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diff --git a/34395-h/34395-h.htm b/34395-h/34395-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..03fcfc5 --- /dev/null +++ b/34395-h/34395-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6118 @@ +<?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>Ghost Beyond the Gate, 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:25em; } + .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; } +</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Ghost Beyond the Gate, 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: Ghost Beyond the Gate + +Author: Mildred A. Wirt + +Release Date: November 22, 2010 [EBook #34395] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GHOST BEYOND THE GATE *** + + + + +Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Brenda Lewis and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + +<div id="cover" class="img"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Ghost Beyond the Gate" width="373" height="500" /> +</div> +<div class="box"> +<h1>Ghost +<br />Beyond the Gate</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, 1943, BY CUPPLES AND LEON CO.</span></p> +<p class="center">Ghost Beyond the Gate</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="Her feet went out from under her and she was dragged over the ice." width="480" height="736" /> +<p class="center"><span class="small">Her feet went out from under her and she was dragged over the ice. +<br />“<i>Ghost Beyond the Gate</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 LOST ON A HILLTOP</a> 1</dt> +<dt><a href="#c2">2 AT THE LISTENING POST</a> 11</dt> +<dt><a href="#c3">3 AN UNPLEASANT DRIVER</a> 20</dt> +<dt><a href="#c4">4 STOLEN TIRES</a> 26</dt> +<dt><a href="#c5">5 AN IMPORTANT INTERVIEW</a> 35</dt> +<dt><a href="#c6">6 FRONT PAGE NEWS</a> 43</dt> +<dt><a href="#c7">7 QUESTIONS WITHOUT ANSWERS</a> 52</dt> +<dt><a href="#c8">8 A FEW CHANGES</a> 58</dt> +<dt><a href="#c9">9 AN OPEN SAFE</a> 68</dt> +<dt><a href="#c10">10 TALE OF A GHOST</a> 75</dt> +<dt><a href="#c11">11 BY A CEMETERY WALL</a> 85</dt> +<dt><a href="#c12">12 FLIGHT</a> 91</dt> +<dt><a href="#c13">13 A BLACK MARKET</a> 100</dt> +<dt><a href="#c14">14 A FAMILIAR FIGURE</a> 107</dt> +<dt><a href="#c15">15 GHOST IN THE GARDEN</a> 117</dt> +<dt><a href="#c16">16 A DOOR IN A BOX</a> 125</dt> +<dt><a href="#c17">17 ADVENTURE BY MOONLIGHT</a> 134</dt> +<dt><a href="#c18">18 THROUGH THE CELLAR WINDOW</a> 142</dt> +<dt><a href="#c19">19 A BAFFLING SEARCH</a> 151</dt> +<dt><a href="#c20">20 ACCUSATIONS</a> 157</dt> +<dt><a href="#c21">21 MRS. BOTTS’ REVELATION</a> 166</dt> +<dt><a href="#c22">22 A PARK BENCH</a> 173</dt> +<dt><a href="#c23">23 FORGOTTEN EVENTS</a> 180</dt> +<dt><a href="#c24">24 TRICKERY</a> 190</dt> +<dt><a href="#c25">25 FINAL EDITION</a> 203</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>LOST ON A HILLTOP</i></h2> +<p>The little iceboat, with two laughing, shouting +girls clinging to it, sped over the frozen surface of +Big Bear River.</p> +<p>“Penny, we’re going too fast!” screamed Louise +Sidell, ducking to protect her face from the biting +wind.</p> +<p>“Only about forty an hour!” shrieked her companion +gleefully.</p> +<p>At the tiller of the <i>Icicle</i>, Penelope Parker, in fur-lined +parka, sheepskin coat and goggles, looked for +all the world like a jolly Eskimo. Always delighting +in a new sport, she had built the iceboat herself—spars +from a wood lot, the sail from an old tent.</p> +<p>“Slow down, Penny!” pleaded her chum.</p> +<p>“Can’t,” shouted Penny cheerfully. “Oh, we’re going +into a hike!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_2">[2]</div> +<p>As one runner raised off the ice, the boat tilted far +over on its side. Louise shrieked with terror, and held +tight to prevent being thrown out. Penny, hard +pressed, sought to avert disaster by a snappy starting +of the main sheet.</p> +<p>For a space the boat rushed on, runners roaring. +Then as a sudden puff of wind struck the sail, the +steering runner leaped off the ice. Instantly the <i>Icicle</i> +went into a spin from which Penny could not +straighten it.</p> +<p>“We’re going over!” screamed Louise, scrambling +to free her feet.</p> +<p>The next moment the boat capsized. Both girls +went sliding on their backs across the ice. Penny +landed in a snowdrift at the river bank, her parka +awry, goggles hanging on one ear.</p> +<p>“Are you hurt, Lou?” she called, jumping to her +feet.</p> +<p>Louise sprawled on the ice some distance away. +Slowly she pulled herself to a sitting position and +rubbed the back of her head.</p> +<p>“Maybe this is your idea of fun!” she complained. +“As for me, give me bronco busting! It would be a +mild sport in comparison.”</p> +<p>Penny chuckled, dusting snow from her clothing. +“Why, this is fun, Lou. We have to expect these little +upsets while we’re learning.”</p> +<p>The sail of the overturned iceboat was billowing +like a parachute. Slipping and sliding, Penny ran to +pull it in.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_3">[3]</div> +<p>“Take the old thing down!” urged Louise, hobbling +after her. “I’ve had enough ice-boating for this afternoon!”</p> +<p>“Oh, just one more turn down the river and back,” +coaxed Penny.</p> +<p>“No! We’re close to the club house now. If we +sail off again, there’s no telling where we’ll land. +Anyway, it’s late and it’s starting to snow.”</p> +<p>Penny reluctantly acknowledged that Louise spoke +pearls of wisdom. Large, damp snowflakes were +drifting down, dotting her red mittens. The wind +steadily was stiffening, and cold penetrated her sheepskin +coat.</p> +<p>“It will be dark within an hour,” added Louise. +Uneasily she scanned the leaden sky. “We’ve been +out here all afternoon.”</p> +<p>“Guess it is time to go home,” admitted Penny. +“Oh, well, it won’t take us long to get the <i>Icicle</i> +loaded onto the car trailer. Lucky we upset so close +to the club house.”</p> +<p>Setting to work with a will, the girls took down the +flapping sail. After much tugging and pushing, they +righted the boat and pulled it toward the Riverview +Yacht Club. Closed for the winter, the building +looked cold and forlorn. Penny, however, had left +her car in the snowy parking lot, which was convenient +to the river.</p> +<p>“Wish we could get warm somewhere,” Louise +said, shivering. “It must be ten below zero.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_4">[4]</div> +<p>Pulling the <i>Icicle</i> behind them, the girls climbed +the slippery river bank. Snow now swirled in clouds, +half-curtaining the club house.</p> +<p>“I’ll get the car and drive it down here,” Penny offered, +starting toward the parking lot. “No use dragging +the boat any farther.”</p> +<p>Abandoning the <i>Icicle</i>, Louise went with her chum. +A dozen steps took the girls to a wind-swept corner of +the deserted building. Rounding it, they both stopped +short, staring.</p> +<p>On the snow-banked parking lot where the car had +been left, there now stood only one vehicle, an unpainted, +two-wheel trailer.</p> +<p>“Great fishes!” exclaimed Penny. “Where’s the +coupe?”</p> +<p>“Maybe you forgot to set the brake and it rolled +into a ditch!”</p> +<p>“In that case, the trailer would have gone with it.” +Her face grim, Penny ran on toward the parking lot.</p> +<p>Reaching the trailer, the girls saw by tire tracks in +the snow that the car had been detached and driven +away.</p> +<p>“I knew it! I knew it!” Penny wailed, pounding +her mittens together. “The coupe’s been stolen!”</p> +<p>“What’s that across the road?” Louise demanded. +“It looks like an automobile to me. In the ditch, +too!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_5">[5]</div> +<p>Taking new hope, Penny went to investigate the +little ravine. Through a screen of bare tree branches +and bushes, she glimpsed a blur of metal.