chum, +Louise helped her out of the ditch where she had +fallen.</p> +<p>“No!” Angrily, Penny brushed dust from her +slacks. “But I’m as mad as a hornet! If that man +thinks he can push me around—”</p> +<p>Already Webb was well down the road, walking +at a leisurely but arrogant pace.</p> +<p>“Forget it, forget it,” Louise soothed. “We’d get +no place picking a quarrel with a man like that. Anyway, +you more or less accused him of thievery.”</p> +<p>“And a thief is exactly what he is!” Penny retorted. +“There isn’t a doubt in my mind that he’s the one +who stole Ben’s watch!”</p> +<p>“Then the thing for us to do is report him to the +police. We’ll get nowhere talking to him ourselves.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_105">[105]</div> +<p>“We’ll stop in town—I think the place is called +Newhall—and notify the sheriff,” Penny decided. +“I certainly shall ask for the man’s arrest.”</p> +<p>Returning to the car, she turned it around, and they +drove toward the town, less than a half mile away. +Soon they approached Webb who was walking at the +side of the pavement. Deliberately, he ignored them +as they passed.</p> +<p>At Newhall, the girls found the sheriff, and rather +excitedly, poured out their story. Although the official +took a few notes, he seemed somewhat bored by +it all.</p> +<p>“You don’t know the last name of the man,” he +recited. “You think he may be employed by Professor +Bettenridge, but you are not sure. You believe +he may be a thief, but you are not positive of that +either.”</p> +<p>“One thing I am sure of!” Penny exclaimed. “He +pushed me into a ditch. So at least he’s guilty of +that!”</p> +<p>“Are you willing to sign charges and appear against +the man?”</p> +<p>“You mean I would have to come back here later +on?”</p> +<p>“Certainly.”</p> +<p>Penny’s enthusiasm waned. “Maybe I couldn’t get +here,” she said, thinking of her newspaper work. +“Oh, well, let it go.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_106">[106]</div> +<p>“I’ll keep an eye on the man anyhow,” the sheriff +promised. “Think you have the situation sized up +wrong though. We’ve already investigated Professor +Bettenridge. He has fine credentials, and his invention +seems to have merit.”</p> +<p>“You believe it actually will explode mines?” Penny +asked incredulously.</p> +<p>“I saw it done. Fact is, Professor Bettenridge invited +me to the first demonstration he gave at the +lake.”</p> +<p>“What happened?” Louise questioned eagerly.</p> +<p>“A mine was dumped into the lake. Then the professor +exploded it with his machine. I didn’t understand +how it was done, but I saw the flames shoot up +when it went off. It was the real thing.”</p> +<p>Decidedly let-down, Penny and Louise took leave +of the sheriff and drove to Riverview. But as they +passed through the downtown section, Penny suddenly +stopped in front of the Gables Hotel.</p> +<p>“I suppose I’m silly,” she acknowledged, “but I still +doubt the honesty of Professor Bettenridge. Just for +the fun of it, I intend to run in here and learn if those +Navy officials are registered.”</p> +<p>Leaving her chum in the car, Penny was gone +nearly fifteen minutes. When she returned, her face +had taken on animation, so Louise knew she had interesting +news.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_107">[107]</div> +<p>“Just as I thought!” Penny exclaimed, sliding behind +the steering wheel. “Not a Navy officer +registered in the hotel, and none expected! So how could +Professor Bettenridge have an appointment here tonight? +He merely told Mr. Johnson that to impress +him.”</p> +<p>“It does look that way. Still, it’s possible the officers +might have registered at another hotel.”</p> +<p>“Possible but hardly probable. Lou, I believe Professor +Bettenridge is a crook. I wish we could witness +that demonstration of his tomorrow night!”</p> +<p>“I’ll never be able to go,” Louise said regretfully. +“I’m playing in a recital—worse luck.”</p> +<p>“I might get Salt to ride over with me,” Penny +thought aloud. “Well, we’ll see.”</p> +<p>The following morning she took time from her +work to seek the photographer. He was in the darkroom, +but the door was open. As she stepped inside, +he whirled around, his face startled.</p> +<p>“Oh, it’s you!” he chuckled in relief.</p> +<p>“Why, Salt!” Penny teased. “You acted as if you +thought I might be a holdup man. Why so jumpy?”</p> +<p>“Was I?” the photographer asked, his tone queer.</p> +<p>“You certainly were. Anything wrong?”</p> +<p>“This place was entered again last night,” Salt said +reluctantly. “I can’t figure it out.”</p> +<p>“Anything taken?”</p> +<p>“Not a thing so far as I can discover. That’s the +strange part of it. But the films were disturbed, as +if someone had searched through them.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_108">[108]</div> +<p>“How did the person get in?”</p> +<p>“Apparently through the skylight. It was ordered +locked, but it got hot in here yesterday. One of the +boys opened it up, and then forgot to snap the lock.”</p> +<p>“Did you search the roof?”</p> +<p>“Yes, we found footprints leading to a hall window +of the next building. That was as far as they could +be traced.”</p> +<p>“Do you suppose it could be anyone from the adjoining +building, Salt?”</p> +<p>“Not necessarily. The person may have entered it +from the street. We know he stepped out onto the +roof from the hall window rather than from one of +the office rooms.”</p> +<p>Before returning to the newsroom, Penny told Salt +about yesterday’s adventure in the country.</p> +<p>“I sure would like a chance to go there with you +tonight,” he declared promptly. “Maybe we can get +my camera back, even if those birds deny having +seen it.”</p> +<p>The morning passed slowly, and Penny found it +difficult to keep her mind on her work. Elda, however, +no longer bothered her. With more important +problems to worry about, Penny was not the least +bit wounded by the little slurring remarks the girl +made.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_109">[109]</div> +<p>At noon she lunched on a sandwich and chocolate +at a corner drugstore close to the <i>Star</i> building. With +half an hour to spend, she suddenly was struck by an +idea.</p> +<p>“Why don’t I talk to Jason Cordell, the <i>Mirror</i> +editor, about Ben?” she thought. “Perhaps their difficulties +are based on misunderstanding.”</p> +<p>Crossing the street to the <i>Mirror</i> building, she found +Mr. Cordell’s office on the third floor. There, a secretary +asked her to wait a few minutes.</p> +<p>Apparently an argument was in progress within the +inner room, for she heard angry voices. Then a door +slammed. Presently, Penny was told that she might +go in.</p> +<p>Mr. Cordell sat at his desk, a scowl on his face. He +was busy writing and barely glanced up as she entered. +Finally he looked straight at her, demanding: +“Well?” in a tone which sapped Penny’s courage.</p> +<p>She wished she might retreat, but it now was too +late.</p> +<p>“I—I am Miss Parker,” she stammered. “My father +is publisher of the <i>Star</i>.”</p> +<p>“Oh, yes, yes indeed,” the editor now became more +friendly, and Penny took heart.</p> +<p>“I came to talk to you about one of your former +employes—Ben Bartell.”</p> +<p>A mask-like expression came over Mr. Cordell’s +face. He waited for Penny to continue.</p> +<p>“You discharged Ben, I believe. He’s had a very +hard time ever since.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_110">[110]</div> +<p>“Indeed? Is he a friend of yours?”</p> +<p>“In a way. I feel sorry for him and I want to find +newspaper work for him.”</p> +<p>“Then why doesn’t your father give him a job on +the <i>Star</i>?”</p> +<p>Penny was prepared for the question. “I think my +father would if he were assured that Ben had done +nothing so very dishonorable. That’s why I came to +you. Why was he discharged?”</p> +<p>“Unfortunately, I can’t reply to that question. Nor +can I assure you that Ben was discharged on a trivial +offense. The opposite is true.”</p> +<p>“But what did he do?”</p> +<p>Mr. Cordell arose. “I am sorry, I can’t discuss it, +Miss Parker. If you will excuse me for saying so, I +think the matter really is not your concern. My advice +would be to leave Ben Bartell entirely alone. He +sent you here, I suppose?”</p> +<p>“Indeed, he didn’t.”</p> +<p>“Where is Ben now?”</p> +<p>“Living in a shack on the waterfront. Because you +blacklisted him, he has been unable to get a newspaper +job anywhere.”</p> +<p>Mr. Cordell’s smile was hard and triumphant. +Penny knew then that she had made a grave error in +thinking she might appeal to the man’s sympathies. +Obviously, he was highly pleased to learn of Ben’s +difficulties.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_111">[111]</div> +<p>“I am sorry I can’t help you,” the editor said coldly. +“Do drop in again sometime.”</p> +<p>He opened the door for her, a pointed hint that she +was to go.</p> +<p>As she stepped out into the outer waiting room, a +man who evidently expected to see the editor, arose. +He had entered the outer office only a few minutes +before, and this was the first time that Penny had seen +him. Upon recognizing him, she stopped short, for +it was Webb.</p> +<p>“You can go in now, Mr. Nelson,” the secretary +told Webb.</p> +<p>Bestowing a sneering smile upon her, he entered the +private office.</p> +<p>Then the door closed.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_112">[112]</div> +<h2 id="c14"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">14</span> +<br /><i>A NOTE FROM BEN</i></h2> +<p>After Webb had gone into Mr. Cordell’s office, +Penny debated her next action. Could Webb and +Cordell be friends? Or was this merely a business +call? In any case, the two men were obviously of such +different type and personality that she failed to understand +what basis there might be for a friendship.</p> +<p>Deciding she could accomplish nothing by waiting +and questioning Mr. Cordell, she left the office. As +she passed down the corridor, an open window at its +far end, drew her attention.</p> +<p>Pausing for an instant, she glanced out upon the +rooftop of the <i>Riverview Star</i> building. The tin +flooring, only a few feet below the level of the sill, +easily could be reached by anyone climbing through +the window.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_113">[113]</div> +<p>Tempted to take a short cut to the office, Penny +impulsively stepped through the opening. From the +rooftop she could see the city spread out below in +rigid pattern, and to the eastward, the winding river.</p> +<p>Crossing the dusty floor to the skylight above the +<i>Star</i> photography room, Penny peered curiously +down. No one was visible below.</p> +<p>“I wonder if a person really could get through that +skylight,” she speculated. “It would be quite a feat, +but I believe it could be done.”</p> +<p>A star athlete in high school, Penny felt a challenge. +Giving no thought to her clothes, she squeezed +through the narrow opening and snagged her sweater. +As she freed herself, she noticed a tiny bit of blue +cloth that had impaled itself on the nail.</p> +<p>The cloth was not from Penny’s garments, and +looked as if it might have been torn from a man’s wool +suit. Freeing it from the nail, she slipped it into her +pocket for later examination.</p> +<p>Now, with her feet dangling into space, she considered +how she was to get down into the room below. +No longer was it possible to swing from the +opening to the top of a filing cabinet, for Salt had +carefully moved the heavy case to the far side of the +room.</p> +<p>Seizing the skylight chain, Penny swung downward. +The tiny brass rings cut into her hands and +half-way down, she was forced to let go, dropping +to the floor with a loud thump.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_114">[114]</div> +<p>From the inner photography room came a terrified +scream. Elda Hunt, her face white with fear, appeared +in the doorway.</p> +<p>“You!” she exclaimed, recovering from the shock +of Penny’s unexpected entry.</p> +<p>“Now take it easy, Elda,” Penny advised, brushing +dirt from her sweater. “I was only experimenting.”</p> +<p>“Experimenting!”</p> +<p>“I wanted to see if it would be possible for a person +to get into this room through the skylight. It is +possible!”</p> +<p>“You don’t say!” Elda commented sarcastically. +“I’ll bet you were the one who pulled that stunt in +the first place!”</p> +<p>“How ridiculous!” Penny was irritated. Not wishing +to discuss the matter, she turned and walked out +of the photography room.</p> +<p>In the corridor she met Salt Sommers who stopped +her to ask when they were to visit Professor Bettenridge +in the country.</p> +<p>“Eight o’clock tonight, if you’re willing to go,” +Penny said eagerly. “I very much want to see the +professor demonstrate his ray machine for Mr. Johnson.”</p> +<p>“And I want to find out what became of my camera,” +Salt added grimly. “Is it a date?”</p> +<p>Penny nodded.</p> +<p>“Then suppose we start right after dinner. Can +you meet me here at seven o’clock?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_115">[115]</div> +<p>“Let’s make it a little earlier,” Penny suggested. +“I have a hunch that by getting there before the start +of the demonstration we may learn more.”</p> +<p>“Okay,” agreed Salt. “Make it six-thirty.”</p> +<p>Having over-stayed her lunch hour, Penny quickly +washed her grimy hands and returned to her desk. +As she sat down at the typewriter, she noticed a sealed +letter thrust behind the roller. Addressed to her, +the writing was in a bold scrawl she did not recognize.</p> +<p>Curiously, she scanned the message. It was written +on cheap tablet paper and had been signed with Ben +Bartell’s name.</p> +<p>“See me if you can,” was all it said. “I have a little +information about the <i>Snark</i>.”</p> +<p>Tucking the note into her pocketbook, Penny began +to plan how she could visit Ben that day. She +would not be off until five o’clock, and she had promised +to meet Salt at six-thirty. If she were to get any +dinner and see Ben at the waterfront, it would mean +fast stepping.</p> +<p>Only by an effort of will could Penny keep her +mind on the work before her. There were rewrites +to do, and an interesting feature. At four-thirty with +two stories yet to be done, she became panicky that +she could not finish on time. But by really digging +in, she completed the stories exactly on the dot of +five, and with a tired sigh of relief, dropped them into +Editor DeWitt’s wire copy basket.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_116">[116]</div> +<p>“You’re just like a trained race horse, Penny,” he +said jokingly. “But your work is okay. You’re improving.”</p> +<p>Penny brightened at the praise, for Editor DeWitt +was not given to complimentary words as a rule. +Hurriedly washing carbon paper stains from her +hands, she caught a bus which took her within a block +of Ben’s shack.</p> +<p>Smoke curled from the chimney, and as she +thumped on the sagging door, she detected the odor +of cooking bacon.</p> +<p>“Come in, come in!” Ben greeted her heartily. +“You’re just in time to share my supper. You got my +note?”</p> +<p>“Yes, I did, Ben. What’s up?”</p> +<p>Without answering, the former reporter stepped +aside for her to enter. The room was much cleaner +than when Penny last had visited it. Ben looked better +too. Although his clothes remained unpressed, his +hair had been cut, and there was a brightness to his +eyes which she instantly noted.</p> +<p>“You’ve found work?” she surmised.</p> +<p>“Odd jobs,” Ben answered briefly. “After talking +to you I made up my mind I’d better snap out of it. +If I can’t find newspaper work, I’ll try something +else.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_117">[117]</div> +<p>“I was thinking—” Penny sat down in a rickety +chair, “—couldn’t you do free lance work? Write +stories for newspapers out of town?”</p> +<p>“Without a typewriter? I put mine in hock months +ago, and it finally was sold for charges.”</p> +<p>“I have a typewriter at home, Ben. I’ll lend it to +you.”</p> +<p>Ben’s face brightened, but he hesitated. “I’ve sure +been lost without a machine,” he declared. “But I +hate to take yours. You know what happened to my +watch. This shack isn’t safe. Anyone might come +in here and steal it.”</p> +<p>“It’s only an old typewriter, Ben. I’m willing to +take a chance. I’ll see that you get the machine within +a day or so.”</p> +<p>The former reporter stepped to the stove to turn +the bacon. He kept his face averted as he said: +“Penny, you’ve been a real friend—the only one. +That day when you met me—well, I didn’t give a +darn. I was only one step from walking off a dock.”</p> +<p>“Don’t say such things, Ben!” Penny warned. +“You’ve had a run of hard luck, but it’s changing +now. Suppose you tell me what you learned about +the <i>Snark</i>.”</p> +<p>“Nothing too startling, so don’t get your hopes up,” +Ben grinned.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_118">[118]</div> +<p>He set out two cracked plates on the battered table, +two cups for coffee, and then dished up the bacon and +a few fried potatoes. It was a meagre supper, but not +for the world would Penny have offended Ben by refusing +to share it.</p> +<p>“Now tell me about the <i>Snark</i>,” she urged again, as +Ben poured the coffee.</p> +<p>“I’ve been watching the boat at night, Penny. +Queer things go on there.”</p> +<p>“We suspected that after seeing Webb pitched +overboard.”</p> +<p>“I’ve seen a lot of men come and go from that vessel,” +Ben resumed. “It’s a cinch they couldn’t all be +employed on her, because the <i>Snark</i> has been out of +service for months.”</p> +<p>“What do you make of it?”</p> +<p>“Oh, the <i>Snark</i> is being used as a meeting place—that’s +obvious. Just for the fun of it, I sneaked aboard +last night.”</p> +<p>“What did you learn, Ben?”</p> +<p>“The men were having a confab in one of the cabins. +I couldn’t hear much, but enough to gather that +they are afraid Webb will talk to the police.”</p> +<p>“About what, Ben?”</p> +<p>“Didn’t learn that part. I aim to keep tab on the +place for a while.”</p> +<p>Penny told of seeing Webb that afternoon and also +of his association with Professor Bettenridge.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_119">[119]</div> +<p>“A secret ray machine, my eye!” Ben exploded. +“You may be sure it’s a fake if Webb has anything +to do with it! Penny, this is no business for you to be +mixed up in. Webb is a dock rat and as surly an egg +as I ever met. You ought to give him a wide berth.”</p> +<p>“I’ll certainly be careful,” Penny promised, arising. +“Sorry to leave you with the dishes, Ben, but I must +run or I’ll be late for another appointment.”</p> +<p>She really hated to go, for she saw that her companionship +had made the young man more cheerful. +Ben walked with her through the waterfront district, +and then reluctantly said goodbye.</p> +<p>Hastening along the shadowy street, Penny noticed +the large electric sign on top of the Gables Hotel.</p> +<p>Impulsively, she stopped at the hotel.</p> +<p>“That Navy official Professor Bettenridge spoke +of may have arrived,” she thought. “Just to make +certain, I’ll inquire again.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_120">[120]</div> +<h2 id="c15"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">15</span> +<br /><i>THE DEMONSTRATION</i></h2> +<p>Penny was due to meet Salt Sommers in ten minutes, +but if she were late, she knew he would not leave +without her.</p> +<p>Entering the crowded hotel, she waited her turn +at the desk and then inquired if any Navy officers had +registered.</p> +<p>“Not to my knowledge,” the clerk replied, consulting +the register. “No, we’ve not had a Navy man in +for at least a week.”</p> +<p>“Any Army officers?”</p> +<p>“The last was a sergeant who checked out two +weeks ago. Most of our guests rent on a monthly +basis. We have only a few rooms for transient +guests.”</p> +<p>“Can you tell me if a Professor Bettenridge has +called here in the last few days?”</p> +<p>“Not while I’ve been at the desk.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_121">[121]</div> +<p>The information convinced Penny she had not misjudged +the professor. She now was satisfied he never +had arranged with Navy officers to inspect his ray +machine. Instead, he had misinformed Mr. Johnson, +no doubt hoping to impress him that others were interested +in the invention.</p> +<p>Quickly leaving the hotel, Penny hastened on to +the news office. As she passed near the loading platform, +Salt hailed her from a car parked there.</p> +<p>“Here I am,” he called.</p> +<p>Penny slid into the front seat beside him, apologizing +for being late.</p> +<p>“That’s okay,” returned Salt, shifting into gear. +“But we haven’t much time unless we hurry. You +know the way, don’t you?”</p> +<p>“I do by daylight. And I think I can find the farmhouse, +even if it should get dark before we reach +there.”</p> +<p>Salt was a fast and very skillful driver. He chose +the less frequented streets and soon they were in the +open. They made excellent time, reaching their destination +just as it began to grow dark.</p> +<p>“How shall we explain to the professor?” Penny +inquired dubiously as the photographer parked the +car under an oak tree along the highway. “He may +think it strange that I returned.”</p> +<p>“Let him,” said Salt, unconcerned. “I’m here to +get my camera.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_122">[122]</div> +<p>“Don’t go at him too hard,” Penny pleaded. “After +all, there is a chance I was mistaken about the license +number. In my excitement the night of the explosion, +I may have remembered a wrong figure.”</p> +<p>“That’s so,” Salt acknowledged gloomily. “Well, +we’ll see.”</p> +<p>“Why not pretend we’re here to get a feature story +for the <i>Star</i>?” Penny suggested impulsively. “That +way, I could ask him all the questions I like about the +secret ray machine.”</p> +<p>“Any way you want to do it,” Salt agreed amiably.</p> +<p>He locked the car and they walked to the farmhouse. +Learning that the professor and his wife were +at the lake, they trudged down the lane.</p> +<p>“Wait!” Penny suddenly warned in a whisper.</p> +<p>Clutching Salt’s arm, she drew him into the shadow +of a tree. At first he could not understand the need +for caution. Then as Penny pointed, he saw a +hunched figure with a lighted lantern, walking along +the lake shore away from the cabin where Professor +Bettenridge’s ray machine was kept.</p> +<p>“There goes Webb now!” Penny whispered. “He’s +evidently going to the shack where the mines are +stored.”</p> +<p>“What’s he carrying?” Salt inquired.</p> +<p>Although too far away to see plainly, they thought +that he had a small satchel tucked under his arm. As +he drew closer they discerned that it was leather, and +apparently used as a container for a long cylinder-shaped +object.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_123">[123]</div> +<p>Passing a short distance away, the man did not see +Salt or Penny. They watched until they saw the red +glow of his lantern vanish over a hillock.</p> +<p>“That’s the foot-path to the shack where the mines +are stored,” Penny commented. “I wonder what’s +inside the satchel?”</p> +<p>“Shall we try to find out?”</p> +<p>“Let’s talk to Professor Bettenridge first,” Penny +proposed, going down the lane.</p> +<p>The door of the cabin stood slightly ajar. Inside +the lighted room were the professor, his wife, Mr. +Johnson, and several other persons Penny had never +seen before. However, she took them to be town +residents who had heard of the test and were eager +to see it.</p> +<p>“Well, professor,” they heard Mr. Johnson say +jovially. “We’re all here, so why not go ahead? +Show us what the machine will do.”</p> +<p>“All in good time, all in good time,” the professor +rejoined. “You must give my assistant an opportunity +to drop the mine into the lake. He will signal us by +lantern when he is ready.”</p> +<p>Penny tapped on the door. The professor whirled +around, decidedly startled. Then, observing Salt and +Penny, he abruptly came over to speak to them.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_124">[124]</div> +<p>“Well?” he asked in a tone which was not friendly.</p> +<p>“We came to see the demonstration,” Penny said +brightly.</p> +<p>“Glad to have you,” the professor replied, though +without cordiality.</p> +<p>“We want to write a feature story about your machine +too,” Penny continued. “For the newspaper.”</p> +<p>The request displeased the professor. Scowling, he +said curtly:</p> +<p>“I am sorry, but there must be no publicity at this +time—orders of the Navy, you know.”</p> +<p>“The Navy is interested in buying your machine?” +Penny asked, hoping to lead him on.</p> +<p>“The deal is concluded except for my signature,” +the professor said, darting a quick glance at Mr. Johnson. +“I should have signed at once, but I promised +Mr. Johnson first chance to buy the machine.”</p> +<p>“I suppose the Navy men are in town now?” Penny +inquired.</p> +<p>“In Riverview.”</p> +<p>“At the Gables Hotel?” Penny pursued the subject.</p> +<p>The professor looked at her sharply, for the first +time suspecting that she was inducing him to reveal +far too much.</p> +<p>Without answering, he turned his back, and began +to talk to Mr. Johnson about technical details of the +machine.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_125">[125]</div> +<p>“I am convinced it is a wonderful invention,” the +latter declared. “But before I invest $200,000, I must +be absolutely certain that it will do everything you +claim.”</p> +<p>“You shall not be disappointed,” reassured the professor. +“Only be patient for a few minutes, and you +will witness a demonstration that will convince you +beyond a shadow of a doubt.”</p> +<p>Ignored by the professor and his wife, Penny and +Salt did not enter the cabin. Instead, they walked a +short distance away to discuss their next move.</p> +<p>“The demonstration won’t start for a few minutes,” +the photographer said. “Suppose we ankle down to +the lake and find out what Webb is doing.”</p> +<p>Proceeding down the path which led around the +lake shore, they soon sighted the man’s glowing lantern. +He had set it down on the ground while he +trundled out one of the heavy mines from the shack. +As they watched from a distance, he loaded it into a +boat, picked up the lantern, and slowly rowed out +into the lake.</p> +<p>“Apparently he’s going to drop it overboard for the +test,” Salt said. “While he’s out there, let’s take a +look in the shack.”</p> +<p>He tried the door. It was locked.</p> +<p>“I don’t know how it’s done, but I’m sure those +mines are doctored in some way,” Penny declared. +“Louise and I saw Webb working on one when we +were here yesterday, but what he did I couldn’t +guess.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_126">[126]</div> +<p>“We’ll learn nothing here,” Salt said. “Let’s go +back to the cabin and see how the professor pulls off +the demonstration. Apparently he has Mr. Johnson +two-thirds convinced already.”</p> +<p>“Whatever you do, don’t get into an argument +with the professor about your camera until after the +test,” Penny pleaded as they started up the slope again. +“I want to watch the demonstration. If you accuse +him of deliberately keeping the camera, he may throw +us out.”</p> +<p>“Okay, I’ll wait,” Salt promised.</p> +<p>Reaching the cabin, the pair became instantly aware +of a tenseness in the attitude of the professor and his +wife. Although they did not tell the newcomers they +were unwelcome, it was evident by their expressions +that they distrusted Penny and Salt.</p> +<p>Professor Bettenridge stood behind his machine, explaining +its many parts to the awed spectators. Penny +could make nothing of the technical jargon.</p> +<p>“The demonstration will soon start,” the professor +declared, looking at his watch. “I will turn on the +motors now, as they must heat for several minutes.”</p> +<p>He turned several switches and the room was filled +with a low humming sound. Two tiny lights buried +deep in the complicated mechanism began to glow a +cherry red. The professor bent low over the machine, +frowning thoughtfully. He adjusted three of +the concave mirrors, and switched on another motor.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_127">[127]</div> +<p>Despite a dubious attitude, Penny found herself becoming +deeply impressed. Was it possible, she wondered, +that she had misjudged the professor and his +machine? She dismissed the thought. The mine +never would explode unless it had been tampered with—she +was certain of that.</p> +<p>“Watch closely now,” the professor directed. “At +any moment my assistant will signal with his lantern +that he has dropped the mine and is safely away from +the area.”</p> +<p>The professor’s wife had gone to the doorway. +Tensely she watched the lake. Minutes passed. Then +from out on the water, there came a moving circle of +red—the signal from Webb.</p> +<p>“Now!” exclaimed the professor’s wife.</p> +<p>Everyone in the little cabin held his breath. Dramatically, +Professor Bettenridge took a metal tuning +fork and struck it sharply against the crystal ball in +the center of his machine.</p> +<p>“It will take a moment for the sound to reach the +lake,” he said softly. “But only a moment. Watch +closely.”</p> +<p>All persons in the room crowded to the door and +the windows. Suddenly a huge burst of flame appeared +on the lake, fanning out on the surface of the +water. A moment later came the dull boom of a terrific +explosion.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_128">[128]</div> +<h2 id="c16"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">16</span> +<br /><i>SUSPICION</i></h2> +<p>Everyone who witnessed the spectacular demonstration +was awed by the sight of the flames rising +above the lake. As they died away, Professor Bettenridge, +strutting a bit, walked back to his machine +and covered it with the canvas hood.</p> +<p>“Now are you satisfied?” he inquired triumphantly. +“Is there anyone here who doubts the remarkable possibilities +of my invention?”</p> +<p>“It was a fine demonstration! Magnificent!” approved +Mr. Johnson, fairly beside himself with excitement. +“I am convinced of the machine’s worth +and if we can agree upon terms I will write you a +check tonight.”</p> +<p>Professor Bettenridge’s expression did not change, +but the brief glance he flashed his wife was not lost +upon Penny or Salt.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_129">[129]</div> +<p>“You understand, of course,” he said smoothly, +“that the Navy probably will insist upon ultimate +purchase of the machine even if I relinquish ownership?”</p> +<p>“Certainly,” agreed Mr. Johnson. “I should expect +to make such a sale. The machine would have no +practical use except in warfare.”</p> +<p>Penny was tempted to ask the man if he considered +it patriotic to try to obtain control of a machine in +the hope of selling it to the government at a high profit +to himself. But she wisely remained silent.</p> +<p>Salt, however, had a few pointed remarks to offer.</p> +<p>“How come,” he observed, “that if this invention +is so remarkable, the Navy hasn’t already snapped it +up?”</p> +<p>Professor Bettenridge froze him with a glance. +“Young man,” he said cuttingly, “you evidently do +not understand how government business is conducted. +Negotiations take months to complete. My +wife and I need cash, so for that reason, we are willing +to sell the machine quickly.”</p> +<p>“Yesterday I understood you to say that Navy men +were ready to complete the deal,” Penny interposed +innocently. “Did they change their minds?”</p> +<p>“Certainly not!” Professor Bettenridge’s dark eyes +flashed, and only by great effort did he maintain control +of his temper. “You understand that while their +recommendation would eventually be acted upon, a +sale still would take many months to complete.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_130">[130]</div> +<p>“Will your machine explode mines on land as well +as in the water?” Salt inquired.</p> +<p>“Of course!”</p> +<p>“Then why not give us a land demonstration?”</p> +<p>“Us!” the professor mocked, his patience at an end. +“Young man, you were not invited here, and I might +add that your presence irritates me! Are you in any +way associated with Mr. Johnson?”</p> +<p>“I am not.”</p> +<p>“Then kindly do not inject yourself into our negotiations.”</p> +<p>“The young man raises an interesting point,” Mr. +Johnson interposed, frowning thoughtfully. “Perhaps +we should have a land demonstration before I pay +over the money.”</p> +<p>“So you doubt my honesty?” the professor demanded.</p> +<p>“Not at all. It’s only that I must be very careful +before I purchase such an expensive machine. I must +satisfy myself that it will do everything you claim +for it.”</p> +<p>“You have just witnessed a successful demonstration. +What more do you ask?”</p> +<p>“A successful water test,” Salt remarked softly, +“does not necessarily mean a successful land test.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_131">[131]</div> +<p>“I think we should have a land test,” Mr. Johnson +decided. “If you convince me that the machine will +work equally well under such circumstances, I will +write the check instantly.”</p> +<p>“A land test is impossible,” the professor said stiffly.</p> +<p>“But why?” inquired Mr. Johnson.</p> +<p>“The dangers are too great. Windows would be +smashed for many miles around. Authorities would +not permit such a test. Only with the greater difficulty +did I obtain permission to discharge the mines +under water.”</p> +<p>“I had not thought of that,” Mr. Johnson acknowledged. +He hesitated, and it was evident that in another +moment he would decide to purchase the machine +without further tests.</p> +<p>“Mr. Johnson, I suppose you have witnessed tests +made with your own mines,” Penny interposed. “Or +have they all been made with those supplied by the +professor?”</p> +<p>The remark infuriated Mr. and Mrs. Bettenridge, +as she had expected it would.</p> +<p>“You and this young man are trying to discredit my +machine!” he exclaimed wrathfully. “Please leave.”</p> +<p>“Why, certainly,” agreed Penny, but made no move +to depart.</p> +<p>Seeds of suspicion already had been implanted in +Mr. Johnson’s mind.</p> +<p>“The young lady is right,” he said. “I should request +a test on a mine which I provide myself.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_132">[132]</div> +<p>“Ridiculous!” snapped the professor. “The machine +will work equally well on any mine.”</p> +<p>“Then surely you should not object to one further +test?”</p> +<p>“The delay is unnecessary.”</p> +<p>“I am certain I can provide a mine within two days,” +insisted Mr. Johnson. “Suppose we set the next test +for Thursday night at this same hour?”</p> +<p>Thus trapped, Professor Bettenridge could not refuse +without losing the sale. Scowling, he gave in.</p> +<p>“Very well. But this will be the final demonstration. +If you are not satisfied Thursday night, the +deal is off.”</p> +<p>“Agreed,” said Mr. Johnson.</p> +<p>Bowing to the Bettenridges, he departed. Others +who had witnessed the demonstration began to melt +away. Only Salt and Penny remained.</p> +<p>Professor Bettenridge closed the door so that the +conversation would not be overheard. Then he turned +angrily to the pair.</p> +<p>“Now what’s your little game?” he demanded. +“You deliberately tried to queer my sale? Why?”</p> +<p>“Mr. Johnson seems like such an innocent little +rabbit, maybe we thought he ought to be protected,” +Salt drawled.</p> +<p>“Protected! Why, he’s being given the opportunity +of a lifetime! How much is it worth to you to +keep out of my affairs?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_133">[133]</div> +<p>“Not a cent,” Salt retorted. “We don’t want any +part of your deal. But there’s something I did come +here for—my camera.”</p> +<p>“I’ve already told the young lady I know nothing +about it. If you were stupid enough to throw it into +a passing automobile, then you deserve to lose it. +Now get out!”</p> +<p>Salt was tempted to argue the matter, but Penny +took his arm, pulling him toward the door. The professor +slammed it hard behind them as they went out +into the night.</p> +<p>“That fellow is a crook!” Salt exploded. “I’ll bet a +cookie he has my camera too!”</p> +<p>“Well, we can’t prove it,” Penny sighed. “After +all, we did act in a high-handed way. We may have +queered his sale to Mr. Johnson.”</p> +<p>“A good thing if we have.”</p> +<p>“But we have no proof the machine is a fake. With +our own eyes we saw the mine explode. Of course, +we think Webb tampered with it in some fashion, but +we’re not certain of that either.”</p> +<p>“The proof of the pudding will come Thursday +night when and if the old boy explodes Mr. Johnson’s +mine.”</p> +<p>“He’s just clever enough to do it, too,” Penny said +gloomily.</p> +<p>The couple had walked only a short distance up +the lane when they were startled to hear a shrill +whistle in the darkness. It came from the beach.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_134">[134]</div> +<p>Halting, they waited. In a moment the sound was +repeated. Then to their surprise, came an answering +whistle from inside Professor Bettenridge’s cabin.</p> +<p>“That must be Webb,” Salt whispered, observing +a shadowy form approaching. “The whistle evidently +is a signal to make certain the coast is clear.”</p> +<p>As they watched, the hunched figure emerged from +the darkness, was silhouetted momentarily in the light +which came from the cabin, then disappeared inside.</p> +<p>“I wish we knew what they were talking about in +there,” Penny said. “It might clear up some of the +mystery.”</p> +<p>“Why not see what we can learn?” proposed Salt. +“It’s safe enough.”</p> +<p>Taking care to walk softly, the pair stole back to +the cabin. Crouching by the window, they could +hear a low murmur of voices inside. At first it was difficult +to catch the trend of the conversation, but +gradually Professor Bettenridge’s voice grew louder.</p> +<p>“I don’t like it any better than you do,” Salt and +Penny heard him say, “but that’s the way it is. If +we’re to finish the deal, we’ve got to explode one of +Johnson’s mines Thursday night. The question is, +can we do it?”</p> +<p>“Depends on the type of mine,” Webb replied +gruffly. “How soon can we have it ahead of the +test?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_135">[135]</div> +<p>“I’ll insist that he deliver it here at least by afternoon. +Will that give you time enough?”</p> +<p>“Sure, it won’t take more than a half hour to fix ’er +for the test, providing it can be done. But I ain’t +makin’ no promises until I see the mine.”</p> +<p>“It’s a chance we have to take,” Professor Bettenridge +said. “The deal would have gone through tonight +if it hadn’t been for a couple of young newspaper +fools who came nosing around here. They may +make us trouble Thursday night too.”</p> +<p>“I ain’t aimin’ to get mixed with the police,” Webb +said uneasily. “If this deal don’t go through Thursday +night, I’m quitting. We’re in a mighty risky business.”</p> +<p>“But we stand to make at least $200,000,” the professor +reminded him. “You’ll get a third cut. If +Johnson holds off Thursday night, I’ll drop to $100,000. +The thing we’ve got to do is to pull off that test +okay and clear out.”</p> +<p>Penny and Salt had heard enough to be certain that +the men with whom they were dealing were crooks +of the first rank. Slipping noiselessly away, they +trudged to the car.</p> +<p>“Now what do we do?” Penny questioned. “Notify +the police?”</p> +<p>“We could,” Salt debated, “but so far, it’s only our +word against Professor Bettenridge’s. He’d probably +convince the police he was only a crack-pot inventor +who thought he had a wonderful machine. They +might let him go.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_136">[136]</div> +<p>“Any other ideas?”</p> +<p>“A slick trick would be to fix that mine so it won’t +explode. That automatically would cause complications +and probably delay the deal with Mr. Johnson.”</p> +<p>“Just how do you propose to fix Mr. Johnson’s +mine?” Penny inquired. “It would take some doing.”</p> +<p>“The mines are all kept in that shack on the beach?”</p> +<p>“Yes, Louise and I saw Webb working on one of +them there. Evidently it was the one the professor +exploded tonight.”</p> +<p>“He must have doctored it in some special way. +Probably an untampered mine won’t explode.”</p> +<p>“He’ll fix Mr. Johnson’s mine the same way, and +then the test will appear successful.”</p> +<p>Salt nodded gloomily. He was lost in thought for +several minutes, and then he grinned.</p> +<p>“Maybe I have an idea!”</p> +<p>“What is it, Salt?”</p> +<p>The photographer switched on the car ignition. +“Wait until Thursday night,” he replied. “Can you +get away from the office early?”</p> +<p>“Well, I really shouldn’t—”</p> +<p>“I’ll take care of that part,” Salt said briskly. “Just +sit tight, Penny. You and I will have some fun out of +this affair yet, and maybe we’ll save Mr. Johnson a tidy +sum of money.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_137">[137]</div> +<h2 id="c17"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">17</span> +<br /><i>MAJOR BRYAN</i></h2> +<p>It was nearly midnight by the time Penny reached +home. Mrs. Weems had gone to bed, but a light +still burned in the study where Mr. Parker was working +on a speech he expected to deliver the following +day before the Chamber of Commerce.</p> +<p>“Well, I’m glad you finally decided to come home,” +he remarked severely. “Since my little daughter became +Tillie the Toiler, she seems to have developed +independent hours.”</p> +<p>“Wait until you hear where I’ve been,” Penny said, +sinking into an easy chair beside his desk. “Dad, you +won’t blame me for staying out late when I tell you +what I saw and heard.”</p> +<p>Eagerly she related all that had occurred, and was +pleased to note that the story interested her father.</p> +<p>“Tell me more about Professor Bettenridge,” he +urged. “Describe him.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_138">[138]</div> +<p>“He looks very scholarly, but his language doesn’t +fit the part,” Penny recalled. “He’s tall and thin and +his nose is very pointed. Middle aged, which might +mean forty-five or maybe fifty. That’s about all I +noticed except that he has a quick way of darting his +eyes about. And he wears glasses.”</p> +<p>“From your description, he sounds like the same +person I heard about this afternoon,” Mr. Parker commented.</p> +<p>“Someone told you of his experiments at the lake?”</p> +<p>“Quite the contrary. An Army officer, Major Alfred +Bryan called at my office this afternoon, seeking +information about a man who may be Professor Bettenridge.”</p> +<p>“Was he interested in buying the machine for the +Army, Dad?”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker dipped his pen in ink, wrote a few lines, +and then looked up again. “No, Major Bryan was +sent here to trace a man who has several charges +against him. At one time he impersonated an officer +and in recent months has been swindling persons by +various schemes. He pretends to sell Army or Navy +surplus war goods.”</p> +<p>“That doesn’t sound like Professor Bettenridge, +Dad.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps not, but from your description it could +be the same man. This secret ray machine business +sounds phoney to me. Most crooks try more than one +game—the mine exploding trick may be his latest +scheme to fleece gullible victims.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_139">[139]</div> +<p>“Do you think we should report the professor to +the police, Dad?”</p> +<p>“It might be a better idea to send Major Bryan to +see him,” Mr. Parker returned thoughtfully. “If the +professor should prove to be the man he’s after, then +the Army would take over.”</p> +<p>“Where is Major Bryan now, Dad?”</p> +<p>“He didn’t mention the name of his hotel, because +at the time he called at my office, I had no thought I +could assist him in any way. However, he expected +to stay in Riverview several days. It shouldn’t be so +hard to trace him. I’ll get busy tomorrow.”</p> +<p>Tired from her adventures of the night, Penny soon +went to bed. The next day Mr. DeWitt gave her several +interesting assignments, and when one of the +stories appeared in the final edition of the <i>Star</i>, it bore +a neat little “By Penny Parker,” under the headline.</p> +<p>“Getting on in the world, I see,” Elda Hunt observed +sarcastically.</p> +<p>Not even the unkind remark could dull Penny’s +pleasure. She had earned her way on the newspaper +by hard, routine work. The by-line meant that she +had turned in an excellent well-written story. Elda, +whose writing lacked crispness and originality, only +once had seen her own name appear in the <i>Star</i>. +Penny felt a trifle sorry for her.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_140">[140]</div> +<p>“There’s no fairness around here,” Elda complained +in a whine. “I’ve worked over a year. What do I +have to show for it? Not even a raise.”</p> +<p>Penny did not try to tell the girl it was her own +fault, that her attitude toward her work was entirely +wrong. Elda must learn for herself.</p> +<p>Not until Wednesday did Penny have a chance to +ask her father if he had traced Major Bryan.</p> +<p>“To tell you the truth, the matter slipped my mind,” +he confessed ruefully. “I’ve had one conference after +another all day long. Tomorrow I’ll certainly try to +find him.”</p> +<p>Penny reminded him of his promise on the following +day. Mr. Parker, after telephoning several places, +found the major registered at the St. Regis Hotel, not +far from the Parker home. However, the army officer +had left for the day, and was not expected to return +before nightfall.</p> +<p>“Oh, dear,” fretted Penny, “that may be too late. +If Professor Bettenridge is successful in his demonstration +tonight, he may rake in Mr. Johnson’s money +and skip town before the major even sees him.”