</p> +<p>“It’s the car!” she cried jubilantly. “But how did +it get across the road?”</p> +<p>Penny’s elation quickly died. Drawing nearer, she +was dismayed to see that the coupe appeared to be +lying on its stomach in the ditch. Four wheels and +a spare had been removed.</p> +<p>“Stripped of every tire!” she exclaimed. “The thief +ran the car out here on the road so we couldn’t see +him at work from the river!”</p> +<p>“What are we going to do?” Louise asked weakly. +“We’re miles from Riverview. No houses close by. +We’re half frozen and night is coming on.”</p> +<p>Penny, her face very long, had no answer. She +measured the gasoline tank with a stick. All of the +fuel had been siphoned. She lifted the hood, expecting +to find vital parts of the engine missing. However, +everything appeared to be in place.</p> +<p>Seeking protection from the penetrating wind, the +girls climbed into the car to discuss their situation.</p> +<p>“Can’t we just wait here until someone comes along +and gives us a lift to town?” suggested Louise.</p> +<p>“Yes, but we’re on a side road and few cars travel +this way during winter.”</p> +<p>“Then why not go somewhere and telephone?”</p> +<p>“The nearest stores are at Kamm’s corner, about +two miles away.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_6">[6]</div> +<p>Louise gazed thoughtfully at the soft snow which +was banking deeper on the windshield of the car.</p> +<p>“Two miles in this, facing the wind, will be a hard +hike. Think we ought to try it, Penny?”</p> +<p>“I’m sure I don’t want to. And we needn’t either! +Do you remember Salt Sommers?”</p> +<p>“The photographer who works on your father’s +newspaper?”</p> +<p>“Yes, he spends his spare time as an airplane spotter. +His station is over in the hills not more than a half +mile from here! Why not tramp over there and ask +him to telephone our folks?”</p> +<p>“Are you sure you know the way?”</p> +<p>“I was there once last summer,” Penny said confidently. +“One follows a side road through the woods. +I’m sure I can find it.”</p> +<p>“All right,” Louise consented, sliding from behind +the steering wheel. “If we’re going, let’s move right +along.”</p> +<p>Stiff with cold, the girls trudged past the club house +and on down the road. Snow was falling faster and +faster. Several times they paused to wipe their frosted +goggles.</p> +<p>“This promises to be a man-sized blizzard,” Louise +observed uneasily. “It’s getting dark early, too.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_7">[7]</div> +<p>Penny nodded, her thoughts on what she would +say to her father when she reached home. The car +had been fully insured, but even so it would not be +easy to replace five stolen tires. Ruefully she reflected +that Mrs. Weems, the kindly housekeeper who had +looked after her since her mother’s death, had not +favored the river trip.</p> +<p>“Oh, don’t take it so hard,” Louise tried to cheer +her. “Maybe the thief will be caught.”</p> +<p>“Not a chance of it,” Penny responded gloomily.</p> +<p>A hundred yards farther on the girls came to another +side road which wound upward through the +wooded hills. Already there was an ominous dusk +settling over the valley. Penny paused to take bearings.</p> +<p>“I think this is the way,” she said doubtfully.</p> +<p>“You think!”</p> +<p>“Well, I’m pretty sure,” Penny amended. “Salt’s +station is up there on top of one of those hills. If this +snow would stop we should be able to see the tower +from here.”</p> +<p>Slightly reassured, Louise followed her chum across +a wooden bridge and up a narrow, winding road. On +either side of the frozen ditches, tall frosted evergreens +provided friendly protection from the stabbing, icy +wind. Nevertheless, walking was not easy for the +roadbed bore a shell of treacherous ice.</p> +<p>Confident that they soon would come to the airplane +listening post, the girls trudged on. Penny, +anxious to make the most of the remaining daylight, +set a stiff pace.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_8">[8]</div> +<p>“Shouldn’t we be coming to the station?” Louise +presently asked. “Surely we’ve gone more than a +half mile.”</p> +<p>“The post is a little ways off from the road,” Penny +confessed, peering anxiously at the unbroken line of +evergreens. “We should be able to see it.”</p> +<p>“In this blinding snow? Why, we may have passed +the station without knowing it.”</p> +<p>“Well, I don’t think so.”</p> +<p>“You’re not one bit sure, Penny Parker!” Louise +accused. “We were crazy to start off without being +certain of the post’s location.”</p> +<p>“We always can go back to the car.”</p> +<p>“I’m nearly frozen now,” Louise complained, slapping +her mittens together. “There’s no feeling in one +of my hands.”</p> +<p>Penny paused to wipe the moisture from her goggles. +From far down the road came the sound of a +laboring motor. She listened hopefully.</p> +<p>“A car, Lou!” she cried. “Everything will be all +right now! We’ll hail it and ask the driver for a lift.”</p> +<p>Greatly encouraged, the girls waited for the approaching +vehicle. They could hear it climbing a +steep knoll, then descending. From the sound of the +engine they decided that it must be a truck and that +it might round the curve at a fast speed.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_9">[9]</div> +<p>Worried lest the driver fail to see them, the girls +stepped out into the middle of the road. As the truck +swerved around the bend, they shouted and waved +their arms.</p> +<p>The startled driver slammed on brakes, causing the +big black truck to slide like a sled. Penny and Louise +leaped aside, barely avoiding being struck.</p> +<p>As they watched anxiously, the driver recovered +control of the machine. He straightened out and +brought the truck to a standstill farther up the road.</p> +<p>Penny seized her chum’s hand. “Come on, Lou! +He’s going to give us a ride!”</p> +<p>Before they could reach the truck, the driver lowered +the cab window. Thrusting his head through +the opening he bellowed angrily:</p> +<p>“What you tryin’ to do? Wreck my truck?”</p> +<p>Giving the girls no opportunity to reply, he closed +the cab window.</p> +<p>Penny saw that the man was intending to drive on. +“Wait!” she called frantically. “Please give us a +ride! We’re lost and half frozen!”</p> +<p>The man heard for he flashed an ugly smile. Shifting +gears, he drove away.</p> +<p>“Of all the shabby tricks, that’s the worst!” Penny +said furiously. “It wasn’t our fault his old truck +skidded.”</p> +<p>“But it is our fault we’re lost on this road,” Louise +added. “How are we ever to find the listening post?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_10">[10]</div> +<p>Penny leaned against the leeward side of a giant +pine. Already it was so dark that she could see only +a few feet down the road. There were no houses, no +lights, nothing to guide her.</p> +<p>“Penny, are we really lost?” Louise demanded, suddenly +afraid.</p> +<p>“We really, truly are,” her chum answered in a +quavering voice. “The post must be somewhere near +here, but we’ll never find it. All we can do is try to +get back to the car.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_11">[11]</div> +<h2 id="c2"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">2</span> +<br /><i>AT THE LISTENING POST</i></h2> +<p>Penny’s courage did not long forsake her. +She had suggested to Louise that they return to the +stripped car, but she knew that would not solve their +problem. Staring up the dark road, she remarked +that they must be close to the summit of the hill.</p> +<p>“Then why not keep on?” urged Louise. “We set +out to find the listening post, so let’s do it!”</p> +<p>They trudged on up the winding road. At intervals, +in an attempt to restore circulation to numbed +feet, they ran a few steps. Snow fell steadily, whipping +and stinging their faces.</p> +<p>Gasping, half-winded, they kept doggedly on. +Finally they struggled into a clearing at the top of the +hill. Penny wiped her eyes and gazed down through a +gap in the white-coated evergreens. A quarter of the +way down the slope on the other side appeared a +glowing dot of light.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_12">[12]</div> +<p>“I’m afraid it’s only a cabin,” she said dubiously. +“It can’t be the airplane listening post.”</p> +<p>“Let’s go there anyway,” advised Louise. “We can +warm ourselves and ask how to get back to civilization.”</p> +<p>They pushed on, still following the road. Downhill +walking was much easier and at intervals they +were encouraged by a glimpse of the light.</p> +<p>Then, rounding a bend of the road, the girls came +to an artistic, newly constructed iron fence, banked +heavily with snow. The fence led to a high gate, and +behind the gate loomed a dark, sprawling house with +double chimneys.</p> +<p>“The place is deserted!” Louise observed in disappointment. +“What became of the light we’ve been +following?”</p> +<p>“It must be farther on. This house looks as if it had +been closed for the winter.”</p> +<p>Penny went to the gate and rattled a heavy chain +which held it in place. Peering through the palings, +she could see an unshoveled driveway which curved +gracefully to a pillared porch. The spacious grounds +were dotted with evergreens and shrubs, so layered +with snow that they resembled scraggly ghosts.</p> +<p>“Wonder who owns this place?” speculated Louise.</p> +<p>“Don’t know,” Penny answered, turning away. +“In fact, I don’t recall ever having seen it before.”</p> +<p>Her words carried special significance to Louise.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_13">[13]</div> +<p>“If you’ve never seen this house before, then we’re +on a strange road! Penny, we never will find the +listening post!”</p> +<p>“I’m beginning to suspect it myself,” Penny admitted +grimly. “But we must keep plodding on. +That light can’t be far ahead.”</p> +<p>Turning their backs upon the gloomy estate, they +again braved the penetrating wind. Soon Louise lost +her footing and fell. She remained in a dispirited little +heap until Penny pulled her off the ice.</p> +<p>“Let’s keep going, Lou,” she urged. “It won’t be +long now.”</p> +<p>Louise allowed Penny to pull her along. They +rounded a curve in the road, and there, miraculously, +the lighted cabin rose before them.</p> +<p>“At last!” exulted Louise. “The Promised Land!”</p> +<p>Staggering up a shoveled path, they pounded on +the cabin door. An old man, who held a kerosene +lamp, responded promptly.</p> +<p>“Come in, come in!” he invited heartily. “Why, +you look half frozen.”</p> +<p>“Looks aren’t deceitful either,” Penny laughed +shakily.</p> +<p>As the girls went into the warm room a little whirlpool +of wind and snow danced ahead of them. +Quickly the old man closed the door. He made +places for Penny and Louise at the stove and tossed in +a heavy stick of wood.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_14">[14]</div> +<p>“Bad night to be out,” he commented cheerfully.</p> +<p>Penny agreed that it was. “We’re lost,” she volunteered, +stripping off her wet mittens. “At least we +can’t find the airplane listening post.”</p> +<p>“Why, it’s just a piece farther on,” the old man replied. +“The tower’s right hard to see in this storm.”</p> +<p>While they thawed out, the girls explained that they +had been forced to abandon their car at the Riverview +Yacht Club. The old man, whose name was Henry +Hammill, listened with deep sympathy to their tale +of woe.</p> +<p>“I’ll hitch up my horses and take you to Riverview +in the sled,” he offered. “That is, unless you’d rather +stop at the listening tower.”</p> +<p>“It would save you a long trip,” Penny returned +politely. “If Salt Sommers is on duty, I’m sure he’ll +take us to our homes.”</p> +<p>In the end it was decided that Old Henry should +drive the girls as far as the post. Then, if arrangements +could not be made with the photographer, he +would keep on to Riverview.</p> +<p>Warm at last, Penny and Louise declared that they +were ready to start. Old Henry brought the sled to +the door and the team soon was racing down the icy +road. Above the jingle of bells arose occasional +squeals of laughter, for the young passengers enjoyed +every minute of the unexpected ride.</p> +<p>Presently Old Henry pulled up at the side of the +road.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_15">[15]</div> +<p>“There’s the tower,” he said, pointing to a two-story +wooden observatory rising above the evergreens. +“I’ll wait until you find out if your friend’s here.”</p> +<p>The girls thanked the old man for his kindly help +and scrambled from the sled. They were sure their +troubles were over, for they could see Salt Sommers +seated at a table in the lighted tower.</p> +<p>A flight of steps led to a narrow catwalk which ran +around three sides of the glass-enclosed house. Before +Penny and Louise could hammer on the door Salt +opened it.</p> +<p>“Well, see what the storm blew in!” the young man +exclaimed. “I didn’t expect you girls to pop in on a +night like this.”</p> +<p>“Salt, how soon will you be driving to Riverview?” +Penny asked breathlessly.</p> +<p>“About twenty minutes. As soon as my relief +shows up.”</p> +<p>“May we ride with you?”</p> +<p>“Why, sure.”</p> +<p>Penny called down from the catwalk to tell Old +Henry he need not wait. With a friendly wave of +his hand, the cabin owner drove away. The girls +then followed Salt into the drafty tower room.</p> +<p>Curiously they gazed at their surroundings. In the +center of the room stood a small coal stove. Above it +a tacked sign admonished: “Keep this fire going!” +There was a table, two chairs and a telephone. Also +a round clock which indicated seven-forty.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_16">[16]</div> +<p>Before Penny and Louise could explain why they +had come, Salt held up a warning finger.</p> +<p>“Listen!” he exclaimed. “Wasn’t that a plane?”</p> +<p>He ran out on the catwalk, letting in an icy blast of +wind. In a moment he came back, grinning sheepishly.</p> +<p>“A passenger airplane is due through here about this +time. Sometimes I listen for it so hard I imagine the +sound of the engine.”</p> +<p>“The job must get tiresome at times,” Penny ventured, +making herself comfortable by the glowing +stove.</p> +<p>“Oh, it does, but I’m glad to serve my trick. What +brings you girls here on such a wild night?”</p> +<p>The story was quickly told. Nevertheless, by the +time Penny had telephoned to Mrs. Weems, it was +after eight o’clock. Footsteps pounded on the stairway. +An elderly man, his hat and overcoat encrusted +with snow, swept into the room.</p> +<p>“My relief,” said Salt, presenting Nate Adams to +the girls. “I’m free to shove off now.”</p> +<p>“Hope you can start your car,” commented the +newcomer. “It’s mighty cold, and the temperature +is still dropping.”</p> +<p>Salt’s battered coupe was parked not far from the +tower. Snow blanketed the windshield. He wiped +it away and after several attempts started the engine.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_17">[17]</div> +<p>“Think I’d better stop at the first garage and have +more alcohol put in the radiator. No use in taking a +chance.”</p> +<p>Salt followed the same road over which the girls +had trudged an hour earlier. In passing the estate not +far from Old Henry’s cabin, Penny peered with renewed +interest at the big house. In the blinding snow +storm she could not be sure, but she thought a light +gleamed from an upstairs window.</p> +<p>“Salt,” she inquired, “who lives in that place?”</p> +<p>“Can’t tell you,” he replied, without turning his +head.</p> +<p>“Does anyone live there now?”</p> +<p>“Haven’t seen anyone since I took over as observer +at the tower. Nate Adams tells me the estate has a +private air field. No planes have taken off or landed +while I’ve been on duty.”