</p> +<p>“It’s unlikely the professor will leave without cashing +the check, Penny. And banks will not be open until +nine o’clock tomorrow.”</p> +<p>“I’d feel safer to have police take over,” Penny +sighed. “If only we could prove charges against Bettenridge!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_141">[141]</div> +<p>“He hasn’t swindled anyone yet,” her father reminded +her. “Learn what you can tonight, and if the +sale goes through, we’ll then turn him over to the +police.”</p> +<p>“It may be too late then.”</p> +<p>“I think not,” smiled her father. “You always were +a little impatient, Penny.”</p> +<p>Eagerly Penny awaited the arrival of evening and +another adventure at Blue Hole Lake. She and Salt +arranged to leave the office at four o’clock, hoping to +reach the farmhouse early enough to observe what +preparations Webb made for exploding Mr. Johnson’s +mine.</p> +<p>But at three, Salt was sent on an important assignment.</p> +<p>“I’ll get back as soon as I can,” he promised Penny, +pausing beside her desk. “I may be a little late, but +we’ll still make it.”</p> +<p>“I’ll be right here waiting,” Penny grinned.</p> +<p>At ten minutes past four Salt returned. Thinking +he might have pictures to develop before he would +be free to leave, Penny did not rush him by going back +to the photography room right away. When she had +typed her last story of the day and brought it to the +editor’s desk for inspection, she gathered up her purse +and hat.</p> +<p>“Leaving early, aren’t you?” Elda inquired in a loud +voice so that everyone would notice.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_142">[142]</div> +<p>“That’s right,” Penny replied, without explaining +her special mission.</p> +<p>Not wishing to leave the city without ample funds, +she first went downstairs to cash a pay check at the +company treasurer’s window. He gave her the crisp +five dollar bills, joking with her about skipping town +with so much money.</p> +<p>Penny tucked the bills into her purse and was turning +to go back upstairs again, when through the window +she saw a man coming down the alley from the +rear of the <i>Star</i> building. Recognizing him as Mr. +McClusky, the deep sea diver she had assisted, she +darted to the window and rapped to attract his attention.</p> +<p>Not hearing her, he walked hurriedly on, and was +lost in the crowd of the street.</p> +<p>“Wonder what he was doing here?” she thought as +she slowly climbed the stairs. “Perhaps he came to +see me. But in that case, he probably would have +come up the front way.”</p> +<p>Dismissing the matter from her mind, she sought +Salt in the photography room. The outside gallery +was empty, though the photographer’s hat and coat +hung on a hook by the window.</p> +<p>“Salt!” she called, thinking he must be in the darkroom.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_143">[143]</div> +<p>No one answered. Nevertheless, a strange feeling +Penny could not have explained, took possession of +her. She sensed a presence somewhere near as if she +were being watched.</p> +<p>Nervously Penny stepped to the door of the darkroom. +She tapped lightly on it, but there was no +answer.</p> +<p>Suddenly fearful, she jerked open the door and +groped for a light. As the tiny room blazed with illumination, +she uttered a startled gasp.</p> +<p>Almost at her feet, cheek against the floor, lay Salt +Sommers.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_144">[144]</div> +<h2 id="c18"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">18</span> +<br /><i>A SECOND TEST</i></h2> +<p>As Penny knelt beside Salt, he stirred slightly and +raised a hand to his head. She saw then that there was +a tiny break in the skin which also was slightly discolored. +Either the photographer had fallen or he had +been slugged.</p> +<p>Before she could go for help, he sat up, staring at +her in a bewildered manner. Penny assisted him to a +chair, and dampening a handkerchief with water +from the tap above the developer trays, applied it to +his forehead.</p> +<p>“What happened?” she inquired anxiously when +Salt seemed able to speak.</p> +<p>“Slugged,” he answered in disgust.</p> +<p>“By whom?”</p> +<p>“Don’t know. The fellow must have been in the +darkroom when I came here to develop my films. +Fact is, I thought I heard someone moving around. I +stepped to the door to see, and bing! That’s the last I +knew.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_145">[145]</div> +<p>“Has anything been taken, I wonder?” Switching +on another light, Penny glanced over the room. The +drawer of a filing cabinet where old films, and plates +were kept, remained open.</p> +<p>“Someone may have been looking in there!” she +commented. “Salt, whoever he is, he must be searching +for a film he is afraid we’ll publish in the paper.”</p> +<p>“Maybe so,” Salt agreed, holding a hand to his +throbbing forehead. “But I don’t know of any picture +we have that would damage anyone.”</p> +<p>Penny stepped to the doorway of the darkroom. In +the larger room, the skylight remained closed. It was +impossible to tell if anyone had entered the building in +that way.</p> +<p>Some distance down the hall was a seldom-used +stairway which led to the roof. Finding a door opening +into it, Penny climbed the steps to look about. +The rooftop was deserted, but in the building directly +across from the <i>Star</i>, a corridor window remained +open.</p> +<p>“How easy it would be for a man to step out onto +the roof from there,” she thought. “If the skylight or +the stairway door were unlocked, he easily could +enter the <i>Star</i> photography room without being seen.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_146">[146]</div> +<p>Across the way, in the adjoining building, a man +stood at an office window, watching Penny curiously. +Sun glared on the panes so his face was distorted. +But from the location of the window, she felt certain +it was Mr. Cordell.</p> +<p>After a moment, Penny turned and went back down +the stairs. The exit at its base was barred by a door +with a rusty key in the lock.</p> +<p>Passing through, Penny locked it, and slipped the +key into her purse.</p> +<p>“That should stop our prowler for a few days,” +she thought.</p> +<p>In the photography room again, she checked the +skylight, and finding it locked, was convinced that +this time the mysterious visitor had entered the building +by means of the stairs. She knew the door was +usually kept locked, but undoubtedly the janitor had +been careless.</p> +<p>By this time Salt was feeling much better. While +Penny waited, he explained to the editor why the +photos would not be ready until morning, then declared +he was ready to start for Blue Hole Lake.</p> +<p>“Do you really feel like going?” Penny asked +dubiously.</p> +<p>“Sure thing,” the photographer insisted. “It takes +more than a little tap on the head to put me out of +running.”</p> +<p>Salt walked a trifle unsteadily as they went down +the back stairs together, but once they were in the +press car, he seemed his usual jovial self.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_147">[147]</div> +<p>“Now tell me about that plan of yours for tonight,” +Penny urged as they jounced along the country road.</p> +<p>“It’s not much of a plan,” the photographer confessed +ruefully. “First, we’ve got to learn exactly +what Webb does to those mines to make them explode. +Then somehow we’ll have to undo the work to cause +the demonstration to turn out a flop.”</p> +<p>“It sounds like a big order,” Penny sighed. “We’ll +need plenty of luck to carry it out. Especially as +we’re arriving rather late.”</p> +<p>Having no intention of announcing their presence, +the pair drew up about a quarter of a mile from the +lake, parking in a side road.</p> +<p>Shadows were casting long arms over the ground as +they started hurriedly across the fields toward the +beach. They had covered two thirds of the distance +when Penny suddenly caught Salt’s arm, pointing toward +the lake.</p> +<p>“Look!” she exclaimed. “There they are now!”</p> +<p>Out on the lake a barge-type boat was being +steered toward the beach near the shack where Professor +Bettenridge stored the mines. The watching +couple recognized three persons aboard the craft, the +professor, Mr. Johnson and Webb. The barge also +bore a large mine, similar in type to those Penny had +seen inside the shack.</p> +<p>“That must be the mine Mr. Johnson is supplying +for the test tonight,” she whispered.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_148">[148]</div> +<p>Hand in hand, Penny and Salt crept closer to the +shore. The boat grated on the sand and Webb, with +the professor helping him, carried the heavy mine +toward the building.</p> +<p>“If the mine is to be exploded tonight, wouldn’t it +be easier to leave it on the barge ready to drop into +the lake?” Penny commented. “Webb and the professor +must have a special reason for hauling it ashore.”</p> +<p>“I think you have something there,” Salt observed. +“Obviously, they’re going to doctor it in some way. +We’ll see what happens.”</p> +<p>Webb unlocked the door of the shack and the two +men carried the mine inside. Creeping still closer to +the building, Salt and Penny heard Mr. Johnson say:</p> +<p>“Just a minute. I see you have other mines stored +here. How am I to be sure that the one exploded will +be the mine I have provided?”</p> +<p>“You may mark it if you wish,” the professor replied. +“In fact, we prefer that you do, so there can +be no possible doubt in your mind. Take this pocket +knife and scratch your initials on the covering of the +mine. Then tonight, before it is dumped in the lake, +you may check again to see there has been no substitution.”</p> +<p>“You understand, I don’t distrust you,” Mr. Johnson +said, ill at ease. “But so much money is at stake—”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_149">[149]</div> +<p>“I understand your attitude perfectly,” the professor +replied. “Certainly you are entitled to take +every precaution.”</p> +<p>A silence ensued, and Penny and Salt assumed that +Mr. Johnson was scratching his initials on the mine.</p> +<p>“Now suppose we have dinner at the village inn,” +the professor presently suggested. “Then we will +have the demonstration.”</p> +<p>“Must we wait so long before setting off the mine?” +Mr. Johnson inquired.</p> +<p>“Yes, village authorities gave permission for the test +to be held at nine o’clock,” the professor explained. +“My own preference would be to get it over immediately, +but I dare not disobey their orders.”</p> +<p>Mr. Johnson made no reply, and a few minutes +later, the three men walked away. No sooner had +they disappeared up the lake than Penny and Salt +came out of hiding from among the trees.</p> +<p>“You have to hand it to Professor Bettenridge,” +commented the photographer with grudging praise. +“He’s a smooth talker. I’ll bet a frosted cookie the +test could be held at one time as well as another so far +as the village authorities are concerned. He has a +special reason for wanting it at nine o’clock.”</p> +<p>“Probably to give Webb time enough to work on +the mine or exchange them,” Penny said, and then +frowned thoughtfully. “But what if the machine +actually should work? After all, the professor agreed +to explode Mr. Johnson’s mine, and apparently he’s +marked it with his initials. It won’t be easy to substitute +another one now.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_150">[150]</div> +<p>“All the same, if I’m any good at guessing, it will be +done. Now what shall we do until nine o’clock? +Grab ourselves something to eat?”</p> +<p>Penny was about to suggest that they drive to a village +cafe, when she noticed Webb returning alone +from up the beach. Barely did the pair have time to +duck out of sight behind a boulder before he approached.</p> +<p>Walking directly to the shack, he unlocked the +door, and entered.</p> +<p>“Now this must be where the hocus-pocus begins!” +Salt whispered. “We’ve got to find out what he does +to that mine.”</p> +<p>“Louise and I climbed up in that tree the other day +and looked through the glass in the top.”</p> +<p>“Then that’s the trick for us! Come on!”</p> +<p>Making no sound, the pair climbed the tree close +beside the shack. Noiselessly, they inched their way +toward the skylight, and lying flat, peered down into +the dark interior.</p> +<p>Webb had lighted a lantern which he hung on a +wall nail. Unaware that he was being watched, he +squatted in front of the mine which bore Mr. Johnson’s +initials, studying it thoughtfully.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_151">[151]</div> +<p>Muttering to himself, he next took a powerful +ratchet drill, and for a long time worked with it on +the mine, boring a tiny but deep hole.</p> +<p>“I’m getting stiff in this position,” Penny whispered. +“What is he doing, Salt?”</p> +<p>“Don’t know,” the photographer admitted, puzzled. +“Apparently, he’s doctoring Mr. Johnson’s mine +so it will explode tonight, but I’m not smart enough to +figure how the trick will be accomplished.”</p> +<p>By now it was so dark that the pair in the tree no +longer feared they would be seen. Keeping perfectly +still, they watched the work in the room below.</p> +<p>“It’s clear why Professor Bettenridge set nine +o’clock for the demonstration,” Salt whispered. +“Webb needed all this time to get the mine ready.”</p> +<p>“And that’s why they brought it here instead of +dumping it into the lake,” Penny added. “But how +can they make the mine explode at exactly the right +moment?”</p> +<p>After Webb had worked for a while longer, he +arose and stretched his cramped muscles. Going to a +cupboard, he removed a white powder from a glass +tube, and carefully inserted it in the hole he had just +made in the mine. As a final act, he sealed the tiny +hole with another material, and polished the surface +so that the place did not show.</p> +<p>“Slick work!” Salt commented. “By the time he’s +through, no one ever could tell the mine has been +touched! Certainly not that thick-skulled Johnson.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_152">[152]</div> +<p>Apparently satisfied with his work, Webb put away +his tools, made a final inspection of the mine, and then +left the shack. After carefully locking the door, he +disappeared into the night.</p> +<p>“Now what’s our move?” Penny asked as she and +Salt finally slid down from their uncomfortable perch. +“Shall we tell Mr. Johnson what we just saw?”</p> +<p>“We could, but he might not believe us. Penny, I +have a better idea! If we can get inside the shack—”</p> +<p>“But it’s locked!”</p> +<p>“The skylight may be open.” Salt climbed up on +the roof to investigate, but to his disappointment, the +roof window was tightly fastened from inside.</p> +<p>“We could smash the glass,” Penny suggested dubiously.</p> +<p>Salt shook his head. “That would give the whole +thing away. No, I think we can get inside another +way, but we’ll have to work fast! Now that Webb +has the mine ready for the demonstration, the professor +and Mr. Johnson may show up here at any +minute.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_153">[153]</div> +<h2 id="c19"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">19</span> +<br /><i>THE LANTERN SIGNAL</i></h2> +<p>Salt explained that he intended to pick the lock +of the shack door.</p> +<p>“When I worked the police beat, a detective taught +me this trick,” he explained. “You keep watch while +I work.”</p> +<p>Now that Webb had disappeared no one was to be +seen near the beach. To Penny’s relief, not a person +appeared, and Salt, working swiftly, soon had the door +open.</p> +<p>To make certain they would not be taken unawares, +Salt relocked the door on the inside. Groping about, +he found the lantern Webb had left behind, and +lighted it.</p> +<p>Three mines lay on the floor. “Which is the right +one?” Penny asked. “They all look alike!”</p> +<p>“Mr. Johnson’s initials must be on the one Webb +tampered with.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_154">[154]</div> +<p>Salt turned over one of the mines, inspecting it.</p> +<p>“That thing might go off any minute,” Penny said, +edging away. “Do be careful, Salt.”</p> +<p>Salt chuckled. “If it should go off, we’d never +know what hit us,” he said. “This is the one Webb +tampered with all right. Penny, how are you at forging?”</p> +<p>“Forging?” she repeated, not understanding what +he meant.</p> +<p>“Can you duplicate Mr. Johnson’s initials on another +mine?”</p> +<p>“Oh, I don’t think so. Not so it would look the +same.”</p> +<p>“Sure, you can,” Salt said, thrusting his pocket knife +into her hand. “It will be dark and no one will look +too carefully.”</p> +<p>“But why do you want me to do it? You mean to +substitute Mr. Johnson’s mine for one of the others?”</p> +<p>“That’s the ticket,” chuckled the photographer. +“Maybe my guess is wrong, but I have a sneaking +suspicion if we use one of the professor’s own mines, it +will fail to explode.”</p> +<p>“The mine has to be doctored with that powder we +saw Webb use!”</p> +<p>“That’s my theory, Penny.”</p> +<p>“But maybe the other mines have already been +treated.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_155">[155]</div> +<p>“That’s a possibility,” Salt admitted thoughtfully. +“No way of telling that, because the hole would be +covered so skillfully. We’ll have to take a chance +on it.”</p> +<p>While Salt held the lantern, Penny scratched Mr. +Johnson’s initials on the metal covering of the mine. +Skilled in art, she was able to copy them fairly well.</p> +<p>“They don’t look exactly the same,” Salt said, comparing +the two, “but they’re good enough to get by +unless Mr. Johnson becomes very critical.”</p> +<p>Quickly they moved the two mines, placing Mr. +Johnson’s well to the back of the room, and leaving +the substitute exactly where the other had been.</p> +<p>“Well, that job is done,” Salt chuckled. “Unless I +miss my guess—”</p> +<p>He broke off, startled to hear a murmur of voices +from a short distance down the beach. Quick as a +flash he blew out the lantern and hung it in its accustomed +place on the wall nail.</p> +<p>“Salt! Those men are coming!” Penny whispered +fearfully. “We’re trapped here!”</p> +<p>It was too late to slip out the door, for already the +men were very close, and unmistakably, one of the +voices was that of Professor Bettenridge.</p> +<p>The only available hiding place was a storage closet. +Barely in time, Salt and Penny squeezed into it, closing +the door and flattening themselves against the wall.</p> +<p>The door of the shack swung open to admit the +professor, Webb, and Mr. Johnson.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_156">[156]</div> +<p>“Dark as pitch in here,” Webb muttered. “Wait +and I’ll light the lantern.”</p> +<p>In a moment the yellow glow illuminated the dingy +little room.</p> +<p>“Which is my mine?” Mr. Johnson asked. “They +all look alike.”</p> +<p>“And for all practical purposes they are exactly +alike,” said the professor smoothly. “So far as my machine +is concerned, it makes not a particle of difference. +Webb, which is the mine that Mr. Johnson +supplied?”</p> +<p>“Here it is,” the assistant said, tapping the one Salt +and Penny had substituted. “See your initials, Mr. +Johnson?”</p> +<p>“Yes, yes,” agreed the man.</p> +<p>Inside the closet, Penny and Salt breathed easier.</p> +<p>“Let’s get on with the demonstration,” the professor +urged with sudden impatience. “Load the mine onto +the boat, Webb. Go out to the center of the lake. +Then when you have dropped it, give the usual signal.”</p> +<p>“When everything is okay, I’ll wave my lantern +three times,” Webb agreed.</p> +<p>The mine was trundled out and the shack became +dark. However, Salt and Penny did not dare come +out of hiding until they heard Webb start the motor of +the boat.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_157">[157]</div> +<p>“The coast is clear,” the photographer then reported, +peering out a crack of the outer door. “Webb +has gone, and the professor and Mr. Johnson are walking +up to the cabin.”</p> +<p>From the beach, Penny and Salt watched the boat +moving slowly across the water. Presently the craft +stopped, and the mine was heaved overboard. The +pair waited, but there was no signal from Webb. Nor +did his boat move away from the locality where the +mine had been dropped.</p> +<p>“Why doesn’t he wave the lantern?” Penny fretted.</p> +<p>“He’s waiting deliberately, and for a purpose,” Salt +declared. “Why not amble up the hill and watch the +professor perform?”</p> +<p>“Not a bad idea,” agreed Penny.</p> +<p>Walking rapidly, they arrived at the cabin quite +breathless. As they tapped lightly on the door, Professor +Bettenridge appeared visibly startled. He stiffened +to alert, guarded attention, but relaxed slightly as +his wife admitted the pair.</p> +<p>“Oh, it’s you two again,” he said none too pleasantly. +“You are just in time to witness my final demonstration. +We are waiting now for my assistant’s +signal.”</p> +<p>“It seems to take a long while,” Mr. Johnson commented, +glancing at his watch.</p> +<p>“Webb may have had trouble getting the mine +overboard,” the professor soothed. “Besides, he has +to move out of the danger zone.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_158">[158]</div> +<p>Penny and Salt looked at each other but said nothing. +They were certain that Webb had been in no +haste to return to shore.</p> +<p>“What are you two smirking about?” the professor +demanded irritably. “I suppose you think my machine +won’t work?”</p> +<p>“I’ll be surprised if it does,” Salt agreed, unruffled.</p> +<p>Mrs. Bettenridge, who stood at the window, suddenly +cried: “There is the signal!”</p> +<p>Professor Bettenridge snapped on a switch and the +ray machine began to hum. He turned on another +motor and lights began to glow. Then he struck the +crystal ball, producing a musical vibration.</p> +<p>Assuming a confident pose, he waited.</p> +<p>Nothing happened.</p> +<p>As the seconds ticked by and still there was no explosion, +the professor began to wilt. He gazed desperately +at his wife who looked as dismayed as he.</p> +<p>“My dear, something seems to be wrong. Are you +sure you saw the signal? Perhaps Webb has not yet +dropped the mine.”</p> +<p>“I saw the signal. The lantern was waved three +times.”</p> +<p>The professor made several adjustments on his machine, +and again struck the musical note. But there +was no explosion. Enjoying his discomfiture, Salt and +Penny grinned from ear to ear.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_159">[159]</div> +<p>“You did something to the machine!” the professor +accused them furiously. “You came here and tampered!”</p> +<p>“We’ve not been near this place tonight until a +moment ago,” Penny retorted. “The truth is, you +weren’t able to explode Mr. Johnson’s mine!”</p> +<p>“That’s not so!” The professor’s face now was +red with anger. “Something has gone wrong, but +that doesn’t prove my machine is a failure. We’ll +have another test.”</p> +<p>“I’m not sure that I shall be interested,” Mr. Johnson +said quietly. “I’ve been thinking the matter over and +there are so many hazards—”</p> +<p>“I’ll make you an especially good offer,” the professor +declared, flipping the canvas cover over his +machine. “Furthermore, we will have the test tonight. +I guarantee to explode the mine before you +leave here.”</p> +<p>“But the mine I supplied is at the bottom of the lake +and it failed to go off,” Mr. Johnson said.</p> +<p>“First, we will talk to Webb and learn exactly what +happened,” the professor said, taking him by the arm. +“I know there is a logical explanation for the failure.”</p> +<p>Glaring at Penny and Salt, he shooed everyone out +of the cabin, locking the door.</p> +<p>“My dear,” he said to his wife, giving her a significant +look, “take Mr. Johnson to the house while I find +Webb. I’ll be with you in just a minute.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_160">[160]</div> +<p>The professor went hurriedly down the beach while +Mrs. Bettenridge and Mr. Johnson walked slowly +toward the rooming house. Penny and Salt remained +beside the cabin until everyone was beyond hearing.</p> +<p>“Well, our trick worked,” Salt chuckled, “but if we +aren’t careful, the professor will pull off a successful +test yet and ruin all our plans.”</p> +<p>“He and Webb are certain to examine the mines +and discover the one with Mr. Johnson’s initials still in +the shack. Then they may convince Mr. Johnson +there was a mix-up, and go ahead with another test +which will be successful.”</p> +<p>“We’ve got to do something,” Salt muttered. “But +what?”</p> +<p>“I know!” Penny exclaimed. “I’ll telephone Dad +and have him come here right away with Major +Bryan!”</p> +<p>“Good!” approved Salt. “I’ll stay here and hold the +fort while you telephone. Tell your father to step on +the gas, because we’ve got to move fast to queer Professor +Bettenridge’s game.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_161">[161]</div> +<h2 id="c20"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">20</span> +<br /><i>A CROOK EXPOSED</i></h2> +<p>Eager to carry out Salt Sommers’ bidding, Penny +ran up the hill in search of a telephone. She considered +using the one at the house where Professor and +Mrs. Bettenridge roomed, but decided against it, fearing +that the conversation might be overheard or reported +to them by the farm woman.</p> +<p>Hastening on, she saw a light farther down the road, +and recalled having noticed a house there. Five minutes +later, completely winded, she pounded on the +door. A man in shirtsleeves, the evening newspaper +in his hand, answered her knock.</p> +<p>“Please, may I use your telephone?” Penny gasped.</p> +<p>“Why, sure,” he agreed, stepping aside for her to +enter. “Anything wrong?”</p> +<p>Penny knew better than to mention what was happening +at the lake. “I want to telephone my father +in Riverview,” she explained.</p> +<p>“The phone is in the other room,” the man said, +switching on a light.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_162">[162]</div> +<p>Placing the call, Penny waited impatiently for it +to be put through. She was uncertain whether her +father would be at home. If she failed to reach him, +then the only other thing was to notify the sheriff.</p> +<p>“Here is your party. Go ahead, please,” came the +long distance operator’s voice. The next moment +Penny heard her father’s clear tones at the other end +of the line.</p> +<p>“Dad, I’m at Blue Hole Lake with Salt,” she explained +hurriedly. “Can you drive here right away?”</p> +<p>“I suppose so,” he answered, knowing from her +voice that something serious was wrong. “What’s +up?”</p> +<p>“We’ve learned plenty about Professor Bettenridge, +Dad. Unless something is done quickly, he may sell +his fake machine to Mr. Johnson.”</p> +<p>“But what can <i>I</i> do about it?” the publisher asked.</p> +<p>“Can you get hold of the Major and bring him with +you?” Penny pleaded. “Professor Bettenridge may +be the man he’s after!”</p> +<p>“Maybe I can reach him!” Mr. Parker agreed. “If +I have luck I’ll be out there within twenty or thirty +minutes. I’ll come as fast as I can.”</p> +<p>Before hanging up the receiver, Penny gave her +father detailed instructions for reaching the lake and +told him where to park. Leaving a dollar bill to pay +for the call, she then hastened back to find Salt.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_163">[163]</div> +<p>The photographer was nowhere near the cabin and +she was afraid to call his name lest she be overheard +by the Bettenridges.</p> +<p>As she stood in the shadow of the building, she +heard voices from the beach. Someone with a lighted +lantern was coming up the trail, and soon she distinguished +two figures—Professor Bettenridge and Webb.</p> +<p>“That’s the story you’ll have to tell Johnson,” she +heard the professor say. “Tell him that somehow you +got the two mines mixed up as you were loading them +onto the boat and dumped one that was never meant to +explode.”</p> +<p>“But he saw us load the mine.”</p> +<p>“It was dark and he may not be sure. Anyway, +the mine with Johnson’s initials is still in the shack. +We’ll show it to him.”</p> +<p>“What bothers me is how did the mistake happen?” +Webb muttered. “I know the mine I loaded on the +boat had Johnson’s initials. It should have gone off.”</p> +<p>“Someone is onto our game, and tampered with the +mines. It may have been a trick of that newspaper +pair.”</p> +<p>“In that case, we’re in a dangerous spot. We ought +to clear out while the clearing is good. If the authorities +get onto what we’re doing—”</p> +<p>“They won’t—at least not tonight,” the professor +said confidently. “The sheriff is as dumb as they +come, and is convinced I am a genius second only to +Thomas Edison. We’ll have to pull off a successful +test tonight with Johnson’s mine, collect what we can, +and clear out.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_164">[164]</div> +<p>“Okay,” Webb agreed, “but this is my last job. +The game is too dangerous. I served one stretch in +the pen and I don’t look forward to another.”</p> +<p>“If we can explode Johnson’s mine tonight, we’ll +collect the money and be away from here as soon as +we cash the check. Can you pull off the job without +any blunder?”</p> +<p>“Sure I can unless someone tampers with the mine! +This time I’ll make sure they don’t!”</p> +<p>“Okay,” the professor agreed. “Now I want you +to talk to Johnson. Put up a good story, and get him +to look at the mine that has his initials on it. If he refuses, +we’re licked, but it’s worth a final try.”</p> +<p>“I’d like to find the guy who broke into the shack!” +Webb muttered.</p> +<p>“We may have time for that later. Just now our +most important job is to convince Johnson we have +something to sell.”</p> +<p>The two men now were very close. Penny flattened +herself against the building wall, fearful of being +seen. The light from their lantern illuminated her for +an instant, but the men were so absorbed in their discussion, +they failed to see her. Going on up the hillside +path, they vanished into the farmhouse.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_165">[165]</div> +<p>What had become of Salt, Penny did not know. +Thinking he might have gone down to the lake, she +walked rapidly in that direction. As she approached +the shack where the mines were stored, she heard a +low whistle.</p> +<p>“Is that you, Salt?” she called softly.</p> +<p>He came from behind a clump of bushes to join +her. Quickly they compared notes. Salt had overheard +no conversation, but he had watched Professor +Bettenridge and Webb as they reexamined the mines +in the shack.</p> +<p>“They’re onto our game, and it won’t work twice,” +he said. “We’ve got to delay the test, but how?”</p> +<p>“Maybe we could cut the boat loose!”</p> +<p>“A capital idea!” Salt approved, chuckling. “Penny, +you really have a brain!”</p> +<p>As they scurried over the stones to the water’s edge, +Penny suddenly stopped short.</p> +<p>“Listen!” she commanded.</p> +<p>“I didn’t hear anything,” Salt said.</p> +<p>“An automobile stopped by the roadside. I’m sure +of it. Maybe it’s my father!”</p> +<p>“He couldn’t have reached here so soon.”</p> +<p>“You don’t know Dad,” Penny chuckled. “He +drives like the wind. It certainly sounded like the +engine of our car.”</p> +<p>“Let’s have a look before we cut the boat loose,” +Salt said, slipping a knife back into his pocket.</p> +<p>“I’ll go,” Penny offered. “You wait here.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_166">[166]</div> +<p>Before Salt could stop her, she darted away into the +darkness. Crawling under a barbed wire fence, she +took a short cut to the road. Even before she saw the +car, she heard a voice which she recognized as her +father’s.</p> +<p>“Dad!” she called softly.</p> +<p>He was with another man whom Penny hoped was +Major Bryan. As the two came toward the fence, +she saw that it was indeed the Army officer.</p> +<p>“Dad, how did you get here so quickly?” she greeted +him. “Salt and I didn’t expect you for at least another +twenty minutes.”</p> +<p>“I was lucky enough to get hold of Major Bryan +right away,” Mr. Parker answered, climbing over the +fence. “Now I hope you haven’t brought us on a wild +chase, Penny. What’s up?”</p> +<p>“Come with me and I’ll show you,” she offered. +“That’s easier than explaining everything.”</p> +<p>Major Bryan, a well-built man of early middle age, +asked Penny several questions about Professor Bettenridge +as the three walked hurriedly toward the lake.</p> +<p>“From your description, he seems to be the man +I’m after,” he declared grimly. “If he’s the same person, +his real name is Claude Arkwright and he’s wanted +for impersonating an officer and on various other +charges. He pulled a big job in New York three +months ago, then vanished.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_167">[167]</div> +<p>Salt was waiting at the lake. “What’s our move?” +he asked, after relating everything that had occurred +that night. “Shall we cut the boat loose?”</p> +<p>“First, let me examine those mines,” the major requested. +“Can we get into the shack?”</p> +<p>“I can pick the lock, but it takes time,” Salt offered.</p> +<p>“We’ll break it,” the major decided. “Those men +may return here at any minute, so there’s no time to +lose.”</p> +<p>The door was forced open and Penny was placed on +guard to watch the hillside for Webb or anyone in the +professor’s party.</p> +<p>There was no light in the shack, but both Mr. Parker +and the major had brought flashlights. Salt pointed +out the mine which had been doctored by Webb. +Carefully, the Army officer examined it.</p> +<p>“I can’t tell much by looking at it for the work has +been cleverly concealed,” he admitted. “But from +what you’ve told me, I am quite certain how the mine +is made to explode.”</p> +<p>“How is it done?” Salt demanded.</p> +<p>“After the hole is made, a chemical—probably sodium—is +inserted. Then another substance which +melts slowly in water is used to seal up the opening.”</p> +<p>“Then that explains why Webb delayed so long in +giving the signal after the mine had been dropped into +the water!” Penny exclaimed from the doorway. “He +was waiting for the substance to melt!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_168">[168]</div> +<p>“Exactly,” agreed the major. “If my theory is correct, +only the action of water is required to explode +this mine. The professor’s machine, of course, has +nothing whatsoever to do with it.”</p> +<p>“Why don’t we explode the mine now?” Penny +suddenly proposed. “That would put an end to the +professor’s little scheme.”</p> +<p>“It might also prevent us from arresting him,” the +major said. He debated a moment. Then he exclaimed: +“It’s worth trying! We’ll load the mine on +the boat and dump ’er in the lake!”</p> +<p>The men would not permit Penny to help with the +dangerous work. Carefully they transported the mine +to the boat. Salt was about to start the motor, but the +major stopped him.</p> +<p>“No, we don’t want the sound of the engine to give +us away,” he said. “We’ll row out into the lake.”</p> +<p>Penny was eager to accompany the men, but they +would not hear of it. To her disappointment, she was +compelled to remain on the beach.</p> +<p>Sitting down on the sand, she nervously watched +until the boat faded into the black of the night. Presently, +she heard a splash which told her that the mine +had been lowered overboard. Anxiously, she waited +for the boat to return.</p> +<p>“Why don’t they come?” she thought, straining to +hear the sound of oars. “If the explosion should go off +while they’re still out there—”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_169">[169]</div> +<p>Then she heard the boat coming and breathed in relief. +Soon the craft grated on sand, and the three men +leaped out.</p> +<p>“Perhaps my theory is wrong,” the major commented, +as they all huddled together, waiting. “The +mine should have gone off by this time.”</p> +<p>Several minutes elapsed and still nothing happened. +And then, as the group became convinced their plan +had failed, there came a terrific explosion which sent +flame and water high above the lake’s surface.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_170">[170]</div> +<h2 id="c21"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">21</span> +<br /><i>IN SEARCH OF WEBB</i></h2> +<p>“Beautiful! Beautiful!” chuckled the major +as the flames began to die away. “That proves our +theory. No machine is required to set off the mines—only +the action of water.”</p> +<p>“Professor Bettenridge must have heard the explosion!” +Penny exclaimed, fairly beside herself with +excitement. “What will happen now?”</p> +<p>“If human nature runs true to form, he will soon +come here to investigate,” the major predicted.</p> +<p>The four stepped back into the dense growth of +trees to wait. Within five minutes they observed two +shadowy figures scurrying down the path toward the +shack where the mines were stored. As they came +closer, Penny recognized the professor and his wife.</p> +<p>“And someone is following them,” she discerned. +“It looks like Mr. Johnson.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_171">[171]</div> +<p>Professor Bettenridge and his wife now were near +the trees. Their voices, though low, carried to those +in hiding.</p> +<p>“That stupid lout, Webb!” the professor muttered. +“He has ruined everything now by setting off the +mine too soon.”</p> +<p>“But how could it have been Webb?” his wife protested. +“He was at the farmhouse only five minutes +ago. He wouldn’t have had time.”</p> +<p>“Then it was someone else—” Professor Bettenridge +paused, and cast a quick alert glance about the lake +shore. He noted that the boat was tied, but that the +door of the shack was wide open.</p> +<p>“We’ve been exposed!” he muttered. “Our game +is up, and we’ve got to get away from here before the +authorities arrest us.”</p> +<p>“But what about Johnson?” his wife demanded, +glancing over her shoulder at the man who was following +them down the hillside path.</p> +<p>“We can do nothing now. He had begun to catch +on even before tonight, and this explosion finishes +everything. Don’t even stop to pack your clothes. +We’ll get our car and clear out.”</p> +<p>“Webb?”</p> +<p>“He’ll have to look out for himself. We’re traveling +alone and traveling fast.”</p> +<p>Those in hiding suddenly stepped forth from the +trees, blocking the path. Major Bryan moved directly +in front of the professor, flashing a light into his face.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_172">[172]</div> +<p>“Good evening, Claude Arkwright,” he said distinctly.</p> +<p>The professor was startled, but recovered poise +quickly. “You are mistaken,” he said in a cold voice. +“My name is Bettenridge.”</p> +<p>“No doubt that is what you call yourself now. You +are wanted by the Federal government for impersonating +an officer.”</p> +<p>“Ridiculous!”</p> +<p>“May I see your draft card?” the major requested +curtly.</p> +<p>“Sorry, I haven’t it with me. It is in my room.”</p> +<p>“Then we will go there.”</p> +<p>Nettled, Professor Bettenridge could think of no +further excuse. Glancing significantly at his wife, he +said: “My dear, will you go to the house and get the +card for our inquisitors?”</p> +<p>“We will all go,” corrected the major. “Your wife +may be wanted as your accomplice in this latest secret +ray machine fleece. We prefer that she does not +escape.”</p> +<p>“You are very trusting,” sneered the professor.</p> +<p>By this time, Mr. Johnson had reached the hillside. +Puffing from having hurried so fast, he gazed in bewilderment +at the little group.</p> +<p>“What does this mean?” he inquired. “What caused +the mine to explode?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_173">[173]</div> +<p>“It was set off by being dropped in the lake,” explained +the major.</p> +<p>“You mean the explosion was not touched off by +Professor Bettenridge’s invention?”</p> +<p>“The machine had nothing whatsoever to do with +it,” Penny explained. “Professor Bettenridge and his +accomplice, Webb Nelson, have been doctoring the +mines with a powder and an outer shield which dissolves +in water. They hoped to sell the worthless +machine to you before you discovered the truth.”</p> +<p>The information stunned Mr. Johnson, but recovering, +he turned furiously upon Professor Bettenridge.</p> +<p>“You cheap trickster!” he shouted. “I’ll have you +arrested for this!”</p> +<p>“Have you given the man any money?” Mr. Parker +inquired.</p> +<p>“A thousand dollars for an option on the machine. +The rest was to have been paid tonight.”</p> +<p>“You’re lucky to get off so easily,” Mr. Parker +said. “It’s possible too, that we can get part of your +deposit back.”</p> +<p>“You can’t hold me on any trumped-up charge,” +Professor Bettenridge said angrily. “You have no +warrant.”</p> +<p>He started away, but was brought up short as he felt +the major’s revolver pressing against his ribs.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_174">[174]</div> +<p>“This will hold you, I think,” said the Army man +coolly. “Now lead the way up the hill to the other +cabin. I want to see your remarkable invention.”</p> +<p>With his wife clinging to his arm, the professor +marched stiffly ahead of the group. He unlocked the +cabin door and all went inside.</p> +<p>Jerking off the canvas which covered the secret ray +machine, Major Bryan inspected it briefly.</p> +<p>“A worthless contraption!” he said contemptuously. +“Utterly useless!”</p> +<p>“Where did you meet Webb Nelson?” Penny asked +the professor. “And where is he now?”</p> +<p>“You’ll have to find him for yourself,” sneered the +professor. “If he has the sense I think, he’s probably +miles away from here by now.”</p> +<p>Determined that the man should not escape, Penny, +Salt and Mr. Parker started for the farmhouse, leaving +the major and Mr. Johnson to question the professor. +As they rapped on the screen door, Mrs. Leonard +came to let them in.</p> +<p>“What is going on here tonight, may I ask?” she demanded +irritably. “People banging in and out of the +house at all hours! Explosions! I declare, I wish I +never had rented a room to that crazy professor and +his wife!”</p> +<p>“Is Webb Nelson here?” Mr. Parker asked.</p> +<p>“The professor’s helper? Why, no, right after the +explosion he came, gathered a bag of things from the +professor’s room, and went off down the road.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_175">[175]</div> +<p>“In a car?”</p> +<p>“He was afoot when he left here. Is anything +wrong?”</p> +<p>“Considerable. Professor Bettenridge has just been +exposed as an impostor. Webb must have realized the +jig was up when he heard the mine go off.”</p> +<p>“The professor an impostor!” Mrs. Leonard exclaimed. +“Well, of all things!”</p> +<p>“Which way did Webb go?” Mr. Parker asked.</p> +<p>“Down the road toward town when I last saw him.”</p> +<p>“Maybe we can catch him!” Mr. Parker cried.</p> +<p>“If he didn’t get a lift,” Salt added.</p> +<p>All piled into the Parker car which had been left +a short distance down the road. But in the drive to +Newhall, the man was not sighted. Nor did inquiry +in the town reveal anyone who had seen him.</p> +<p>“Undoubtedly he expected to be followed, and cut +across the fields or took a side road,” Mr. Parker declared. +“We’ll have to depend upon the authorities +to pick him up now.”</p> +<p>Stopping at the sheriff’s office, warrants for the +man’s arrest were sworn out, and the party then returned +to Mrs. Leonard’s. Professor Bettenridge and +his wife had been brought to the farmhouse by Major +Bryan who proposed to hold them there pending the +arrival of federal authorities from Riverview.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_176">[176]</div> +<p>“There’s one thing I want to know,” Penny whispered +to her father. “How did Professor Bettenridge +meet Webb? Perhaps he can explain the man’s connection +with the <i>Snark</i>.”</p> +<p>The question was put to the professor who replied +briefly that he knew nothing whatsoever about Webb +Nelson.</p> +<p>“I met him only two weeks ago,” he said. “He +claimed to be an expert at handling explosives, so I +hired him.”</p> +<p>No one believed the professor was telling the truth. +However, it was useless to question him further. Determined +not to implicate himself, his wife, or his +helper, he spoke as seldom as possible.</p> +<p>“The man has a room here,” Mr. Parker suggested. +“Suppose we see what we can find.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Leonard led the way upstairs. The professor’s +room was locked, but she opened it with a master key.</p> +<p>Two suitcases had been packed as if for a hasty departure +and everything was in disorder. All garments +had been removed from the closets. The scrap basket +was filled with torn letters which Mr. Parker promptly +gathered together and placed in an envelope for future +piecing together.</p> +<p>In one of the suitcases he found several newspaper +clippings. One bore a picture of the professor, but the +name beneath it was Claude Arkwright, and the story +related that he was wanted in connection with a $10,000 +hoax.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_177">[177]</div> +<p>“Bettenridge is our man all right,” the publisher declared. +“We made no mistake in holding him for the +sheriff.”</p> +<p>Penny had been searching the larger of the two suitcases +which seemed to contain only clothing. But as +she reached the lower layer, she suddenly gave a jubilant +cry.</p> +<p>“Salt! Dad!” she exclaimed. “It’s here! See what +I’ve found!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_178">[178]</div> +<h2 id="c22"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">22</span> +<br /><i>SALT’S MISSING CAMERA</i></h2> +<p>From the suitcase, Penny lifted Salt’s camera. +With a cry of pleasure, he snatched it from her hand +and eagerly examined it.</p> +<p>“Is it damaged in any way?” Penny asked.