</p> +<p>“I thought I saw a light just now in an upstairs +window.”</p> +<p>“Probably a reflection from the car headlights,” +Salt answered carelessly.</p> +<p>The car passed Old Henry’s cabin and crept on until +it came to a crossroad. Several buildings were +clustered on either side of the main highway.</p> +<p>“Guess I’ll stop at Mattie’s garage,” Salt said.</p> +<p>As he pulled up on a gravel runway, a masculine +looking woman came to the door of the car. She was +in her mid-thirties and wore a man’s coat much too +large for her. The girls guessed, and correctly, that +she was Mattie Williams, owner of the garage and +filling station.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_18">[18]</div> +<p>“How many will you have?” she asked Salt, briskly +clearing the windshield of snow.</p> +<p>The photographer replied that he did not require +gasoline, but wanted at least a quart of alcohol.</p> +<p>“Drive into the garage,” the woman instructed, +opening a pair of double doors. “I’ll have Sam take +care of it.”</p> +<p>As the car rolled into the building, Mattie shouted +loudly to a stoop-shouldered man who was busy in +the rear office: “Hey, Sam! Look after this customer, +will you?”</p> +<p>Sam Burkholder slouched over to the car and began +to unscrew the radiator cap. Penny and Louise +assumed that the man must be Mattie’s husband, but a +remark to that effect was corrected by Salt.</p> +<p>“Sam is Mattie’s partner,” he explained in an undertone. +“It’s hard to tell which one of them is boss of +the place.”</p> +<p>Losing interest in the pair, Penny and Louise +climbed out of the coupe. They had noticed a cafe +next door and thought they might go there for a cup +of hot coffee.</p> +<p>“Go ahead,” Salt encouraged. “I’ll stay here until +this job is finished, and join you.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_19">[19]</div> +<p>As the girls let themselves out the garage door, a +truck pulled up in front of the cafe. They would +have given it no more than a casual glance had not the +driver alighted. He was a short, ruddy-faced man +with a missing front tooth which made his facial expression +rather grotesque. Without glancing at the +girls, he entered the restaurant.</p> +<p>“That man!” exclaimed Louise. “Haven’t we seen +him somewhere?”</p> +<p>“We have indeed,” agreed Penny grimly. “He’s +the same driver who refused us a ride. Let’s march in +there and give him a piece of our minds!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_20">[20]</div> +<h2 id="c3"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">3</span> +<br /><i>AN UNPLEASANT DRIVER</i></h2> +<p>From outside the lighted cafe, the girls could +see the truck driver slouched at one of the counter +stools.</p> +<p>“I’m willing to go inside,” said Louise, “but why +start a fuss? After all, I suppose he had a right to refuse +us a ride.”</p> +<p>“We might have frozen to death!”</p> +<p>“Well, he probably didn’t realize we were lost.”</p> +<p>“I wish I had your charitable disposition,” Penny +said with a sniff. “He heard me shout, and he drove +away just to be mean.”</p> +<p>“Anyway, let’s forget it.”</p> +<p>Louise took Penny’s elbow, steering her toward the +cafe. The girls had been friends since grade school +days. They made an excellent pair, for Louise exerted +a subduing effect upon her impulsive chum.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_21">[21]</div> +<p>The only daughter of Anthony Parker, publisher +of the <i>Star</i>, Penny had a talent for innocently getting +into trouble. Inactivity bored her. When nothing +more exciting offered, she frequently tried her hand at +writing stories for her father’s newspaper. Such truly +important yarns as <i>The Vanishing Houseboat</i>, <i>The +Wishing Well</i>, <i>Behind the Green Door</i>, and <i>The +Clock Strikes Thirteen</i> had rolled from her typewriter. +Penny thoroughly enjoyed reportorial work, +but best of all she loved to take an active part in the +adventures she recounted.</p> +<p>“Now remember,” Louise warned her, “not a word +to that truck driver. We’ll just snub him.”</p> +<p>“Oh, all right. I’ll try to behave myself.”</p> +<p>Grinning, Penny allowed herself to be guided toward +the restaurant. Near the doorway they came to +the parked truck, and noticed that it was loaded with +large wooden boxes.</p> +<p>“War equipment,” commented Penny.</p> +<p>“How do you know?”</p> +<p>“Why, the boxes are unmarked except by numerals. +Haven’t you noticed, Lou, that’s the way machines +and materials are transported to and from factories. +It’s done so no one can tell what’s inside.”</p> +<p>Penny opened the door and they went into the +warm, smoky cafe. As they seated themselves at a +table the driver glanced toward them, but seemingly +without recognition.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_22">[22]</div> +<p>“How about a date tonight, Baby?” he asked the +waitress.</p> +<p>Without replying, the girl slapped a menu card on +the counter in front of him.</p> +<p>“High toned, ain’t you?” he chuckled.</p> +<p>“What will it be?” the waitress demanded impatiently.</p> +<p>“How about a nice smile, Baby?”</p> +<p>Turning away, the waitress started to serve another +customer.</p> +<p>“Gimme a cup o’ coffee and two sinkers,” the driver +hurled after her. “And make it snappy too! I’m in a +hurry.”</p> +<p>Once the coffee and doughnuts had been set before +him, the man was in no haste to consume them. +He read a newspaper and fed a dollar and a half into +a pin-ball machine.</p> +<p>Penny and Louise ordered coffee. Knowing that +Salt might be waiting for them, they swallowed the +brew scalding hot and arose to leave.</p> +<p>At the cashier’s desk Penny paid the bill. Upon impulse +she quietly asked the man behind the cash register +if he knew the driver.</p> +<p>“Fellow by the name of Hank Biglow,” he answered.</p> +<p>Before Penny could ask another question, a police +patrol car screeched to a standstill just outside the +restaurant. The cafe owner turned to stare as did the +driver.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_23">[23]</div> +<p>“What are those cops comin’ here for?” Hank Biglow +demanded.</p> +<p>“How should I know?” retorted the cafe owner. +“Maybe they want to ask you a few questions about +that cargo you carry!”</p> +<p>“What do you mean by that crack?” the driver +asked harshly.</p> +<p>As the cashier shrugged and did not reply, Hank +allowed the matter to pass. Although he remained at +the counter, he kept watching the police car through +the window.</p> +<p>The brief interchange between cafe owner and +driver had interested Penny. To delay her departure, +she bought a candy bar and began to unwrap it.</p> +<p>Only one policeman had alighted from the car. +Tramping into the cafe, he pounded his hands together +and sought the warmth of a radiator.</p> +<p>“Mind if I have a little of your heat?” he asked the +cafe owner.</p> +<p>“Help yourself.”</p> +<p>Penny had been watching Hank Biglow. A moment +before the man had sat tense and nervous at the +counter. Now he seemed completely relaxed and at +ease as he sipped his coffee.</p> +<p>“Hello, Hank,” the policeman greeted him. “Didn’t +see you at first. How’s the trucking business?”</p> +<p>“Okay,” the trucker growled. “Workin’ me night +and day.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_24">[24]</div> +<p>The casual conversation disappointed Penny. Her +first thought had been that Hank Biglow feared a +police investigation. Seemingly, she had indulged in +wishful thinking.</p> +<p>Having no further reason for remaining in the cafe, +the girls stepped out into the storm.</p> +<p>“A pity that policeman wasn’t looking for Hank +Biglow,” Penny muttered.</p> +<p>“I thought for a minute he was,” responded Louise, +stooping to fasten the buckle of her heavy overshoe. +“At least Hank acted peculiar.”</p> +<p>“You heard what the cashier said to him?”</p> +<p>“About the cargo he carried?”</p> +<p>“Yes,” nodded Penny, “what do you suppose he +meant?”</p> +<p>“Don’t you think it was intended as a joke?”</p> +<p>“It didn’t seem that way to me, Lou. Hank took +offense at the remark. He was as nervous as a cat, +too.”</p> +<p>Penny stared curiously at the big truck which was +parked not far from the police car.</p> +<p>“I wonder what can be in those big boxes, Lou?”</p> +<p>“A few minutes ago you said they contained tools +or defense plant products.”</p> +<p>“That was only my guess. I assumed it from the +lack of marking on the boxes.”</p> +<p>Penny paused beside the big truck. Pressing her +face close to an opening between the slats, she counted +ten large crates, all the same size and shape.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_25">[25]</div> +<p>“Lou, maybe this isn’t defense plant merchandise,” +she speculated. “Maybe it’s some sort of contraband....”</p> +<p>Penny’s words trailed off. Someone had touched +her on the shoulder.</p> +<p>Whirling around, she faced the same policeman +who a moment before had entered the cafe.</p> +<p>“What do you think you’re doing?” he inquired.</p> +<p>“Why, just looking,” stammered Penny. “We +were wondering what’s inside these boxes.”</p> +<p>“Machinery,” replied the policeman. “Now skidoo! +Behave yourselves or I’ll have to speak to your +parents.”</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>STOLEN TIRES</i></h2> +<p>“We’re very sorry,” Louise apologized to the +policeman. “We didn’t suppose it would do any harm +to look at the outside of the boxes.”</p> +<p>“Run along, run along,” the officer said impatiently.</p> +<p>Penny was tempted to make a rather pointed remark, +but Louise pulled her away.</p> +<p>“Never argue with a policeman,” she whispered. +“You always lose.”</p> +<p>“We weren’t doing any harm,” Penny scowled. +“What does he think we are, a couple of female spies?”</p> +<p>Entering the garage, the girls saw that the car had +been serviced. Salt could be seen inside the little glass-enclosed +office.</p> +<p>“I’m waiting for Sam Burkholder,” he explained as +they joined him. “He took care of the radiator and +then disappeared.”</p> +<p>Penny and Louise loitered about the office, reading +the evening newspaper. After a little delay, Mattie +Williams appeared.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_27">[27]</div> +<p>“Can you give me my bill?” Salt requested. +“We’re in a hurry to get to Riverview.”</p> +<p>“I thought Sam was looking after you,” Mattie replied, +making out the slip.</p> +<p>The bill settled, Salt backed the car from the garage. +Penny noticed that Hank Biglow’s truck no longer +stood in front of the cafe. The police car also had +gone. She would have thought no more of it, had not +Louise at that moment exclaimed:</p> +<p>“Penny, that truck is parked at the rear of the +garage now! And they’re unloading the boxes!”</p> +<p>Penny twisted around to see for herself. It was true +that the big truck had been backed up close to the +rear entrance of the garage. Through the blinding +snow, she could just see Hank Biglow and Sam Burkholder +carrying one of the boxes into the building.</p> +<p>“Well, that’s funny!” she exclaimed. “Those crates +can’t contain defense machinery or materials. Otherwise +Hank wouldn’t be delivering them here.”</p> +<p>“What crates?” inquired Salt, shifting gears.</p> +<p>Penny told him what had transpired in the cafe, +and revealed that she and Louise had been rebuked by +the policeman. Salt, occupied with driving, did not +consider the incident in any way significant.</p> +<p>“Oh, you know how some cops are,” he commented +carelessly.</p> +<p>The car went into a wild skid and Salt thereafter +devoted his attention strictly to driving.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_28">[28]</div> +<p>Without further mishap, the party arrived safely +at Riverview. Louise alighted at her own home, and +then Salt took Penny to the Parker residence.</p> +<p>“Won’t you come in for a cup of chocolate?” she +invited.</p> +<p>“Thanks, not tonight,” Salt replied. “I’m dead +tired. Think I’ll hit the hay early.”</p> +<p>Only one light burned in the living-room as Penny +stomped in out of the cold. Mrs. Weems, the plump +housekeeper who had served the Parkers for many +years, sat beside the hearth, sewing.</p> +<p>“I’m glad you’re home at last!” she exclaimed, getting +up quickly. “You’ve no idea how worried I’ve +been.”</p> +<p>“But Louise and I telephoned.”</p> +<p>“I couldn’t hear you very well. I barely was able +to make out that something had happened to your +car.”</p> +<p>“A major catastrophe, Mrs. Weems. Every tire +was stolen!”</p> +<p>While the housekeeper bombarded her with questions, +Penny stripped off overshoes and heavy outer +clothing. Pools of water began to form on the rug.</p> +<p>“Take everything out to the kitchen,” Mrs. Weems +said hastily. “Have you had your supper?”</p> +<p>“Not even a nibble. And I’m starving!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_29">[29]</div> +<p>As Mrs. Weems began to prepare a hot meal, Penny +perched herself on the kitchen table, alternately talking, +and chewing on a sugared bun.</p> +<p>“If you ever were lost in an Arctic blizzard you +have a good picture of what Louise and I endured,” +she narrated grandly. “Oh, it was awful!”</p> +<p>“Losing five practically new tires is a mere detail +in comparison?”</p> +<p>“It’s nothing less than a tragedy! I was thinking—maybe +you ought to break the sad news to Dad.”</p> +<p>“Indeed not. You’ll have to tell him yourself. +However, he’s attending a meeting and won’t be home +until eleven.”</p> +<p>“That’s much too late for me,” Penny said quickly. +“I’ll see him in the morning. And I do hope you cooperate +by giving him a dandy breakfast.”</p> +<p>“Just see to it that you don’t oversleep,” suggested +the housekeeper dryly.</p> +<p>Penny consumed an enormous supper and then +slipped off to bed. She did not hear her father come +home a few hours later. In the morning when Mrs. +Weems called her, it seemed advisable to take a long +time in dressing. Her father had gone by the time +she strolled downstairs.</p> +<p>“Did you tell Dad?” she asked the housekeeper +hopefully.</p> +<p>“You knew I would,” chided Mrs. Weems. “Your +father expects to see you at his office at nine o’clock.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_30">[30]</div> +<p>“How’d he take the blow?”</p> +<p>“Naturally one couldn’t expect him to be pleased.”</p> +<p>With a deep sigh, Penny sat down to breakfast. +Worry over the coming interview did not interfere +with her usual excellent appetite. She had orange +juice, two slices of toast, four pancakes, and then, +somewhat concerned lest she lose her slim figure, debated +whether to ask for another helping.</p> +<p>“The batter’s all gone,” Mrs. Weems settled the +matter. “Do stop dawdling and get on to the office. +Your father shouldn’t be kept waiting.”</p> +<p>With anything but enthusiasm, Penny took herself +to the plant of the Riverview <i>Star</i>. Passing through +the busy newsroom where reporters pounded at their +typewriters, she entered her father’s private office.</p> +<p>“Hello, Dad,” she greeted him with forced cheerfulness. +“Mrs. Weems said you wanted to see me.”</p> +<p>“So you lost five tires last night?” the editor barked. +Mr. Parker was a lean, keen-eyed man of early middle +age, known throughout the state as a fearless newspaper +man. At the moment, Penny decided that +“fearful” would prove a more descriptive term.</p> +<p>“Well, Dad, it was this way—” she began meekly.</p> +<p>“Never mind a long-winded explanation,” he interrupted, +smiling. “It wasn’t your fault—the car was +stripped.”</p> +<p>Penny wondered if she had heard correctly.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_31">[31]</div> +<p>“Your tires weren’t the only ones stolen yesterday,” +Mr. Parker resumed. “A half dozen other thefts +were reported. In fact, I’ve known for several weeks +that a professional gang of tire thieves has been operating +in Riverview.”