</p> +<p>“It doesn’t seem to be. So the professor had it all +the time just as we thought!”</p> +<p>“And here are the plates I tossed into the car the +night of the explosion!” Penny added, burrowing +deeper into the pile of clothing. “They’re probably +ruined by now.”</p> +<p>“Maybe not,” said Salt, examining them. “The professor +may have thought they were unexposed plates +and kept them for use later on.”</p> +<p>“Anyway, it was crooked of him to try to keep +the camera,” Penny declared. “Though I suppose +such a small theft doesn’t amount to much in comparison +to the trick he nearly played on Mr. Johnson.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_179">[179]</div> +<p>“It matters to me,” the photographer chuckled. “Am +I glad to get this camera back! The plates won’t do us +any good now they are outdated, but I’ll take them +along anyhow. I’m curious to see if they would have +shown anything of significance.”</p> +<p>“By all means develop them,” urged Mr. Parker. +“Anything else in the suitcase?”</p> +<p>In a pocket of the case Penny found several letters +from Mr. Johnson which she gave to her father. +Knowing they would be valuable in establishing a case +of attempted fraud against the professor, he kept them.</p> +<p>“I wish Webb Nelson hadn’t managed to escape,” +Penny remarked as the trio went downstairs again. +“He must have started for Newhall, perhaps to catch +a train.”</p> +<p>“Any due at this time?” her father asked thoughtfully.</p> +<p>“I wouldn’t know.”</p> +<p>“Tell you what,” Mr. Parker proposed. “We can +do nothing more here. We may as well drive to the +village again and press an inquiry for Webb.”</p> +<p>Once more the car with Salt as driver careened +over the bumpy country road to Newhall. They +reached the town without sighting anyone who resembled +the professor’s helper.</p> +<p>“Drive to the station,” Mr. Parker instructed Salt. +“There’s an outside chance Webb went there.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_180">[180]</div> +<p>The depot was a drab little red building, deserted +except for a sleepy-eyed station agent who told them +there was no passenger train scheduled to leave Newhall +before six o’clock the next morning.</p> +<p>“Any freight trains?” Mr. Parker inquired.</p> +<p>“A couple are overdue,” the agent said. “No. 32 +from the east, and No. 20, also westbound. No. 20’s +just coming into the block.”</p> +<p>Although it seemed unlikely Webb would take a +freight train out of town, Mr. Parker, Salt and Penny, +decided to wait for it to come in. They went outside, +standing in the shadow of the station.</p> +<p>“No sign of anyone around,” Salt declared, looking +carefully about. “We may as well go back to the +lake.”</p> +<p>“Let’s wait,” Penny urged.</p> +<p>No. 20 rumbled into the station, stirring up a whirlwind +of dust and cinders. A trainman with a lantern +over his arm, came into the station to get his orders +from the agent. He chatted a moment, then went out +again, swinging aboard one of the cars. A moment +later, the train began to move.</p> +<p>“Shall we go?” Mr. Parker said impatiently.</p> +<p>Penny buttoned her coat as she stepped beyond the +protection of the building, for the night air was cold +and penetrated her thin clothing. Treading along behind +her father and Salt to the car, she started to climb +in, when her attention riveted upon a lone figure some +distance from the railroad station. A man, who resembled +<span class="pb" id="Page_181">[181]</span> +Webb Nelson in build, had emerged from behind +a tool shed, and stood close to the tracks watching +the slowly moving freight.</p> +<p>Then he ran along beside the train and suddenly +leaped into one of the empty box cars.</p> +<p>“Dad! Salt!” she exclaimed. “I just saw someone +leap into one of those cars! I’m sure it was Webb!”</p> +<p>“Where?” demanded her father. “Which car?”</p> +<p>“The yellow one. Oh, he’ll get away unless we can +have him arrested at the next town!”</p> +<p>“He won’t escape if I can stop him!” Salt muttered.</p> +<p>Racing across the platform, he waited for the car +Penny had indicated. Although the train was moving +faster now, he leaped and swung himself to a sitting +position in the open doorway.</p> +<p>“Look out! Look out!” Penny screamed in warning.</p> +<p>Behind Salt, the man who had taken refuge in the +car, moved stealthily toward him, obviously intending +to push him off the train. But the photographer knew +what to expect and was prepared.</p> +<p>He whirled suddenly and scrambled to his feet. +His attacker caught him slightly off balance, and they +went down together, rolling over and over on the +straw littered floor.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_182">[182]</div> +<p>Worried for Salt, Penny and Mr. Parker ran along +beside the train. The publisher tried to leap aboard +to help the photographer, but lacking the younger +man’s athletic prowess, he could not make it. Already +winded, he began to fall behind.</p> +<p>Penny kept on and managed to grasp the doorway +of the car, but she instantly realized she could not +swing herself through the opening. The train now +was moving rapidly and gaining speed each moment.</p> +<p>Inside the box car, the two men were rolling over +and over, each fighting desperately to gain the advantage. +Penny could not see what was happening. +Forced by the speed of the train, she let go her hold. +Her feet were swept from beneath her, and she stumbled +and fell along the right of way.</p> +<p>Before she could scramble to her feet, her father +had caught up with her.</p> +<p>“Are you hurt?” he asked anxiously.</p> +<p>Penny’s knees were skinned but the injury was so +trifling she did not speak of it. Her one concern was +for Salt.</p> +<p>“Oh, Dad,” she said, grasping his arm nervously. +“What are we going to do? That brute may kill him!”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker shared Penny’s concern, but he said +calmly: “There’s only one thing we can do now. +We’ll have the station agent send a wire to the next +station. Police will meet the train and take Webb into +custody.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_183">[183]</div> +<p>“He may not be on the train by the time it reaches +the next town! Oh, Dad, Salt may be half killed before +then!”</p> +<p>Penny and her father stared after the departing +freight. The engineer whistled for a high trestle +spanning a narrow river, and the train began to rumble +over it.</p> +<p>Suddenly Penny stiffened into alert attention. In +the doorway of the open boxcar, she could see the two +struggling men. Mr. Parker, too, became tense.</p> +<p>As they watched fearfully, one of the men was +pushed from the car. He rolled over and over down +a steep embankment toward the creek bed.</p> +<p>The other man, poised in the doorway an instant, +then just before the car reached the trestle, leaped.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_184">[184]</div> +<h2 id="c23"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">23</span> +<br /><i>ESCAPE BY NIGHT</i></h2> +<p>Fearful for Salt, Penny and her father ran down +the tracks toward the railroad trestle. Scrambling and +sliding down the slippery embankment, they saw Salt +lying in a heap near the edge of the creek.</p> +<p>Webb, his ankle injured, was trying to hobble toward +a corn field just beyond the railroad right of +way.</p> +<p>“Get him! Don’t let him escape!” Salt cried, raising +himself to his knees.</p> +<p>Although alarmed for the photographer who appeared +to have been injured by his leap, Penny and her +father pursued Webb. Handicapped as he was with +an injured ankle, they overtook him by the barbed +wire fence.</p> +<p>Already badly battered from the fight, and bruised +as a result of his fall from the train, the man put up +only a brief struggle as Mr. Parker pinned him to the +ground.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_185">[185]</div> +<p>“Quick!” the publisher directed Penny. “See what +you can do for Salt. He may be badly injured.”</p> +<p>The photographer, however, had struggled to his +feet. He stood unsteadily, staring down at his torn +clothing.</p> +<p>“Are you all right?” Penny asked anxiously, running +to his side.</p> +<p>“Yes, I’m okay,” he said, gingerly touching a +bruised jaw. “Boy! Is that lad a scrapper? Did you +see me push him out of the boxcar?”</p> +<p>“We certainly did, and we were frightened half to +death! We thought you would be killed.”</p> +<p>Hobbling over to the fence, Salt confronted his +assailant. Webb’s face was a sorry sight. His nose +was crimson, both eyes were blackened and his lip was +bleeding.</p> +<p>“You may as well come along without making any +more trouble,” Mr. Parker told him grimly. “Professor +Bettenridge has been taken into custody, and +the entire fraud has been exposed.”</p> +<p>“I figured that out when I heard the mine go off,” +the man returned sullenly. “Okay, you got me, but +I was only carrying out orders. I worked for Professor +Bettenridge, but any deals he made were his +business, not mine.”</p> +<p>“That remains to be seen,” replied Mr. Parker. +“We’ll let you talk to the sheriff. Move along, and +no monkey business.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_186">[186]</div> +<p>Having no weapon, Salt and the publisher walked +on either side of the prisoner, while Penny brought +up the rear.</p> +<p>“You don’t need to hang onto me,” he complained +bitterly. “I ain’t going to try to escape.”</p> +<p>“We’re sure you won’t,” returned Salt, “because +we’ll be watching you every step of the way.”</p> +<p>At first, as the four tramped down the tracks toward +the station, the prisoner showed no disposition +to talk. But gradually his curiosity gained the better +of him. He sought information about Professor Bettenridge’s +arrest, and then tried to build up a story +that would convince his captors he had only been an +employee hired on a weekly basis.</p> +<p>“I suppose you know nothing about the <i>Snark</i> +either,” Penny observed bitterly. “After Ben Bartell +and I pulled you out of the river, you repaid us by +stealing his watch.”</p> +<p>To her astonishment, the man reached in his pocket +and gave her the timepiece.</p> +<p>“Here,” he said gruffly, “give it back to him. I +won’t need it where I’m going.”</p> +<p>“Why did you take the watch when it didn’t belong +to you?” Penny pursued the subject. “Especially +after Ben risked his life to pull you out of the river.”</p> +<p>“Oh, I don’t know,” the man answered impatiently. +“I needed a watch, so I took it. Quit askin’ so many +questions.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_187">[187]</div> +<p>“Why were you pushed off the <i>Snark</i>?” Penny demanded, +refusing to abandon the subject.</p> +<p>She did not expect Webb to answer the question as +he had refused to explain at the time of his rescue. To +her surprise, he replied grimly:</p> +<p>“They tried to get rid of me. We had a disagreement +over a job they wanted me to pull.”</p> +<p>“What job was that?” Mr. Parker interposed.</p> +<p>“Dynamiting the Conway Steel Plant.”</p> +<p>The words produced a powerful effect upon the +publisher, Salt, and Penny. At their stunned silence, +Webb added hastily:</p> +<p>“You understand, I didn’t do it. They got sore +because I refused to pull the job.”</p> +<p>“Why, that doesn’t make sense,” Penny protested. +“Evidently, you are mixed up on your dates, because +the Conway Plant explosion took place before the +night we rescued you from the water.”</p> +<p>“Sure, I know,” the man muttered, trying to cover +his slip of tongue. “They were afraid I’d squawk to +the police and that was why they pitched me overboard.”</p> +<p>“Who pulled the job?” Salt asked.</p> +<p>“I don’t know. Someone was hired to set off the +explosion.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_188">[188]</div> +<p>Webb’s story was accepted but not believed. +Penny knew from previous experience that the man +was more inclined to tell a lie than the truth. Convinced +that he might have been implicated in the explosion, +she suddenly recalled his visit to the office of +Jason Cordell. Could his call there have any hidden +significance?</p> +<p>“You’re a friend of Mr. Cordell’s, aren’t you?” she +inquired abruptly.</p> +<p>The question caught Webb off guard. He gave her +a quick look but answered in an indifferent way: +“Never heard of him.”</p> +<p>“I’m certain I saw you in his office,” Penny insisted.</p> +<p>Realizing that his loose talk was building up trouble +for himself, Webb would say no more. At the sheriff’s +office, he repeated practically the same story, insisting +that he had been hired by Professor Bettenridge +on a wage basis, and that he was in no way implicated +in the plot to defraud Mr. Johnson.</p> +<p>“Your story doesn’t hang together,” Mr. Parker +said severely. “Naturally you knew that the professor’s +machine was worthless?”</p> +<p>“Not at first,” Webb whined. “He only told me +he wanted a mine exploded at a certain time. It was +only by chance that I learned he intended to cheat +Mr. Johnson.”</p> +<p>“Considering the conversations I overheard between +you and the professor, that is a little hard to +believe,” Penny contributed.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_189">[189]</div> +<p>“It might go a little easier with you, if you come +through with the truth,” a deputy sheriff in charge of +the office, added. “Anything you want to say before +we lock you up?”</p> +<p>Webb hesitated a long while, and then in a subdued +voice said: “Okay, I may as well tell you. Sure, +I knew the professor and his wife were crooks. They +offered me a split on the profits if Johnson bought +the secret ray machine.”</p> +<p>“Where did you obtain your mines?” Salt asked +curiously.</p> +<p>“I don’t know,” Webb answered, and for once +spoke the truth. “Professor Bettenridge had a friend +hooked up in a munitions plant who supplied him with +a few which were defective.”</p> +<p>“Now tell us the truth about the <i>Snark</i>,” Penny +insisted. “You said those men were mixed up in the +dynamiting of the Conway Steel Plant. Was that one +of the professor’s jobs?”</p> +<p>“No, he had nothing to do with it.”</p> +<p>“His car was in the vicinity of the plant on the +night of the explosion.”</p> +<p>“It was just accident then,” Webb maintained. “He +had nothing to do with it.”</p> +<p>“Then you do know the persons involved?”</p> +<p>“If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me,” Webb +said sullenly. “Why not go to the <i>Snark</i> and get information +first hand if you want it.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_190">[190]</div> +<p>It was evident the man would reveal no more, so +the deputy sheriff locked him up. Within a few +minutes Professor Bettenridge and his wife were +brought in, and although they indignantly demanded +release, they too were placed in jail cells.</p> +<p>Mr. Johnson who had accompanied Major Bryan to +the sheriff’s office, seemed rather stunned by the events +which had transpired. He shook Penny’s hand and +could not praise her enough for exposing the professor’s +trickery.</p> +<p>“What a fool I was,” he acknowledged. “His +smooth talk hypnotized me. Why, I might have paid +a large sum of money to him, if it hadn’t been for you. +Now I shall prosecute charges vigorously.”</p> +<p>The wealthy man tried to press money upon both +Penny and Salt, who smilingly refused to accept it. +They assured him that knowing the professor’s trick +had failed was ample reward.</p> +<p>By the time Penny, her father and Salt finally +reached the Parker home it was nearly midnight. +Somewhat to their surprise, Mrs. Weems was still +waiting up.</p> +<p>“I’m so glad you came!” she exclaimed, before they +could explain what had happened. “Nearly an hour +ago someone telephoned, asking for Penny. I think +the message may be important.”</p> +<p>“Who was it?” Penny asked.</p> +<p>“A man named Edward McClusky.”</p> +<p>“The river diver!” Penny exclaimed. “What did +he want, Mrs. Weems?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_191">[191]</div> +<p>“At first he wouldn’t tell me, saying he had to talk +to you personally. However, I finally persuaded him +to trust me with the message. He said: ‘Tell Miss +Parker that her friend Ben Bartell went aboard the +<i>Snark</i> last night and hasn’t been seen since.’”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_192">[192]</div> +<h2 id="c24"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">24</span> +<br /><i>A RAID ON THE</i> SNARK</h2> +<p>“Oh, why didn’t Mr. McClusky call the police instead?” +Penny cried anxiously. “Ben may be in serious +trouble!” Turning to her father she added: “Dad, +we must go there right away!”</p> +<p>“To the <i>Snark</i>?” Mr. Parker frowned and reached +for the telephone. “The matter is one for the police, +Penny. I’ll call the night inspector.”</p> +<p>Contacting the police station, the publisher explained +why he believed it advisable to search the +<i>Snark</i>. He was assured that a squad would be sent +there at once to investigate.</p> +<p>“We’ve had other complaints about that vessel,” the +inspector said. “So far we’ve not been able to find +anything out of the way.”</p> +<p>Having notified the police, Mr. Parker felt that his +duty was done, but not Penny.</p> +<p>“Dad, can’t we go there too?” she pleaded. “Ben +is in trouble and we may be able to help him.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_193">[193]</div> +<p>“I don’t see what we could do, Penny. Besides, you +know how I feel about Ben.”</p> +<p>“And you’re dead wrong. You’ve done him a +dreadful injustice. Tonight may prove it.”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker wavered, then suddenly gave in. “All +right, get your heavy coat,” he instructed. “It will +be cold along the waterfront.”</p> +<p>Penny raced for the warm garment and joined her +father and Salt as they were backing the press car out +of the driveway.</p> +<p>“The <i>Snark</i> is tied up at Pier 23,” Penny directed. +“Straight down this street and turn at Jackson.”</p> +<p>The car reached the docks, parking alongside a dark +warehouse. There was no sign of the police. A short +distance away, the <i>Snark</i> with only dim deck lights +showing, and no one in view, tugged at her heavy +ropes.</p> +<p>“We’ll wait for the police,” Mr. Parker decided.</p> +<p>Within five minutes, two cars glided noiselessly up +to the pier and a dozen men in uniform leaped out. +Captain Bricker, in charge of the squad, strode to the +<i>Snark</i> and called loudly: “Ahoy, there!”</p> +<p>No one answered.</p> +<p>“Ahoy, the <i>Snark</i>!” he shouted again.</p> +<p>Still receiving no answer, he ordered his men aboard. +Single file, they crawled cautiously up a ladder to the +dark deck.</p> +<p>“Anyone aboard?” the captain called once more.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_194">[194]</div> +<p>Salt, Mr. Parker and Penny, eager for first hand information, +followed the policemen up the ladder.</p> +<p>“My men will search the vessel,” Captain Bricker +told them, “but no one appears to be aboard. Everything +seems in order.”</p> +<p>Spreading out over the ship, the policemen returned +one by one to report they could find nothing amiss. +Not even a watchman was aboard.</p> +<p>“This seems to be a wild-goose chase, Captain,” +Mr. Parker apologized. “Sorry to have bothered you. +We considered our information reliable.”</p> +<p>The policemen began to leave. Penny, lingering +on deck until the last, was being helped onto the ladder +by Captain Bricker, when they both heard a sound +below decks.</p> +<p>“What was that?” the officer muttered, listening +alertly.</p> +<p>“It sounded like someone thumping on a wall,” +Penny cried. “There it is again!”</p> +<p>The noise was not repeated a third time, but Captain +Bricker had heard enough to make him believe +that someone remained below. Drawing his revolver, +and warning Penny to keep back, he started down the +dark companionway.</p> +<p>At a safe distance, Penny trailed him. His bright +flashlight beam cut paths of light over the walls as he +tried the doors.</p> +<p>“Anyone here?” he shouted.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_195">[195]</div> +<p>A thumping noise came from a room on the right. +Guided by the sound, Captain Bricker tried the door. +It was locked.</p> +<p>A powerfully built man, the officer hurled his +weight against the door, and the lock gave way. +Keeping back, lest he become a target for a bullet, he +kicked the door open. The room was empty! But, +the flashlight beam caught the outline of a trapdoor +in the floor. The officer flung it open. Below, in the +hold, lay a man gagged and bound hand and foot.</p> +<p>Following the police officer into the room, +<a href="#front">Penny uttered a little cry</a> +as she recognized Ben Bartell. +Blinking owlishly in the light which had been focused +upon him, he was a deplorable sight. His face was +bruised, his hair matted with blood, and one eye was +swollen almost shut.</p> +<p>“Oh, Ben! What have they done to you?” Penny +gasped in horror.</p> +<p>Captain Bricker cut the young man free, and pulled +the gag from his mouth. He helped Ben into a chair +and then went to another cabin for water.</p> +<p>“Who did this to you?” Penny asked, rubbing the +reporter’s hands to restore circulation.</p> +<p>He seemed too exhausted to reply so she did not +urge him to speak. The captain brought water which +Ben drank thirstily.</p> +<p>“He’s evidently been tied up several hours,” the +officer commented.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_196">[196]</div> +<p>“Since last night,” Ben whispered, moistening his +cracked lips.</p> +<p>“How did you get aboard?”</p> +<p>“I sneaked on when no one was looking—wanted +to see what I could learn.”</p> +<p>“Who were the men that tied you up?”</p> +<p>“Don’t know. But before they caught me, I heard +plenty. The men on this boat are mixed up in the +dynamiting of the Conway Steel Plant.”</p> +<p>Penny nodded, for this information correlated with +what she already had learned.</p> +<p>“Was Webb Nelson involved in the plot?” she +asked eagerly.</p> +<p>“He set off the dynamite according to what I overheard +last night,” Ben revealed. “But he got into a +fight with the gang over his pay for the job. He tried +to shake them down for a big sum, threatening to spill +everything to the police if they didn’t cough up. It +ended up in a fight, and Webb was pushed overboard.”</p> +<p>“Then we pulled him out of the river,” Penny supplied. +“But he refused to tell us a thing.”</p> +<p>“He knew better than to spill the story because +he would have implicated himself. And the gang +aboard this boat had no fear either, because they figured +he was only pulling a bluff.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_197">[197]</div> +<p>“But who was behind the plot?” Penny asked, puzzled. +“What did the men hope to gain by dynamiting +the plant?”</p> +<p>“They did it on orders from a man higher up—a +man who personally hates the owner of the Conway +Steel Plant.”</p> +<p>“Then it was a grudge matter?” Captain Bricker +inquired dubiously.</p> +<p>“Not entirely,” Ben returned. “Labor troubles are +mixed up in it. This man, who represents a minor faction, +has been trying to gain control over the employes +without much success. By planning a series of accidents +similar to the dynamiting, he thought he might +bring the management around to his way of thinking.”</p> +<p>“Who is the leader?” Penny demanded impatiently.</p> +<p>Ben hesitated. “I hate to say,” he confessed, “because +I’m not absolutely certain. In the conversation +I overheard before I was caught, he wasn’t mentioned +by name. But by putting two and two together, I +have a fairly good idea.”</p> +<p>“Guessing won’t do in this business,” said Captain +Bricker.</p> +<p>“I know that,” admitted Ben. “But here is one bit +of fact I gained. The big boss was at the factory on +the night of the explosion. In fact, he was nearly +caught, and a photographer snapped a picture of him +as he fled.”</p> +<p>“You’re sure of that?” Penny demanded excitedly.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_198">[198]</div> +<p>“Yes, I heard the men talking about it. The boss +has been worried for fear that picture will show up +and convict him.”</p> +<p>“Now I’m beginning to understand,” Penny murmured. +“It explains why the <i>Star</i> photography room +was broken into several times. Someone was after +those plates which weren’t there!”</p> +<p>“What became of the pictures?” Captain Bricker +asked. “They’ll prove valuable evidence.”</p> +<p>“Why, Salt Sommers has the camera and plates in +the press car. Of course, we don’t know what the +plates will show until they’re developed.”</p> +<p>“We must have them at once,” the captain said. +He turned again to Ben. “Now did you know any +of the men who attacked you?”</p> +<p>“Not a one. But I can give you a fairly good description +of most of them. They’re waterfront riff-raff.”</p> +<p>“In that case some of them may have their pictures +in our files,” the captain said. “I’ll issue orders to +round up all loiterers in this neighborhood. You +should be able to identify most of them in a police +line-up.”</p> +<p>“I’m sure I can.”</p> +<p>“Now about the higher-up, who engineered the +scheme. You said you had an idea who he is.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_199">[199]</div> +<p>“That’s right,” agreed Ben. “The men spoke of +him as a publisher. I don’t like to accuse him outright, +because I’ll be suspected of trying to get even +with a man I hate.”</p> +<p>Light came swiftly to Penny. Into her mind leaped +many facts hitherto puzzling, but which now seemed +suddenly clear. The open skylight—the building adjoining +the <i>Star</i>—Webb Nelson’s call upon the editor +of the <i>Mirror</i>.</p> +<p>“Ben, you don’t need to accuse anyone!” she cried. +“I’ll do it myself. The man is Jason Cordell, and I +think we can prove it too!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_200">[200]</div> +<h2 id="c25"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">25</span> +<br /><i>PICTURE PROOF</i></h2> +<p>“Yes, Jason Cordell is the man responsible,” +Ben agreed soberly. “I can’t prove it, but in my own +mind I’m sure.”</p> +<p>“You used to work for him, didn’t you?” the police +captain inquired, the inflection of his voice implying +that he thought the former reporter might be prejudiced.</p> +<p>“I was fired,” Ben admitted readily. “Cordell let +me go and blacklisted me everywhere to prevent me +from exposing him. He wanted to discredit me, so +that anything I might say would carry no weight.”</p> +<p>“Why were you really discharged, Ben?” Penny +asked. “What did you learn about Mr. Cordell?”</p> +<p>“That he had pulled off no end of crooked deals +and that he was mixed up with this outlaw labor +group. Over a period of three or four years, Cordell +has made a mint of money, and not from his paper +either!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_201">[201]</div> +<p>“We’ll question Cordell tonight,” Captain Bricker +promised. “The trick now is to get you to the station +for first aid treatment. Then we’ll want you to look +through the police morgue and identify the pictures +of as many of the <i>Snark’s</i> crew as you can.”</p> +<p>The officer turned to Penny. “As for those undeveloped +plates, can you get them right away?”</p> +<p>“I think so,” Penny returned. While Captain +Bricker helped Ben up the companionway, she ran +ahead to find her father and Salt and tell them of the +latest developments.</p> +<p>The two were waiting in the press car. But when +Mr. Parker learned how significant the pictures of +the Conway Plant explosion might prove to be, he +surprised Penny by declining to turn them over immediately +to the police.</p> +<p>“We may want those plates for the <i>Star</i>,” he declared. +“If the police once get their hands on them, +it might be a job to get them back again in time to be +of any use to us.”</p> +<p>“But Jason Cordell’s arrest may depend upon them,” +Penny protested.</p> +<p>“We’ll have the plates developed, and let police see +them,” Mr. Parker decided. “But the plates must +remain in our hands. Come on, let’s go!”</p> +<p>At a nod from the publisher, Salt started the press +car, and without being instructed, headed for the <i>Star</i> +building.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_202">[202]</div> +<p>“How long will it take you to develop those plates?” +Mr. Parker asked the photographer.</p> +<p>“Ten minutes.”</p> +<p>“Good!” approved the publisher. “If they reveal +anything, we’ll telephone the police station at once.”</p> +<p>As the car coasted to a standstill alongside the <i>Star</i> +building, Penny’s gaze roved to the darkened offices +next door. All of the floors save one were without +light. But in the suite occupied by the <i>Mirror</i>, a man +plainly could be seen moving to and fro.</p> +<p>“There is Jason Cordell now!” she drew attention +to him. “Why do you suppose he’s at his office so +late tonight?”</p> +<p>“There’s no crime in that,” replied Mr. Parker. +“He may be guilty as Ben says, but I’ll not believe it +until I have the proof.”</p> +<p>Letting themselves into the newspaper building, the +three went up the back stairs to the photography +studio. Salt immediately set about developing the +plates.</p> +<p>“Something is coming up all right!” he declared +jubilantly, as he rocked the developer tray back and +forth.</p> +<p>In a few minutes, Salt had washed the plates and +was able to examine them beneath the red light. One +was blurred and revealed little. But the other plainly +showed a man fleeing toward a waiting car.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_203">[203]</div> +<p>“Why, the man is Webb Nelson!” Penny exclaimed, +recognizing him.</p> +<p>“But notice the driver of the car,” Salt said. “It’s +Jason Cordell! Ben was right.”</p> +<p>“Then the man is guilty!” Penny cried. “Oh, Dad, +I was certain of it!”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker scanned the plate carefully to ascertain +there was no possible mistake.</p> +<p>“Yes, it’s Jason Cordell,” he agreed. “The truth +is hard to believe. Why, I lunched with him only +yesterday—”</p> +<p>“Dad, he’s a criminal no matter how respectable he +has acted.”</p> +<p>“You’re right,” acknowledged Mr. Parker. “I’ll +notify the police at once and have him picked up for +questioning.”</p> +<p>Transmitting the important information to police +headquarters, Mr. Parker talked with Captain Bricker +who promised to take personal charge of the matter. +As the publisher hung up the receiver, he was startled +to have Penny grasp his arm. Excitedly, she pointed +out the window.</p> +<p>“Now what?” he asked, failing to understand.</p> +<p>“The light just went off in Mr. Cordell’s office! +He’s leaving!”</p> +<p>“Then we’ll stop him,” her father decided. “Salt, +you stay here and rush that plate through! I’ll detain +Cordell by one means or another until the police arrive!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_204">[204]</div> +<p>With Penny close beside him, he ran down the back +stairs to the street. Breathlessly they arrived at the +next building. The elevator was not running, but +they could hear someone coming down the stairway. +Then Jason Cordell, a brief case tucked under his arm, +came into view. He stopped short upon seeing Mr. +Parker and his daughter.</p> +<p>“Working late?” Mr. Parker inquired pleasantly.</p> +<p>“That’s right,” agreed the other. He would have +walked on, but the publisher barred the exit.</p> +<p>“By the way, I met a friend of yours tonight,” Mr. +Parker said, stalling for time.</p> +<p>“That so? Who was he?”</p> +<p>“Webb Nelson.”</p> +<p>Mr. Cordell’s face did not change expression, but +his eyes narrowed guardedly.</p> +<p>“Not a friend of mine,” he corrected carelessly.</p> +<p>“But I’ve seen him in your office,” Penny said.</p> +<p>Mr. Cordell looked her straight in the eyes and +smiled as if in amusement. “That may be,” he admitted, +“but all who come to my office are not my +friends.”</p> +<p>He tried to pass again, but Mr. Parker stood his +ground. “Say, what is this?” Mr. Cordell demanded, +suddenly suspicious.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_205">[205]</div> +<p>“I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you a few questions about +your friend Webb Nelson. Suppose we go back to +your office.”</p> +<p>“Suppose we don’t,” Cordell retorted. “I’m tired +and I’m going home. If you want to see me, come +around tomorrow during business hours.”</p> +<p>“Which may be too late.”</p> +<p>“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the <i>Mirror</i> +editor blustered. “Furthermore, I’m not interested. +Get out of my way.”</p> +<p>Instead, Mr. Parker grasped him firmly by the arm. +Cordell tried to jerk free, and in so doing, dropped his +brief case, which Penny promptly seized.</p> +<p>“Give that to me!” the man shouted furiously.</p> +<p>Penny smiled, for through the plate glass window +she had observed the approach of a police car. Another +moment and uniformed men were swarming +about Mr. Cordell.</p> +<p>“What is the meaning of this?” the man demanded +angrily. “I’ll report you all to the Safety Director +who is my friend!”</p> +<p>“You’ll report to him all right,” agreed Captain +Bricker. “Now come along quietly. If you can answer +a few questions satisfactorily, you’ll be allowed +to return home.”</p> +<p>“What do you want to know?” Cordell asked sullenly.</p> +<p>“Where were you on the night of the 16th?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_206">[206]</div> +<p>“Now how should I know?” the man retorted +sarcastically. “I can’t remember that far back. But +probably I was home in bed.”</p> +<p>“You’re wanted in connection with the Conway +dynamiting,” the officer informed him.</p> +<p>Mr. Cordell snorted with anger. “Of all the ridiculous +charges! I know nothing about the affair.”</p> +<p>Out of the door burst Salt Sommers. He was +without a hat, but he carried a picture, still wet, in +the palm of his hand.</p> +<p>“So you know nothing about the dynamiting,” he +mimicked. “Well, gentlemen, take a look at this!”</p> +<p>Mr. Cordell and the policemen gathered about him, +studying the photograph. Plainly it showed Webb +Nelson fleeing toward a car driven by the <i>Mirror</i> +editor.</p> +<p>“What does this prove?” the man blustered. “I +admit the car is mine. I was driving past the plant at +the time of the explosion. This fellow, Nelson, leaped +into my auto and ordered me to drive on.”</p> +<p>“A moment ago you claimed you weren’t even +near the Conway Plant,” Penny tripped him. “You +knew Webb Nelson very well. Furthermore, you +entered the <i>Star</i> offices several times trying to get your +hands on this picture!”</p> +<p>“Ridiculous!”</p> +<p>“At least once when you found the stairway door +locked, you went in through the skylight,” Penny +accused.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_207">[207]</div> +<p>“Of all the crazy ideas!” The editor laughed jeeringly. +“Imagine me crawling through a skylight!”</p> +<p>“I notice your coat has a torn place,” Penny said, +taking a scrap of blue wool from her purse. “This, I +believe, is a perfect match.”</p> +<p>Mr. Cordell gazed at the wool and shrugged. “All +right,” he admitted coolly. “I did crawl through the +skylight twice to see if I could find the picture. I +knew this fool photographer had snapped a picture +of me, and I feared I might be falsely accused.”</p> +<p>“Then you knew Nelson was mixed up in the dynamiting?” +Captain Bricker questioned.</p> +<p>“I wasn’t certain,” Mr. Cordell said in confusion. +“The reason I didn’t report to the police was that I +was afraid of being involved. After that night, Webb +Nelson tried to blackmail me. Because of my position, +I dared have no publicity.”</p> +<p>The <i>Mirror</i> editor’s explanation carried a certain +amount of conviction, and Penny was dismayed to +hear Captain Bricker assure him that if a mistake had +been made he would be granted freedom immediately +after he had talked to the police chief.</p> +<p>“I shall accompany you without protest,” the <i>Mirror</i> +editor returned stiffly. “Later I shall file charges +against those who have tried to damage my character.”</p> +<p>Captain Bricker asked Salt for the picture which he +intended to take to police headquarters.</p> +<p>“May I see it a moment?” Penny requested.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_208">[208]</div> +<p>He gave the picture to her. She studied it and her +face brightened. “Captain Bricker, look at this!” she +exclaimed, pointing to an object in the car which +barely was noticeable.</p> +<p>Everyone gathered about Penny, peering at the +photograph. On the rear seat of the car driven by +Mr. Cordell was a box which plainly bore the printing: +“Salvage Company—Explosives.”</p> +<p>“Ed McClusky who works for the Salvage Company, +told me that dynamite had been stolen from his +firm,” Penny declared. “And here it is in Mr. Cordell’s +automobile! Apparently, he wasn’t just driving +by the plant at the time of the explosion! This picture +proves why he was there!”</p> +<p>“Right you are, young lady,” chuckled Captain +Bricker. “You’ve pinned the goods on him for fair.” +Prodding the <i>Mirror</i> editor with his stick, he ordered +curtly: “Get along, you! This puts a different face +on it. You’ll be spending the rest of the night in the +Safety building.”</p> +<p>After Mr. Cordell, still protesting his innocence, +had been taken away, Penny, her father, and Salt returned +to the deserted newspaper building.</p> +<p>“Will Cordell manage to get free?” she asked anxiously.</p> +<p>“Not a chance of it,” Mr. Parker answered. “That +picture tags him right. With Ed McClusky and Ben +to testify against him, he’s the same as convicted now.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_209">[209]</div> +<p>“Speaking of Ben, what’s to be done about him, +Dad?”</p> +<p>“We’ll give him a job here. He’s had unfair treatment, +but we’ll make it up to him. However, we’ll +have to let one employee go.”</p> +<p>“Not me?” Penny asked anxiously.</p> +<p>“No,” her father laughed. “It’s your friend, Elda +Hunt. Her attitude isn’t right. We’ve tried to give +her a chance, but over and over she has demonstrated +that she isn’t cut out to be a newspaper woman.”</p> +<p>“She’ll probably blame me for her discharge,” +Penny sighed. “Not that it matters. I ceased worrying +about Elda a long while ago.”</p> +<p>“She’ll have no difficulty getting work elsewhere, +and I hope she’ll be better adjusted.”</p> +<p>“How about the story of Mr. Cordell’s arrest? And +the picture?” Penny inquired. “Will the <i>Star</i> print +them tomorrow?”</p> +<p>“On the front page of our first edition,” Mr. Parker +chuckled. “Salt didn’t turn over the plate to the +police, so we’re all set. By morning, the story should +be bigger and better than ever. By then, the guilt will +be well pinned on Cordell, and some of the <i>Snark</i> +gang may have been rounded up.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_210">[210]</div> +<p>Curious to learn the very latest details, Salt called +the police station. He was told that Ben Bartell had +identified several of the <i>Snark’s</i> crew from police pictures, +and it was expected all would be arrested within +twenty-four hours.</p> +<p>“Not a bad night’s work,” Mr. Parker chuckled, as +he snapped off the photography room lights. “Everything +locked?”</p> +<p>“How about the skylight?” asked Penny.</p> +<p>“Open again,” reported Salt as he checked it. “It’s +just no use trying to get folks to cooperate around +here. Too many fresh air fiends.”</p> +<p>“Let it stay unlocked,” Mr. Parker directed carelessly. +“With our prowler safely behind bars, we’ve +no further cause for worry.” He looked at his watch. +“Now, even though it is late, suppose we go and celebrate?”</p> +<p>“Oh, fine!” cried Penny. “And why not stop at +the Safety building and ask Ben Bartell to go with us? +I want to tell him about his new job.”</p> +<p>“So do I,” agreed her father heartily. “Where +shall we go?”</p> +<p>Penny linked arms with Salt and her father, skipping +as she piloted them down the dark hall.</p> +<p>“Just a quiet place where they serve big juicy +steaks,” she decided. “If I know Ben, that’s what he +would like best of all.”</p> +<h2>Transcriber’s Notes</h2> +<ul> +<li>Replaced the list of books in the series by the complete list, +as in the final book, “The Cry at Midnight”.</li> +<li>Silently corrected a handful of palpable typos.</li> +</ul> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Signal in the Dark, by Mildred A. 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Wirt + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Signal in the Dark + +Author: Mildred A. Wirt + +Release Date: January 4, 2011 [EBook #34850] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIGNAL IN THE DARK *** + + + + +Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Charlie Howard, and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + Signal + in the + Dark + + + _By_ + MILDRED A. WIRT + + _Author of_ + MILDRED A. WIRT MYSTERY STORIES + TRAILER STORIES FOR GIRLS + + _Illustrated_ + + CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY + _Publishers_ + NEW YORK + + + + + _PENNY PARKER_ + MYSTERY STORIES + + _Large 12 mo. Cloth Illustrated_ + + + TALE OF THE WITCH DOLL + THE VANISHING HOUSEBOAT + DANGER AT THE DRAWBRIDGE + BEHIND THE GREEN DOOR + CLUE OF THE SILKEN LADDER + THE SECRET PACT + THE CLOCK STRIKES THIRTEEN + THE WISHING WELL + SABOTEURS ON THE RIVER + GHOST BEYOND THE GATE + HOOFBEATS ON THE TURNPIKE + VOICE FROM THE CAVE + GUILT OF THE BRASS THIEVES + SIGNAL IN THE DARK + WHISPERING WALLS + SWAMP ISLAND + THE CRY AT MIDNIGHT + + + COPYRIGHT, 1946, BY CUPPLES AND LEON CO. + + Signal in the Dark + + PRINTED IN U. S. A. + + + + + _CONTENTS_ + + + CHAPTER PAGE + 1 HELP WANTED _1_ + 2 EXPLOSION! _10_ + 3 SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT _18_ + 4 THE MISSING PLATES _26_ + 5 SHADOW ON THE SKYLIGHT _35_ + 6 BEN'S STORY _44_ + 7 MAN OVERBOARD! _52_ + 8 A SWINGING CHAIN _61_ + 9 THE METAL DISC _69_ + 10 COUNTRY SKIES _79_ + 11 A FAMILIAR CAR _87_ + 12 THE PROFESSOR'S HELPER _96_ + 13 BEHIND OFFICE DOORS _104_ + 14 A NOTE FROM BEN _112_ + 15 THE DEMONSTRATION _120_ + 16 SUSPICION _128_ + 17 MAJOR BRYAN _137_ + 18 A SECOND TEST _144_ + 19 THE LANTERN SIGNAL _153_ + 20 A CROOK EXPOSED _161_ + 21 IN SEARCH OF WEBB _170_ + 22 SALT'S MISSING CAMERA _178_ + 23 ESCAPE BY NIGHT _184_ + 24 A RAID ON THE _Snark_ _192_ + 25 PICTURE PROOF _200_ + + + + + CHAPTER + 1 + _HELP WANTED_ + + +"The situation is getting worse instead of better, Penny. Three of our +reporters are sick, and we're trying to run the paper with only a third +of our normal editorial staff." Anthony Parker, publisher of the +_Riverview Star_, whirled around in the swivel chair to face his daughter +who sat opposite him in the private office of the newspaper. "Frankly, +I'm up against it," he added gloomily. + +Penny, a slim girl with deep, intelligent blue eyes, uncurled herself +from the window ledge. Carefully, she dusted her brown wool skirt which +had picked up a cobweb and streaks of dirt. + +"You could use a janitor around here too," she hinted teasingly. "How +about hiring me?" + +"As queen of the dustmop brigade?" + +"As a reporter," Penny corrected. "I'm serious, Dad. You're desperate for +employes. I'm desperate for spending money. I have three weeks school +vacation coming up, so why not strike a bargain?" + +"The paper needs experienced workers, Penny." + +"Precisely." + +"You're a very good writer," Mr. Parker admitted. "In fact, in months +past you turned in some of the best feature stories the _Star_ ever +printed. But always they were special assignments. We must have a +reporter who can work a daily, eight-hour grind and be depended upon to +handle routine stories with speed, accuracy and efficiency." + +"And you think I am not what the doctor ordered?" + +"I think," corrected Mr. Parker, "that you would blow your pretty little +top by the end of the second day. For instance, it's not easy nor +pleasant to write obituaries. Yet it must be done, and accurately. On +this paper, a new reporter is expected to do rewrites and other tedious +work. You wouldn't like it, Penny." + +"I'd take it neatly in my stride, Dad. Why not try me and see?" + +Mr. Parker shook his head and began to read the three-star edition of the +paper, its ink still damp from the press. + +"Give me one sound, logical reason for turning me down," Penny persisted. + +"Very well. You are my daughter. Our editors might feel that they were +compelled to treat you with special consideration--give you the best +assignments--handle you with kid gloves." + +"You could take care of that matter easily enough." + +"If they took my instructions seriously, you might not like it," the +newspaper owner warned. "A reporter learns hard and bitter lessons. Mr. +DeWitt, for instance, is a fine editor--our best, but he has a temper +and--" + +The frosted glass door swung open and an elderly, slightly bald man in +shirt sleeves slouched in. Seeing Penny, he would have retreated, had not +Mr. Parker called him back. + +"What's on your mind, DeWitt?" + +"Trouble," growled the editor. "That no-good, addle-brained boy we hired +as night police reporter, just blew up! Said it was too confining to sit +in a police station all night waiting for something to happen! So he gets +himself a job in a canning factory! Now we're another employee short." + +"Dad, let me take over the night police job!" Penny pleaded. + +Both her father and Mr. DeWitt smiled as if suffering from intense pain. +"Penny," Mr. Parker explained gently. "Night police work isn't suitable +for a girl. Furthermore, it is one of the most undesirable jobs on a +paper." + +"But I want to work somewhere, and you're so stubborn!" + +Mr. DeWitt studied Penny with concentrated interest. Hope flickered in +his eyes. Turning abruptly to Mr. Parker he asked: "Why not, Chief? We +could use her on the desk for rewrite. We're mighty hard up, and that's a +fact." + +"What about the personnel problem?" Mr. Parker frowned. "How would the +staff take it?" + +"Some of the reporters might not like it," Mr. DeWitt admitted, "but +who's running this paper anyhow?" + +"I often wonder," sighed Mr. Parker. + +Detecting signs of a weakening, Penny appealed to Mr. DeWitt. "Wouldn't I +be a help to you if I were on the staff?" she urged. + +"Why, sure," he agreed cautiously. + +"There, you see, Dad! Mr. DeWitt wants me!" + +"Penny, it's a personnel problem," her father explained with growing +impatience. "The other reporters might not consider you a welcome +addition to the staff. You would expect favors." + +"I never would!" + +"We need her," said Mr. DeWitt significantly. "We really do." + +With two against him, Mr. Parker suddenly gave in. + +"All right," he agreed. "Penny, we'll put you on as a cub reporter. That +means you'll start as a beginner with a beginner's salary and do routine +work until you've proved your merit. You'll expect no special +consideration. Is that understood?" + +"Perfectly!" Grinning from ear to ear, Penny would have agreed to +anything. + +"Furthermore, if the work gets you down, I won't have you coming to me +asking for a change." + +"I'll never darken your office door, Dad. Just one question. How much +money does a beginner get?" + +"Twenty-five dollars." + +Penny's face was a blank. + +"It will be more than you are worth the first few weeks," Mr. Parker +said. + +"I'll take it," Penny declared hastily. "When do I start?" + +"Right now," decided her father. "DeWitt, introduce her to the staff, and +put her to work." + +Feeling highly elated but a trifle self-conscious, Penny followed Editor +DeWitt past the photography studio and the A.P. wire room to the main +newsroom where reporters were tapping at their typewriters. + +"Gang," said Mr. DeWitt in an all inclusive introduction. "This is Penny +Parker. She'll be working here for a few weeks." + +Heads lifted and appraising eyes focused upon her. Nearly everyone nodded +and smiled, but one girl who sat at the far end of a long typewriter +table regarded her with an intent, almost hostile stare. And as luck +would have it, Mr. DeWitt assigned Penny to the typewriter adjoining +hers. + +"This is Elda Hunt," he introduced her. "Show Penny the ropes, will you?" + +The girl, a blonde, with heavily-rouged cheeks, patted the rigid rolls of +her hair into place. Staring at Mr. DeWitt, she answered not a word. + +"I'll have a lot to learn," Penny said, trying to make friendly +conversation. + +Elda shrugged. "You're the publisher's daughter, aren't you?" she +inquired. + +"Yes." + +"Then I don't think you'll have too hard a time," the girl drawled. + +Penny started to reply, but thought better of it. Seating herself beside +Elda, she unhooded the typewriter, rolled a sheet of copy paper into it, +and experimented with the keys. + +The main newsroom was a confusion of sound. Although work was being +handled with dispatch, there was an air of tension, for press time on the +five-star edition was drawing close. Telephones were ringing, and Editor +DeWitt, who sat at the head of the big rectangular desk, tersely assigned +reporters to take the incoming calls. Not far from Penny's ear, the +police shortwave radio blared. Copy boys ran to and fro. + +Benny Jewell, the assistant editor, tossed her a handful of typewritten +sheets. + +"Take these handouts and make 'em into shorts," he instructed briefly. + +"Handouts?" Penny asked in bewilderment. "Shorts?" + +"Cut the stories to a paragraph or two each." + +"Oh," said Penny, catching on. "You want me to rewrite them." + +At her elbow, Elda openly snickered. + +Color stained Penny's cheeks, but she quietly read the first sheet, which +was an account of a meeting to be held the following week. Picking out +the most important facts, she boiled the story down to two short +paragraphs, and dropped the finished copy into the editor's wire basket. + +Only then did Elda speak. "You're supposed to make two carbons of every +story you write," she said pityingly. + +The girl might have told her sooner, Penny thought. However, she thanked +her politely, and finding carbon paper, rewrote the story. In her +nervousness she inserted one of the carbons upside down, ruining the +impression. As she removed the sheets from the machine, she saw what she +had done. Elda saw too, and smiled in a superior way. + +"She dislikes me intensely," Penny thought. "I wonder why? I've not done +a thing to her." + +Aware that she had wasted paper and valuable time, Penny recopied the +story a third time and turned it in to the editor. After that, she +rewrote the additional stories with fairly good speed. By watching other +reporters she learned that the carbon copies were speared on spindles +which at intervals a copy boy collected and carried away. + +A telephone rang, and this time, Mr. DeWitt, looking straight at Penny, +said: "An obituary. Will you take it?" + +She went to the phone and copied down the facts carefully, knowing that +while death notices were routine, they were of vital interest to readers +of the paper. Any mistake of fact could prove serious. + +Returning to her typewriter, she wrote the item. But after she had turned +it in, Mr. DeWitt called her to his desk. He was pleasant but firm. + +"What day are services to be held?" he asked. "Who are the survivors? +Where did the woman die? Furthermore, we never use the word 'Funeral +Home'. Instead, we say 'mortuary'." + +Penny telephoned for more information, and finally after rewriting the +notice twice more, succeeded in getting it past Mr. DeWitt. But as he +tossed the story to a copy reader, she saw that he had pencilled several +changes. + +"There's more to writing routine stories than I thought," she reflected. +"I'll really have to dig in unless I want to disgrace Dad." + +Penny was given another obituary to write which proved nearly as +difficult as the first. Hopelessly discouraged, she started for the rest +room to get a drink and wash her hands. + +As she entered the lounge, voices reached her ears, and instantly she +realized that Elda Hunt was talking to another girl reporter about her. + +"The publisher's daughter!" she heard her say scathingly. "As if we +aren't having a hard enough time here, without having to coddle her +along!" + +"I didn't think she seemed so bad," the other replied. "She'll catch on." + +"She'll be promoted over all our heads if that's what you mean!" Elda +retorted bitterly. "I know for a fact, she's starting at fifty a week, +and no experience! If you ask me, it's unfair! We should walk out of +here, and see how those fine editors would like that!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 2 + _EXPLOSION!_ + + +Penny's first thought was to accost the two girls and correct the +misstatements. But sober reflection convinced her she could make no +graver mistake. Far better, she reasoned, to ignore the entire matter. + +She quickly washed her hands, purposely making enough noise to draw +attention to her presence. Elda and her friend became silent. A moment +later, coming through the inner door of the powder room, they saw her, +but offered no comment. Penny hastily returned to the newsroom. + +For the remainder of the day she worked with deep concentration, only +dimly aware of what went on about her. Seemingly there were endless +numbers of obituaries to write. Telephones rang constantly. Work was +never finished, for as soon as one edition was off the press, another was +in the making. + +Now and then Penny caught herself glancing toward an empty desk at the +far corner of the room. Jerry Livingston had sat there until a year ago +when he had been granted a leave of absence to join the Army Air Force. +Unquestionably the _Star's_ most talented reporter, he had been Penny's +best friend. + +"I wish Jerry were here," she thought wistfully. "But if he were, he'd +tell me to buckle down and not let this job lick me! Dad warned me it +would be hard, monotonous work." + +Penny worked with renewed energy. After awhile she began to feel that she +was making definite progress. Mr. Jewell, the assistant editor, made +fewer corrections as he read over her copy, and now and then she actually +saw him nod approvingly. Once when she turned in a rewritten +"hand-out"--a publicity story which had been sent to the paper in +unusable form--he praised her for giving it a fresh touch. + +"Good lead," he commented. "You're coming along all right." + +Elda heard the praise and her eyes snapped angrily. At her typewriter, +she slammed the carriage. No one noticed except Penny. A moment later, +Mr. DeWitt called Elda to his desk, saying severely: + +"Watch the spelling of names, Elda. This is the third one we've checked +you on today. Don't you ever consult the city directory?" + +"Of course I do!" Elda was indignant. + +"Well, watch it," Mr. DeWitt said again. "We must have accuracy." + +With a swish of skirts, Elda went back to her desk. Her face was as dark +as a thunder cloud. Deliberately she dawdled over her next piece of copy. +After she had turned it in, she returned to the editor's desk to take it +from the wire basket and make additional corrections. + +"Just being extra careful of names," she said arrogantly as the assistant +editor shot her a quick, inquiring glance. + +Thinking no more of the incident, Penny kept on with her own work. She +took special care with names, even looking up in the city directory those +of which she was almost certain. When she turned in a piece of copy, she +was satisfied that not a name or fact was inaccurate. + +Late in the afternoon, she noticed that Mr. DeWitt and Mr. Jewell +appeared displeased about a story they had found in the Five Star edition +of the paper. After reading it, they talked together, and then sorted +through a roll of discarded copy, evidently searching for the original. +Finally, Mr. DeWitt called: + +"Miss Parker!" + +Wondering what she had done wrong, Penny went quickly to his desk. + +"You wrote this story?" he asked, jabbing a pencil at one of the printed +obituaries. + +"Why, yes," Penny acknowledged. "Is anything wrong with it?" + +"Only that you've buried the wrong man," DeWitt said sarcastically. +"Where did you get that name?" + +Penny felt actually sick, and her skin prickled with heat. She stared at +the story in print. It said that John Gorman had died that morning in +Mercy Hospital. + +"The man who died was John Borman," DeWitt said grimly. "It happens that +John Gorman is one of the city's most prominent industrialists. We've +made the correction, but it was too late to catch two-thirds of the +papers." + +Penny stared again at the name, her mind working slowly. + +"But Mr. DeWitt," she protested. "I don't think I wrote it that way. I +knew the correct name was Borman. I'm sure that was how I turned it in." + +"Maybe you hit a wrong letter on the typewriter," the editor said less +severely. "That's why one always should read over a story after it's +written." + +"But I did that too," Penny said, and then bit her lip, because she +realized she was arguing about the matter. + +"We'll look at the carbons," decided Mr. DeWitt. + +They had been taken from the spindles by copy boys, but the editor +ordered the entire day's work returned to his desk. Pawing through the +sheets, he came to the one Penny had written. Swiftly he compared it with +the original copy. + +"You're right!" he exclaimed in amazement. "The carbons show you wrote +the name John Borman, not Gorman." + +"I knew I did!" + +"But the copy that was turned into the basket said John Gorman. Didn't +you change it on the first sheet?" + +"Indeed I didn't, Mr. DeWitt." + +Scowling, the editor compared the two copies. Obviously on the original +sheet, a neat erasure had been made, and a typewritten letter _G_ had +been substituted for _B_. + +"There's something funny about this," Mr. DeWitt said. "Mighty funny!" +His gaze roved about the typewriter table, focusing for an instant upon +Elda who had been listening intently to the conversation. "Never mind," +he added to Penny. "We'll look into this." + +Later, she saw him showing the copy sheets to the assistant editor. +Seemingly, the two men were deeply puzzled as to how the error had been +made. Penny had her own opinion. + +"Elda did it," she thought resentfully. "I'll wager she removed the sheet +from the wire basket when she pretended to be making a correction on her +own story!" + +Having no proof, Penny wisely kept her thoughts to herself. But she knew +that in the future she must take double precautions to guard against +other tricks to discredit her. + +At the end of the day, the newsroom rapidly emptied. One by one, +reporters covered their typewriters and left the building. A few of the +girls remained, among them, Penny and Elda. Editor DeWitt was putting on +his hat when the telephone rang. + +Absently he reached for it and then straightened to alert attention. +Grabbing a sheet of copy paper, he scrawled a few words. Eyes focused +upon him, for instinctively everyone knew that something important had +happened. + +DeWitt hung up the receiver, his eyes staring into space for an instant. +Then he seized the telephone again and called the composing room. + +"Hold the paper!" he ordered tersely. "We're making over the front page!" + +The news was electrifying, for only a story of the greatest importance +would bring an order to stop the thundering presses once they had started +to roll. + +Calling the photography room, DeWitt demanded: "Is Salt Sommers still +there? Tell him to grab his camera and get over to the Conway Steel Plant +in double-quick time! There's been a big explosion! They think it's +sabotage!" + +The editor's harassed gaze then wandered over the little group of +remaining reporters. Elda pushed toward the desk. + +"You want me to go over there, Chief?" she demanded eagerly. + +DeWitt did not appear to hear her. Seizing the telephone once more, he +tried without success to get two of the men reporters who had left the +office only a few minutes earlier. + +Slamming down the receiver, his gloomy gaze focused upon Elda for an +instant. But he passed her by. + +"Miss Parker!" + +Penny was beside him in a flash. + +"Ride with Salt Sommers to the Conway Plant!" he ordered tersely. "Two +men have been reported killed in the explosion! Get everything you can +and hold on until relieved!" + +Seizing hat and purse, Penny made a dash for the stairway. No need for +DeWitt to tell her that this was a big story! Because all the other +reporters except Elda were gone, she had been given the assignment! But +could she make good? + +"This is my chance!" she thought jubilantly. "DeWitt probably thinks I'll +fold up, but I'll prove to him I can get the facts as well as one of his +seasoned reporters." + +Penny was well acquainted with Salt Sommers, who next to Jerry Livingston +was her best friend. Reaching the ground floor, she saw his battered car +starting away from the curb. + +"Salt!" she shouted. "Wait!" + +The photographer halted and swung open the car door. She slid in beside +him. + +"What are you doing here, Penny?" he demanded, shifting gears. + +"I'm your little assistant," Penny broke the news gently. "I just started +to work on the paper." + +"And DeWitt assigned you to this story?" + +"He couldn't help himself. Nearly everyone else had left the office." + +The car whirled around a corner and raced through a traffic light just as +it turned amber. Suddenly from far away, there came a dull explosion +which rocked the pavement. Salt and Penny stared at each other with alert +comprehension. + +"That was at the Conway Plant!" the photographer exclaimed, pushing his +foot hard on the gas pedal. "Penny, we've got a real assignment ahead of +us!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 3 + _SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT_ + + +Darkness shrouded the streets as the press car careened toward the +outskirts of the city where the Conway Steel Plant was situated. Rattling +over the river bridge, Salt and Penny caught their first glimpse of the +factory. + +Flames were shooting high into the sky from one of the buildings, and +employes poured in panic through the main gate. No policemen were yet in +evidence, nor had the fire department arrived. + +Pulling up at the curb, Salt seized his camera and stuffed a handful of +flashbulbs into his pockets. Grabbing Penny's elbow, he steered her +toward the gate. To get through the barrier, they fought their way past +the outsurging, panic-stricken tide of fleeing employes. + +"Scared?" Salt asked as they paused to stare at the shooting flames. + +"A little," Penny admitted truthfully. "Will there be any more +explosions?" + +"That's the chance we're taking. DeWitt shouldn't have sent you on this +assignment!" + +"He couldn't know there would be other explosions," Penny replied. +"Besides, someone had to cover the story, and no one else was there. I +can handle it." + +"I think you can too," said Salt quietly. "But you'll have to work alone. +My job is to take pictures." + +"I'll meet you at the car," Penny threw over her shoulder as she left +him. + +Scarcely knowing how or where to begin, she ran toward the burning +building. One of the smaller storage structures of the factory, it was +not connected with the main office. The larger building remained intact. +Workmen with an inadequate hose were making a frantic effort to keep the +flames from spreading to the other structures. + +Penny ran up to one of the men, plucking at his sleeve to command +attention. + +"What set off the explosion?" she shouted in his ear. + +"Don't know," he replied above the roar of the flames. + +"Anyone killed?" + +"Two workmen. They're over there." The man waved his hand vaguely toward +another building. + +Unable to gain more information, Penny ran toward the nearby structure. +The wind, she noted, was carrying flames in the opposite direction. +Unless there were further explosions, danger of the fire spreading was +not great. + +Entering the building, she met several men who appeared to be officials +of the company. + +"I'm looking for Mr. Conway!" she accosted them. "Is he here?" + +"Who are you?" one of the men asked bluntly. + +"I'm Penny Parker from the _Star_." + +"My name is Conway. What do you want to know?" + +"How many killed and injured?" + +"Two killed. Three or four injured. Perhaps more. We don't know yet." + +Penny asked for names which were given her. But when she inquired how the +explosion had occurred, Mr. Conway suddenly became uncommunicative. + +"I have no statement to make," he said curtly. "We don't know what caused +the trouble." + +As if fearing that Penny would ask questions he did not wish to answer, +the factory owner eluded her and disappeared into the darkness. + +Running back to the burning building, Penny caught a glimpse of Salt +taking a picture. From another workman she sought to glean additional +details of the disaster. + +"I was in the foundry when the first blast went off!" he revealed. "Just +a minute before the explosion, I seen a man in a light overcoat and a +dark hat, run from the building." + +"Who was he?" + +"No one I ever saw workin' at this plant. But I'll warrant, he touched +off that explosion!" + +"Then you think he was a saboteur?" + +"Sure." + +Penny did not place too much stock in the story, but as she wandered +about among the excited employes, she heard others saying that they too +had seen the strange man running from the building. No one knew his name +nor could they provide an accurate description. + +Sirens screamed, proclaiming the arrival of fire engines. As the ladders +went up, and streams of water began to play on the blazing structure, +Salt snapped several more pictures. His hat was gone, and his face had +become streaked with soot. + +"I got some good shots!" he told Penny enthusiastically as he sought her +at the fringe of the crowd. "What luck you having?" + +Penny told him everything she had learned. + +"We'll talk with the Fire Chief and then let's head for a telephone and +call the office," Salt declared. + +As they started toward the fire lines, a strange sound accosted their +ears. Hearing it, Salt stopped short to listen. From the gates outside +the factory came the rumbling murmur of an angry crowd. + +"A mob must be forming!" Salt exclaimed. "Something's up!" + +He started for the gate with Penny hard at his heels. + +At first they could not see what had caused the commotion. But as the +group of angry employes swept nearer the gate, a man in a light overcoat +who apparently was fleeing for his life, leaped into a car which waited +at the curb. + +"Quick!" Penny cried. "Take a picture!" + +Salt already had his camera into position. As the car started up, the +flash bulb went off. + +"Got it!" Salt exclaimed triumphantly. + +Penny tried to note the license number of the automobile, but the plate +was so covered with mud she could not read a single figure. The car +whirled around a corner and was lost to view. + +"Salt, that man may have been the one who set off the explosion!" Penny +cried. "The mob is of that opinion at least!" + +Angry employes now were bearing directly toward Penny and Salt. Suddenly +a woman in the crowd pointed toward the photographer, shouting: "There he +is! Get him!" + +Dismayed, Penny saw then that Salt wore a light overcoat which bore a +striking resemblance to the garment of the fleeing stranger. Their builds +too were somewhat similar, for both were thin and angular. In the +darkness, the mob had failed to see the car roll away, and had mistaken +Salt for the saboteur. + +"Let's get out of here!" Salt muttered. "One thing you can't do is argue +with a mob!" + +He and Penny started in the opposite direction, only to be faced by a +smaller group of workmen who had swarmed from another factory gate. +Escape was cut off. + +"Tell them we're from the _Star_!" Penny urged, but as she beheld the +angry faces, she realized how futile were her words. + +"They'll wreck my equipment before I can explain anything!" Salt said +swiftly. He thrust the camera into her hands. "Here, take this and try to +keep it safe! And these plates!" + +Empty-handed, Salt turned to face the mob. Not knowing what to do, Penny +tried to cut across the street. But the crowd evidently had taken her for +a companion of the saboteur, and was determined she should not escape. + +"Don't let her get away!" shouted a woman in slacks, her voice shrill +with excitement. "Get her!" + +A car was coming slowly down the street. Its driver, a woman, was +watching the flaming building, and had rolled down the window glass to +see better. The window of the rear seat also was halfway down. + +As the women of the mob bore down upon Penny, she acted impulsively to +save Salt's camera and the precious plates. Without thinking of the +ultimate consequence, she tossed them through the open rear window onto +the back seat of the moving car. + +The driver, her attention focused upon the blazing factory, apparently +did not observe the act, for she continued slowly on down the street. + +"D F 3005," Penny noted the license number. "If only I can remember!" + +The factory women were upon the girl, seizing her roughly by the +shoulders and shouting accusations. Penny's jacket was ripped as she +jerked free. + +"I'm a reporter for the _Star_!" she cried desperately. "Sent here to +cover the story!" + +The words made not the slightest impression upon the women. But before +they could lay hands upon her again, she fled across the street. The +women did not pursue her, for just then two police cars rolled up to the +curb. + +Penny, greatly relieved, ran to summon help. + +"Quick!" she urged the policemen. "That crazy mob has mistaken a reporter +for one of the saboteurs who escaped in a car!" + +With drawn clubs, the policemen battled their way through the crowd. +Already Salt had been roughly handled. But arrival of the police saved +him from further mistreatment, and fearful of arrest, the mob began to +scatter. In another moment the photographer was free, although a bit +battered. His coat had been torn to shreds, one eye had been blackened, +and blood trickled from a cut on his lower lip. + +"Are you all right?" he asked anxiously as Penny rushed to him. + +"Oh, yes! But you're a sight, Salt. They half killed you!" + +"I'm okay," Salt insisted. "The important thing is we've got a whale of a +story, and we saved the camera and pictures." + +A stricken look came over Penny's face. + +"Salt--" she stammered. "Your camera--" + +"It was smashed?" + +"No, I tossed it into a car, but the car went on down the street. How +we'll ever find it again I don't know!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 4 + _THE MISSING PLATES_ + + +Salt did not criticise Penny when he learned exactly what had happened. + +"I'd rather lose a dozen pictures than have my camera smashed," he +declared to cheer her. "Anyway, we may be able to trace the car and get +everything back. Remember the license number?" + +"D F 3005," Penny said promptly, and wrote it down lest she forget. + +"Let's call the license bureau and get the owner's name," the +photographer proposed, steering her toward a corner drugstore. "Gosh, +it's late!" he added, noticing a clock in a store window. "And they're +holding the paper for our story and pictures!" + +"I certainly messed everything up," Penny said dismally. "At the moment, +it seemed the thing to do. When those women started for me, I thought it +was the only way to save the camera." + +"Don't worry about it," Salt comforted. "I'll get the camera back." + +"But how will we catch the edition with your pictures?" + +"That's a horse of a different color," Salt admitted ruefully. "Anyway, +it's my funeral. I'll tell DeWitt something." + +"I'll tell him myself," Penny said firmly. "I lost the pictures, and I +expect to take responsibility for it." + +"Let's not worry ahead. Maybe we can trace that car if we have luck." + +Entering the drugstore, Penny immediately telephoned Editor DeWitt at the +_Star_, reporting all the facts she had picked up. + +"Okay, that's fine," he praised. "One of our men reporters, Art Bailey, +is on his way out there now. He'll take over. Tell Salt Sommers to get in +here fast with his pictures!" + +"He'll call you in just a minute or two," Penny said weakly. + +From another phone, Salt had been in touch with the license bureau. As +Penny left the booth to join him, she saw by the look of his face that he +had had no luck. + +"Couldn't you get the name of the owner?" she asked. + +"It's worse than that, Penny. The license was made out to a man by the +name of A. B. Bettenridge. He lives at Silbus City." + +"Silbus City! At the far end of the state!" + +"That's the size of it." + +"But how did the car happen to be in Riverview?" + +"The man or his wife probably is visiting relatives here, or possibly +just passing through the city." + +"And there's no way to trace them," Penny said, aghast. "Oh, Salt, I've +not only lost your pictures, but your camera as well!" + +"Cheer up," Salt said brusquely. "It's not that bad. We're sunk on the +pictures, that's sure. But unless the people are dishonest, I'll get the +camera again. I'll write a letter to Silbus City, or if necessary, go +there myself." + +Penny had little to say as she rode back to the _Star_ office with the +photographer. Editor DeWitt was not in the newsroom when they returned, +but they found him in the composing room, shouting at the printers who +were "making up the paper" to include the explosion story. + +Seeing Penny and Salt, he whirled around to face them. "Get any good +pictures?" he demanded. + +"We lost all of 'em," Salt confessed, his face long. + +"You what?" + +"Lost the pictures. The mob tore into us, and we were lucky to get back +alive." + +DeWitt's stony gaze fastened briefly upon Salt's scratched face and torn +clothing, "One of the biggest stories of the year, and you lose the +pictures!" he commented. + +"It was my fault," Penny broke in. "I tossed the camera and plates into a +passing car. I was trying to save them, but it didn't work out that way." + +DeWitt's eyebrows jerked upward and he listened without comment as Penny +told the story. Then he said grimly: "That's fine! That's just dandy!" +and stalked out of the composing room. + +Penny gazed despairingly at Salt. + +"If you hadn't told him it was your fault, he'd have taken it okay," Salt +sighed. "Oh, well, it was the only thing to do. Anyway, there's one +consolation. He can't fire you." + +"I wish he would. Salt, I feel worse than a worm." + +"Oh, buck up, Penny! Things like this happen. One has to learn to take +the breaks." + +"Nothing like this ever happened before--I'm sure of that," Penny said +dismally. "What ought I to do, Salt?" + +"Not a thing," he assured her. "Just show up for work tomorrow the same +as ever and don't think any more about it. I'll get the camera back, and +by tomorrow DeWitt will have forgotten everything." + +"You're very optimistic," Penny returned. "Very optimistic indeed." + +Not wishing to return through the newsroom, she slipped down the back +stairs and took a bus home. The Parker house stood on a knoll high above +the winding river and was situated in a lovely district of Riverview. +Only a few blocks away lived Louise Sidell, who was Penny's closest +friend. + +Reluctant to face her father, Penny lingered for a while in the dark +garden, snipping a few roses. But presently a kitchen window flew up, and +Mrs. Maude Weems, the family housekeeper called impatiently: + +"Penny Parker, is that you prowling around out there? We had our dinner +three hours ago. Will you please come in and explain what kept you so +long?" + +Penny drew a deep sigh and went in out of the night. Mrs. Weems stared at +her in dismay as she entered the kitchen. + +"Why, what have you done to yourself!" she exclaimed. + +"Nothing." + +"You look dreadful! Your hair isn't combed--your face is dirty--and your +clothes! Why, they smell of smoke!" + +"Didn't Dad tell you I started to work for the _Star_ today?" Penny +inquired innocently. + +"The very idea of you coming home three hours late, and looking as if you +had gone through the rollers of my washing machine! I'll tell your father +a thing or two!" + +Mrs. Weems had cared for Penny since the death of Mrs. Parker many years +before. Although employed as a housekeeper, salary was no consideration, +and she loved the girl as her own child. Penny and Mr. Parker regarded +Mrs. Weems almost as a member of the family. + +"Where is Dad?" Penny asked uneasily. + +"In the study." + +"Let's not disturb him now, Mrs. Weems. I'll just have a bite to eat and +slip off to bed." + +"So you don't want to see your father?" the housekeeper demanded alertly. +"Why, may I ask? Is there more to this little escapade than meets the +eye?" + +"Maybe," Penny admitted. Then she added earnestly: "Believe me, Mrs. +Weems, I've had a wretched day. Tomorrow I'll tell you everything. +Tonight I just want to get a hot bath and go to bed." + +Mrs. Weems instantly became solicitous. "You poor thing," she murmured +sympathetically. "I'll get you some hot food right away." + +Without asking another question, the housekeeper scurried about the +kitchen, preparing supper. When it was set before her, Penny discovered +she was not as hungry as she had thought. But because Mrs. Weems was +watching her anxiously, she ate as much as she could. + +After she had finished, she started upstairs. In passing her father's +study, she saw his eyes upon her. Before she could move on up the steps, +he came to the doorway, noting her disheveled appearance. + +"A hard day at the office?" he inquired evenly. + +Penny could not know how much her father already had learned, but from +the twinkle of his eyes she suspected that DeWitt had telephoned him the +details of her disgrace. + +"Oh, just a little overtime work," she flung carelessly over her +shoulder. "See you in the morning." + +Penny took a hot bath and climbed into bed. Then she climbed out again +and carefully set the clock alarm for eight o'clock. Snuggling down once +more, she went almost instantly to sleep. + +It seemed that she scarcely had closed her eyes when the alarm jangled in +her ear. Drowsily, Penny reached and turned it off. She rolled over to go +to sleep again, then suddenly realized she was a working woman and leaped +from bed. + +She dressed hurriedly and joined her father at the breakfast table. He +had two papers spread before him, the _Star_, and its rival, the _Daily +Times_. Penny knew from her father's expression that he had been +comparing the explosion stories of the two papers, and was not pleased. + +"Any news this morning?" she inquired a bit too innocently. + +Her father shot back a quick, quizzical look, but gave no further +indication that he suspected she might have had any connection with the +Conway Steel Plant story. + +"Oh, they did a little dynamiting last night," he replied, shoving the +papers toward her. "The _Times_ had very good pictures." + +Penny scanned the front pages. The story in the _Star_ was well written, +with her own facts used, and a great many more supplied by other +reporters. But in comparison to the _Times_, the story seemed colorless. +Pictures, she realized, made the difference. The _Times_ had published +two of them which half covered the page. + +"Can't see how DeWitt slipped up," Mr. Parker said, shaking his head +sadly. "He should have sent one of our photographers out there." + +"Dad--" + +Mr. Parker, who had finished his breakfast, hastily shoved back his +chair. "Well, I must be getting to the office," he said. "Don't be late, +Penny." + +"Dad, about that story last night--" + +"No time now," he interposed. "On a newspaper, yesterday's stories are +best forgotten." + +Penny understood then that her father already knew all the details of her +downfall. Relieved that there was no need to explain, she grinned and +hurriedly ate her breakfast. + +Because her father had taken the car and gone on, she was compelled to +battle the crowd on the bus. The trip took longer than she had expected. +Determined not to be late for work, she ran most of the way from the bus +stop to the office. By the time she had climbed the stairs to the +newsroom, she was almost breathless. + +As she came hurriedly through the swinging door, Elda Hunt, cool and +serene, looked up from her typewriter. + +"Why the rush?" she drawled, but in a voice which carried clearly to +everyone in the room. "Are you going to another fire?" + + + + + CHAPTER + 5 + _SHADOW ON THE SKYLIGHT_ + + +Ignoring the thrust, Penny hung up her hat and coat and went to work. +Neither Editor DeWitt nor his assistant, Mr. Jewell, made any reference +to the explosion story of the previous day. + +Another reporter had written the "follow-up" on it which Penny read with +interest. Cause of the explosion, responsible for more than $40,000 +damages, had not yet been determined. However, Fire Chief Schirr had +stated that there was evidence the explosion had not been accidental. +Several witnesses had reported seeing a man in light overcoat flee from +the building only a few minutes before the disaster. + +"He must have been the fellow who leaped into that waiting car and +escaped!" Penny thought. "And to think, Salt's picture might actually be +evidence in the case, if I hadn't thrown it away!" + +She was staring glumly at the story when DeWitt motioned for her to take +a telephone call. It was another obituary. + +"After muffing a good story, I'll probably be assigned to these things +for the rest of my time on the paper," Penny thought as she mechanically +scribbled notes. + +All morning the obituaries kept coming in, and then there were the +hospitals to call for accident reports, and the weather bureau. After +lunch, a reporter was needed to interview a famous actress who had +arrived in Riverview for a personal appearance. It was just the story +Penny wanted to try. She knew she could do it well, for in months past, +she frequently had contributed special feature stories to the paper. + +Mr. DeWitt's gaze focused upon her for an instant, but he passed her by. + +"Elda," he said, and she went quickly to his desk to receive +instructions. + +Elda was gone a long while on the assignment. When she returned in the +afternoon, she spent nearly two hours typing the interview. Several times +Editor DeWitt glanced impatiently at her, and finally he said: "Let's +have a start on that story, Elda. You've been fussing with it long +enough." + +She gave it to him. As Mr. DeWitt read, he used his pencil to mark out +large blocks of what had been written. But as he gave the story to a copy +reader who would write the headline, he said: "Give her a byline." + +Elda heard and grinned from ear to ear. A byline meant that a caption +directly under the headline would proclaim: "By Elda Hunt." + +Penny, who also heard, could not know that Mr. DeWitt had granted the +byline only because it was customary with a personal interview story. She +felt even more depressed than before. + +"See if you can find a picture of this actress in the photography room," +DeWitt instructed Elda. "Salt Sommers took one this morning, but it +hasn't come up yet." + +With a swishing of skirts, for she now was in a fine mood, Elda +disappeared down the corridor. Fifteen minutes elapsed. Penny, busy +writing hand-outs and obituaries, had forgotten about her entirely, until +Mr. DeWitt summoned her to his desk. + +"See if you can find out what became of Elda," he said in exasperation. +"Tell her we'd like to have that picture for today's paper." + +Penny went quickly toward the photography room. The door was closed. As +she opened it, she was startled half out of her wits by hearing a shrill +scream. The cry unmistakably came from an inner room of the photography +studio and was Elda's voice. At the same instant, a gust of cool air +struck Penny's face. + +"Elda!" she called in alarm. + +"Here," came the girl's muffled voice from the inner room. + +Fearing the worst, Penny darted through the doorway. Elda had collapsed +in a chair, her face white with terror. Wordlessly, she pointed toward +the ceiling. + +Penny gazed up but could see nothing amiss. Warm sunshine was pouring +through the closed skylight which covered half the ceiling area. + +"What ails you, Elda?" she asked. "Why did you scream?" + +"The skylight!" + +"What about the skylight?" Penny demanded with increasing impatience. "I +can't see anything wrong with it." + +"Only a moment ago I saw a shadow there," Elda whispered in awe. + +"A shadow!" Penny was tempted to laugh. "What sort of shadow?" + +"I--I can't describe it. But it must have been a human shadow. I think a +man was crouching there." + +"Nonsense, you must have imagined it." + +"But I didn't," Elda insisted indignantly. "I saw it just before you +opened the door." + +"Did the skylight open?" + +"Not that I saw." + +Recalling the cool gust of wind that had struck her face, Penny took +thought. Was it possible that Elda actually had seen someone crouching on +the skylight? However, the idea seemed fantastic. She could think of no +reason why any person would hide on the roof above the photography room. + +"Oh, snap out of it, Elda," she said carelessly. "Even if you did see a +shadow, what of it?" + +"It was a man, I tell you!" + +"A workman perhaps. Mr. DeWitt sent me to tell you he was in a hurry for +that picture." + +"Oh, tell Mr. DeWitt to jump in an ink well!" Elda retorted angrily. +"He's always in a hurry." + +"You haven't been watching a shadow all this time, I judge," Penny +commented. + +"Of course not. I went downstairs to get a candy bar." + +With a sigh, Elda pulled herself from the chair. She really did look as +if she had undergone a bad fright, Penny observed. Feeling a trifle sorry +for the girl, she helped her find the photograph, and they started with +it to the newsroom. + +"I'd not say anything about the shadow if I were you, Elda," Penny +remarked. + +"Why not, pray?" + +"Well, it sounds rather silly." + +"Oh, so I'm silly, am I?" + +"I didn't say that, Elda. I said the idea of a shadow on the skylight +struck me that way. Of course, if you want to be teased about it, why +tell everyone." + +"At least I didn't make a mess of an important story," Elda retorted, +tossing her head. + +"Elda, why do you dislike me?" Penny demanded suddenly. + +The question was so unexpected that it threw the girl off guard. "Did I +say I did?" she countered. + +"It's obvious that you do." + +"I'll tell you what I dislike," Elda said sharply. "The rest of us here +have to work for our promotions. You'll get yours without even turning a +hair--just because you're Mr. Parker's one and only daughter." + +"But that's not true, Elda. I'm expected to earn my way the same as you. +I'm working at a beginner's salary." + +"You can't expect me to believe that!" + +"Was it because you thought I was making more money than you, that you +changed the name on the Borman obituary?" + +Elda stopped short. She tried to register indignation, but instead, only +looked frightened. Penny was certain of her guilt. + +"I haven't told Mr. DeWitt, and I don't intend to," she said quietly. +"But I'm warning you! If anything like that happens again, you'll answer +for it!" + +"Well, of all the nerve!" Elda exploded, but her voice lacked fire. "Of +all the nerve!" + +Penny deliberately walked away from her. + +The day dragged on. At five-thirty Penny covered her typewriter and +telephoned Mrs. Weems. + +"I'll be late coming home tonight," she said apologetically. "I thought I +might get dinner downtown and perhaps go to a show." + +"Another hard day?" the housekeeper asked sympathetically. + +"Much easier than yesterday," Penny said, making her voice sound +cheerful. "Don't worry about me. I'll be home no later than nine." + +Though she would not have confessed it even to herself, Penny was +reluctant to meet her father at dinner time. He might not ask questions, +but his all-knowing, all-seeing eyes would read her secrets. At a glance +he could tell that newspaper work was not going well for her, and that +she disliked it. + +"I certainly won't give him an opportunity to even think, 'I told you +so,'" she reflected. "Even if it kills me, I'll stick here, and I'll +pretend to like it too!" + +Because it was too early to dine, Penny walked aimlessly toward the +river. She paused at a dock to watch two boys fishing, and then sauntered +on toward the passenger wharves. + +A young man in an unpressed suit, and shoes badly in need of a shine, +leaned against one of the freight buildings. Seeing Penny, he pulled his +hat low over his eyes, and became engrossed in lighting a cigarette. + +She would have passed him by without a second glance, save that he +deliberately turned his back to shield his face. The hunch of his +shoulders struck her as strangely familiar. + +Involuntarily, she exclaimed: "Ben! Ben Bartell!" + +He turned then and she saw that she had not been mistaken. The young man +indeed was a former reporter for the _Riverview Mirror_, a news magazine +published weekly. Ben had not shaved that day, and he looked years older +than when she last had seen him. + +"Hello, Penny," he said uncomfortably. + +"Ben, what has happened to you?" she asked. "Why were you trying to avoid +me?" + +Ben did not reply for a moment. Then he said quietly: "Why should I want +to see any of my old friends now? Just look at me and you have your +answer." + +"Why, Ben! You were one of the best reporters the _Mirror_ ever had!" + +"_Were_ is right," returned Ben with a grim smile. "Haven't worked there +for six months now. The truth is, I'm down and out." + +"Why, that's ridiculous, Ben! Nearly every paper in town needs a good +man." + +"They don't need me." + +"Ben, you sound so bitter! What has happened to you?" + +"It's a long story, sister, and not for your dainty little ears." + +Penny now was deeply troubled, for she had known Ben well and liked him. + +"Ben, you must tell me," she urged, taking his arm. "We're going into a +restaurant, and while we have dinner together, you must explain why you +left the _Mirror_." + + + + + CHAPTER + 6 + _BEN'S STORY_ + + +Ben held back. + +"Thanks," he said uncomfortably, "but I think I ought to be moving on." + +"Have you had your dinner?" Penny asked. + +"Not yet." + +"Then do come with me, Ben. Or don't you want to tell me what happened at +the _Mirror_?" + +"It's not that, Penny. The truth is--well--" + +"You haven't the price of a dinner?" Penny supplied. "Is that it, Ben?" + +"I'm practically broke," he acknowledged ruefully. "Sounds screwy in a +day and age like this, but I'm not strong enough for factory work. Was +rejected from the Army on account of my health. Tomorrow I guess I'll +take a desk job somewhere, but I've held off, not wanting to get stuck on +it." + +"You're a newspaper man, Ben. Reporting is all you've ever done, isn't +it?" + +"Yes, but I'm finished now. Can't get a job anywhere." The young man +started to move away, but Penny caught his arm again. + +"Ben, you _are_ having dinner with me," she insisted. "I have plenty of +money, and this is my treat. I really want to talk to you." + +"I can't let you pay for my dinner," Ben protested, though with less +vigor. + +"Silly! You can take me somewhere as soon as you get your job." + +"Well, if you put it that way," Ben agreed, falling willingly into step. +"There's a place here on the waterfront that serves good meals, but it's +not stylish." + +"All the better. Lead on, Ben." + +He took her to a small, crowded little restaurant only a block away. In +the front window, a revolving spit upon which were impaled several +roasting chickens, captured all eyes. Ben's glands began to work as he +watched the birds browning over the charcoal. + +"Ben, how long has it been since you've had a real meal?" Penny asked, +picking up the menu. + +"Oh, a week. I've mostly kept going on pancakes. But it's my own funeral. +I could have had jobs of a sort if I had been willing to take them." + +Penny gave her order to the waitress, taking double what she really +wanted so that her companion would not feel backward about placing a +similar order. Then she said: + +"Ben, you remarked awhile ago that you can't get a newspaper job +anywhere." + +"That's true. I'm blacklisted." + +"Did you try my father's paper, the _Star_?" + +"I did. I couldn't even get past his secretary." + +"That's not like Dad," Penny said with troubled eyes. "Did you really do +something dreadful?" + +"It was Jason Cordell who put the bee on me." + +"Jason Cordell?" Penny repeated thoughtfully. "He's the editor of the +_Mirror_, and has an office in the building adjoining the _Star_." + +"Right. Well, he fired me." + +"Lots of reporters are discharged, Ben, but they aren't necessarily +blacklisted." + +Ben squirmed uncomfortably in his chair. + +"You needn't tell me if you don't wish," Penny said kindly. "I don't mean +to pry into your personal affairs. I only thought that I might be able to +help you." + +"I want to tell you, Penny. I really do. But I don't dare reveal some of +the facts, because I haven't sufficient proof. I'll tell you this much. I +stumbled into a story--a big one--and it discredited Jason Cordell." + +"You didn't publish it?" + +"Naturally not." Ben laughed shortly. "I doubt if any newspaper would +touch it with a ten-foot pole. Cordell is supposed to be one of our +substantial, respectable citizens." + +"Actually?" + +"He's as dishonorable as they come." + +Knowing that Ben was bitter because of his discharge, Penny discredited +some of the remarks, but she waited expectantly for him to continue. A +waitress brought the dinner, and for awhile, as the reporter ate +ravenously, he had little to say. + +"You'll have to excuse me," he finally apologized. "I haven't tasted such +fine food in a year! Now what is it you want to know, Penny? I'm in a +mood to tell almost anything." + +"What was this scandal you uncovered about Mr. Cordell?" + +"That's the one thing I can't reveal, but it concerned the owner of the +Conway Steel Plant. They're bitter enemies you know." + +Penny had not known, and the information interested her greatly. + +"Did you talk it over with Mr. Cordell?" she asked. + +"That was the mistake I made." Ben slowly stirred his coffee. "Cordell +didn't have much to say, but the next thing I knew, I was out of a job +and on the street." + +"Are you sure that was why he discharged you?" + +"What else?" + +Penny hesitated, not wishing to hurt Ben's feelings. There were several +things she had heard about him--that he was undependable and that he +drank heavily. + +"Most of the things you've been told about me aren't true," Ben said +quietly, reading her thoughts. "Jason Cordell started a lot of stories +intended to discredit me. He told editors that I had walked off a job and +left an important story uncovered. He pictured me as a drunkard and a +trouble maker." + +"I'll talk to my father," Penny promised. "As short as the _Star_ is of +employes, I'm sure there must be a place for you." + +"You're swell," Ben said feelingly. "But I'm not asking for charity. I'll +get along." + +Refusing to talk longer about himself, he told Penny of amusing +happenings along the waterfront. After dessert had been finished, she +slipped a bill into his hand, and they left the restaurant. + +Outside, the streets were dark, for in this section of the city, lights +were few and far between. Ben offered to escort Penny back to the _Star_ +office or wherever she wished to go. + +"This isn't too safe a part of the city for a girl," he declared. +"Especially after night." + +"All the same, to me the waterfront is the most fascinating part of +Riverview," Penny declared. "You seem to know this part of town well, +Ben." + +"I should. I've lived here for the past six months." + +"You have a room?" + +"I'll show you where I live," Ben offered. "Wait until we reach the next +corner." + +They walked on along the river docks, passing warehouses and vessels tied +up at the wharves. Twice they passed guards who gazed at them with intent +scrutiny. However, Ben was recognized, and with a friendly salute, the +men allowed him to pass unchallenged. + +"The waterfront is strictly guarded now," the reporter told Penny. "Even +so, plenty goes on here that shouldn't." + +"Meaning?" + +Ben did not answer for they had reached the corner. Beyond, on a vacant +lot which Penny suspected might also be a dumping ground, stood three or +four dilapidated shacks. + +"See the third one," Ben indicated. "Well, that's my little mansion." + +"Oh, Ben!" + +"It's not bad inside. A little cold when the wind blows through the +chinks, but otherwise, fairly comfortable." + +"Ben, haven't you any friends or relatives?" + +"Not here. I thought I had a few friends, but they dropped me like a hot +potato when I ran into trouble." + +"This is no life for you, Ben. I'll certainly talk to my father +tomorrow." + +Ben smiled and said nothing. From his silence, Penny gathered that he had +no faith she would be able to do anything for him. + +They walked on, and as they approached a small freighter tied up at the +wharf, Ben pointed it out. + +"That's the _Snark_," he informed her. + +The name meant nothing to Penny. "Who owns her?" she inquired carelessly. + +"I wish I knew, Penny. There's plenty goes on aboard that vessel, but +it's strictly hush-hush. I have my suspicions that--" + +Ben suddenly broke off, for several men had appeared on the deck of the +_Snark_. The vessel was some distance away, and in the darkness only +shadowy forms were visible. + +Seizing Penny's arm, Ben pulled her flat against a warehouse. + +Amazed by his action, she started to protest. Then she understood. Aboard +the _Snark_ there was some sort of disturbance or disagreement. The men, +although speaking in low, almost inaudible tones, were arguing. Penny +caught only one phrase: "Heave him overboard!" + +"Ben, what's happening there?" she whispered anxiously. + +"Don't know!" he answered. "But nothing good." + +"Where are the guards?" + +"Probably at the far end of their beats." + +Aboard the _Snark_, there was a brief scuffle, as someone was dragged +across the deck to the rail. + +"That'll teach you!" they heard one of the men mutter. + +Then the helpless victim was raised and dropped over the rail. Shrieking +in terror, he fell with a great splash into the inky waters. Frantically, +he began to struggle. + +"Those fiends!" Penny cried. "They deliberately threw the man overboard, +and he can't swim!