</p> +<p>“Oh, Dad, you’re a peach!” Penny cried, making a +dive for him. “I’m going to give you a great big kiss!”</p> +<p>“You are not,” Mr. Parker grinned, pushing her +away. “Try to remember, this is an office.”</p> +<p>Penny resigned herself to a chair. Questioned by +her father, she gave a straightforward account of how +the car had been stripped at the Yacht Club grounds.</p> +<p>“The tire gang is getting bolder every day!” Mr. +Parker exclaimed wrathfully. “But we’ll soon put a +stop to their little game!”</p> +<p>“How, Dad?”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker hesitated and then said: “I can trust you, +can’t I, Penny?”</p> +<p>“Of course.”</p> +<p>“Then I’ll tell you this in confidence. For weeks +Jerry Livingston, our star reporter, has been working +on the case. He’s rounded up a lot of evidence against +the outfit.”</p> +<p>“Then we have a chance to get those tires back!”</p> +<p>“I’m not thinking about that,” Mr. Parker said impatiently. +“Jerry’s gathered enough evidence to +smash the entire gang. It will be as big a story as the +<i>Star</i> ever published.”</p> +<p>“When are you breaking it, Dad?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_32">[32]</div> +<p>“Perhaps tomorrow. Depends on the state prosecutor.”</p> +<p>“John Gilmore? What does he have to do with it?”</p> +<p>“This story is loaded with dynamite, Penny. If we +spread it over our front page before police have a +chance to act, the guilty parties are apt to make a +getaway.”</p> +<p>“That’s so,” nodded Penny.</p> +<p>“There’s another reason I want to consult the Prosecutor +before I use the story,” Mr. Parker resumed. +“Some of the men involved—”</p> +<p>A tap sounded on the door. Without completing +what he had started to say, the editor called, “Come in.”</p> +<p>Jerry Livingston entered the office. He was a +good-looking young man, alert and clean-cut. Smiling +at Penny, he slapped a folded paper on Mr. Parker’s +desk.</p> +<p>“Here’s my story on the tire thefts, Chief,” he said. +“As far as I’m concerned, this winds up the case.”</p> +<p>“You’ve done fine work, Jerry,” Mr. Parker praised. +“Thanks to your work, we ought to clean out the +gang.”</p> +<p>“I hope so, Chief. Guess you have all the proofs +needed to back up the story.”</p> +<p>“All the evidence is locked in my safe. I have an +appointment scheduled with the Prosecutor. If he +Okays the story, we’ll publish it tomorrow. By the +way, Jerry, what are your plans?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_33">[33]</div> +<p>“Well, I have a couple of weeks before I go into +the Army Air Corps.”</p> +<p>“Then treat yourself to a vacation, starting right +now,” said Mr. Parker. “Can you use it?”</p> +<p>“Can I?” grinned Jerry. “Know what I’ll do? I’ll +hop the noon train and head for the Canadian wilds on +a hunting trip.”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker wrote out a check which he presented +to the young man.</p> +<p>“We’ll be sorry to lose you, Jerry,” he said regretfully. +“But remember, a job always will be waiting +when you return.”</p> +<p>The reporter shook hands with Mr. Parker and +Penny, then left the office.</p> +<p>“We’ll miss Jerry around here,” the editor remarked.</p> +<p>Penny nodded. She and Jerry had shared many an +adventure together, and he was one of her truest +friends. The office would not seem the same without +him.</p> +<p>“My appointment with the Prosecutor is at ten-thirty,” +said Mr. Parker briskly. “I’ll gather my +papers and be on my way.”</p> +<p>The editor placed Jerry’s signed story in a leather +portfolio. Next he went to the safe and fumbled with +the dial.</p> +<p>“Want me to open it for you?” Penny asked, after +he had tried several times.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_34">[34]</div> +<p>Without waiting for a reply, she stooped down, +twisted the dial a few times, and opened the heavy +door.</p> +<p>“Young lady, how did you learn the combination?” +Mr. Parker demanded in chagrin.</p> +<p>“Oh, the numbers are written on the under side of +your desk,” Penny grinned. “Not a very good place +either! You must trust your office help.”</p> +<p>“Fortunately my reporters aren’t quite as observing +as a certain daughter,” Mr. Parker retorted grimly.</p> +<p>The editor removed a fat brown envelope from +one of the drawers of the safe. Glancing at the papers +it contained, he added them to the contents of the +portfolio. He then locked the safe.</p> +<p>“How about letting me see that story?” Penny +asked.</p> +<p>Mr. Parker smiled but shook his head. “Only two +persons know the facts of the case—Jerry and myself.”</p> +<p>“Let’s make it a trio.”</p> +<p>“It will be after I’ve talked to the Prosecutor. I’ve +got to step right along, too, or I’ll be late.”</p> +<p>“But Dad—”</p> +<p>“You’ll read the story in tomorrow’s <i>Star</i>—I hope,” +her father laughed. Picking up the portfolio, he +started for the door. “Just contain your impatience +until I get back. And please keep those slippery little +fingers away from my safe!”</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>AN IMPORTANT INTERVIEW</i></h2> +<p>After her father had gone, Penny remained in +the private office. Eager to be off, Mr. Parker had +neglected to make any arrangements concerning the +stripped car at the Riverview Yacht Club.</p> +<p>“Oh, bother!” she thought impatiently. “Now I +must wait here until he comes back to learn what I’m +to do. The car should be hauled home.”</p> +<p>Penny wrote a letter on the typewriter. As she +searched for a stamp, the door swung open. A slightly +bald, angular man with hard brown eyes, paused on +the threshold. The man was Harley Schirr, an assistant +editor, next in authority to Mr. DeWitt. Of +the entire <i>Star</i> staff, he was the only person Penny +actively disliked.</p> +<p>“Oh, good morning, Miss Parker,” he said with +elaborate courtesy. “Your father isn’t here?”</p> +<p>“No, he went away a few minutes ago.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_36">[36]</div> +<p>“And you are taking care of the office in his absence?” +Mr. Schirr smiled. Even so, to Penny’s +sensitive ears, the words had an insolent ring.</p> +<p>“I’m merely waiting for him to return,” she answered +briefly. “I came to find out what to do about +the car.”</p> +<p>“Oh, yes, I heard that all of your tires were stolen +last night.” Mr. Schirr’s lips twitched. “Too bad.”</p> +<p>“I may get them back again. Dad says—” Penny +checked herself, remembering that the information +given her by her father was to be kept secret.</p> +<p>“Yes?” encouraged the assistant editor.</p> +<p>“Perhaps police will catch the thieves,” she completed.</p> +<p>“I shouldn’t count on it if I were you, Miss Parker. +Black Markets have flourished in this city for months. +Nothing’s been done to stop it.”</p> +<p>“Just what do you mean by a Black Market, Mr. +Schirr?”</p> +<p>“Illegal trading in various scarce commodities. +Tires either stolen or hijacked, are sold by the crooks +to so-called honest dealers who serve the public. It’s +now a big-time business.”</p> +<p>“What does Dad think about it?”</p> +<p>“Well, now, I really couldn’t tell you. Your father +doesn’t discuss his editorial policy with me. If he did, +I’d warn him to lay off all those tire-theft stories.”</p> +<p>Penny gazed quickly at the assistant editor, wondering +how much he knew of her father’s plan.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_37">[37]</div> +<p>“Dad usually prints all the news,” she said. “Why +should he soft-pedal the tire stories?”</p> +<p>“For his health’s sake.”</p> +<p>“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean, Mr. Schirr.”</p> +<p>The assistant editor had closed the door behind +him. Warming to his subject, he replied: “The men +who have muscled into the tire theft racket are ugly +lads without scruples. If your father stupidly insists +upon trying to smash the outfit, he may not wake up +some morning.”</p> +<p>The suggestion that her father might ruthlessly be +done away with shocked Penny. And a canny corner +of her mind demanded to know how Mr. Schirr could +be so well informed. She was quite certain her father +had not taken him into his confidence.</p> +<p>“Dad is no coward,” she said proudly.</p> +<p>“Oh, no one ever questioned his bravery, Miss +Parker. Your father is courageous to the point of +rashness. But if he prints an exposé story about the +tire theft gang, it’s apt to prove the most foolish act +of his life.”</p> +<p>“How do you know he intends to do such a thing?”</p> +<p>The question, sharply put, surprised Mr. Schirr.</p> +<p>“Oh, I don’t,” he denied hastily. “I merely heard +the rumor around the office.”</p> +<p>Penny made no reply. As the silence became noticeable, +the assistant editor murmured that he would +return to see Mr. Parker later and left the office.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_38">[38]</div> +<p>Penny glared at the man’s retreating back. Even +more intensely than before, she disliked Harley Schirr.</p> +<p>“The old sneak cat!” she thought. “I’ll bet a cent +he’s been listening at the door or prying in Dad’s +papers! I’m sure no rumors have been circulating +around the office.”</p> +<p>The telephone rang. Automatically Penny took +down the receiver.</p> +<p>“Mr. Parker?” inquired a masculine voice.</p> +<p>“He’s not here now. This is his daughter speaking. +May I take a message?”</p> +<p>“No message,” said the purring voice. “Mr. Parker +may hear from me later.”</p> +<p>“Who is this, please?” asked Penny quickly.</p> +<p>There was no answer, only the click of a receiver +being hung on its hook.</p> +<p>The incident, although trifling, annoyed Penny. +Getting up from the desk, she walked to the window. +Mr. Schirr’s intimation had alarmed her, and now the +telephone call added to her uneasiness.</p> +<p>“Probably the man who telephoned is well known +to Dad,” she tried to assure herself. “I’m just imagining +that his voice sounded sinister.”</p> +<p>Feeling the need of an occupation, Penny wandered +out into the editorial room. She chatted with the +society editor and for a time watched the world news +reports coming in on the noisy teletype machines.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_39">[39]</div> +<p>“Need a job?” inquired Editor DeWitt at the slot +of the circular copy desk. “How about writing a few +headlines for me?”</p> +<p>“No, thanks,” Penny declined. “I’m just waiting +for Dad. He should be back any minute now.”</p> +<p>It was eleven-forty by the office clock. Never had +time seemed to pass so slowly. As Penny debated +whether or not to wait any longer, there was a sudden +stir in the room. Glancing toward the outside door, +she saw that Jerry Livingston, suitcase in hand, had +entered.</p> +<p>Immediately reporters and editors left their desks +to shake his hand.</p> +<p>“Jerry, you’re the best reporter this paper ever +had,” Mr. DeWitt told him warmly. “We surely hate +to see you go.”</p> +<p>“Oh, I’ll be back,” the reporter answered. “You +can bet on that!”</p> +<p>Penny crossed the room to say goodbye. Jerry +surprisingly tucked her arm through his.</p> +<p>“Come along and see me off on the train,” he invited, +pulling her along. “Not doing anything special, +are you?”</p> +<p>“Just waiting for Dad.”</p> +<p>“Then come on,” Jerry grinned. “I’ve got a lot +to say to you.”</p> +<p>However, once in the taxi, speeding toward the +railroad station, the reporter scarcely spoke. He +reached out and captured her hand.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_40">[40]</div> +<p>“I’m going to miss you, little twirp,” he sighed. +“No telling when I’ll get back to the <i>Star</i>. Maybe—”</p> +<p>“Now don’t try to work on my sympathies,” +laughed Penny, though a lump came in her throat. +“Oh, Jerry—”</p> +<p>“At your command. Just break down and confess +how desolate you’ll be without me.”</p> +<p>The railroad station was close by and Penny had +only a moment to talk.</p> +<p>“Riverview will be a blank without you,” she admitted. +“But it’s that tire-theft story I want to ask +you about. Did you ever tell anyone that Dad is +planning to expose the gang?”</p> +<p>“Of course not!”</p> +<p>“I knew you wouldn’t give out any information,” +Penny said in relief. “But somehow Harley Schirr +has learned about it.”</p> +<p>“Schirr! That egg? How could he have found +out?”</p> +<p>“I’d like to know myself. He hinted that something +dreadful might happen to Dad if the story is +printed.”</p> +<p>Jerry patted Penny’s hand. “Don’t give it a +thought, kid,” he said. “Schirr does a lot of wild talking. +Probably whatever he said to you was pure +bluff. He doesn’t know a thing.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_41">[41]</div> +<p>The arrival of the cab at the station put an end to +the conversation. Jerry paid the driver and hustled +Penny inside. He barely had time to purchase a +ticket before the train was called.</p> +<p>“Well, goodbye,” Jerry said, squeezing her hand.</p> +<p>“Have a good time in Canada,” Penny replied. +“And bring me a nice bear rug!”</p> +<p>“Sure, I’ll catch him with my bare hands,” Jerry +rejoined, making a feeble attempt at a joke.</p> +<p>The train began to move. The reporter swung +himself aboard the last Pullman. As he waved from +the steps, Penny realized that she had forgotten to +ask for his Canadian address.</p> +<p>Soon the train was only a blur down the frosty +tracks. Penny climbed a steep ramp to the street. +She felt lonesome, and for some reason, discouraged.</p> +<p>“First I lose my car wheels, and now it’s Jerry,” +she reflected sadly. “What a week!”</p> +<p>Penny scarcely knew whether to go home or to the +<i>Star</i> office. As she debated the matter, her ears were +assaulted by the shrill scream of a siren.</p> +<p>“A fire,” thought Penny.</p> +<p>An ambulance rushed past. It raced to the end of +the short street and pulled up.</p> +<p>“Probably an accident,” amended Penny.</p> +<p>Curious to learn what had happened, she began to +run. At the end of the street a large crowd had +gathered. A car with a smashed fender and damaged +front grillwork, had piled against a street lamp.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_42">[42]</div> +<p>“What happened?” Penny asked a man who stood +beside her.</p> +<p>“Two cars in a smash-up,” he answered. “Didn’t +see the accident myself.”</p> +<p>“But what became of the other automobile?” asked +Penny.</p> +<p>She pushed through the gathering crowd to the +curb. Broken glass was scattered over the pavement. +Ambulance men were searching the wreckage of the +car which had struck the lamp post. The other automobile, +apparently, had driven away.</p> +<p>Suddenly, Penny’s gaze riveted on the rear license +plate of the smashed car. In horror she read the number—P-619-10.</p> +<p>“Dad’s car!” she whispered. “He’s been hurt!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_43">[43]</div> +<h2 id="c6"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">6</span> +<br /><i>FRONT PAGE NEWS</i></h2> +<p>Never in her life had Penny been more frightened. +Breaking away from the group of people at the curb, +she ran to the parked ambulance. A glance into the +interior assured her that Mr. Parker had not been +placed inside on a stretcher.</p> +<p>“Where is he?” she asked wildly. “Where’s my +father?”</p> +<p>A white-garbed ambulance attendant turned to +stare at her.</p> +<p>“That’s my father’s car!” Penny cried, pointing to +the battered sedan. “Tell me, was he badly hurt?”</p> +<p>The attendant tried to be kind. “We don’t know, +Miss. Someone put in a call for us. Said we were to +pick up an injured man. Evidently he was taken to +a hospital before we could get here.”