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 7 + _MAN OVERBOARD!_ + + +Penny and Ben ran to the edge of the dock, peering into the dark, oily +waters. On the deck of the _Snark_ there was a murmur of voices, then +silence. + +Casting a quick glance upward, Penny was angered to see that the men who +had been standing there had vanished into a cabin or companionway. +Obviously, they had no intention of trying to aid the unfortunate man. + +"There he is!" Ben exclaimed, suddenly catching another glimpse of the +bobbing head. "About done in too!" + +Kicking off his shoes and stripping off his coat, the reporter dived from +the dock. He struck the water with an awkward splash, but Penny was +relieved to see that he really could swim well. He struck out for the +drowning man, but before he could reach him, the fellow slipped quietly +beneath the surface. + +Close by were two barges lashed together, and the current would take a +body in that direction. Ben jack-knifed and went down into the inky +waters in a surface dive. Unable to find the man, he came up, filled his +lungs in a noisy gulp, and went down again. He was under such a long time +that Penny became frantic with anxiety. + +She decided to turn in an alarm for the city rescue squad. But before she +could act, Ben surfaced again, and this time she saw that he held the +other man by the hair. + +As Ben slowly towed the fellow toward the dock, Penny realized that she +must find some way to get them both out of the river. She could expect no +help from anyone aboard the _Snark_. Gazing upward again, she thought she +saw a man watching her from the vessel's bow, but as her gaze focused +upon him, he retreated into deeper shadow, beyond view. + +No guards were anywhere near, and the entire waterfront seemed deserted. +Penny's eyes fastened upon a rope which hung loosely over a dock post. It +was long enough to serve her purpose, and finding it unattached, she +hurled one end toward Ben. + +He caught it on the second try and made a loop fast about the body of the +man he towed. Penny then pulled them both to the dock. + +"You can't haul us up," Ben instructed from below. "Just hold on, and I +think I can get out of here by myself." + +He swam off in the darkness and was lost to view. Penny clung desperately +to the rope, knowing that if she relaxed for an instant, the man, already +half drowned, would submerge for good. Her arms began to ache. It seemed +to her she could not hold on another instant. + +Then Ben, his clothes plastered to his thin body, came running across the +planks. + +Without a word he seized the rope, and together they raised the man to +the dock. In the darkness Penny saw only that he was slender, and in +civilian clothes. + +Stretching him out on the dock boards, they prepared to give artificial +resuscitation. But it was unnecessary. For at the first pressure on his +back, the man rolled over and muttered: "Cut it out. I'm okay." + +Then he lay still, exhausted, but breathing evenly. + +"You were lucky to get him, Ben," Penny said as she knelt beside the +stranger. "If the current had carried him beneath those barges, he never +would have been taken out alive." + +"I had to dive deep," Ben admitted. "Found him plastered right against +the side of the first barge. Yeah, I was lucky, and so is he." + +The man stirred again, and sat up. Penny tried to support him, but he +moved away, revealing that he wanted no help. + +"Who pushed you overboard?" Ben asked. + +The man stared at him and did not answer. + +Observing that Ben was shivering from cold, and that the stranger too was +severely chilled, Penny proposed calling either the rescue squad or an +ambulance. + +"Not on your life," muttered the rescued man, trying to get up. "I'm +okay, and I'm getting out of here." + +With Ben's help, he managed to struggle to his feet, but they buckled +under him when he tried to walk. + +The man looked surprised. + +"We'll have to call the rescue squad," Penny decided firmly. + +"I have a better idea," Ben supplied. "We can take him to my shack." + +Penny thought that the man should have hospital treatment. However, he +sided with Ben, insisting he could walk to the nearby shack. + +"I'm okay," he repeated again. "All I need is some dry clothes." + +Supported on either side, the man managed to walk to the shack. Ben +unlatched the door and hastily lighting an oil lamp, helped the fellow to +the bed where he collapsed. + +"Ben, I think we should have a doctor--" Penny began again, but Ben +silenced her with a quick look. + +Drawing her to the door he whispered: "Let him have his way. He's not +badly off, and he has reason for not wanting anyone to know what +happened. If we call the rescue squad or a doctor, he'll have to answer +to a lot of questions." + +"There are some things I'd like to know myself." + +"We'll get the answers if we're patient. Now stay outside for a minute or +two until I can get his clothes changed, and into dry ones myself." + +Penny stepped outside the shack. A chill wind blew from the direction of +the river, but with its freshness was blended the disagreeable odor of +factory smoke, fish houses and dumpings of refuse. + +"Poor Ben!" she thought. "He never should be living in such a place as +this! No matter what he's done, he deserves another chance." + +Exactly what she believed about the reporter, Penny could not have said. +His courageous act had aroused her deep admiration. On the other hand, +she was aware that his story regarding Jason Cordell might have been +highly colored to cover his own shortcomings. + +Within a few minutes Ben opened the door to let her in again. The +stranger had been put to bed in a pair of the reporter's pajamas which +were much too small for him. In the dim light from the oil lamp, she saw +that he had a large, square-shaped face, with a tiny scar above his right +eye. It was not a pleasant face. Gazing at him, Penny felt a tiny chill +pass over her. + +Ben also had changed his clothes. He busied himself starting a fire in +the rusty old stove, and once he had a feeble blaze, hung up all the +garments to dry. + +The room was so barren that Penny tried not to give an appearance of +noticing. There was only a table, one chair, the sagging bed, and a shelf +with a few cracked dishes. + +"I'll get along with him all right," Ben said, obviously expecting Penny +to leave. + +She refused to take the hint. Instead she said: "This man will either +have to go to a hospital or stay here all night. He's in no condition to +walk anywhere." + +"He can have my bed tonight," Ben said. "I'll manage." + +The stranger's intent eyes fastened first upon Penny and then Ben. But +not a word of gratitude did he speak. + +"You'll need more blankets and food," Penny said, thinking aloud. "I can +get them from Mrs. Weems." + +"Please don't bother," Ben said stiffly. "We'll get along." + +Though rebuffed, Penny went over to the bedside. Instantly she saw a +bruise on the stranger's forehead and a sizeable swollen place. + +"Why, he must have struck his head!" she exclaimed, then corrected +herself. "But he didn't strike anything that we saw. Ben, he must have +been slugged while aboard the _Snark_!" + +The stranger turned so that he looked directly into the girl's clear blue +eyes. "Nuts!" he said emphatically. + +"Our guest doesn't seem to care to discuss the little affair," Ben +commented dryly. "I wonder why? He escaped drowning by only a few +breaths." + +"Listen," said the stranger, hitching up on an elbow. "You fished me out +of the water, but that don't give you no right to put me through the +third degree. My business is my business--see!" + +"Who are you?" demanded Penny. + +She thought he would refuse to answer, but after a moment he said curtly: +"James Webster." + +Both Penny and Ben were certain that the man had given a fictitious name. + +"You work aboard the _Snark_?" Ben resumed the questioning. + +"No." + +"Then what were you doing there?" + +"And why were you pushed overboard?" Penny demanded as the man failed to +answer the first question. + +"I wasn't pushed," he said sullenly. + +"Then how did you get into the water?" Penny pursued the subject +ruthlessly. + +"I tripped and fell." + +Penny and Ben looked at each other, and the latter shrugged, indicating +that it would do no good to question the man. Determined to keep the +truth from them, he would tell only lies. + +"You can't expect us to believe that," Penny said coldly. "We happened to +see you when you went overboard. There was a scuffle. Then the men who +threw you in, disappeared. For the life of me, I can't see why you would +wish to protect them." + +"There are a lot of things you can't see, sister," he retorted. "Now will +you go away, and let me sleep?" + +"Better go," Ben urged in a low tone. "Anyone as savage as this egg, +doesn't need a doctor. I'll let him stay here tonight, then send him on +his way tomorrow morning." + +"You really think that is best?" + +"Yes, I do, Penny. We could call the police, but how far would we get? +This bird would deny he was pushed off the boat, and we would look silly. +We couldn't prove a thing." + +"I suppose you're right," Penny sighed. "Well, I hope everything goes +well tonight." + +Moving to the door, she paused there, for some reason reluctant to leave. + +"I'll take you home," Ben offered. + +"No, stay here," Penny said firmly. "I'm not afraid to go alone. I only +hope you get along all right with your guest." + +Ben followed her outside the shack. + +"Don't worry," he said, once beyond hearing of the stranger. "This fellow +is a tough hombre, but I know how to handle him. If he tries to get +rough, I'll heave him out." + +"I never saw such ingratitude, Ben. After you risked your life to save +him--" + +"He's just a dock rat," the reporter said carelessly. + +"Even so, why should he refuse to answer questions?" + +"Obviously, he's mixed up in some mess and doesn't dare talk, Penny. I've +always had my suspicions about the _Snark_ and her owners." + +"What do you mean, Ben?" + +Before the reporter could answer, there came a thumping from inside the +shack. Welcoming the interruption, Ben turned quickly to re-enter. + +"Can't tell you now," he said hurriedly. "We'll talk some other time. So +long, and don't worry about anything." + +Firmly, he closed the door. + +Penny stood there a moment until satisfied that there was no further +disturbance inside the shack. Then with a puzzled shake of her head, she +crossed the vacant lot to the docks. + +"Those men aboard the _Snark_ should be arrested," she thought +indignantly. "I wish I could learn more about them." + +She stood for a moment lost in deep reflection. Then with sudden +decision, she turned and walked toward the _Snark_. + + + + + CHAPTER + 8 + _A SWINGING CHAIN_ + + +Approaching the _Snark_, Penny saw several men moving about on the +unlighted decks. But as she drew nearer, their forms melted into the +darkness. When she reached the dock, the vessel appeared deserted. + +Yet, peering upward at the towering vessel, the girl had a feeling that +she was being watched. She was satisfied that the rescue of the man who +called himself James Webster had been observed. She was equally certain +that those aboard the _Snark_ were aware of her presence now. + +"Ahoy, the _Snark_!" she called impulsively. + +There was no answer from aboard the tied-up vessel, but footsteps pounded +down the dock. Penny whirled around to find herself the target for a +flashlight. Momentarily blinded, she could see nothing. Then, the light +shifted away from her face, and she recognized a wharf guard. + +"What you doing here?" he demanded gruffly. + +Though tempted to tell the entire story, Penny held her tongue. "Just +looking," she mumbled. + +"Didn't I hear you call out?" + +"Yes." + +"Know anyone aboard the _Snark?_" + +"No." + +"Then move along," the guard ordered curtly. + +Penny did not argue. Slipping quietly away, she sought a brightly lighted +street which led toward the newspaper office. Midway there, she stopped +at a corner drugstore to call home and inquire for her father. Mrs. Weems +told her that so far as she knew Mr. Parker had returned to the _Star_ +office to do a little extra work. + +"Then I'll catch him there," Penny declared. + +"Is anything wrong?" the housekeeper inquired anxiously. + +"Just something in connection with a news story," Penny reassured her. +"I'll be home soon." + +Hanging up the receiver before the housekeeper could ask any more +questions, she walked swiftly on to the _Star_ building. The front door +was locked, but Penny had her own key. Letting herself in through the +darkened advertising room, she climbed the stairs to the news floor. + +A few members of the Sunday staff were working at their desks, but +otherwise the room was deserted. Typewriters, like hooded ghosts, stood +in rigid ranks. + +Pausing to chat for a moment with the Sunday editor, Penny asked if her +father were in the building. + +"He was in his office a few minutes ago," the man replied. "I don't know +if he left or not." + +Going on through the long newsroom, Penny saw that her father's office +was dark. The door remained locked. + +Disappointed, she started to turn back when she noticed a light burning +in the photography room. At this hour she knew no one would be working +there, unless Salt Sommers or one of the other photographers had decided +to develop and print a few of his own pictures. + +"Dad, are you there?" she called. + +No one answered, but Penny heard a scurry of footsteps. + +"Salt!" she called, thinking it must be one of the photographers. + +Again there was no reply, but a gust of wind came suddenly down the +corridor. The door of the photography room slammed shut. + +Startled, Penny decided to investigate. She pushed open the door. The +light was on, but no one was in the room. + +"Salt!" she called again, thinking that the photographer might be in the +darkroom. + +He did not reply. As she started forward to investigate, the swinging +chain of the skylight drew her attention. The glass panels were closed +and there was no breeze in the room. Yet the brass chain swung back and +forth as if it had been agitated only a moment before. + +"Queer!" thought Penny, staring upward. "Could anyone have come in here +through that skylight?" + +The idea seemed fantastic. She could think of no reason why anyone should +seek such a difficult means of entering the newspaper office. To her +knowledge, nothing of great value was kept in the photography rooms. + +Yet, the fact remained that the light was on, the chain was swaying back +and forth, and a door had slammed as if from a gust of wind. + +Studying the skylight with keen interest, Penny decided that it would be +possible and not too difficult for a person on the roof to raise the +glass panels, and by means of the chain, drop down to the floor. But +could a prowler reverse the process? + +Penny would have dismissed the feat as impossible, had not her gaze +focused upon an old filing cabinet which stood against the wall, almost +directly beneath the skylight. Inspecting it, she was disturbed to find +imprints of a man's shoe on its top surface. + +"Someone was in here!" Penny thought. "To get out, he climbed up on this +cabinet!" + +The brass handles of the cabinet drawers offered convenient steps. As she +tried them, the cabinet nearly toppled over, but she reached the top +without catastrophe. By standing on tiptoe, her head and shoulders would +just pass through the skylight. + +Pulling the brass chain, she opened it, and peered out onto the dark +roof. No one was in sight. In the adjoining building, lights burned in a +number of offices. + +Suddenly the door of the photography room opened. Startled, Penny ducked +down so fast that she bumped her head. + +"Well, for Pete's sake!" exclaimed a familiar voice. "What are you doing +up there?" + +Penny was relieved to recognize Salt. She closed the skylight and dropped +lightly to the floor. + +"Looking for termites?" the photographer asked. + +"Two legged ones! Salt, someone has been prowling about in here! Whoever +he was, he came in through this skylight." + +"What makes you think so, kitten?" Salt looked mildly amused and not in +the least convinced. + +Penny told him what had happened and showed him the footprints on the +filing cabinet. Only then did the photographer take her seriously. + +"Well, this is something!" he exclaimed. "But who would sneak in here and +for what reason?" + +"Do you have anything valuable in the darkroom?" + +"Only our cameras. Let's see if they're missing." + +Striding across the room, Salt flung open the door of the inner darkroom, +and snapped on a light. One glance assured him that the cameras remained +untouched. But several old films were scattered on the floor. Picking +them up, he examined them briefly, and tossed them into a paper basket. + +"Someone has been here all right," he said softly. "But what was the +fellow after?" + +"Films perhaps." + +"We haven't anything of value here, Penny. If we get a good picture we +use it right away." + +Methodically, Salt examined the room, but could find nothing missing. + +"Perhaps the person, whoever he was, didn't get what he was after," Penny +speculated. "I'm inclined to think this isn't his first visit here." + +Questioned by Salt, she revealed Elda Hunt's recent experience in the +photography room. + +"That dizzy dame!" he dismissed the subject. "She wouldn't know whether +she saw anything or not." + +"Something frightened her," Penny insisted. "It may have been this same +man trying to get in. Can't the skylight be locked?" + +"Why, I suppose so," Salt agreed. "The only trouble is that this room +gets pretty stuffy in the daytime. We need the fresh air." + +"At least it should be locked when no one is here." + +"I'll see that it is," Salt promised. "But it's not likely the prowler +will come back again--especially as you nearly caught him." + +It was growing late. Convinced that her father had left the _Star_ +building, Penny decided to take a bus home. As she turned to leave, she +asked Salt carelessly: + +"By the way, did you know Ben Bartell?" + +"Fairly well," he returned. "Why?" + +"Oh, I met him tonight. He's had a run of hard luck." + +"So I hear." + +"Salt, what did Ben do, that caused him to be blacklisted with all the +newspapers?" + +"Well, for one thing, he socked an editor on the jaw." + +"Jason Cordell of the _Mirror_?" + +"Yes, they got into a fight of some sort. Ben was discharged, and he +didn't take it very well." + +"Was he a hard drinker?" + +"Ben? Not that I ever heard. I used to think he was a pretty fair +reporter, but he made enemies." + +Penny nodded, and without explaining why the information interested her, +bade Salt goodnight. Leaving the _Star_ building by the back stairway, +she walked slowly toward the bus stop. + +As she reached the corner, she heard the scream of a police car siren. +Down the street came the ambulance, pulling up only a short distance +away. Observing that a crowd had gathered, Penny quickened her step to +see who had been injured. + +Pushing her way through the throng of curious pedestrians, she saw a +heavy-set man lying unconscious on the pavement. Policemen were lifting +him onto a stretcher. + +"What happened?" Penny asked the man nearest her. + +"Just a drunk," he said with a shrug. "The fellow was weaving all over +the street, and finally collapsed. A storekeeper called the ambulance +crew." + +Penny nodded and started to move away. Just then, the ambulance men +pushed past her, and she caught a clear glimpse of the man on the +stretcher. She recognized him as Edward McClusky, a deep water diver for +the Evirude Salvage Company. She knew too that under no circumstances did +he ever touch intoxicating liquors. + +"Wait!" she exclaimed to the startled ambulance crew. "I know that man! +Where are you taking him?" + + + + + CHAPTER + 9 + _THE METAL DISC_ + + +"We're taking this man to the lockup," the policemen told Penny. "He'll +be okay as soon as he sobers up." + +"But he's not drunk," she protested earnestly. "Edward McClusky is a +diver for the Evirude Salvage Co. Whatever ails him must be serious!" + +The policeman stared at Penny and then down at the unconscious man on the +stretcher. "A deep sea diver!" he exclaimed. "Well, that's different!" + +Deftly he loosened the man's collar, and at once his hand encountered a +small disc of metal fastened on a string about his neck. He bent down to +read what was engraved on it. + +"Edward McClusky, 125 West Newell street," he repeated aloud. "In case of +illness or unconsciousness, rush this man with all speed to the nearest +decompression lock." + +"You see!" cried Penny. "He's had an attack of the bends!" + +"You're right!" exclaimed the policeman. He consulted his companions. +"Where is the nearest decompression chamber?" + +"Aboard the _Yarmouth_ in the harbor." + +"Then we'll rush him there." The policeman turned again to Penny. "You +say you know this man and his family?" + +"Not well, but they live only a few blocks from us." + +"Then ride along in the ambulance," the policeman suggested. + +Penny rode in front with the driver, who during the speedy dash to the +river, questioned her regarding her knowledge of the unconscious man. + +"I don't know much about him," she confessed. "Mrs. Weems, our +housekeeper, is acquainted with his wife. I've heard her say that Mr. +McClusky is subject to the bends. Once on an important diving job he +stayed under water too long and wasn't properly put through a +decompression lock when he came out. He is supposed to have regular +check-ups from a doctor, but he is careless about it." + +"Being careless this time might have cost him his life," the driver +replied. "When a fellow is in his condition, he'll pass out quick if he +isn't rushed to a lock. A night in jail would have finished him." + +"Will he be all right now?" + +"Can't tell," was the answer. "Even if he does come out of it, he may be +paralyzed for life." + +"Do you know what causes bends?" Penny inquired curiously. + +"Nitrogen forms in bubbles in the blood stream," the driver answered, and +drew up at the waterfront. + +Penny followed the stretcher aboard the _Yarmouth_. In the emergency of +offering quick treatment to McClusky, no one heeded her. The man was +rushed into the air lock and placed on a long wooden bench. + +A doctor went into the chamber with him, signaling for the pressure to be +turned on. Bends could be cured, Penny knew, only by reproducing the deep +water conditions under which the man previously had worked. Pressure +would be raised, and then reduced by stages. + +"How long will it take?" she asked a man who controlled the pressure +gauges. + +"Ordinarily only about twenty minutes," he replied. "But it will take at +least two hours with this fellow." + +"Will he come out of it all right?" + +"Probably," was the answer. "Too soon to tell yet." + +To wait two hours was out of the question for Penny. After discussing the +matter with police, she agreed to notify Mrs. McClusky of her husband's +difficulty. Glad to be rid of the duty, they dropped her off at the house +on West Newell street. + +Mrs. McClusky, a stout, red-faced woman with two small children clinging +to her skirts, seemed stunned by the news. + +"Oh, I knew this would happen!" she cried. "Ed has been so careless +lately. Thank heavens, he was taken to the decompression chamber instead +of the police station! A good friend of Ed's lost his life because no one +understood what was wrong with him." + +Penny called a taxicab for Mrs. McClusky while she excitedly bundled up +the children. + +"Bless you, for letting me know and for helping Ed," the woman murmured +gratefully as she climbed into the cab. "Will you tell me your name?" + +"Oh, I'm just a reporter at the _Star_," Penny returned carelessly. "I do +hope your husband suffers no ill effects." + +The taxi rattled away. With a tired sigh, Penny hastened on home. Lights +burned downstairs, and both her father and Mrs. Weems had waited up for +her. + +"Now don't ask me where I've been," the girl pleaded, as she tossed her +hat into a chair and collapsed on the sofa. "What a night! I've had +enough adventures to fill a book." + +Despite her admonition, both Mrs. Weems and her father plied her with +questions. Penny told them about the deep sea diver and then worked back +to the story of what had happened in the photography room. + +"Are you certain anyone came through the skylight?" her father asked +dubiously. "It doesn't sound convincing to me." + +"Footprints don't lie, Dad. They were on top of the cabinet." + +"The janitor may have stood on it to fix a light bulb or something." + +Penny became slightly nettled. "I'm sure someone was sneaking around in +that room tonight!" she declared flatly. "And it wasn't the janitor +either!" + +"I'll order the skylight kept locked except during office hours," Mr. +Parker declared, yawning. "Any further adventures?" + +"Plenty," Penny said, "but they'll keep until morning. There's just one +thing I want to ask you. Are you in need of a good male reporter?" + +Mr. Parker came instantly to life. "Just lead me to him," he said. "I'm +desperate." + +"Then why not hire Ben Bartell?" + +Mr. Parker's face lost all animation. "I couldn't do that," he commented. + +"Why not?" + +"He's not the type of reporter I want on my paper." + +"Exactly what do you mean?" + +"Oh, Penny, I don't like to go into all this with you. Ben has a bad +reputation. He's hot tempered and unreliable." + +"Because he got into a fist fight with Jason Cordell?" + +"Yes, and he foments trouble among employes. I have enough problems +without adding him to the list." + +"Ben didn't strike me as a trouble maker. Who told you about him?" + +"Why, I don't remember--Jason Cordell, I suppose." + +"That's just the point!" Penny cried. "Cordell hated him because Ben +gained damaging evidence against him! Then to protect himself, Cordell +told lies about Ben and got all of Riverview's publishers to blacklist +him!" + +"What gave you that idea, Penny?" + +"I talked to Ben tonight." + +"It strikes me he filled you with hot air," the newspaper owner commented +dryly. "Penny, you must learn not to believe everything you hear." + +"Then you'll not consider hiring Ben?" + +"Afraid not," her father declined. "I've no special liking for Jason +Cordell, who always impressed me as a stubborn, unscrupulous fellow, but +I certainly can't employ Ben without more evidence in his favor than you +have presented." + +"There is more," said Penny, "but I'm too tired to tell you tonight." + +She went wearily to bed, and though she slept hard, still felt tired when +the alarm went off the next morning. Hastening through breakfast, she +rode with her father to the office, and en route related to him how Ben +had rescued the stranger from the river. + +"Commendable," nodded her father, "but it still doesn't prove he isn't a +trouble maker." + +"Oh, Dad, I think you're being unfair to him." + +"And I think you have been unduly influenced," Mr. Parker returned. +"However, I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll have Mr. DeWitt investigate +the young man. If his findings are good, we'll give him another chance." + +"Oh, Dad! That's grand!" Penny cried, squeezing his arm. + +At the office, Penny found a letter tucked behind the roller of her +typewriter. Although addressed to her, it had been sent to the _Star_. +Instantly she knew the reason, for it was from Jerry Livingston, who had +worked for the paper many years. + +Eagerly, she ripped open the envelope and read the message. Jerry, in an +Army camp in the west, expected to pilot a big bomber to Hawaii within +the next few weeks. "Best regards to the newspaper gang," he concluded. + +"Any news from Jerry?" inquired Mr. DeWitt, who had recognized the +handwriting. + +Penny gave him the letter to read. + +"Let's tack it on the bulletin board," the editor suggested. "Jerry has a +lot of friends here." + +Penny allowed him to keep the letter and thought no more of it. Soon she +became absorbed in the morning's work. There were obituaries to write as +usual, but now and then Mr. DeWitt gave her a more interesting task. +Seemingly he had forgotten about her unfortunate experience at the fire. + +But Penny had not forgotten. It troubled her that Salt's camera remained +missing. When he came to the desk to drop a handful of finished pictures, +she asked him what he had learned. + +"Haven't been able to trace the car yet," he answered. "But we'll locate +it eventually. Don't worry about it, Penny." + +The morning wore on. She saw Elda Hunt read Jerry's letter on the +bulletin board, and later giggle and laugh as she talked with other girls +in the office. + +"That little witch said something uncomplimentary about me!" Penny +thought. "If I weren't the publisher's daughter, I certainly would tangle +with her! Maybe I will yet!" + +At twelve o'clock, she put on her hat, intending to go to lunch. As she +turned toward the wooden barrier gate, she saw that the receptionist was +talking to a male visitor. + +"I don't know the name of the girl," she heard him say distinctly, "but +she saved my life. I know she works on the _Star_ and I want to thank +her." + +He turned then and saw her. "Why, she looks like the one my wife +described!" he exclaimed. + +"Mr. McClusky!" Penny greeted him, extending her hand. "I'm so glad +you're up and around today. How do you feel?" + +"Fine!" he boomed in a voice which carried to every desk in the room. +"Thanks to you. Aren't you the girl who saved my life?" + +"I asked the police to take you to the _Yarmouth_ if that's what you +mean," Penny said self-consciously. "As for saving your life--" + +"You certainly did, and the doc will say the same thing. Another ten +minutes and I'd have been too far gone to have pulled out of it. Now I'll +be okay--at least unless I have another attack of bends." + +"I'm very glad you're feeling better," Penny said, edging away. She was +painfully conscious that all of the reporters were listening to the +conversation. All noise in the office had ceased. + +"If there's anything I can do for you, just let me know!" the diver +offered heartily. + +"Sometime when I need a good waterfront story, I may call on you," Penny +said jokingly. + +"If I can give you a tip on anything, I sure will," he promised. "I know +every inch of the river, and most of the folks that live along 'er." + +"Have you heard of a boat called the _Snark_?" Penny asked impulsively. + +McClusky's expression changed. He lowered his voice. "Sure, I know the +_Snark_," he nodded soberly. "And here's a little tip. If you want a +story--a good hot one with plenty o' trouble hooked up to it, then just +go hunting around her berth. Maybe sometime I can help you." + +With a friendly nod, he was gone. + + + + + CHAPTER + 10 + _COUNTRY SKIES_ + + +No more was said to Penny about her unfortunate experience at the Conway +Steel Plant explosion, but she considered herself responsible for Salt's +lost camera. Although the plates no longer would have picture value from +the newspaper standpoint, she thought that they might provide a clue to +the identity of the man who had escaped by automobile. + +Police had been unsuccessful in apprehending any of the persons +responsible for the explosion, and the story had died out of the +newspapers. + +After working for a week at the _Star_, Penny was tired in body and worn +in mind. However, she was beginning to enjoy the routine. To receive her +first hard-earned pay check gave her a real thrill of pleasure. + +Louise Sidell, a school girl friend who lived near the Parker home, asked +Penny how she planned to spend the money. + +"I think I'll have the check framed," Penny laughed. + +She and Louise were sitting on the front steps of the Parker home, +watching a chattering squirrel on the lawn. It was a warm, sunny day with +scarcely a cloud coasting around in the azure sky. + +"Wish we could have a picnic or go to the country," Louise commented +wistfully. + +"Why not?" Penny asked, getting up. "I intended to drive to the +waterfront this morning and see how Ben Bartell is making out. Then we +could go out into the country from there." + +"Who is Ben Bartell?" Louise inquired with interest. + +Penny related her experience near the _Snark_, telling of the stranger +who had been given shelter by the newspaper reporter. + +"Ben probably has learned all about him by this time," she added. "Shall +we stop there?" + +"Let's," agreed Louise enthusiastically. + +Dressed in comfortable slacks, the chums prepared sandwiches, and then, +in Penny's battered old car, drove to the waterfront. + +"I haven't much gasoline, so we can't go far," she warned as they parked +not far from the vacant lot where Ben's shack stood. "Wonder if anyone +will be here?" + +Walking across the lot which was strewn with tin cans and rocks, they +tapped lightly on the sagging door of the shack. Almost at once it was +opened by Ben who looked even less cheerful than when Penny last had seen +him. + +"Well, how is your patient this morning?" she inquired brightly. + +"He's gone," replied Ben flatly. "My watch with him!" + +"Your watch!" + +Ben nodded glumly. "That's the thanks a fellow gets! I saved his life, +took him in and gave him my bed. Then he repays me by stealing my watch +and my only good sweater. It makes me sick!" + +"Oh, Ben, that is a shame! You didn't learn who the man was?" + +"He wouldn't put out a thing. All I know is that his first name was +Webb." + +"Did you try to find him at the _Snark_?" Penny questioned. + +"Sure, but there they just raise their eyebrows, and say they never heard +of such a person. So far as anyone aboard that tub is concerned, no one +ever fell into the brink either!" + +"Ben, why not report to police?" + +"I considered it, but what good would it do?" Ben shrugged. "The watch is +gone. That's all I care about." + +"But those men aboard the _Snark_ must be criminals! We know they pushed +Webb off the boat." + +"Probably had good reason for doing it too," Ben growled. "But we can't +prove anything--no use to try." + +"Ben, you're just discouraged." + +"Who wouldn't be? I had planned on pawning that watch. It would have kept +me going for a couple of weeks at least. I'd join the Army, only they've +turned me down three times already." + +Penny and Louise had not expected to stay long, but with the reporter in +such a black mood, they thought they should do something to restore his +spirits. Entering the dingy little shack, Penny talked cheerfully of her +newspaper experiences, and told him that she had spoken to her father +about adding him to the editorial staff. + +"What'd he say?" the reporter demanded quickly. + +"He promised to look into the matter." + +"Which means he doesn't want me." + +"Not necessarily. My father takes his time in arriving at a decision. But +it always is a just one." + +"Well, thanks anyhow," Ben said gloomily. "I appreciate how you've tried +to help, Penny. It's just no use. Maybe I'll pull out of here and go to +another city where I'm not known." + +"Don't do that," Penny pleaded. "Sit tight for a few days, and something +will break. I'm sure of it." + +Knowing that Ben was too proud to take money, she did not offer any. But +before leaving, she gave him a generous supply of their picnic food, and +invited him to ride along into the country. + +"No, thanks," he declined. "I would only spoil the fun. I'm in no mood +today for anything except grouching." + +The visit, brief as it was, tended to depress the girls. However, once +they were speeding along the country road, their spirits began to revive. +By the time they had reached a little town just beyond the state line, +they had forgotten Ben and his troubles. + +"Let's stop somewhere near Blue Hole Lake," Penny proposed. "This +locality is as pretty as we'll find anywhere. Besides, I haven't much +gasoline." + +"Suits me," agreed Louise, amiable as always. + +Finding a grove within view of the tiny lake, they spread out their +picnic lunch. Afterwards, they stretched flat on their backs beneath the +trees and relaxed. + +"It's getting late," Penny finally remarked regretfully. "Time we're +starting home." + +"I want a drink of water first," Louise declared. "Pass me the thermos, +will you please?" + +"It's empty." Penny uncorked the bottle and held it upside down. "But we +can stop at a farmhouse. I see one just up the road." + +Returning to the car, they drove a few hundred yards down the highway, +pulling up near a large two-story frame house which bore a sign in the +front yard: "Tourist rooms." + +In response to their knock on the side door, a pleasant, tired-faced +woman of mid-fifty came to admit them. + +"I'm full up," she said, assuming that they wished to rent a room. "My +last suite was taken by the professor and his wife." + +Penny explained that all they wanted was a drink of water. + +"Goodness, just help yourselves at the well!" the woman exclaimed. "Wait, +I'll fetch a clean glass." + +The deep well, which operated with a chain and a crank, was situated in a +vine-covered summer house only a few yards away. The farm woman, who said +her name was Mrs. Herman Leonard, showed them how to operate it. The +water, coming from deep in the earth, was cool and sweet. + +"It must keep you quite busy, running a tourist home," Penny said to make +conversation. + +"Indeed, it does," sighed the woman. "Most of my roomers aren't so bad, +but this last couple runs me ragged. They seem to expect hotel service." + +"The professor and his wife?" + +"Yes, Professor and Mrs. Bettenridge." + +"Bettenridge," Penny repeated alertly. "I've heard that name before. Does +the professor come from Silbus City?" + +"He never said. But he's an inventor, and he brought his invention with +him." + +"What sort of invention is it?" + +"A light ray machine which explodes mines on land or sea. The affair is +very complicated." + +At Penny's expression of doubt, Mrs. Leonard added: "It really works too! +The first night the professor came here, he exploded a mine out in the +lake. Such a splash as it made! I saw it with my own eyes! The professor +expects to sell it to the Army or Navy for a lot of money." + +"If it will do all he claims, why hasn't the government taken it over +before this?" + +"Oh, it takes a long while to complete negotiations," Mrs. Leonard +replied. "The professor is expecting an officer here tomorrow to witness +another demonstration." + +"Where is the machine kept? In your house?" + +"Oh, dear no! The professor has it in a little shack down by the lake. +You can see the place from here." + +Mrs. Leonard led the girls a short distance from the summer house, +pointing through the trees to a knoll at the edge of Blue Hole Lake. + +"The professor and his wife went down there a few minutes ago," she +revealed. "Why don't you ask them to show you the invention? They might +do it." + +"I doubt if we have time." + +"Oh, let's take time," Louise urged. "It sounds so interesting, Penny." + +Thus urged, Penny agreed, and with her chum, walked down the hill toward +the lake. + +"It sounds fishy to me," she declared skeptically. "Probably this +professor is just a crack-pot who thinks he has a wonderful invention, +but hasn't." + +"Mrs. Leonard said she saw a successful demonstration." + +"I know, Lou. But how could a light ray machine explode mines that were +under water? Why, if it could be done, military warfare would be +revolutionized!" + +"Unbelievable changes are coming every day." + +"This one certainly is unbelievable! I'll take no stock in it unless I +see the machine work with my own eyes!" + +Approaching the shack, the girls saw no one. The door was closed. And it +was locked, Penny discovered, upon testing it. + +"No one here," she said in disappointment. + +"They must be around somewhere," Louise declared, unwilling to give up. +"Maybe that car belongs to them." + +A sedan stood in a weed-grown lane not far away. Penny, turning to gaze +carelessly at it, suddenly became excited. + +"Lou, this trip has been worth while!" she cried. "Look at the license +number of that auto! It's D F 3005!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 11 + _A FAMILIAR CAR_ + + +Louise gazed again at the automobile parked in the lane and at its +mud-splattered license number. + +"D F 3005," she read aloud. "What about it, Penny?" + +"Why, that is the number of the car that went off with Salt Sommers' +camera and plates the night of the big explosion," her chum explained +excitedly. + +"You're sure it's the same auto?" + +"It certainly looks like it. Now I remember! Salt traced the license to +an owner named Bettenridge!" + +Hopeful of recovering the lost property, Penny, with Louise close at her +side, tramped through the high grass to the deserted lane. Apparently the +car owner had not gone far, for the doors had not been locked. + +Penny climbed boldly in. A glance assured her that the camera or plates +were not on the back seat where they had been tossed. As Penny ran her +hands beneath the cushions, Louise plucked nervously at her skirt. + +"Someone is coming, Penny! A man and a woman! They're heading straight +toward this car." + +"All the better," declared Penny, undisturbed. "If they own the car, we +may be able to learn what became of Salt's property." + +The man, middle-aged, was tall and thin and wore rimless glasses. He +walked with a very slight limp. His wife, a striking brunette, who +appeared many years his junior, might have been attractive had she not +resorted to exaggerated make-up. + +"Good afternoon," the professor said, eyeing the girls sharply. "My car +seems to interest you." + +"I was searching for something I thought might be on the back seat," +Penny explained. + +"Indeed? I'm afraid I don't understand." + +"I was looking for a camera and plates." + +"I regret I still fail to follow you," the man said stiffly. "Why should +our car contain a camera? My wife and I take no interest in photography." + +"Aren't you Professor Bettenridge?" + +"I am." + +Penny gazed again at the car. "This must be the automobile," she said, +deeply troubled. "On the night of the Conway Steel Plant explosion, I +tossed a camera and photographic plates into the back seat to prevent +them being destroyed by a mob." + +"Not this car," said the professor with quiet finality. "I have not been +in Riverview for nearly a month." + +"A woman who resembled your wife was driving the car." + +"Are you accusing me of stealing a camera?" the woman demanded angrily. + +"Oh, no! Certainly not! I just thought--" Penny became confused and +finished: "The camera was expensive and didn't belong to me." + +"I know nothing about the matter! You certainly have your nerve accusing +me!" + +"Come, come," said the professor, giving his wife a significant, warning +glance. "There is no need for disagreement. The young ladies are quite +welcome to search the car." + +"We've already looked," Penny admitted. "The camera isn't there." + +"Isn't it possible you were mistaken in the automobile?" + +"I may have jotted down a wrong license number," Penny acknowledged +reluctantly. "I'm sorry." + +She turned to leave. + +"That's quite all right," the professor assured her, his tone now +becoming more friendly. "Do you girls live near here?" + +"In Riverview," Louise supplied eagerly. "We drove over for a picnic. +Mrs. Leonard told us about your light ray machine!" + +"Indeed." Professor Bettenridge looked none too pleased. + +"She said you might be willing to show it to us." + +"Mrs. Leonard displays a remarkable interest in our affairs," Mrs. +Bettenridge commented sarcastically. + +Again her husband shot her a warning glance. + +"My dear, it is only natural that she should be interested in such an +amazing machine as ours," he said. "I see no reason why the young ladies +should not view it." + +"Oh, may we?" Louise cried eagerly. + +Although his wife scowled with displeasure, the professor bade the girls +follow him to the nearby shack. The door was padlocked and he opened it +with a key. + +Inside, the room was bare of furniture. There were a few boxes and a +large table upon which rested a sizeable object covered with canvas. + +"My secret ray machine is expected to revolutionize warfare," the +professor said proudly. "Behold the product of fifteen years of faithful +work!" + +Dramatically he jerked aside the canvas cover, revealing a complicated +mechanism of convex and concave mirrors which rotated on their bases. In +the center of the machine was a small crystal ball. + +"How does it operate?" Louise asked, deeply impressed. + +"I am afraid a technical explanation would be too involved for you to +understand. Briefly, a musical note produced on the crystal globe, is +carried by ultra violet ray to the scene of the mine. The vibration will +cause any unstable substance such as melinite to explode." + +"And you claim you actually can explode mines with this machine?" Penny +asked. + +"I not only claim it, I have demonstrated the machine's powers," +Professor Bettenridge replied. "How I do it, of course, is my own +secret." + +"Will you explode a mine for us now?" Louise questioned eagerly. + +Professor Bettenridge looked mildly amused. "My dear young lady," he +said. "Do you realize that mines are very expensive? I have been able to +obtain only a few, and naturally I must save them for official tests." + +"Of course," stammered Louise. "I hadn't thought of that." + +"Besides, the demonstrations have a certain element of danger," the +professor resumed. "I never give one without my assistant." + +Penny, who had been studying the machine with increasing interest, +remarked that a story about it might make an interesting feature for the +_Star_. To her surprise, the professor did not seem to favor the idea. + +"You are employed by a newspaper?" he inquired. + +"Yes, the _Star_." + +"I must ask you to say nothing about this matter," the professor +directed. "Under no circumstance could I permit a story to be written +about my work." + +"But why?" + +"Publicity at this time might rob me of an opportunity to sell the +machine. A very prominent man, James Johnson, is now considering its +purchase." + +"But I thought you were expecting to sell your invention to the +government," Penny said, puzzled. + +Professor Bettenridge bit his lip. Obviously, he was beginning to share +his wife's annoyance at the girls. + +"I regret I can't tell you all the details of my negotiations," he said. +"My wife and I are very tired, so if you will excuse us--" + +"Certainly," said Penny, taking the hint. "Louise and I must be on our +way to Riverview." + +They started to leave, but before they could reach the door, someone +tapped lightly on it. Professor Bettenridge and his wife exchanged a +quick glance which Penny could not fathom. For a fleeting instant, she +thought they both looked frightened. + +Then the professor went to the door and opened it. A little man in a +derby hat and with an apologetic manner stood on the threshold. + +"Mr. Johnson!" exclaimed the professor, extending his hand. "My wife and +I did not expect you until tomorrow." + +"I came a little sooner than I planned," the newcomer admitted. "A +business conference I had expected to attend was postponed until +tomorrow. Naturally, that has upset my schedule. I had hoped you might +consent to a demonstration of your machine tonight." + +"Tonight?" The professor seemed caught off guard. "But that is +impossible!" + +"Impossible?" inquired Mr. Johnson. "Why?" + +"For one thing, my assistant is not here." + +"Can't you get in touch with him?" + +"I doubt it. Besides, I have another engagement." The professor hesitated +and added: "Officials of the Navy have invited me to confer with them +tonight at the Gables Hotel in Riverview. I rather expect them to make me +a very attractive offer for my invention." + +"But you promised me first option on it!" Mr. Johnson protested. "If +necessary, I can wait for the demonstration tomorrow night, though it +will greatly inconvenience me." + +"Tomorrow at eight o'clock," the professor nodded. "If you should care to +put up a small sum of money as a guarantee of your intentions, I promise +to make no final deal with the Navy until after that time." + +"Why, yes," Mr. Johnson agreed, taking out his check book. "Any amount +you say." + +Feeling themselves no longer welcome by the Bettenridges, Penny and +Louise slipped quietly away. As they climbed the hill they could hear the +professor and Mr. Johnson discussing the amount to be paid. + +"It's a graft, if you ask me," Penny declared. "Poor Mr. Johnson seems +hypnotized." + +"I wish we could see that test tomorrow night!" + +"So do I. In fact, I'd be willing to bet the machine won't work." + +"What makes you think so?" + +"Just my doubting nature, I suppose. No, there's more to it than that, +Lou. Didn't you notice how startled the Bettenridges were when their star +customer appeared?" + +"They did look a bit upset." + +"And the professor refused to give a demonstration tonight, although +obviously it would have been to his advantage." + +"He explained he had an engagement with Navy men." + +"Which I suspect was all a made-up story. No, Lou, there must be another +reason why the professor was unwilling to give the demonstration. He +probably knows his machine won't work." + +"You're convinced he's a fraud." + +"Yes, I am," Penny said. "Furthermore, I believe he knows what became of +Salt's camera." + +"We can't prove anything." + +"No, but if he would steal a camera he might also take to swindle in a +big way." + +"There's nothing we can do unless we want to report him to the police." + +"I have a little idea," Penny confessed. "As soon as we reach Riverview I +propose to check the Gables Hotel and learn if any Navy men have +registered there. By talking to them, we may get at the truth." + + + + + CHAPTER + 12 + _THE PROFESSOR'S HELPER_ + + +Climbing the hill, Penny and Louise sought their parked car. The day had +been an interesting one, replete with surprises, and yet another surprise +was in store. + +As they were ready to drive away, a man came slowly down the road, cut +across the Leonard yard and vanished down a path which led toward Blue +Hole Lake. + +"See that fellow!" Penny exclaimed. + +"Why, yes," agreed Louise, surprised by her chum's tense manner. "What +about him?" + +"I'm sure he's Webb!" + +"Webb?" + +"The man who was pushed off the _Snark_ and who stole Ben's watch!" + +"What would he be doing here?" + +"That's exactly what I want to learn! I'd like to get Ben's watch back +for him!" Quickly Penny pushed open the car door and jumped out. + +"What are you going to do, Penny?" Louise asked anxiously. + +"Follow that man and learn for certain who he is!" + +"But it's late," Louise protested. "Besides, he looks like an unpleasant +sort of individual." + +Penny paid no heed, but started off in pursuit of the stranger. He had +already disappeared among the trees and was well on his way toward the +lake. Not wishing to be deserted, Louise quickly followed her chum. + +"He's going to the professor's shack!" Penny observed a moment later. + +"Perhaps he is another prospective buyer of the secret ray machine," +Louise speculated. "Business seems to be rushing today." + +Penny was not convinced. "I'm sure it is Webb," she declared. "If we can +force him to admit his identity, we may get Ben's watch back." + +Not wishing to attract attention, the girls paused behind a large rock on +the hillside. From there they could watch the man without being seen. + +He walked directly to the shack and tapped on the door. In a moment it +was opened by the professor, who looked anything but pleased to see the +new arrival. Closing the door behind him as if fearful that Mr. Johnson +would hear, he stepped out of doors. + +The girls were too far away to overhear the conversation, but they saw +the two men talk earnestly together for a moment. Then the man they +believed to be Webb, walked on down the hill toward the lake's edge. +Professor Bettenridge reentered the shack. + +"Now what?" inquired Louise, straightening up from a cramped position +behind the rock. + +"Let's follow Webb. I have a hunch he may be the assistant Professor +Bettenridge told Mr. Johnson about." + +"But the man wasn't expected here until tomorrow." + +"Which may or may not have been true, Lou. There's more to this deal than +meets the eye. Let's see what we can learn." + +Already the man had disappeared from view, so the girls walked swiftly +after him. Reaching the lake's edge, they saw him striding along the +sandy beach. Apparently he had no suspicion that he was being trailed, +for he did not glance backward. + +Presently the girls noticed another shack which had been erected in a +clump of trees a few yards back from the beach. It was much smaller than +the other little house, a mere box-like structure with a flat, low roof. + +Walking directly toward it, the man unfastened a padlock and went inside. +He closed the door behind him. + +"Now what is he doing in there?" Penny fretted, as minutes elapsed and +the man remained inside the building. "Listen!" + +Both girls could hear a peculiar grinding sound as if from machinery +turning inside the shack. The building was windowless, so it was +impossible to see what was going on. + +"This is maddening!" Penny muttered with increasing impatience. "I +wonder--?" She broke off, and gazed thoughtfully at the flat roof of the +shack. + +"Lou, how is that building lighted?" she demanded. + +"From here it looks as if there might be double panels of glass in the +roof--a make-shift skylight." + +"Lou, if we could get up there, we might be able to see what is going +on!" + +"And get caught too!" + +"Not if we're careful. We can climb that tree which brushes against it, +and perhaps see from there." + +"What if we should be caught?" + +"We'll decide that part when the time comes," Penny chuckled. "This +should be fun." + +Circling the shack, they climbed into the low-hanging boughs of a giant, +scraggly maple tree. Inch by inch lest they make a sound which would +betray them, they climbed out on the heavy branches. + +"Penny, we're taking an awful chance," her chum murmured nervously. "If +that man should look up--" + +"He won't," Penny whispered confidently. "He's too busy with whatever +he's doing." + +Lying flat on the branch, she could look directly through the glass. In +the room below she saw at least four large, oval-shaped mines without +detonators, made of steel. + +Evidently the man had finished whatever work had brought him to the +shack, for he laid aside a tool, and then went out the door, carefully +locking it behind him again. + +"We were too late," Penny whispered in disgust after the man was a safe +distance down the beach. "I wish I knew why he came here! One thing is +certain, he's mixed up with Professor Bettenridge on this secret ray +invention." + +"Do you still believe the man is the one who was pushed off the _Snark_?" + +"Yes, I do, and that part we can learn!" Realizing that much valuable +time was being wasted, Penny slid down from the tree, snagging a stocking +in the process. She helped Louise to reach the ground. + +"What's the plan now?" her chum asked. + +"Webb evidently is returning either to Professor Bettenridge's shack or +to town. Let's overtake him and I'll ask a few questions. After helping +fish him out of the river, I certainly have the right." + +The man walked directly toward the shack which contained the secret ray +apparatus, but when he drew close, paused and whistled twice as if in +signal. No response came from within the cabin. Seemingly the man +expected none, for he turned and selected a trail which led toward the +road. + +At that moment, the shack door opened. Professor Bettenridge, his wife, +and Mr. Johnson came out together, chatting pleasantly. Without paying +the slightest heed to Webb, they walked toward the farmhouse. + +"What do you make of all that?" Louise asked in perplexity. + +"I'm not sure," Penny admitted. "But I have a suspicion the professor +doesn't want Mr. Johnson to know Webb is here today. He might insist on a +test of the secret ray machine." + +"Why all the mystery? Professor Bettenridge certainly can't expect to +sell the invention unless he can give a successful demonstration." + +"I suspect that may be the point, Lou. Things aren't properly set for a +successful test today. Tomorrow night may be a different story." + +"But if the machine is as good as the professor claims, it should explode +mines as well one time as another." + +"It should," Penny agreed, "but whether or not it does, is a horse of a +different color. My guess is that the professor is a fraud, and that Webb +helps him in his scheme." + +The man believed to be Webb walked so rapidly that the girls realized +they would lose sight of him unless they hastened on. Cutting across a +field, they were able to get ahead of him. + +"Yes, it's Webb," Penny whispered as they waited for the man to approach. +"I'm certain." + +Not until he was quite close did the man see the girls. Momentarily +startled at recognizing Penny, he ignored her, and would have passed +without a word. + +"Webb!" she exclaimed. "Don't you remember me?" + +The man halted, gazing at her with ice-cold, unfriendly eyes. + +"Webb ain't my name," he said gruffly. "I never saw you before." + +"You may not remember. I helped pull you out of the river after you had +fallen from the deck of the _Snark_." + +"Are you coo-coo?" the man demanded. "I don't know what you're talking +about." + +"I think you do," Penny said, losing patience. "You stayed with Ben +Bartell at his shack by the river. For saving your life, you repaid him +by stealing his watch!" + +"Say, young lady, better be careful what you're sayin'!" the man snapped. +"No one can accuse me of being a thief!" + +"I want Ben's watch." + +The man started on down the road, but Louise and Penny stood their +ground, blocking his way. + +"I want the watch!" Penny repeated firmly. "If you won't give it up, I'll +report you to the police." + +"Oh, you will, eh?" The man whirled toward her, his face convulsed with +anger. "You'll get no watch from me, but here's something to teach you to +mind your own business!" + +With a cruel laugh, he pushed her so hard that she sprawled backwards +into the ditch. + + + + + CHAPTER + 13 + _BEHIND OFFICE DOORS_ + + +"Are you hurt, Penny?" Rushing to her chum, Louise helped her out of the +ditch where she had fallen. + +"No!" Angrily, Penny brushed dust from her slacks. "But I'm as mad as a +hornet! If that man thinks he can push me around--" + +Already Webb was well down the road, walking at a leisurely but arrogant +pace. + +"Forget it, forget it," Louise soothed. "We'd get no place picking a +quarrel with a man like that. Anyway, you more or less accused him of +thievery." + +"And a thief is exactly what he is!" Penny retorted. "There isn't a doubt +in my mind that he's the one who stole Ben's watch!" + +"Then the thing for us to do is report him to the police. We'll get +nowhere talking to him ourselves." + +"We'll stop in town--I think the place is called Newhall--and notify the +sheriff," Penny decided. "I certainly shall ask for the man's arrest." + +Returning to the car, she turned it around, and they drove toward the +town, less than a half mile away. Soon they approached Webb who was +walking at the side of the pavement. Deliberately, he ignored them as +they passed. + +At Newhall, the girls found the sheriff, and rather excitedly, poured out +their story. Although the official took a few notes, he seemed somewhat +bored by it all. + +"You don't know the last name of the man," he recited. "You think he may +be employed by Professor Bettenridge, but you are not sure. You believe +he may be a thief, but you are not positive of that either." + +"One thing I am sure of!" Penny exclaimed. "He pushed me into a ditch. So +at least he's guilty of that!" + +"Are you willing to sign charges and appear against the man?" + +"You mean I would have to come back here later on?" + +"Certainly." + +Penny's enthusiasm waned. "Maybe I couldn't get here," she said, thinking +of her newspaper work. "Oh, well, let it go." + +"I'll keep an eye on the man anyhow," the sheriff promised. "Think you +have the situation sized up wrong though. We've already investigated +Professor Bettenridge. He has fine credentials, and his invention seems +to have merit." + +"You believe it actually will explode mines?" Penny asked incredulously. + +"I saw it done. Fact is, Professor Bettenridge invited me to the first +demonstration he gave at the lake." + +"What happened?" Louise questioned eagerly. + +"A mine was dumped into the lake. Then the professor exploded it with his +machine. I didn't understand how it was done, but I saw the flames shoot +up when it went off. It was the real thing." + +Decidedly let-down, Penny and Louise took leave of the sheriff and drove +to Riverview. But as they passed through the downtown section, Penny +suddenly stopped in front of the Gables Hotel. + +"I suppose I'm silly," she acknowledged, "but I still doubt the honesty +of Professor Bettenridge. Just for the fun of it, I intend to run in here +and learn if those Navy officials are registered." + +Leaving her chum in the car, Penny was gone nearly fifteen minutes. When +she returned, her face had taken on animation, so Louise knew she had +interesting news. + +"Just as I thought!" Penny exclaimed, sliding behind the steering wheel. +"Not a Navy officer registered in the hotel, and none expected! So how +could Professor Bettenridge have an appointment here tonight? He merely +told Mr. Johnson that to impress him." + +"It does look that way. Still, it's possible the officers might have +registered at another hotel." + +"Possible but hardly probable. Lou, I believe Professor Bettenridge is a +crook. I wish we could witness that demonstration of his tomorrow night!" + +"I'll never be able to go," Louise said regretfully. "I'm playing in a +recital--worse luck." + +"I might get Salt to ride over with me," Penny thought aloud. "Well, +we'll see." + +The following morning she took time from her work to seek the +photographer. He was in the darkroom, but the door was open. As she +stepped inside, he whirled around, his face startled. + +"Oh, it's you!" he chuckled in relief. + +"Why, Salt!" Penny teased. "You acted as if you thought I might be a +holdup man. Why so jumpy?" + +"Was I?" the photographer asked, his tone queer. + +"You certainly were. Anything wrong?" + +"This place was entered again last night," Salt said reluctantly. "I +can't figure it out." + +"Anything taken?" + +"Not a thing so far as I can discover. That's the strange part of it. But +the films were disturbed, as if someone had searched through them." + +"How did the person get in?" + +"Apparently through the skylight. It was ordered locked, but it got hot +in here yesterday. One of the boys opened it up, and then forgot to snap +the lock." + +"Did you search the roof?" + +"Yes, we found footprints leading to a hall window of the next building. +That was as far as they could be traced." + +"Do you suppose it could be anyone from the adjoining building, Salt?" + +"Not necessarily. The person may have entered it from the street. We know +he stepped out onto the roof from the hall window rather than from one of +the office rooms." + +Before returning to the newsroom, Penny told Salt about yesterday's +adventure in the country. + +"I sure would like a chance to go there with you tonight," he declared +promptly. "Maybe we can get my camera back, even if those birds deny +having seen it." + +The morning passed slowly, and Penny found it difficult to keep her mind +on her work. Elda, however, no longer bothered her. With more important +problems to worry about, Penny was not the least bit wounded by the +little slurring remarks the girl made. + +At noon she lunched on a sandwich and chocolate at a corner drugstore +close to the _Star_ building. With half an hour to spend, she suddenly +was struck by an idea. + +"Why don't I talk to Jason Cordell, the _Mirror_ editor, about Ben?" she +thought. "Perhaps their difficulties are based on misunderstanding." + +Crossing the street to the _Mirror_ building, she found Mr. Cordell's +office on the third floor. There, a secretary asked her to wait a few +minutes. + +Apparently an argument was in progress within the inner room, for she +heard angry voices. Then a door slammed. Presently, Penny was told that +she might go in. + +Mr. Cordell sat at his desk, a scowl on his face. He was busy writing and +barely glanced up as she entered. Finally he looked straight at her, +demanding: "Well?" in a tone which sapped Penny's courage. + +She wished she might retreat, but it now was too late. + +"I--I am Miss Parker," she stammered. "My father is publisher of the +_Star_." + +"Oh, yes, yes indeed," the editor now became more friendly, and Penny +took heart. + +"I came to talk to you about one of your former employes--Ben Bartell." + +A mask-like expression came over Mr. Cordell's face. He waited for Penny +to continue. + +"You discharged Ben, I believe. He's had a very hard time ever since." + +"Indeed? Is he a friend of yours?" + +"In a way. I feel sorry for him and I want to find newspaper work for +him." + +"Then why doesn't your father give him a job on the _Star_?" + +Penny was prepared for the question. "I think my father would if he were +assured that Ben had done nothing so very dishonorable. That's why I came +to you. Why was he discharged?" + +"Unfortunately, I can't reply to that question. Nor can I assure you that +Ben was discharged on a trivial offense. The opposite is true." + +"But what did he do?" + +Mr. Cordell arose. "I am sorry, I can't discuss it, Miss Parker. If you +will excuse me for saying so, I think the matter really is not your +concern. My advice would be to leave Ben Bartell entirely alone. He sent +you here, I suppose?" + +"Indeed, he didn't." + +"Where is Ben now?" + +"Living in a shack on the waterfront. Because you blacklisted him, he has +been unable to get a newspaper job anywhere." + +Mr. Cordell's smile was hard and triumphant. Penny knew then that she had +made a grave error in thinking she might appeal to the man's sympathies. +Obviously, he was highly pleased to learn of Ben's difficulties. + +"I am sorry I can't help you," the editor said coldly. "Do drop in again +sometime." + +He opened the door for her, a pointed hint that she was to go. + +As she stepped out into the outer waiting room, a man who evidently +expected to see the editor, arose. He had entered the outer office only a +few minutes before, and this was the first time that Penny had seen him. +Upon recognizing him, she stopped short, for it was Webb. + +"You can go in now, Mr. Nelson," the secretary told Webb. + +Bestowing a sneering smile upon her, he entered the private office. + +Then the door closed. + + + + + CHAPTER + 14 + _A NOTE FROM BEN_ + + +After Webb had gone into Mr. Cordell's office, Penny debated her next +action. Could Webb and Cordell be friends? Or was this merely a business +call? In any case, the two men were obviously of such different type and +personality that she failed to understand what basis there might be for a +friendship. + +Deciding she could accomplish nothing by waiting and questioning Mr. +Cordell, she left the office. As she passed down the corridor, an open +window at its far end, drew her attention. + +Pausing for an instant, she glanced out upon the rooftop of the +_Riverview Star_ building. The tin flooring, only a few feet below the +level of the sill, easily could be reached by anyone climbing through the +window. + +Tempted to take a short cut to the office, Penny impulsively stepped +through the opening. From the rooftop she could see the city spread out +below in rigid pattern, and to the eastward, the winding river. + +Crossing the dusty floor to the skylight above the _Star_ photography +room, Penny peered curiously down. No one was visible below. + +"I wonder if a person really could get through that skylight," she +speculated. "It would be quite a feat, but I believe it could be done." + +A star athlete in high school, Penny felt a challenge. Giving no thought +to her clothes, she squeezed through the narrow opening and snagged her +sweater. As she freed herself, she noticed a tiny bit of blue cloth that +had impaled itself on the nail. + +The cloth was not from Penny's garments, and looked as if it might have +been torn from a man's wool suit. Freeing it from the nail, she slipped +it into her pocket for later examination. + +Now, with her feet dangling into space, she considered how she was to get +down into the room below. No longer was it possible to swing from the +opening to the top of a filing cabinet, for Salt had carefully moved the +heavy case to the far side of the room. + +Seizing the skylight chain, Penny swung downward. The tiny brass rings +cut into her hands and half-way down, she was forced to let go, dropping +to the floor with a loud thump. + +From the inner photography room came a terrified scream. Elda Hunt, her +face white with fear, appeared in the doorway. + +"You!" she exclaimed, recovering from the shock of Penny's unexpected +entry. + +"Now take it easy, Elda," Penny advised, brushing dirt from her sweater. +"I was only experimenting." + +"Experimenting!" + +"I wanted to see if it would be possible for a person to get into this +room through the skylight. It is possible!" + +"You don't say!" Elda commented sarcastically. "I'll bet you were the one +who pulled that stunt in the first place!" + +"How ridiculous!" Penny was irritated. Not wishing to discuss the matter, +she turned and walked out of the photography room. + +In the corridor she met Salt Sommers who stopped her to ask when they +were to visit Professor Bettenridge in the country. + +"Eight o'clock tonight, if you're willing to go," Penny said eagerly. "I +very much want to see the professor demonstrate his ray machine for Mr. +Johnson." + +"And I want to find out what became of my camera," Salt added grimly. "Is +it a date?" + +Penny nodded. + +"Then suppose we start right after dinner. Can you meet me here at seven +o'clock?" + +"Let's make it a little earlier," Penny suggested. "I have a hunch that +by getting there before the start of the demonstration we may learn +more." + +"Okay," agreed Salt. "Make it six-thirty." + +Having over-stayed her lunch hour, Penny quickly washed her grimy hands +and returned to her desk. As she sat down at the typewriter, she noticed +a sealed letter thrust behind the roller. Addressed to her, the writing +was in a bold scrawl she did not recognize. + +Curiously, she scanned the message. It was written on cheap tablet paper +and had been signed with Ben Bartell's name. + +"See me if you can," was all it said. "I have a little information about +the _Snark_." + +Tucking the note into her pocketbook, Penny began to plan how she could +visit Ben that day. She would not be off until five o'clock, and she had +promised to meet Salt at six-thirty. If she were to get any dinner and +see Ben at the waterfront, it would mean fast stepping. + +Only by an effort of will could Penny keep her mind on the work before +her. There were rewrites to do, and an interesting feature. At +four-thirty with two stories yet to be done, she became panicky that she +could not finish on time. But by really digging in, she completed the +stories exactly on the dot of five, and with a tired sigh of relief, +dropped them into Editor DeWitt's wire copy basket. + +"You're just like a trained race horse, Penny," he said jokingly. "But +your work is okay. You're improving." + +Penny brightened at the praise, for Editor DeWitt was not given to +complimentary words as a rule. Hurriedly washing carbon paper stains from +her hands, she caught a bus which took her within a block of Ben's shack. + +Smoke curled from the chimney, and as she thumped on the sagging door, +she detected the odor of cooking bacon. + +"Come in, come in!" Ben greeted her heartily. "You're just in time to +share my supper. You got my note?" + +"Yes, I did, Ben. What's up?" + +Without answering, the former reporter stepped aside for her to enter. +The room was much cleaner than when Penny last had visited it. Ben looked +better too. Although his clothes remained unpressed, his hair had been +cut, and there was a brightness to his eyes which she instantly noted. + +"You've found work?" she surmised. + +"Odd jobs," Ben answered briefly. "After talking to you I made up my mind +I'd better snap out of it. If I can't find newspaper work, I'll try +something else." + +"I was thinking--" Penny sat down in a rickety chair, "--couldn't you do +free lance work? Write stories for newspapers out of town?" + +"Without a typewriter? I put mine in hock months ago, and it finally was +sold for charges." + +"I have a typewriter at home, Ben. I'll lend it to you." + +Ben's face brightened, but he hesitated. "I've sure been lost without a +machine," he declared. "But I hate to take yours. You know what happened +to my watch. This shack isn't safe. Anyone might come in here and steal +it." + +"It's only an old typewriter, Ben. I'm willing to take a chance. I'll see +that you get the machine within a day or so." + +The former reporter stepped to the stove to turn the bacon. He kept his +face averted as he said: "Penny, you've been a real friend--the only one. +That day when you met me--well, I didn't give a darn. I was only one step +from walking off a dock." + +"Don't say such things, Ben!" Penny warned. "You've had a run of hard +luck, but it's changing now. Suppose you tell me what you learned about +the _Snark_." + +"Nothing too startling, so don't get your hopes up," Ben grinned. + +He set out two cracked plates on the battered table, two cups for coffee, +and then dished up the bacon and a few fried potatoes. It was a meagre +supper, but not for the world would Penny have offended Ben by refusing +to share it. + +"Now tell me about the _Snark_," she urged again, as Ben poured the +coffee. + +"I've been watching the boat at night, Penny. Queer things go on there." + +"We suspected that after seeing Webb pitched overboard." + +"I've seen a lot of men come and go from that vessel," Ben resumed. "It's +a cinch they couldn't all be employed on her, because the _Snark_ has +been out of service for months." + +"What do you make of it?" + +"Oh, the _Snark_ is being used as a meeting place--that's obvious. Just +for the fun of it, I sneaked aboard last night." + +"What did you learn, Ben?" + +"The men were having a confab in one of the cabins. I couldn't hear much, +but enough to gather that they are afraid Webb will talk to the police." + +"About what, Ben?" + +"Didn't learn that part. I aim to keep tab on the place for a while." + +Penny told of seeing Webb that afternoon and also of his association with +Professor Bettenridge. + +"A secret ray machine, my eye!" Ben exploded. "You may be sure it's a +fake if Webb has anything to do with it! Penny, this is no business for +you to be mixed up in. Webb is a dock rat and as surly an egg as I ever +met. You ought to give him a wide berth." + +"I'll certainly be careful," Penny promised, arising. "Sorry to leave you +with the dishes, Ben, but I must run or I'll be late for another +appointment." + +She really hated to go, for she saw that her companionship had made the +young man more cheerful. Ben walked with her through the waterfront +district, and then reluctantly said goodbye. + +Hastening along the shadowy street, Penny noticed the large electric sign +on top of the Gables Hotel. + +Impulsively, she stopped at the hotel. + +"That Navy official Professor Bettenridge spoke of may have arrived," she +thought. "Just to make certain, I'll inquire again." + + + + + CHAPTER + 15 + _THE DEMONSTRATION_ + + +Penny was due to meet Salt Sommers in ten minutes, but if she were late, +she knew he would not leave without her. + +Entering the crowded hotel, she waited her turn at the desk and then +inquired if any Navy officers had registered. + +"Not to my knowledge," the clerk replied, consulting the register. "No, +we've not had a Navy man in for at least a week." + +"Any Army officers?" + +"The last was a sergeant who checked out two weeks ago. Most of our +guests rent on a monthly basis. We have only a few rooms for transient +guests." + +"Can you tell me if a Professor Bettenridge has called here in the last +few days?" + +"Not while I've been at the desk." + +The information convinced Penny she had not misjudged the professor. She +now was satisfied he never had arranged with Navy officers to inspect his +ray machine. Instead, he had misinformed Mr. Johnson, no doubt hoping to +impress him that others were interested in the invention. + +Quickly leaving the hotel, Penny hastened on to the news office. As she +passed near the loading platform, Salt hailed her from a car parked +there. + +"Here I am," he called. + +Penny slid into the front seat beside him, apologizing for being late. + +"That's okay," returned Salt, shifting into gear. "But we haven't much +time unless we hurry. You know the way, don't you?" + +"I do by daylight. And I think I can find the farmhouse, even if it +should get dark before we reach there." + +Salt was a fast and very skillful driver. He chose the less frequented +streets and soon they were in the open. They made excellent time, +reaching their destination just as it began to grow dark. + +"How shall we explain to the professor?" Penny inquired dubiously as the +photographer parked the car under an oak tree along the highway. "He may +think it strange that I returned." + +"Let him," said Salt, unconcerned. "I'm here to get my camera." + +"Don't go at him too hard," Penny pleaded. "After all, there is a chance +I was mistaken about the license number. In my excitement the night of +the explosion, I may have remembered a wrong figure." + +"That's so," Salt acknowledged gloomily. "Well, we'll see." + +"Why not pretend we're here to get a feature story for the _Star_?" Penny +suggested impulsively. "That way, I could ask him all the questions I +like about the secret ray machine." + +"Any way you want to do it," Salt agreed amiably. + +He locked the car and they walked to the farmhouse. Learning that the +professor and his wife were at the lake, they trudged down the lane. + +"Wait!" Penny suddenly warned in a whisper. + +Clutching Salt's arm, she drew him into the shadow of a tree. At first he +could not understand the need for caution. Then as Penny pointed, he saw +a hunched figure with a lighted lantern, walking along the lake shore +away from the cabin where Professor Bettenridge's ray machine was kept. + +"There goes Webb now!" Penny whispered. "He's evidently going to the +shack where the mines are stored." + +"What's he carrying?" Salt inquired. + +Although too far away to see plainly, they thought that he had a small +satchel tucked under his arm. As he drew closer they discerned that it +was leather, and apparently used as a container for a long +cylinder-shaped object. + +Passing a short distance away, the man did not see Salt or Penny. They +watched until they saw the red glow of his lantern vanish over a hillock. + +"That's the foot-path to the shack where the mines are stored," Penny +commented. "I wonder what's inside the satchel?" + +"Shall we try to find out?" + +"Let's talk to Professor Bettenridge first," Penny proposed, going down +the lane. + +The door of the cabin stood slightly ajar. Inside the lighted room were +the professor, his wife, Mr. Johnson, and several other persons Penny had +never seen before. However, she took them to be town residents who had +heard of the test and were eager to see it. + +"Well, professor," they heard Mr. Johnson say jovially. "We're all here, +so why not go ahead? Show us what the machine will do." + +"All in good time, all in good time," the professor rejoined. "You must +give my assistant an opportunity to drop the mine into the lake. He will +signal us by lantern when he is ready." + +Penny tapped on the door. The professor whirled around, decidedly +startled. Then, observing Salt and Penny, he abruptly came over to speak +to them. + +"Well?" he asked in a tone which was not friendly. + +"We came to see the demonstration," Penny said brightly. + +"Glad to have you," the professor replied, though without cordiality. + +"We want to write a feature story about your machine too," Penny +continued. "For the newspaper." + +The request displeased the professor. Scowling, he said curtly: + +"I am sorry, but there must be no publicity at this time--orders of the +Navy, you know." + +"The Navy is interested in buying your machine?" Penny asked, hoping to +lead him on. + +"The deal is concluded except for my signature," the professor said, +darting a quick glance at Mr. Johnson. "I should have signed at once, but +I promised Mr. Johnson first chance to buy the machine." + +"I suppose the Navy men are in town now?" Penny inquired. + +"In Riverview." + +"At the Gables Hotel?" Penny pursued the subject. + +The professor looked at her sharply, for the first time suspecting that +she was inducing him to reveal far too much. + +Without answering, he turned his back, and began to talk to Mr. Johnson +about technical details of the machine. + +"I am convinced it is a wonderful invention," the latter declared. "But +before I invest $200,000, I must be absolutely certain that it will do +everything you claim." + +"You shall not be disappointed," reassured the professor. "Only be +patient for a few minutes, and you will witness a demonstration that will +convince you beyond a shadow of a doubt." + +Ignored by the professor and his wife, Penny and Salt did not enter the +cabin. Instead, they walked a short distance away to discuss their next +move. + +"The demonstration won't start for a few minutes," the photographer said. +"Suppose we ankle down to the lake and find out what Webb is doing." + +Proceeding down the path which led around the lake shore, they soon +sighted the man's glowing lantern. He had set it down on the ground while +he trundled out one of the heavy mines from the shack. As they watched +from a distance, he loaded it into a boat, picked up the lantern, and +slowly rowed out into the lake. + +"Apparently he's going to drop it overboard for the test," Salt said. +"While he's out there, let's take a look in the shack." + +He tried the door. It was locked. + +"I don't know how it's done, but I'm sure those mines are doctored in +some way," Penny declared. "Louise and I saw Webb working on one when we +were here yesterday, but what he did I couldn't guess." + +"We'll learn nothing here," Salt said. "Let's go back to the cabin and +see how the professor pulls off the demonstration. Apparently he has Mr. +Johnson two-thirds convinced already." + +"Whatever you do, don't get into an argument with the professor about +your camera until after the test," Penny pleaded as they started up the +slope again. "I want to watch the demonstration. If you accuse him of +deliberately keeping the camera, he may throw us out." + +"Okay, I'll wait," Salt promised. + +Reaching the cabin, the pair became instantly aware of a tenseness in the +attitude of the professor and his wife. Although they did not tell the +newcomers they were unwelcome, it was evident by their expressions that +they distrusted Penny and Salt. + +Professor Bettenridge stood behind his machine, explaining its many parts +to the awed spectators. Penny could make nothing of the technical jargon. + +"The demonstration will soon start," the professor declared, looking at +his watch. "I will turn on the motors now, as they must heat for several +minutes." + +He turned several switches and the room was filled with a low humming +sound. Two tiny lights buried deep in the complicated mechanism began to +glow a cherry red. The professor bent low over the machine, frowning +thoughtfully. He adjusted three of the concave mirrors, and switched on +another motor. + +Despite a dubious attitude, Penny found herself becoming deeply +impressed. Was it possible, she wondered, that she had misjudged the +professor and his machine? She dismissed the thought. The mine never +would explode unless it had been tampered with--she was certain of that. + +"Watch closely now," the professor directed. "At any moment my assistant +will signal with his lantern that he has dropped the mine and is safely +away from the area." + +The professor's wife had gone to the doorway. Tensely she watched the +lake. Minutes passed. Then from out on the water, there came a moving +circle of red--the signal from Webb. + +"Now!" exclaimed the professor's wife. + +Everyone in the little cabin held his breath. Dramatically, Professor +Bettenridge took a metal tuning fork and struck it sharply against the +crystal ball in the center of his machine. + +"It will take a moment for the sound to reach the lake," he said softly. +"But only a moment. Watch closely." + +All persons in the room crowded to the door and the windows. Suddenly a +huge burst of flame appeared on the lake, fanning out on the surface of +the water. A moment later came the dull boom of a terrific explosion. + + + + + CHAPTER + 16 + _SUSPICION_ + + +Everyone who witnessed the spectacular demonstration was awed by the +sight of the flames rising above the lake. As they died away, Professor +Bettenridge, strutting a bit, walked back to his machine and covered it +with the canvas hood. + +"Now are you satisfied?" he inquired triumphantly. "Is there anyone here +who doubts the remarkable possibilities of my invention?" + +"It was a fine demonstration! Magnificent!" approved Mr. Johnson, fairly +beside himself with excitement. "I am convinced of the machine's worth +and if we can agree upon terms I will write you a check tonight." + +Professor Bettenridge's expression did not change, but the brief glance +he flashed his wife was not lost upon Penny or Salt. + +"You understand, of course," he said smoothly, "that the Navy probably +will insist upon ultimate purchase of the machine even if I relinquish +ownership?" + +"Certainly," agreed Mr. Johnson. "I should expect to make such a sale. +The machine would have no practical use except in warfare." + +Penny was tempted to ask the man if he considered it patriotic to try to +obtain control of a machine in the hope of selling it to the government +at a high profit to himself. But she wisely remained silent. + +Salt, however, had a few pointed remarks to offer. + +"How come," he observed, "that if this invention is so remarkable, the +Navy hasn't already snapped it up?" + +Professor Bettenridge froze him with a glance. "Young man," he said +cuttingly, "you evidently do not understand how government business is +conducted. Negotiations take months to complete. My wife and I need cash, +so for that reason, we are willing to sell the machine quickly." + +"Yesterday I understood you to say that Navy men were ready to complete +the deal," Penny interposed innocently. "Did they change their minds?" + +"Certainly not!" Professor Bettenridge's dark eyes flashed, and only by +great effort did he maintain control of his temper. "You understand that +while their recommendation would eventually be acted upon, a sale still +would take many months to complete." + +"Will your machine explode mines on land as well as in the water?" Salt +inquired. + +"Of course!" + +"Then why not give us a land demonstration?" + +"Us!" the professor mocked, his patience at an end. "Young man, you were +not invited here, and I might add that your presence irritates me! Are +you in any way associated with Mr. Johnson?" + +"I am not." + +"Then kindly do not inject yourself into our negotiations." + +"The young man raises an interesting point," Mr. Johnson interposed, +frowning thoughtfully. "Perhaps we should have a land demonstration +before I pay over the money." + +"So you doubt my honesty?" the professor demanded. + +"Not at all. It's only that I must be very careful before I purchase such +an expensive machine. I must satisfy myself that it will do everything +you claim for it." + +"You have just witnessed a successful demonstration. What more do you +ask?" + +"A successful water test," Salt remarked softly, "does not necessarily +mean a successful land test." + +"I think we should have a land test," Mr. Johnson decided. "If you +convince me that the machine will work equally well under such +circumstances, I will write the check instantly." + +"A land test is impossible," the professor said stiffly. + +"But why?" inquired Mr. Johnson. + +"The dangers are too great. Windows would be smashed for many miles +around. Authorities would not permit such a test. Only with the greater +difficulty did I obtain permission to discharge the mines under water." + +"I had not thought of that," Mr. Johnson acknowledged. He hesitated, and +it was evident that in another moment he would decide to purchase the +machine without further tests. + +"Mr. Johnson, I suppose you have witnessed tests made with your own +mines," Penny interposed. "Or have they all been made with those supplied +by the professor?" + +The remark infuriated Mr. and Mrs. Bettenridge, as she had expected it +would. + +"You and this young man are trying to discredit my machine!" he exclaimed +wrathfully. "Please leave." + +"Why, certainly," agreed Penny, but made no move to depart. + +Seeds of suspicion already had been implanted in Mr. Johnson's mind. + +"The young lady is right," he said. "I should request a test on a mine +which I provide myself." + +"Ridiculous!" snapped the professor. "The machine will work equally well +on any mine." + +"Then surely you should not object to one further test?" + +"The delay is unnecessary." + +"I am certain I can provide a mine within two days," insisted Mr. +Johnson. "Suppose we set the next test for Thursday night at this same +hour?" + +Thus trapped, Professor Bettenridge could not refuse without losing the +sale. Scowling, he gave in. + +"Very well. But this will be the final demonstration. If you are not +satisfied Thursday night, the deal is off." + +"Agreed," said Mr. Johnson. + +Bowing to the Bettenridges, he departed. Others who had witnessed the +demonstration began to melt away. Only Salt and Penny remained. + +Professor Bettenridge closed the door so that the conversation would not +be overheard. Then he turned angrily to the pair. + +"Now what's your little game?" he demanded. "You deliberately tried to +queer my sale? Why?" + +"Mr. Johnson seems like such an innocent little rabbit, maybe we thought +he ought to be protected," Salt drawled. + +"Protected! Why, he's being given the opportunity of a lifetime! How much +is it worth to you to keep out of my affairs?" + +"Not a cent," Salt retorted. "We don't want any part of your deal. But +there's something I did come here for--my camera." + +"I've already told the young lady I know nothing about it. If you were +stupid enough to throw it into a passing automobile, then you deserve to +lose it. Now get out!" + +Salt was tempted to argue the matter, but Penny took his arm, pulling him +toward the door. The professor slammed it hard behind them as they went +out into the night. + +"That fellow is a crook!" Salt exploded. "I'll bet a cookie he has my +camera too!" + +"Well, we can't prove it," Penny sighed. "After all, we did act in a +high-handed way. We may have queered his sale to Mr. Johnson." + +"A good thing if we have." + +"But we have no proof the machine is a fake. With our own eyes we saw the +mine explode. Of course, we think Webb tampered with it in some fashion, +but we're not certain of that either." + +"The proof of the pudding will come Thursday night when and if the old +boy explodes Mr. Johnson's mine." + +"He's just clever enough to do it, too," Penny said gloomily. + +The couple had walked only a short distance up the lane when they were +startled to hear a shrill whistle in the darkness. It came from the +beach. + +Halting, they waited. In a moment the sound was repeated. Then to their +surprise, came an answering whistle from inside Professor Bettenridge's +cabin. + +"That must be Webb," Salt whispered, observing a shadowy form +approaching. "The whistle evidently is a signal to make certain the coast +is clear." + +As they watched, the hunched figure emerged from the darkness, was +silhouetted momentarily in the light which came from the cabin, then +disappeared inside. + +"I wish we knew what they were talking about in there," Penny said. "It +might clear up some of the mystery." + +"Why not see what we can learn?" proposed Salt. "It's safe enough." + +Taking care to walk softly, the pair stole back to the cabin. Crouching +by the window, they could hear a low murmur of voices inside. At first it +was difficult to catch the trend of the conversation, but gradually +Professor Bettenridge's voice grew louder. + +"I don't like it any better than you do," Salt and Penny heard him say, +"but that's the way it is. If we're to finish the deal, we've got to +explode one of Johnson's mines Thursday night. The question is, can we do +it?" + +"Depends on the type of mine," Webb replied gruffly. "How soon can we +have it ahead of the test?" + +"I'll insist that he deliver it here at least by afternoon. Will that +give you time enough?" + +"Sure, it won't take more than a half hour to fix 'er for the test, +providing it can be done. But I ain't makin' no promises until I see the +mine." + +"It's a chance we have to take," Professor Bettenridge said. "The deal +would have gone through tonight if it hadn't been for a couple of young +newspaper fools who came nosing around here. They may make us trouble +Thursday night too." + +"I ain't aimin' to get mixed with the police," Webb said uneasily. "If +this deal don't go through Thursday night, I'm quitting. We're in a +mighty risky business." + +"But we stand to make at least $200,000," the professor reminded him. +"You'll get a third cut. If Johnson holds off Thursday night, I'll drop +to $100,000. The thing we've got to do is to pull off that test okay and +clear out." + +Penny and Salt had heard enough to be certain that the men with whom they +were dealing were crooks of the first rank. Slipping noiselessly away, +they trudged to the car. + +"Now what do we do?" Penny questioned. "Notify the police?" + +"We could," Salt debated, "but so far, it's only our word against +Professor Bettenridge's. He'd probably convince the police he was only a +crack-pot inventor who thought he had a wonderful machine. They might let +him go." + +"Any other ideas?" + +"A slick trick would be to fix that mine so it won't explode. That +automatically would cause complications and probably delay the deal with +Mr. Johnson." + +"Just how do you propose to fix Mr. Johnson's mine?" Penny inquired. "It +would take some doing." + +"The mines are all kept in that shack on the beach?" + +"Yes, Louise and I saw Webb working on one of them there. Evidently it +was the one the professor exploded tonight." + +"He must have doctored it in some special way. Probably an untampered +mine won't explode." + +"He'll fix Mr. Johnson's mine the same way, and then the test will appear +successful." + +Salt nodded gloomily. He was lost in thought for several minutes, and +then he grinned. + +"Maybe I have an idea!" + +"What is it, Salt?" + +The photographer switched on the car ignition. "Wait until Thursday +night," he replied. "Can you get away from the office early?" + +"Well, I really shouldn't--" + +"I'll take care of that part," Salt said briskly. "Just sit tight, Penny. +You and I will have some fun out of this affair yet, and maybe we'll save +Mr. Johnson a tidy sum of money." + + + + + CHAPTER + 17 + _MAJOR BRYAN_ + + +It was nearly midnight by the time Penny reached home. Mrs. Weems had +gone to bed, but a light still burned in the study where Mr. Parker was +working on a speech he expected to deliver the following day before the +Chamber of Commerce. + +"Well, I'm glad you finally decided to come home," he remarked severely. +"Since my little daughter became Tillie the Toiler, she seems to have +developed independent hours." + +"Wait until you hear where I've been," Penny said, sinking into an easy +chair beside his desk. "Dad, you won't blame me for staying out late when +I tell you what I saw and heard." + +Eagerly she related all that had occurred, and was pleased to note that +the story interested her father. + +"Tell me more about Professor Bettenridge," he urged. "Describe him." + +"He looks very scholarly, but his language doesn't fit the part," Penny +recalled. "He's tall and thin and his nose is very pointed. Middle aged, +which might mean forty-five or maybe fifty. That's about all I noticed +except that he has a quick way of darting his eyes about. And he wears +glasses." + +"From your description, he sounds like the same person I heard about this +afternoon," Mr. Parker commented. + +"Someone told you of his experiments at the lake?" + +"Quite the contrary. An Army officer, Major Alfred Bryan called at my +office this afternoon, seeking information about a man who may be +Professor Bettenridge." + +"Was he interested in buying the machine for the Army, Dad?" + +Mr. Parker dipped his pen in ink, wrote a few lines, and then looked up +again. "No, Major Bryan was sent here to trace a man who has several +charges against him. At one time he impersonated an officer and in recent +months has been swindling persons by various schemes. He pretends to sell +Army or Navy surplus war goods." + +"That doesn't sound like Professor Bettenridge, Dad." + +"Perhaps not, but from your description it could be the same man. This +secret ray machine business sounds phoney to me. Most crooks try more +than one game--the mine exploding trick may be his latest scheme to +fleece gullible victims." + +"Do you think we should report the professor to the police, Dad?" + +"It might be a better idea to send Major Bryan to see him," Mr. Parker +returned thoughtfully. "If the professor should prove to be the man he's +after, then the Army would take over." + +"Where is Major Bryan now, Dad?" + +"He didn't mention the name of his hotel, because at the time he called +at my office, I had no thought I could assist him in any way. However, he +expected to stay in Riverview several days. It shouldn't be so hard to +trace him. I'll get busy tomorrow." + +Tired from her adventures of the night, Penny soon went to bed. The next +day Mr. DeWitt gave her several interesting assignments, and when one of +the stories appeared in the final edition of the _Star_, it bore a neat +little "By Penny Parker," under the headline. + +"Getting on in the world, I see," Elda Hunt observed sarcastically. + +Not even the unkind remark could dull Penny's pleasure. She had earned +her way on the newspaper by hard, routine work. The by-line meant that +she had turned in an excellent well-written story. Elda, whose writing +lacked crispness and originality, only once had seen her own name appear +in the _Star_. Penny felt a trifle sorry for her. + +"There's no fairness around here," Elda complained in a whine. "I've +worked over a year. What do I have to show for it? Not even a raise." + +Penny did not try to tell the girl it was her own fault, that her +attitude toward her work was entirely wrong. Elda must learn for herself. + +Not until Wednesday did Penny have a chance to ask her father if he had +traced Major Bryan. + +"To tell you the truth, the matter slipped my mind," he confessed +ruefully. "I've had one conference after another all day long. Tomorrow +I'll certainly try to find him." + +Penny reminded him of his promise on the following day. Mr. Parker, after +telephoning several places, found the major registered at the St. Regis +Hotel, not far from the Parker home. However, the army officer had left +for the day, and was not expected to return before nightfall. + +"Oh, dear," fretted Penny, "that may be too late. If Professor +Bettenridge is successful in his demonstration tonight, he may rake in +Mr. Johnson's money and skip town before the major even sees him." + +"It's unlikely the professor will leave without cashing the check, Penny. +And banks will not be open until nine o'clock tomorrow." + +"I'd feel safer to have police take over," Penny sighed. "If only we +could prove charges against Bettenridge!" + +"He hasn't swindled anyone yet," her father reminded her. "Learn what you +can tonight, and if the sale goes through, we'll then turn him over to +the police." + +"It may be too late then." + +"I think not," smiled her father. "You always were a little impatient, +Penny." + +Eagerly Penny awaited the arrival of evening and another adventure at +Blue Hole Lake. She and Salt arranged to leave the office at four +o'clock, hoping to reach the farmhouse early enough to observe what +preparations Webb made for exploding Mr. Johnson's mine. + +But at three, Salt was sent on an important assignment. + +"I'll get back as soon as I can," he promised Penny, pausing beside her +desk. "I may be a little late, but we'll still make it." + +"I'll be right here waiting," Penny grinned. + +At ten minutes past four Salt returned. Thinking he might have pictures +to develop before he would be free to leave, Penny did not rush him by +going back to the photography room right away. When she had typed her +last story of the day and brought it to the editor's desk for inspection, +she gathered up her purse and hat. + +"Leaving early, aren't you?" Elda inquired in a loud voice so that +everyone would notice. + +"That's right," Penny replied, without explaining her special mission. + +Not wishing to leave the city without ample funds, she first went +downstairs to cash a pay check at the company treasurer's window. He gave +her the crisp five dollar bills, joking with her about skipping town with +so much money. + +Penny tucked the bills into her purse and was turning to go back upstairs +again, when through the window she saw a man coming down the alley from +the rear of the _Star_ building. Recognizing him as Mr. McClusky, the +deep sea diver she had assisted, she darted to the window and rapped to +attract his attention. + +Not hearing her, he walked hurriedly on, and was lost in the crowd of the +street. + +"Wonder what he was doing here?" she thought as she slowly climbed the +stairs. "Perhaps he came to see me. But in that case, he probably would +have come up the front way." + +Dismissing the matter from her mind, she sought Salt in the photography +room. The outside gallery was empty, though the photographer's hat and +coat hung on a hook by the window. + +"Salt!" she called, thinking he must be in the darkroom. + +No one answered. Nevertheless, a strange feeling Penny could not have +explained, took possession of her. She sensed a presence somewhere near +as if she were being watched. + +Nervously Penny stepped to the door of the darkroom. She tapped lightly +on it, but there was no answer. + +Suddenly fearful, she jerked open the door and groped for a light. As the +tiny room blazed with illumination, she uttered a startled gasp. + +Almost at her feet, cheek against the floor, lay Salt Sommers. + + + + + CHAPTER + 18 + _A SECOND TEST_ + + +As Penny knelt beside Salt, he stirred slightly and raised a hand to his +head. She saw then that there was a tiny break in the skin which also was +slightly discolored. Either the photographer had fallen or he had been +slugged. + +Before she could go for help, he sat up, staring at her in a bewildered +manner. Penny assisted him to a chair, and dampening a handkerchief with +water from the tap above the developer trays, applied it to his forehead. + +"What happened?" she inquired anxiously when Salt seemed able to speak. + +"Slugged," he answered in disgust. + +"By whom?" + +"Don't know. The fellow must have been in the darkroom when I came here +to develop my films. Fact is, I thought I heard someone moving around. I +stepped to the door to see, and bing! That's the last I knew." + +"Has anything been taken, I wonder?" Switching on another light, Penny +glanced over the room. The drawer of a filing cabinet where old films, +and plates were kept, remained open. + +"Someone may have been looking in there!" she commented. "Salt, whoever +he is, he must be searching for a film he is afraid we'll publish in the +paper." + +"Maybe so," Salt agreed, holding a hand to his throbbing forehead. "But I +don't know of any picture we have that would damage anyone." + +Penny stepped to the doorway of the darkroom. In the larger room, the +skylight remained closed. It was impossible to tell if anyone had entered +the building in that way. + +Some distance down the hall was a seldom-used stairway which led to the +roof. Finding a door opening into it, Penny climbed the steps to look +about. The rooftop was deserted, but in the building directly across from +the _Star_, a corridor window remained open. + +"How easy it would be for a man to step out onto the roof from there," +she thought. "If the skylight or the stairway door were unlocked, he +easily could enter the _Star_ photography room without being seen." + +Across the way, in the adjoining building, a man stood at an office +window, watching Penny curiously. Sun glared on the panes so his face was +distorted. But from the location of the window, she felt certain it was +Mr. Cordell. + +After a moment, Penny turned and went back down the stairs. The exit at +its base was barred by a door with a rusty key in the lock. + +Passing through, Penny locked it, and slipped the key into her purse. + +"That should stop our prowler for a few days," she thought. + +In the photography room again, she checked the skylight, and finding it +locked, was convinced that this time the mysterious visitor had entered +the building by means of the stairs. She knew the door was usually kept +locked, but undoubtedly the janitor had been careless. + +By this time Salt was feeling much better. While Penny waited, he +explained to the editor why the photos would not be ready until morning, +then declared he was ready to start for Blue Hole Lake. + +"Do you really feel like going?" Penny asked dubiously. + +"Sure thing," the photographer insisted. "It takes more than a little tap +on the head to put me out of running." + +Salt walked a trifle unsteadily as they went down the back stairs +together, but once they were in the press car, he seemed his usual jovial +self. + +"Now tell me about that plan of yours for tonight," Penny urged as they +jounced along the country road. + +"It's not much of a plan," the photographer confessed ruefully. "First, +we've got to learn exactly what Webb does to those mines to make them +explode. Then somehow we'll have to undo the work to cause the +demonstration to turn out a flop." + +"It sounds like a big order," Penny sighed. "We'll need plenty of luck to +carry it out. Especially as we're arriving rather late." + +Having no intention of announcing their presence, the pair drew up about +a quarter of a mile from the lake, parking in a side road. + +Shadows were casting long arms over the ground as they started hurriedly +across the fields toward the beach. They had covered two thirds of the +distance when Penny suddenly caught Salt's arm, pointing toward the lake. + +"Look!" she exclaimed. "There they are now!" + +Out on the lake a barge-type boat was being steered toward the beach near +the shack where Professor Bettenridge stored the mines. The watching +couple recognized three persons aboard the craft, the professor, Mr. +Johnson and Webb. The barge also bore a large mine, similar in type to +those Penny had seen inside the shack. + +"That must be the mine Mr. Johnson is supplying for the test tonight," +she whispered. + +Hand in hand, Penny and Salt crept closer to the shore. The boat grated +on the sand and Webb, with the professor helping him, carried the heavy +mine toward the building. + +"If the mine is to be exploded tonight, wouldn't it be easier to leave it +on the barge ready to drop into the lake?" Penny commented. "Webb and the +professor must have a special reason for hauling it ashore." + +"I think you have something there," Salt observed. "Obviously, they're +going to doctor it in some way. We'll see what happens." + +Webb unlocked the door of the shack and the two men carried the mine +inside. Creeping still closer to the building, Salt and Penny heard Mr. +Johnson say: + +"Just a minute. I see you have other mines stored here. How am I to be +sure that the one exploded will be the mine I have provided?" + +"You may mark it if you wish," the professor replied. "In fact, we prefer +that you do, so there can be no possible doubt in your mind. Take this +pocket knife and scratch your initials on the covering of the mine. Then +tonight, before it is dumped in the lake, you may check again to see +there has been no substitution." + +"You understand, I don't distrust you," Mr. Johnson said, ill at ease. +"But so much money is at stake--" + +"I understand your attitude perfectly," the professor replied. "Certainly +you are entitled to take every precaution." + +A silence ensued, and Penny and Salt assumed that Mr. Johnson was +scratching his initials on the mine. + +"Now suppose we have dinner at the village inn," the professor presently +suggested. "Then we will have the demonstration." + +"Must we wait so long before setting off the mine?" Mr. Johnson inquired. + +"Yes, village authorities gave permission for the test to be held at nine +o'clock," the professor explained. "My own preference would be to get it +over immediately, but I dare not disobey their orders." + +Mr. Johnson made no reply, and a few minutes later, the three men walked +away. No sooner had they disappeared up the lake than Penny and Salt came +out of hiding from among the trees. + +"You have to hand it to Professor Bettenridge," commented the +photographer with grudging praise. "He's a smooth talker. I'll bet a +frosted cookie the test could be held at one time as well as another so +far as the village authorities are concerned. He has a special reason for +wanting it at nine o'clock." + +"Probably to give Webb time enough to work on the mine or exchange them," +Penny said, and then frowned thoughtfully. "But what if the machine +actually should work? After all, the professor agreed to explode Mr. +Johnson's mine, and apparently he's marked it with his initials. It won't +be easy to substitute another one now." + +"All the same, if I'm any good at guessing, it will be done. Now what +shall we do until nine o'clock? Grab ourselves something to eat?" + +Penny was about to suggest that they drive to a village cafe, when she +noticed Webb returning alone from up the beach. Barely did the pair have +time to duck out of sight behind a boulder before he approached. + +Walking directly to the shack, he unlocked the door, and entered. + +"Now this must be where the hocus-pocus begins!" Salt whispered. "We've +got to find out what he does to that mine." + +"Louise and I climbed up in that tree the other day and looked through +the glass in the top." + +"Then that's the trick for us! Come on!" + +Making no sound, the pair climbed the tree close beside the shack. +Noiselessly, they inched their way toward the skylight, and lying flat, +peered down into the dark interior. + +Webb had lighted a lantern which he hung on a wall nail. Unaware that he +was being watched, he squatted in front of the mine which bore Mr. +Johnson's initials, studying it thoughtfully. + +Muttering to himself, he next took a powerful ratchet drill, and for a +long time worked with it on the mine, boring a tiny but deep hole. + +"I'm getting stiff in this position," Penny whispered. "What is he doing, +Salt?" + +"Don't know," the photographer admitted, puzzled. "Apparently, he's +doctoring Mr. Johnson's mine so it will explode tonight, but I'm not +smart enough to figure how the trick will be accomplished." + +By now it was so dark that the pair in the tree no longer feared they +would be seen. Keeping perfectly still, they watched the work in the room +below. + +"It's clear why Professor Bettenridge set nine o'clock for the +demonstration," Salt whispered. "Webb needed all this time to get the +mine ready." + +"And that's why they brought it here instead of dumping it into the +lake," Penny added. "But how can they make the mine explode at exactly +the right moment?" + +After Webb had worked for a while longer, he arose and stretched his +cramped muscles. Going to a cupboard, he removed a white powder from a +glass tube, and carefully inserted it in the hole he had just made in the +mine. As a final act, he sealed the tiny hole with another material, and +polished the surface so that the place did not show. + +"Slick work!" Salt commented. "By the time he's through, no one ever +could tell the mine has been touched! Certainly not that thick-skulled +Johnson." + +Apparently satisfied with his work, Webb put away his tools, made a final +inspection of the mine, and then left the shack. After carefully locking +the door, he disappeared into the night. + +"Now what's our move?" Penny asked as she and Salt finally slid down from +their uncomfortable perch. "Shall we tell Mr. Johnson what we just saw?" + +"We could, but he might not believe us. Penny, I have a better idea! If +we can get inside the shack--" + +"But it's locked!" + +"The skylight may be open." Salt climbed up on the roof to investigate, +but to his disappointment, the roof window was tightly fastened from +inside. + +"We could smash the glass," Penny suggested dubiously. + +Salt shook his head. "That would give the whole thing away. No, I think +we can get inside another way, but we'll have to work fast! Now that Webb +has the mine ready for the demonstration, the professor and Mr. Johnson +may show up here at any minute." + + + + + CHAPTER + 19 + _THE LANTERN SIGNAL_ + + +Salt explained that he intended to pick the lock of the shack door. + +"When I worked the police beat, a detective taught me this trick," he +explained. "You keep watch while I work." + +Now that Webb had disappeared no one was to be seen near the beach. To +Penny's relief, not a person appeared, and Salt, working swiftly, soon +had the door open. + +To make certain they would not be taken unawares, Salt relocked the door +on the inside. Groping about, he found the lantern Webb had left behind, +and lighted it. + +Three mines lay on the floor. "Which is the right one?" Penny asked. +"They all look alike!" + +"Mr. Johnson's initials must be on the one Webb tampered with." + +Salt turned over one of the mines, inspecting it. + +"That thing might go off any minute," Penny said, edging away. "Do be +careful, Salt." + +Salt chuckled. "If it should go off, we'd never know what hit us," he +said. "This is the one Webb tampered with all right. Penny, how are you +at forging?" + +"Forging?" she repeated, not understanding what he meant. + +"Can you duplicate Mr. Johnson's initials on another mine?" + +"Oh, I don't think so. Not so it would look the same." + +"Sure, you can," Salt said, thrusting his pocket knife into her hand. "It +will be dark and no one will look too carefully." + +"But why do you want me to do it? You mean to substitute Mr. Johnson's +mine for one of the others?" + +"That's the ticket," chuckled the photographer. "Maybe my guess is wrong, +but I have a sneaking suspicion if we use one of the professor's own +mines, it will fail to explode." + +"The mine has to be doctored with that powder we saw Webb use!" + +"That's my theory, Penny." + +"But maybe the other mines have already been treated." + +"That's a possibility," Salt admitted thoughtfully. "No way of telling +that, because the hole would be covered so skillfully. We'll have to take +a chance on it." + +While Salt held the lantern, Penny scratched Mr. Johnson's initials on +the metal covering of the mine. Skilled in art, she was able to copy them +fairly well. + +"They don't look exactly the same," Salt said, comparing the two, "but +they're good enough to get by unless Mr. Johnson becomes very critical." + +Quickly they moved the two mines, placing Mr. Johnson's well to the back +of the room, and leaving the substitute exactly where the other had been. + +"Well, that job is done," Salt chuckled. "Unless I miss my guess--" + +He broke off, startled to hear a murmur of voices from a short distance +down the beach. Quick as a flash he blew out the lantern and hung it in +its accustomed place on the wall nail. + +"Salt! Those men are coming!" Penny whispered fearfully. "We're trapped +here!" + +It was too late to slip out the door, for already the men were very +close, and unmistakably, one of the voices was that of Professor +Bettenridge. + +The only available hiding place was a storage closet. Barely in time, +Salt and Penny squeezed into it, closing the door and flattening +themselves against the wall. + +The door of the shack swung open to admit the professor, Webb, and Mr. +Johnson. + +"Dark as pitch in here," Webb muttered. "Wait and I'll light the +lantern." + +In a moment the yellow glow illuminated the dingy little room. + +"Which is my mine?" Mr. Johnson asked. "They all look alike." + +"And for all practical purposes they are exactly alike," said the +professor smoothly. "So far as my machine is concerned, it makes not a +particle of difference. Webb, which is the mine that Mr. Johnson +supplied?" + +"Here it is," the assistant said, tapping the one Salt and Penny had +substituted. "See your initials, Mr. Johnson?" + +"Yes, yes," agreed the man. + +Inside the closet, Penny and Salt breathed easier. + +"Let's get on with the demonstration," the professor urged with sudden +impatience. "Load the mine onto the boat, Webb. Go out to the center of +the lake. Then when you have dropped it, give the usual signal." + +"When everything is okay, I'll wave my lantern three times," Webb agreed. + +The mine was trundled out and the shack became dark. However, Salt and +Penny did not dare come out of hiding until they heard Webb start the +motor of the boat. + +"The coast is clear," the photographer then reported, peering out a crack +of the outer door. "Webb has gone, and the professor and Mr. Johnson are +walking up to the cabin." + +From the beach, Penny and Salt watched the boat moving slowly across the +water. Presently the craft stopped, and the mine was heaved overboard. +The pair waited, but there was no signal from Webb. Nor did his boat move +away from the locality where the mine had been dropped. + +"Why doesn't he wave the lantern?" Penny fretted. + +"He's waiting deliberately, and for a purpose," Salt declared. "Why not +amble up the hill and watch the professor perform?" + +"Not a bad idea," agreed Penny. + +Walking rapidly, they arrived at the cabin quite breathless. As they +tapped lightly on the door, Professor Bettenridge appeared visibly +startled. He stiffened to alert, guarded attention, but relaxed slightly +as his wife admitted the pair. + +"Oh, it's you two again," he said none too pleasantly. "You are just in +time to witness my final demonstration. We are waiting now for my +assistant's signal." + +"It seems to take a long while," Mr. Johnson commented, glancing at his +watch. + +"Webb may have had trouble getting the mine overboard," the professor +soothed. "Besides, he has to move out of the danger zone." + +Penny and Salt looked at each other but said nothing. They were certain +that Webb had been in no haste to return to shore. + +"What are you two smirking about?" the professor demanded irritably. "I +suppose you think my machine won't work?" + +"I'll be surprised if it does," Salt agreed, unruffled. + +Mrs. Bettenridge, who stood at the window, suddenly cried: "There is the +signal!" + +Professor Bettenridge snapped on a switch and the ray machine began to +hum. He turned on another motor and lights began to glow. Then he struck +the crystal ball, producing a musical vibration. + +Assuming a confident pose, he waited. + +Nothing happened. + +As the seconds ticked by and still there was no explosion, the professor +began to wilt. He gazed desperately at his wife who looked as dismayed as +he. + +"My dear, something seems to be wrong. Are you sure you saw the signal? +Perhaps Webb has not yet dropped the mine." + +"I saw the signal. The lantern was waved three times." + +The professor made several adjustments on his machine, and again struck +the musical note. But there was no explosion. Enjoying his discomfiture, +Salt and Penny grinned from ear to ear. + +"You did something to the machine!" the professor accused them furiously. +"You came here and tampered!" + +"We've not been near this place tonight until a moment ago," Penny +retorted. "The truth is, you weren't able to explode Mr. Johnson's mine!" + +"That's not so!" The professor's face now was red with anger. "Something +has gone wrong, but that doesn't prove my machine is a failure. We'll +have another test." + +"I'm not sure that I shall be interested," Mr. Johnson said quietly. +"I've been thinking the matter over and there are so many hazards--" + +"I'll make you an especially good offer," the professor declared, +flipping the canvas cover over his machine. "Furthermore, we will have +the test tonight. I guarantee to explode the mine before you leave here." + +"But the mine I supplied is at the bottom of the lake and it failed to go +off," Mr. Johnson said. + +"First, we will talk to Webb and learn exactly what happened," the +professor said, taking him by the arm. "I know there is a logical +explanation for the failure." + +Glaring at Penny and Salt, he shooed everyone out of the cabin, locking +the door. + +"My dear," he said to his wife, giving her a significant look, "take Mr. +Johnson to the house while I find Webb. I'll be with you in just a +minute." + +The professor went hurriedly down the beach while Mrs. Bettenridge and +Mr. Johnson walked slowly toward the rooming house. Penny and Salt +remained beside the cabin until everyone was beyond hearing. + +"Well, our trick worked," Salt chuckled, "but if we aren't careful, the +professor will pull off a successful test yet and ruin all our plans." + +"He and Webb are certain to examine the mines and discover the one with +Mr. Johnson's initials still in the shack. Then they may convince Mr. +Johnson there was a mix-up, and go ahead with another test which will be +successful." + +"We've got to do something," Salt muttered. "But what?" + +"I know!" Penny exclaimed. "I'll telephone Dad and have him come here +right away with Major Bryan!" + +"Good!" approved Salt. "I'll stay here and hold the fort while you +telephone. Tell your father to step on the gas, because we've got to move +fast to queer Professor Bettenridge's game." + + + + + CHAPTER + 20 + _A CROOK EXPOSED_ + + +Eager to carry out Salt Sommers' bidding, Penny ran up the hill in search +of a telephone. She considered using the one at the house where Professor +and Mrs. Bettenridge roomed, but decided against it, fearing that the +conversation might be overheard or reported to them by the farm woman. + +Hastening on, she saw a light farther down the road, and recalled having +noticed a house there. Five minutes later, completely winded, she pounded +on the door. A man in shirtsleeves, the evening newspaper in his hand, +answered her knock. + +"Please, may I use your telephone?" Penny gasped. + +"Why, sure," he agreed, stepping aside for her to enter. "Anything +wrong?" + +Penny knew better than to mention what was happening at the lake. "I want +to telephone my father in Riverview," she explained. + +"The phone is in the other room," the man said, switching on a light. + +Placing the call, Penny waited impatiently for it to be put through. She +was uncertain whether her father would be at home. If she failed to reach +him, then the only other thing was to notify the sheriff. + +"Here is your party. Go ahead, please," came the long distance operator's +voice. The next moment Penny heard her father's clear tones at the other +end of the line. + +"Dad, I'm at Blue Hole Lake with Salt," she explained hurriedly. "Can you +drive here right away?" + +"I suppose so," he answered, knowing from her voice that something +serious was wrong. "What's up?" + +"We've learned plenty about Professor Bettenridge, Dad. Unless something +is done quickly, he may sell his fake machine to Mr. Johnson." + +"But what can _I_ do about it?" the publisher asked. + +"Can you get hold of the Major and bring him with you?" Penny pleaded. +"Professor Bettenridge may be the man he's after!" + +"Maybe I can reach him!" Mr. Parker agreed. "If I have luck I'll be out +there within twenty or thirty minutes. I'll come as fast as I can." + +Before hanging up the receiver, Penny gave her father detailed +instructions for reaching the lake and told him where to park. Leaving a +dollar bill to pay for the call, she then hastened back to find Salt. + +The photographer was nowhere near the cabin and she was afraid to call +his name lest she be overheard by the Bettenridges. + +As she stood in the shadow of the building, she heard voices from the +beach. Someone with a lighted lantern was coming up the trail, and soon +she distinguished two figures--Professor Bettenridge and Webb. + +"That's the story you'll have to tell Johnson," she heard the professor +say. "Tell him that somehow you got the two mines mixed up as you were +loading them onto the boat and dumped one that was never meant to +explode." + +"But he saw us load the mine." + +"It was dark and he may not be sure. Anyway, the mine with Johnson's +initials is still in the shack. We'll show it to him." + +"What bothers me is how did the mistake happen?" Webb muttered. "I know +the mine I loaded on the boat had Johnson's initials. It should have gone +off." + +"Someone is onto our game, and tampered with the mines. It may have been +a trick of that newspaper pair." + +"In that case, we're in a dangerous spot. We ought to clear out while the +clearing is good. If the authorities get onto what we're doing--" + +"They won't--at least not tonight," the professor said confidently. "The +sheriff is as dumb as they come, and is convinced I am a genius second +only to Thomas Edison. We'll have to pull off a successful test tonight +with Johnson's mine, collect what we can, and clear out." + +"Okay," Webb agreed, "but this is my last job. The game is too dangerous. +I served one stretch in the pen and I don't look forward to another." + +"If we can explode Johnson's mine tonight, we'll collect the money and be +away from here as soon as we cash the check. Can you pull off the job +without any blunder?" + +"Sure I can unless someone tampers with the mine! This time I'll make +sure they don't!" + +"Okay," the professor agreed. "Now I want you to talk to Johnson. Put up +a good story, and get him to look at the mine that has his initials on +it. If he refuses, we're licked, but it's worth a final try." + +"I'd like to find the guy who broke into the shack!" Webb muttered. + +"We may have time for that later. Just now our most important job is to +convince Johnson we have something to sell." + +The two men now were very close. Penny flattened herself against the +building wall, fearful of being seen. The light from their lantern +illuminated her for an instant, but the men were so absorbed in their +discussion, they failed to see her. Going on up the hillside path, they +vanished into the farmhouse. + +What had become of Salt, Penny did not know. Thinking he might have gone +down to the lake, she walked rapidly in that direction. As she approached +the shack where the mines were stored, she heard a low whistle. + +"Is that you, Salt?" she called softly. + +He came from behind a clump of bushes to join her. Quickly they compared +notes. Salt had overheard no conversation, but he had watched Professor +Bettenridge and Webb as they reexamined the mines in the shack. + +"They're onto our game, and it won't work twice," he said. "We've got to +delay the test, but how?" + +"Maybe we could cut the boat loose!" + +"A capital idea!" Salt approved, chuckling. "Penny, you really have a +brain!" + +As they scurried over the stones to the water's edge, Penny suddenly +stopped short. + +"Listen!" she commanded. + +"I didn't hear anything," Salt said. + +"An automobile stopped by the roadside. I'm sure of it. Maybe it's my +father!" + +"He couldn't have reached here so soon." + +"You don't know Dad," Penny chuckled. "He drives like the wind. It +certainly sounded like the engine of our car." + +"Let's have a look before we cut the boat loose," Salt said, slipping a +knife back into his pocket. + +"I'll go," Penny offered. "You wait here." + +Before Salt could stop her, she darted away into the darkness. Crawling +under a barbed wire fence, she took a short cut to the road. Even before +she saw the car, she heard a voice which she recognized as her father's. + +"Dad!" she called softly. + +He was with another man whom Penny hoped was Major Bryan. As the two came +toward the fence, she saw that it was indeed the Army officer. + +"Dad, how did you get here so quickly?" she greeted him. "Salt and I +didn't expect you for at least another twenty minutes." + +"I was lucky enough to get hold of Major Bryan right away," Mr. Parker +answered, climbing over the fence. "Now I hope you haven't brought us on +a wild chase, Penny. What's up?" + +"Come with me and I'll show you," she offered. "That's easier than +explaining everything." + +Major Bryan, a well-built man of early middle age, asked Penny several +questions about Professor Bettenridge as the three walked hurriedly +toward the lake. + +"From your description, he seems to be the man I'm after," he declared +grimly. "If he's the same person, his real name is Claude Arkwright and +he's wanted for impersonating an officer and on various other charges. He +pulled a big job in New York three months ago, then vanished." + +Salt was waiting at the lake. "What's our move?" he asked, after relating +everything that had occurred that night. "Shall we cut the boat loose?" + +"First, let me examine those mines," the major requested. "Can we get +into the shack?" + +"I can pick the lock, but it takes time," Salt offered. + +"We'll break it," the major decided. "Those men may return here at any +minute, so there's no time to lose." + +The door was forced open and Penny was placed on guard to watch the +hillside for Webb or anyone in the professor's party. + +There was no light in the shack, but both Mr. Parker and the major had +brought flashlights. Salt pointed out the mine which had been doctored by +Webb. Carefully, the Army officer examined it. + +"I can't tell much by looking at it for the work has been cleverly +concealed," he admitted. "But from what you've told me, I am quite +certain how the mine is made to explode." + +"How is it done?" Salt demanded. + +"After the hole is made, a chemical--probably sodium--is inserted. Then +another substance which melts slowly in water is used to seal up the +opening." + +"Then that explains why Webb delayed so long in giving the signal after +the mine had been dropped into the water!" Penny exclaimed from the +doorway. "He was waiting for the substance to melt!" + +"Exactly," agreed the major. "If my theory is correct, only the action of +water is required to explode this mine. The professor's machine, of +course, has nothing whatsoever to do with it." + +"Why don't we explode the mine now?" Penny suddenly proposed. "That would +put an end to the professor's little scheme." + +"It might also prevent us from arresting him," the major said. He debated +a moment. Then he exclaimed: "It's worth trying! We'll load the mine on +the boat and dump 'er in the lake!" + +The men would not permit Penny to help with the dangerous work. Carefully +they transported the mine to the boat. Salt was about to start the motor, +but the major stopped him. + +"No, we don't want the sound of the engine to give us away," he said. +"We'll row out into the lake." + +Penny was eager to accompany the men, but they would not hear of it. To +her disappointment, she was compelled to remain on the beach. + +Sitting down on the sand, she nervously watched until the boat faded into +the black of the night. Presently, she heard a splash which told her that +the mine had been lowered overboard. Anxiously, she waited for the boat +to return. + +"Why don't they come?" she thought, straining to hear the sound of oars. +"If the explosion should go off while they're still out there--" + +Then she heard the boat coming and breathed in relief. Soon the craft +grated on sand, and the three men leaped out. + +"Perhaps my theory is wrong," the major commented, as they all huddled +together, waiting. "The mine should have gone off by this time." + +Several minutes elapsed and still nothing happened. And then, as the +group became convinced their plan had failed, there came a terrific +explosion which sent flame and water high above the lake's surface. + + + + + CHAPTER + 21 + _IN SEARCH OF WEBB_ + + +"Beautiful! Beautiful!" chuckled the major as the flames began to die +away. "That proves our theory. No machine is required to set off the +mines--only the action of water." + +"Professor Bettenridge must have heard the explosion!" Penny exclaimed, +fairly beside herself with excitement. "What will happen now?" + +"If human nature runs true to form, he will soon come here to +investigate," the major predicted. + +The four stepped back into the dense growth of trees to wait. Within five +minutes they observed two shadowy figures scurrying down the path toward +the shack where the mines were stored. As they came closer, Penny +recognized the professor and his wife. + +"And someone is following them," she discerned. "It looks like Mr. +Johnson." + +Professor Bettenridge and his wife now were near the trees. Their voices, +though low, carried to those in hiding. + +"That stupid lout, Webb!" the professor muttered. "He has ruined +everything now by setting off the mine too soon." + +"But how could it have been Webb?" his wife protested. "He was at the +farmhouse only five minutes ago. He wouldn't have had time." + +"Then it was someone else--" Professor Bettenridge paused, and cast a +quick alert glance about the lake shore. He noted that the boat was tied, +but that the door of the shack was wide open. + +"We've been exposed!" he muttered. "Our game is up, and we've got to get +away from here before the authorities arrest us." + +"But what about Johnson?" his wife demanded, glancing over her shoulder +at the man who was following them down the hillside path. + +"We can do nothing now. He had begun to catch on even before tonight, and +this explosion finishes everything. Don't even stop to pack your clothes. +We'll get our car and clear out." + +"Webb?" + +"He'll have to look out for himself. We're traveling alone and traveling +fast." + +Those in hiding suddenly stepped forth from the trees, blocking the path. +Major Bryan moved directly in front of the professor, flashing a light +into his face. + +"Good evening, Claude Arkwright," he said distinctly. + +The professor was startled, but recovered poise quickly. "You are +mistaken," he said in a cold voice. "My name is Bettenridge." + +"No doubt that is what you call yourself now. You are wanted by the +Federal government for impersonating an officer." + +"Ridiculous!" + +"May I see your draft card?" the major requested curtly. + +"Sorry, I haven't it with me. It is in my room." + +"Then we will go there." + +Nettled, Professor Bettenridge could think of no further excuse. Glancing +significantly at his wife, he said: "My dear, will you go to the house +and get the card for our inquisitors?" + +"We will all go," corrected the major. "Your wife may be wanted as your +accomplice in this latest secret ray machine fleece. We prefer that she +does not escape." + +"You are very trusting," sneered the professor. + +By this time, Mr. Johnson had reached the hillside. Puffing from having +hurried so fast, he gazed in bewilderment at the little group. + +"What does this mean?" he inquired. "What caused the mine to explode?" + +"It was set off by being dropped in the lake," explained the major. + +"You mean the explosion was not touched off by Professor Bettenridge's +invention?" + +"The machine had nothing whatsoever to do with it," Penny explained. +"Professor Bettenridge and his accomplice, Webb Nelson, have been +doctoring the mines with a powder and an outer shield which dissolves in +water. They hoped to sell the worthless machine to you before you +discovered the truth." + +The information stunned Mr. Johnson, but recovering, he turned furiously +upon Professor Bettenridge. + +"You cheap trickster!" he shouted. "I'll have you arrested for this!" + +"Have you given the man any money?" Mr. Parker inquired. + +"A thousand dollars for an option on the machine. The rest was to have +been paid tonight." + +"You're lucky to get off so easily," Mr. Parker said. "It's possible too, +that we can get part of your deposit back." + +"You can't hold me on any trumped-up charge," Professor Bettenridge said +angrily. "You have no warrant." + +He started away, but was brought up short as he felt the major's revolver +pressing against his ribs. + +"This will hold you, I think," said the Army man coolly. "Now lead the +way up the hill to the other cabin. I want to see your remarkable +invention." + +With his wife clinging to his arm, the professor marched stiffly ahead of +the group. He unlocked the cabin door and all went inside. + +Jerking off the canvas which covered the secret ray machine, Major Bryan +inspected it briefly. + +"A worthless contraption!" he said contemptuously. "Utterly useless!" + +"Where did you meet Webb Nelson?" Penny asked the professor. "And where +is he now?" + +"You'll have to find him for yourself," sneered the professor. "If he has +the sense I think, he's probably miles away from here by now." + +Determined that the man should not escape, Penny, Salt and Mr. Parker +started for the farmhouse, leaving the major and Mr. Johnson to question +the professor. As they rapped on the screen door, Mrs. Leonard came to +let them in. + +"What is going on here tonight, may I ask?" she demanded irritably. +"People banging in and out of the house at all hours! Explosions! I +declare, I wish I never had rented a room to that crazy professor and his +wife!" + +"Is Webb Nelson here?" Mr. Parker asked. + +"The professor's helper? Why, no, right after the explosion he came, +gathered a bag of things from the professor's room, and went off down the +road." + +"In a car?" + +"He was afoot when he left here. Is anything wrong?" + +"Considerable. Professor Bettenridge has just been exposed as an +impostor. Webb must have realized the jig was up when he heard the mine +go off." + +"The professor an impostor!" Mrs. Leonard exclaimed. "Well, of all +things!" + +"Which way did Webb go?" Mr. Parker asked. + +"Down the road toward town when I last saw him." + +"Maybe we can catch him!" Mr. Parker cried. + +"If he didn't get a lift," Salt added. + +All piled into the Parker car which had been left a short distance down +the road. But in the drive to Newhall, the man was not sighted. Nor did +inquiry in the town reveal anyone who had seen him. + +"Undoubtedly he expected to be followed, and cut across the fields or +took a side road," Mr. Parker declared. "We'll have to depend upon the +authorities to pick him up now." + +Stopping at the sheriff's office, warrants for the man's arrest were +sworn out, and the party then returned to Mrs. Leonard's. Professor +Bettenridge and his wife had been brought to the farmhouse by Major Bryan +who proposed to hold them there pending the arrival of federal +authorities from Riverview. + +"There's one thing I want to know," Penny whispered to her father. "How +did Professor Bettenridge meet Webb? Perhaps he can explain the man's +connection with the _Snark_." + +The question was put to the professor who replied briefly that he knew +nothing whatsoever about Webb Nelson. + +"I met him only two weeks ago," he said. "He claimed to be an expert at +handling explosives, so I hired him." + +No one believed the professor was telling the truth. However, it was +useless to question him further. Determined not to implicate himself, his +wife, or his helper, he spoke as seldom as possible. + +"The man has a room here," Mr. Parker suggested. "Suppose we see what we +can find." + +Mrs. Leonard led the way upstairs. The professor's room was locked, but +she opened it with a master key. + +Two suitcases had been packed as if for a hasty departure and everything +was in disorder. All garments had been removed from the closets. The +scrap basket was filled with torn letters which Mr. Parker promptly +gathered together and placed in an envelope for future piecing together. + +In one of the suitcases he found several newspaper clippings. One bore a +picture of the professor, but the name beneath it was Claude Arkwright, +and the story related that he was wanted in connection with a $10,000 +hoax. + +"Bettenridge is our man all right," the publisher declared. "We made no +mistake in holding him for the sheriff." + +Penny had been searching the larger of the two suitcases which seemed to +contain only clothing. But as she reached the lower layer, she suddenly +gave a jubilant cry. + +"Salt! Dad!" she exclaimed. "It's here! See what I've found!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 22 + _SALT'S MISSING CAMERA_ + + +From the suitcase, Penny lifted Salt's camera. With a cry of pleasure, he +snatched it from her hand and eagerly examined it. + +"Is it damaged in any way?" Penny asked. + +"It doesn't seem to be. So the professor had it all the time just as we +thought!" + +"And here are the plates I tossed into the car the night of the +explosion!" Penny added, burrowing deeper into the pile of clothing. +"They're probably ruined by now." + +"Maybe not," said Salt, examining them. "The professor may have thought +they were unexposed plates and kept them for use later on." + +"Anyway, it was crooked of him to try to keep the camera," Penny +declared. "Though I suppose such a small theft doesn't amount to much in +comparison to the trick he nearly played on Mr. Johnson." + +"It matters to me," the photographer chuckled. "Am I glad to get this +camera back! The plates won't do us any good now they are outdated, but +I'll take them along anyhow. I'm curious to see if they would have shown +anything of significance." + +"By all means develop them," urged Mr. Parker. "Anything else in the +suitcase?" + +In a pocket of the case Penny found several letters from Mr. Johnson +which she gave to her father. Knowing they would be valuable in +establishing a case of attempted fraud against the professor, he kept +them. + +"I wish Webb Nelson hadn't managed to escape," Penny remarked as the trio +went downstairs again. "He must have started for Newhall, perhaps to +catch a train." + +"Any due at this time?" her father asked thoughtfully. + +"I wouldn't know." + +"Tell you what," Mr. Parker proposed. "We can do nothing more here. We +may as well drive to the village again and press an inquiry for Webb." + +Once more the car with Salt as driver careened over the bumpy country +road to Newhall. They reached the town without sighting anyone who +resembled the professor's helper. + +"Drive to the station," Mr. Parker instructed Salt. "There's an outside +chance Webb went there." + +The depot was a drab little red building, deserted except for a +sleepy-eyed station agent who told them there was no passenger train +scheduled to leave Newhall before six o'clock the next morning. + +"Any freight trains?" Mr. Parker inquired. + +"A couple are overdue," the agent said. "No. 32 from the east, and No. +20, also westbound. No. 20's just coming into the block." + +Although it seemed unlikely Webb would take a freight train out of town, +Mr. Parker, Salt and Penny, decided to wait for it to come in. They went +outside, standing in the shadow of the station. + +"No sign of anyone around," Salt declared, looking carefully about. "We +may as well go back to the lake." + +"Let's wait," Penny urged. + +No. 20 rumbled into the station, stirring up a whirlwind of dust and +cinders. A trainman with a lantern over his arm, came into the station to +get his orders from the agent. He chatted a moment, then went out again, +swinging aboard one of the cars. A moment later, the train began to move. + +"Shall we go?" Mr. Parker said impatiently. + +Penny buttoned her coat as she stepped beyond the protection of the +building, for the night air was cold and penetrated her thin clothing. +Treading along behind her father and Salt to the car, she started to +climb in, when her attention riveted upon a lone figure some distance +from the railroad station. A man, who resembled Webb Nelson in build, had +emerged from behind a tool shed, and stood close to the tracks watching +the slowly moving freight. + +Then he ran along beside the train and suddenly leaped into one of the +empty box cars. + +"Dad! Salt!" she exclaimed. "I just saw someone leap into one of those +cars! I'm sure it was Webb!" + +"Where?" demanded her father. "Which car?" + +"The yellow one. Oh, he'll get away unless we can have him arrested at +the next town!" + +"He won't escape if I can stop him!" Salt muttered. + +Racing across the platform, he waited for the car Penny had indicated. +Although the train was moving faster now, he leaped and swung himself to +a sitting position in the open doorway. + +"Look out! Look out!" Penny screamed in warning. + +Behind Salt, the man who had taken refuge in the car, moved stealthily +toward him, obviously intending to push him off the train. But the +photographer knew what to expect and was prepared. + +He whirled suddenly and scrambled to his feet. His attacker caught him +slightly off balance, and they went down together, rolling over and over +on the straw littered floor. + +Worried for Salt, Penny and Mr. Parker ran along beside the train. The +publisher tried to leap aboard to help the photographer, but lacking the +younger man's athletic prowess, he could not make it. Already winded, he +began to fall behind. + +Penny kept on and managed to grasp the doorway of the car, but she +instantly realized she could not swing herself through the opening. The +train now was moving rapidly and gaining speed each moment. + +Inside the box car, the two men were rolling over and over, each fighting +desperately to gain the advantage. Penny could not see what was +happening. Forced by the speed of the train, she let go her hold. Her +feet were swept from beneath her, and she stumbled and fell along the +right of way. + +Before she could scramble to her feet, her father had caught up with her. + +"Are you hurt?" he asked anxiously. + +Penny's knees were skinned but the injury was so trifling she did not +speak of it. Her one concern was for Salt. + +"Oh, Dad," she said, grasping his arm nervously. "What are we going to +do? That brute may kill him!" + +Mr. Parker shared Penny's concern, but he said calmly: "There's only one +thing we can do now. We'll have the station agent send a wire to the next +station. Police will meet the train and take Webb into custody." + +"He may not be on the train by the time it reaches the next town! Oh, +Dad, Salt may be half killed before then!" + +Penny and her father stared after the departing freight. The engineer +whistled for a high trestle spanning a narrow river, and the train began +to rumble over it. + +Suddenly Penny stiffened into alert attention. In the doorway of the open +boxcar, she could see the two struggling men. Mr. Parker, too, became +tense. + +As they watched fearfully, one of the men was pushed from the car. He +rolled over and over down a steep embankment toward the creek bed. + +The other man, poised in the doorway an instant, then just before the car +reached the trestle, leaped. + + + + + CHAPTER + 23 + _ESCAPE BY NIGHT_ + + +Fearful for Salt, Penny and her father ran down the tracks toward the +railroad trestle. Scrambling and sliding down the slippery embankment, +they saw Salt lying in a heap near the edge of the creek. + +Webb, his ankle injured, was trying to hobble toward a corn field just +beyond the railroad right of way. + +"Get him! Don't let him escape!" Salt cried, raising himself to his +knees. + +Although alarmed for the photographer who appeared to have been injured +by his leap, Penny and her father pursued Webb. Handicapped as he was +with an injured ankle, they overtook him by the barbed wire fence. + +Already badly battered from the fight, and bruised as a result of his +fall from the train, the man put up only a brief struggle as Mr. Parker +pinned him to the ground. + +"Quick!" the publisher directed Penny. "See what you can do for Salt. He +may be badly injured." + +The photographer, however, had struggled to his feet. He stood +unsteadily, staring down at his torn clothing. + +"Are you all right?" Penny asked anxiously, running to his side. + +"Yes, I'm okay," he said, gingerly touching a bruised jaw. "Boy! Is that +lad a scrapper? Did you see me push him out of the boxcar?" + +"We certainly did, and we were frightened half to death! We thought you +would be killed." + +Hobbling over to the fence, Salt confronted his assailant. Webb's face +was a sorry sight. His nose was crimson, both eyes were blackened and his +lip was bleeding. + +"You may as well come along without making any more trouble," Mr. Parker +told him grimly. "Professor Bettenridge has been taken into custody, and +the entire fraud has been exposed." + +"I figured that out when I heard the mine go off," the man returned +sullenly. "Okay, you got me, but I was only carrying out orders. I worked +for Professor Bettenridge, but any deals he made were his business, not +mine." + +"That remains to be seen," replied Mr. Parker. "We'll let you talk to the +sheriff. Move along, and no monkey business." + +Having no weapon, Salt and the publisher walked on either side of the +prisoner, while Penny brought up the rear. + +"You don't need to hang onto me," he complained bitterly. "I ain't going +to try to escape." + +"We're sure you won't," returned Salt, "because we'll be watching you +every step of the way." + +At first, as the four tramped down the tracks toward the station, the +prisoner showed no disposition to talk. But gradually his curiosity +gained the better of him. He sought information about Professor +Bettenridge's arrest, and then tried to build up a story that would +convince his captors he had only been an employee hired on a weekly +basis. + +"I suppose you know nothing about the _Snark_ either," Penny observed +bitterly. "After Ben Bartell and I pulled you out of the river, you +repaid us by stealing his watch." + +To her astonishment, the man reached in his pocket and gave her the +timepiece. + +"Here," he said gruffly, "give it back to him. I won't need it where I'm +going." + +"Why did you take the watch when it didn't belong to you?" Penny pursued +the subject. "Especially after Ben risked his life to pull you out of the +river." + +"Oh, I don't know," the man answered impatiently. "I needed a watch, so I +took it. Quit askin' so many questions." + +"Why were you pushed off the _Snark_?" Penny demanded, refusing to +abandon the subject. + +She did not expect Webb to answer the question as he had refused to +explain at the time of his rescue. To her surprise, he replied grimly: + +"They tried to get rid of me. We had a disagreement over a job they +wanted me to pull." + +"What job was that?" Mr. Parker interposed. + +"Dynamiting the Conway Steel Plant." + +The words produced a powerful effect upon the publisher, Salt, and Penny. +At their stunned silence, Webb added hastily: + +"You understand, I didn't do it. They got sore because I refused to pull +the job." + +"Why, that doesn't make sense," Penny protested. "Evidently, you are +mixed up on your dates, because the Conway Plant explosion took place +before the night we rescued you from the water." + +"Sure, I know," the man muttered, trying to cover his slip of tongue. +"They were afraid I'd squawk to the police and that was why they pitched +me overboard." + +"Who pulled the job?" Salt asked. + +"I don't know. Someone was hired to set off the explosion." + +Webb's story was accepted but not believed. Penny knew from previous +experience that the man was more inclined to tell a lie than the truth. +Convinced that he might have been implicated in the explosion, she +suddenly recalled his visit to the office of Jason Cordell. Could his +call there have any hidden significance? + +"You're a friend of Mr. Cordell's, aren't you?" she inquired abruptly. + +The question caught Webb off guard. He gave her a quick look but answered +in an indifferent way: "Never heard of him." + +"I'm certain I saw you in his office," Penny insisted. + +Realizing that his loose talk was building up trouble for himself, Webb +would say no more. At the sheriff's office, he repeated practically the +same story, insisting that he had been hired by Professor Bettenridge on +a wage basis, and that he was in no way implicated in the plot to defraud +Mr. Johnson. + +"Your story doesn't hang together," Mr. Parker said severely. "Naturally +you knew that the professor's machine was worthless?" + +"Not at first," Webb whined. "He only told me he wanted a mine exploded +at a certain time. It was only by chance that I learned he intended to +cheat Mr. Johnson." + +"Considering the conversations I overheard between you and the professor, +that is a little hard to believe," Penny contributed. + +"It might go a little easier with you, if you come through with the +truth," a deputy sheriff in charge of the office, added. "Anything you +want to say before we lock you up?" + +Webb hesitated a long while, and then in a subdued voice said: "Okay, I +may as well tell you. Sure, I knew the professor and his wife were +crooks. They offered me a split on the profits if Johnson bought the +secret ray machine." + +"Where did you obtain your mines?" Salt asked curiously. + +"I don't know," Webb answered, and for once spoke the truth. "Professor +Bettenridge had a friend hooked up in a munitions plant who supplied him +with a few which were defective." + +"Now tell us the truth about the _Snark_," Penny insisted. "You said +those men were mixed up in the dynamiting of the Conway Steel Plant. Was +that one of the professor's jobs?" + +"No, he had nothing to do with it." + +"His car was in the vicinity of the plant on the night of the explosion." + +"It was just accident then," Webb maintained. "He had nothing to do with +it." + +"Then you do know the persons involved?" + +"If I told you, you wouldn't believe me," Webb said sullenly. "Why not go +to the _Snark_ and get information first hand if you want it." + +It was evident the man would reveal no more, so the deputy sheriff locked +him up. Within a few minutes Professor Bettenridge and his wife were +brought in, and although they indignantly demanded release, they too were +placed in jail cells. + +Mr. Johnson who had accompanied Major Bryan to the sheriff's office, +seemed rather stunned by the events which had transpired. He shook +Penny's hand and could not praise her enough for exposing the professor's +trickery. + +"What a fool I was," he acknowledged. "His smooth talk hypnotized me. +Why, I might have paid a large sum of money to him, if it hadn't been for +you. Now I shall prosecute charges vigorously." + +The wealthy man tried to press money upon both Penny and Salt, who +smilingly refused to accept it. They assured him that knowing the +professor's trick had failed was ample reward. + +By the time Penny, her father and Salt finally reached the Parker home it +was nearly midnight. Somewhat to their surprise, Mrs. Weems was still +waiting up. + +"I'm so glad you came!" she exclaimed, before they could explain what had +happened. "Nearly an hour ago someone telephoned, asking for Penny. I +think the message may be important." + +"Who was it?" Penny asked. + +"A man named Edward McClusky." + +"The river diver!" Penny exclaimed. "What did he want, Mrs. Weems?" + +"At first he wouldn't tell me, saying he had to talk to you personally. +However, I finally persuaded him to trust me with the message. He said: +'Tell Miss Parker that her friend Ben Bartell went aboard the _Snark_ +last night and hasn't been seen since.'" + + + + + CHAPTER + 24 + _A RAID ON THE_ SNARK + + +"Oh, why didn't Mr. McClusky call the police instead?" Penny cried +anxiously. "Ben may be in serious trouble!" Turning to her father she +added: "Dad, we must go there right away!" + +"To the _Snark_?" Mr. Parker frowned and reached for the telephone. "The +matter is one for the police, Penny. I'll call the night inspector." + +Contacting the police station, the publisher explained why he believed it +advisable to search the _Snark_. He was assured that a squad would be +sent there at once to investigate. + +"We've had other complaints about that vessel," the inspector said. "So +far we've not been able to find anything out of the way." + +Having notified the police, Mr. Parker felt that his duty was done, but +not Penny. + +"Dad, can't we go there too?" she pleaded. "Ben is in trouble and we may +be able to help him." + +"I don't see what we could do, Penny. Besides, you know how I feel about +Ben." + +"And you're dead wrong. You've done him a dreadful injustice. Tonight may +prove it." + +Mr. Parker wavered, then suddenly gave in. "All right, get your heavy +coat," he instructed. "It will be cold along the waterfront." + +Penny raced for the warm garment and joined her father and Salt as they +were backing the press car out of the driveway. + +"The _Snark_ is tied up at Pier 23," Penny directed. "Straight down this +street and turn at Jackson." + +The car reached the docks, parking alongside a dark warehouse. There was +no sign of the police. A short distance away, the _Snark_ with only dim +deck lights showing, and no one in view, tugged at her heavy ropes. + +"We'll wait for the police," Mr. Parker decided. + +Within five minutes, two cars glided noiselessly up to the pier and a +dozen men in uniform leaped out. Captain Bricker, in charge of the squad, +strode to the _Snark_ and called loudly: "Ahoy, there!" + +No one answered. + +"Ahoy, the _Snark_!" he shouted again. + +Still receiving no answer, he ordered his men aboard. Single file, they +crawled cautiously up a ladder to the dark deck. + +"Anyone aboard?" the captain called once more. + +Salt, Mr. Parker and Penny, eager for first hand information, followed +the policemen up the ladder. + +"My men will search the vessel," Captain Bricker told them, "but no one +appears to be aboard. Everything seems in order." + +Spreading out over the ship, the policemen returned one by one to report +they could find nothing amiss. Not even a watchman was aboard. + +"This seems to be a wild-goose chase, Captain," Mr. Parker apologized. +"Sorry to have bothered you. We considered our information reliable." + +The policemen began to leave. Penny, lingering on deck until the last, +was being helped onto the ladder by Captain Bricker, when they both heard +a sound below decks. + +"What was that?" the officer muttered, listening alertly. + +"It sounded like someone thumping on a wall," Penny cried. "There it is +again!" + +The noise was not repeated a third time, but Captain Bricker had heard +enough to make him believe that someone remained below. Drawing his +revolver, and warning Penny to keep back, he started down the dark +companionway. + +At a safe distance, Penny trailed him. His bright flashlight beam cut +paths of light over the walls as he tried the doors. + +"Anyone here?" he shouted. + +A thumping noise came from a room on the right. Guided by the sound, +Captain Bricker tried the door. It was locked. + +A powerfully built man, the officer hurled his weight against the door, +and the lock gave way. Keeping back, lest he become a target for a +bullet, he kicked the door open. The room was empty! But, the flashlight +beam caught the outline of a trapdoor in the floor. The officer flung it +open. Below, in the hold, lay a man gagged and bound hand and foot. + +Following the police officer into the room, Penny uttered a little cry as +she recognized Ben Bartell. Blinking owlishly in the light which had been +focused upon him, he was a deplorable sight. His face was bruised, his +hair matted with blood, and one eye was swollen almost shut. + +"Oh, Ben! What have they done to you?" Penny gasped in horror. + +Captain Bricker cut the young man free, and pulled the gag from his +mouth. He helped Ben into a chair and then went to another cabin for +water. + +"Who did this to you?" Penny asked, rubbing the reporter's hands to +restore circulation. + +He seemed too exhausted to reply so she did not urge him to speak. The +captain brought water which Ben drank thirstily. + +"He's evidently been tied up several hours," the officer commented. + +"Since last night," Ben whispered, moistening his cracked lips. + +"How did you get aboard?" + +"I sneaked on when no one was looking--wanted to see what I could learn." + +"Who were the men that tied you up?" + +"Don't know. But before they caught me, I heard plenty. The men on this +boat are mixed up in the dynamiting of the Conway Steel Plant." + +Penny nodded, for this information correlated with what she already had +learned. + +"Was Webb Nelson involved in the plot?" she asked eagerly. + +"He set off the dynamite according to what I overheard last night," Ben +revealed. "But he got into a fight with the gang over his pay for the +job. He tried to shake them down for a big sum, threatening to spill +everything to the police if they didn't cough up. It ended up in a fight, +and Webb was pushed overboard." + +"Then we pulled him out of the river," Penny supplied. "But he refused to +tell us a thing." + +"He knew better than to spill the story because he would have implicated +himself. And the gang aboard this boat had no fear either, because they +figured he was only pulling a bluff." + +"But who was behind the plot?" Penny asked, puzzled. "What did the men +hope to gain by dynamiting the plant?" + +"They did it on orders from a man higher up--a man who personally hates +the owner of the Conway Steel Plant." + +"Then it was a grudge matter?" Captain Bricker inquired dubiously. + +"Not entirely," Ben returned. "Labor troubles are mixed up in it. This +man, who represents a minor faction, has been trying to gain control over +the employes without much success. By planning a series of accidents +similar to the dynamiting, he thought he might bring the management +around to his way of thinking." + +"Who is the leader?" Penny demanded impatiently. + +Ben hesitated. "I hate to say," he confessed, "because I'm not absolutely +certain. In the conversation I overheard before I was caught, he wasn't +mentioned by name. But by putting two and two together, I have a fairly +good idea." + +"Guessing won't do in this business," said Captain Bricker. + +"I know that," admitted Ben. "But here is one bit of fact I gained. The +big boss was at the factory on the night of the explosion. In fact, he +was nearly caught, and a photographer snapped a picture of him as he +fled." + +"You're sure of that?" Penny demanded excitedly. + +"Yes, I heard the men talking about it. The boss has been worried for +fear that picture will show up and convict him." + +"Now I'm beginning to understand," Penny murmured. "It explains why the +_Star_ photography room was broken into several times. Someone was after +those plates which weren't there!" + +"What became of the pictures?" Captain Bricker asked. "They'll prove +valuable evidence." + +"Why, Salt Sommers has the camera and plates in the press car. Of course, +we don't know what the plates will show until they're developed." + +"We must have them at once," the captain said. He turned again to Ben. +"Now did you know any of the men who attacked you?" + +"Not a one. But I can give you a fairly good description of most of them. +They're waterfront riff-raff." + +"In that case some of them may have their pictures in our files," the +captain said. "I'll issue orders to round up all loiterers in this +neighborhood. You should be able to identify most of them in a police +line-up." + +"I'm sure I can." + +"Now about the higher-up, who engineered the scheme. You said you had an +idea who he is." + +"That's right," agreed Ben. "The men spoke of him as a publisher. I don't +like to accuse him outright, because I'll be suspected of trying to get +even with a man I hate." + +Light came swiftly to Penny. Into her mind leaped many facts hitherto +puzzling, but which now seemed suddenly clear. The open skylight--the +building adjoining the _Star_--Webb Nelson's call upon the editor of the +_Mirror_. + +"Ben, you don't need to accuse anyone!" she cried. "I'll do it myself. +The man is Jason Cordell, and I think we can prove it too!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 25 + _PICTURE PROOF_ + + +"Yes, Jason Cordell is the man responsible," Ben agreed soberly. "I can't +prove it, but in my own mind I'm sure." + +"You used to work for him, didn't you?" the police captain inquired, the +inflection of his voice implying that he thought the former reporter +might be prejudiced. + +"I was fired," Ben admitted readily. "Cordell let me go and blacklisted +me everywhere to prevent me from exposing him. He wanted to discredit me, +so that anything I might say would carry no weight." + +"Why were you really discharged, Ben?" Penny asked. "What did you learn +about Mr. Cordell?" + +"That he had pulled off no end of crooked deals and that he was mixed up +with this outlaw labor group. Over a period of three or four years, +Cordell has made a mint of money, and not from his paper either!" + +"We'll question Cordell tonight," Captain Bricker promised. "The trick +now is to get you to the station for first aid treatment. Then we'll want +you to look through the police morgue and identify the pictures of as +many of the _Snark's_ crew as you can." + +The officer turned to Penny. "As for those undeveloped plates, can you +get them right away?" + +"I think so," Penny returned. While Captain Bricker helped Ben up the +companionway, she ran ahead to find her father and Salt and tell them of +the latest developments. + +The two were waiting in the press car. But when Mr. Parker learned how +significant the pictures of the Conway Plant explosion might prove to be, +he surprised Penny by declining to turn them over immediately to the +police. + +"We may want those plates for the _Star_," he declared. "If the police +once get their hands on them, it might be a job to get them back again in +time to be of any use to us." + +"But Jason Cordell's arrest may depend upon them," Penny protested. + +"We'll have the plates developed, and let police see them," Mr. Parker +decided. "But the plates must remain in our hands. Come on, let's go!" + +At a nod from the publisher, Salt started the press car, and without +being instructed, headed for the _Star_ building. + +"How long will it take you to develop those plates?" Mr. Parker asked the +photographer. + +"Ten minutes." + +"Good!" approved the publisher. "If they reveal anything, we'll telephone +the police station at once." + +As the car coasted to a standstill alongside the _Star_ building, Penny's +gaze roved to the darkened offices next door. All of the floors save one +were without light. But in the suite occupied by the _Mirror_, a man +plainly could be seen moving to and fro. + +"There is Jason Cordell now!" she drew attention to him. "Why do you +suppose he's at his office so late tonight?" + +"There's no crime in that," replied Mr. Parker. "He may be guilty as Ben +says, but I'll not believe it until I have the proof." + +Letting themselves into the newspaper building, the three went up the +back stairs to the photography studio. Salt immediately set about +developing the plates. + +"Something is coming up all right!" he declared jubilantly, as he rocked +the developer tray back and forth. + +In a few minutes, Salt had washed the plates and was able to examine them +beneath the red light. One was blurred and revealed little. But the other +plainly showed a man fleeing toward a waiting car. + +"Why, the man is Webb Nelson!" Penny exclaimed, recognizing him. + +"But notice the driver of the car," Salt said. "It's Jason Cordell! Ben +was right." + +"Then the man is guilty!" Penny cried. "Oh, Dad, I was certain of it!" + +Mr. Parker scanned the plate carefully to ascertain there was no possible +mistake. + +"Yes, it's Jason Cordell," he agreed. "The truth is hard to believe. Why, +I lunched with him only yesterday--" + +"Dad, he's a criminal no matter how respectable he has acted." + +"You're right," acknowledged Mr. Parker. "I'll notify the police at once +and have him picked up for questioning." + +Transmitting the important information to police headquarters, Mr. Parker +talked with Captain Bricker who promised to take personal charge of the +matter. As the publisher hung up the receiver, he was startled to have +Penny grasp his arm. Excitedly, she pointed out the window. + +"Now what?" he asked, failing to understand. + +"The light just went off in Mr. Cordell's office! He's leaving!" + +"Then we'll stop him," her father decided. "Salt, you stay here and rush +that plate through! I'll detain Cordell by one means or another until the +police arrive!" + +With Penny close beside him, he ran down the back stairs to the street. +Breathlessly they arrived at the next building. The elevator was not +running, but they could hear someone coming down the stairway. Then Jason +Cordell, a brief case tucked under his arm, came into view. He stopped +short upon seeing Mr. Parker and his daughter. + +"Working late?" Mr. Parker inquired pleasantly. + +"That's right," agreed the other. He would have walked on, but the +publisher barred the exit. + +"By the way, I met a friend of yours tonight," Mr. Parker said, stalling +for time. + +"That so? Who was he?" + +"Webb Nelson." + +Mr. Cordell's face did not change expression, but his eyes narrowed +guardedly. + +"Not a friend of mine," he corrected carelessly. + +"But I've seen him in your office," Penny said. + +Mr. Cordell looked her straight in the eyes and smiled as if in +amusement. "That may be," he admitted, "but all who come to my office are +not my friends." + +He tried to pass again, but Mr. Parker stood his ground. "Say, what is +this?" Mr. Cordell demanded, suddenly suspicious. + +"I'm afraid I'll have to ask you a few questions about your friend Webb +Nelson. Suppose we go back to your office." + +"Suppose we don't," Cordell retorted. "I'm tired and I'm going home. If +you want to see me, come around tomorrow during business hours." + +"Which may be too late." + +"I don't know what you're talking about," the _Mirror_ editor blustered. +"Furthermore, I'm not interested. Get out of my way." + +Instead, Mr. Parker grasped him firmly by the arm. Cordell tried to jerk +free, and in so doing, dropped his brief case, which Penny promptly +seized. + +"Give that to me!" the man shouted furiously. + +Penny smiled, for through the plate glass window she had observed the +approach of a police car. Another moment and uniformed men were swarming +about Mr. Cordell. + +"What is the meaning of this?" the man demanded angrily. "I'll report you +all to the Safety Director who is my friend!" + +"You'll report to him all right," agreed Captain Bricker. "Now come along +quietly. If you can answer a few questions satisfactorily, you'll be +allowed to return home." + +"What do you want to know?" Cordell asked sullenly. + +"Where were you on the night of the 16th?" + +"Now how should I know?" the man retorted sarcastically. "I can't +remember that far back. But probably I was home in bed." + +"You're wanted in connection with the Conway dynamiting," the officer +informed him. + +Mr. Cordell snorted with anger. "Of all the ridiculous charges! I know +nothing about the affair." + +Out of the door burst Salt Sommers. He was without a hat, but he carried +a picture, still wet, in the palm of his hand. + +"So you know nothing about the dynamiting," he mimicked. "Well, +gentlemen, take a look at this!" + +Mr. Cordell and the policemen gathered about him, studying the +photograph. Plainly it showed Webb Nelson fleeing toward a car driven by +the _Mirror_ editor. + +"What does this prove?" the man blustered. "I admit the car is mine. I +was driving past the plant at the time of the explosion. This fellow, +Nelson, leaped into my auto and ordered me to drive on." + +"A moment ago you claimed you weren't even near the Conway Plant," Penny +tripped him. "You knew Webb Nelson very well. Furthermore, you entered +the _Star_ offices several times trying to get your hands on this +picture!" + +"Ridiculous!" + +"At least once when you found the stairway door locked, you went in +through the skylight," Penny accused. + +"Of all the crazy ideas!" The editor laughed jeeringly. "Imagine me +crawling through a skylight!" + +"I notice your coat has a torn place," Penny said, taking a scrap of blue +wool from her purse. "This, I believe, is a perfect match." + +Mr. Cordell gazed at the wool and shrugged. "All right," he admitted +coolly. "I did crawl through the skylight twice to see if I could find +the picture. I knew this fool photographer had snapped a picture of me, +and I feared I might be falsely accused." + +"Then you knew Nelson was mixed up in the dynamiting?" Captain Bricker +questioned. + +"I wasn't certain," Mr. Cordell said in confusion. "The reason I didn't +report to the police was that I was afraid of being involved. After that +night, Webb Nelson tried to blackmail me. Because of my position, I dared +have no publicity." + +The _Mirror_ editor's explanation carried a certain amount of conviction, +and Penny was dismayed to hear Captain Bricker assure him that if a +mistake had been made he would be granted freedom immediately after he +had talked to the police chief. + +"I shall accompany you without protest," the _Mirror_ editor returned +stiffly. "Later I shall file charges against those who have tried to +damage my character." + +Captain Bricker asked Salt for the picture which he intended to take to +police headquarters. + +"May I see it a moment?" Penny requested. + +He gave the picture to her. She studied it and her face brightened. +"Captain Bricker, look at this!" she exclaimed, pointing to an object in +the car which barely was noticeable. + +Everyone gathered about Penny, peering at the photograph. On the rear +seat of the car driven by Mr. Cordell was a box which plainly bore the +printing: "Salvage Company--Explosives." + +"Ed McClusky who works for the Salvage Company, told me that dynamite had +been stolen from his firm," Penny declared. "And here it is in Mr. +Cordell's automobile! Apparently, he wasn't just driving by the plant at +the time of the explosion! This picture proves why he was there!" + +"Right you are, young lady," chuckled Captain Bricker. "You've pinned the +goods on him for fair." Prodding the _Mirror_ editor with his stick, he +ordered curtly: "Get along, you! This puts a different face on it. You'll +be spending the rest of the night in the Safety building." + +After Mr. Cordell, still protesting his innocence, had been taken away, +Penny, her father, and Salt returned to the deserted newspaper building. + +"Will Cordell manage to get free?" she asked anxiously. + +"Not a chance of it," Mr. Parker answered. "That picture tags him right. +With Ed McClusky and Ben to testify against him, he's the same as +convicted now." + +"Speaking of Ben, what's to be done about him, Dad?" + +"We'll give him a job here. He's had unfair treatment, but we'll make it +up to him. However, we'll have to let one employee go." + +"Not me?" Penny asked anxiously. + +"No," her father laughed. "It's your friend, Elda Hunt. Her attitude +isn't right. We've tried to give her a chance, but over and over she has +demonstrated that she isn't cut out to be a newspaper woman." + +"She'll probably blame me for her discharge," Penny sighed. "Not that it +matters. I ceased worrying about Elda a long while ago." + +"She'll have no difficulty getting work elsewhere, and I hope she'll be +better adjusted." + +"How about the story of Mr. Cordell's arrest? And the picture?" Penny +inquired. "Will the _Star_ print them tomorrow?" + +"On the front page of our first edition," Mr. Parker chuckled. "Salt +didn't turn over the plate to the police, so we're all set. By morning, +the story should be bigger and better than ever. By then, the guilt will +be well pinned on Cordell, and some of the _Snark_ gang may have been +rounded up." + +Curious to learn the very latest details, Salt called the police station. +He was told that Ben Bartell had identified several of the _Snark's_ crew +from police pictures, and it was expected all would be arrested within +twenty-four hours. + +"Not a bad night's work," Mr. Parker chuckled, as he snapped off the +photography room lights. "Everything locked?" + +"How about the skylight?" asked Penny. + +"Open again," reported Salt as he checked it. "It's just no use trying to +get folks to cooperate around here. Too many fresh air fiends." + +"Let it stay unlocked," Mr. Parker directed carelessly. "With our prowler +safely behind bars, we've no further cause for worry." He looked at his +watch. "Now, even though it is late, suppose we go and celebrate?" + +"Oh, fine!" cried Penny. "And why not stop at the Safety building and ask +Ben Bartell to go with us? I want to tell him about his new job." + +"So do I," agreed her father heartily. "Where shall we go?" + +Penny linked arms with Salt and her father, skipping as she piloted them +down the dark hall. + +"Just a quiet place where they serve big juicy steaks," she decided. "If +I know Ben, that's what he would like best of all." + + + + + Transcriber's Notes + + +--Replaced the list of books in the series by the complete list, as in + the final book, "The Cry at Midnight". + +--Silently corrected a handful of palpable typos. + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Signal in the Dark, by Mildred A. 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