</p> +<p>“That’s what happened,” contributed a small boy +who stood close by. “A woman drove by in an auto. +She offered to take the man to the hospital and he +went with her.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_44">[44]</div> +<p>“A tall, lean man in a gray suit?” Penny asked +quickly.</p> +<p>“Yes. He had a leather case in his hand.”</p> +<p>“Then it was my father!” Penny cried. “How +badly was he hurt?”</p> +<p>“Oh, he could walk all right,” the boy replied. “He +seemed kinda dazed though.”</p> +<p>Greatly relieved to learn that her father had escaped +serious injury, Penny sought more information. The +boy who had witnessed the accident, told her that +the car which had caused the smash-up, was a blue +sedan.</p> +<p>“Two men were in it,” he revealed. “They started +to go around your father’s car and crowded him toward +the curb. Next thing I saw, he’d plowed into +the lamp post.”</p> +<p>“The other car didn’t stop?”</p> +<p>“I’ll say it didn’t! You should have seen ’em +go!”</p> +<p>“Didn’t you notice the license number?” Penny +asked hopefully.</p> +<p>The boy shook his head.</p> +<p>Having learned all she could from him, Penny questioned +other persons. Only one woman in the crowd +was able to provide additional information. Her eye-witness +account differed slightly from the boy’s, but +she confirmed that a middle-aged woman in a black +coupe had taken the accident victim to a hospital.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_45">[45]</div> +<p>“Which hospital?” asked Penny.</p> +<p>The woman could not tell her. She did say, however, +that the accident victim seemingly had suffered +only minor scratches.</p> +<p>A police car drove up. Penny, frantic to find her +father, did not wish to be delayed by questions. +Without revealing who she was to members of the +investigation squad, she hailed a taxi. Mercy Hospital +was only a few blocks away. It seemed reasonable +that her father would be taken there for treatment.</p> +<p>A few minutes later, standing anxiously at the information +desk of that institution, she learned that +Mr. Parker had not been admitted as a patient. The +nurse in charge, noting the girl’s agitation, kindly +offered to telephone other hospitals. After six calls, +she reported that she was unable to trace the accident +victim.</p> +<p>“Are you sure that your father sought hospital +treatment?” she asked Penny.</p> +<p>“Perhaps not. Dad wasn’t badly hurt according to +witnesses. He may have gone elsewhere.”</p> +<p>Thanking the nurse for her help, Penny taxied +swiftly home. Mrs. Weems, in an old coat and a +turban, was pouring salt on the icy sidewalk in front +of the house. From the look on her face it was evident +she had not heard the news.</p> +<p>“Mrs. Weems, Dad’s been hurt!” Penny cried, leaping +from the cab. “In an auto accident!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_46">[46]</div> +<p>“My land!” the housekeeper gasped and allowed the +bag of salt to fall from her gloved hand. “How bad +is it?”</p> +<p>“I think he was more stunned than anything else. +But I’ve not been able to learn where he was taken. +He didn’t telephone here?”</p> +<p>“Not unless it was since I’ve been outdoors.”</p> +<p>Picking up the bag of salt, Mrs. Weems followed +Penny into the house. Without removing coat or +hat, the girl dialed the <i>Star</i> office. Editor DeWitt +answered.</p> +<p>“Has Dad arrived there?” Penny asked abruptly.</p> +<p>“No, he hasn’t returned. Anything wrong?”</p> +<p>Tersely Penny revealed what had occurred. The +news shocked the editor for he bore Mr. Parker a +genuine affection.</p> +<p>“Now don’t you worry,” he tried to cheer her. +“Your father can’t be badly hurt or he never would +have walked away from that accident. Just sit tight +and our reporters will locate him for you.”</p> +<p>During the next hour Penny and Mrs. Weems remained +near the telephone. Each moment they +waited, their anxiety increased. Mr. DeWitt did not +phone. There was no word from the police station. +They refused to believe that Mr. Parker had been +seriously injured, yet it seemed strange he could not be +found.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_47">[47]</div> +<p>“It’s not like him to allow anyone to worry,” declared +the housekeeper. “I simply can’t understand +why he doesn’t call to relieve our minds.”</p> +<p>Just then the telephone bell jingled. Penny +snatched the receiver from its hook.</p> +<p>“DeWitt speaking,” said the familiar voice of the +editor.</p> +<p>“Any news?” Penny asked quickly. “Did you find +Dad?”</p> +<p>“So far we haven’t,” the editor confessed. “I’ve +personally called the police station, every hospital +and private nursing home in Riverview.”</p> +<p>“Dad may have gone to a doctor’s office for treatment.”</p> +<p>“I thought of that,” replied DeWitt. “We’ve +checked all the likely ones.”</p> +<p>“What could have become of him?” Penny asked +desperately. “Mrs. Weems and I are dreadfully worried.”</p> +<p>“Oh, he’ll show up any minute,” comforted Mr. +DeWitt. “Probably he doesn’t realize anyone is looking +for him.”</p> +<p>Penny asked the editor if he had learned the identity +of the hit-skip driver.</p> +<p>“No one took down the license number of the car,” +Mr. DeWitt returned regretfully. “Our reporters +are still working on the story though.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_48">[48]</div> +<p>“The story,” murmured Penny faintly. For the +first time it occurred to her that her father’s accident +and subsequent disappearance would be regarded as +front page news.</p> +<p>“I don’t expect to run an account of the accident +until I’ve talked to your father,” DeWitt said hastily. +“Now don’t worry about anything. I’ll let you know +the minute I have any news.”</p> +<p>Penny hung up the receiver and reported the conversation +to Mrs. Weems. A clock on the mantel +chimed one-thirty, reminding the housekeeper that +lunch had not been prepared.</p> +<p>“No food for me,” pleaded Penny. “I don’t feel +like eating.”</p> +<p>“I’ve rather lost my own appetite,” confessed the +housekeeper. “However, it’s foolish of us to worry. +Your father must be safe. No doubt he had an appointment.”</p> +<p>Penny’s face brightened. “Why, of course!” she +exclaimed. “Don’t know why I’ve been so dumb! +Dad may still be in conference with Prosecutor Gilmore! +I’ll call there.”</p> +<p>Darting to the telephone, she waited patiently until +she was connected with the State prosecutor’s office. +The lawyer himself talked to her.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_49">[49]</div> +<p>“Why, no, Mr. Parker hasn’t been here,” he replied +to her eager inquiry. “I expected him at ten-thirty. +Then he telephoned that he had been delayed +and would see me at eleven-thirty. He failed +to keep that appointment also.”</p> +<p>The information sent Penny’s hopes glimmering. +She explained about the accident and listened to the +Prosecutor’s expression of sympathy. Replacing the +receiver, she turned once more to Mrs. Weems.</p> +<p>“I’m more worried than ever now,” she quavered. +“Dad didn’t keep his appointment with Prosecutor +Gilmore, and it was a vitally important one.”</p> +<p>“We’ll hear from him soon—”</p> +<p>“Perhaps we won’t.” Penny took a quick turn +across the room.</p> +<p>“Why, such a thing to say! What do you mean, +Penny?”</p> +<p>“Dad has enemies. Harley Schirr told me today +that if any attempt was made to expose a certain gang +of thieves, it would mean real trouble.”</p> +<p>“But your father has had no connection with such +persons.”</p> +<p>“He and Jerry worked on a case together,” Penny +explained. “Today at the time of the accident, Dad +carried a brief case with all the evidence in it!”</p> +<p>“Even so, I fail to see—”</p> +<p>“According to the report, Dad’s car was practically +forced off the road,” Penny added excitedly. “I +think that auto crash was deliberately engineered! +Don’t you understand, Mrs. Weems? He’s fallen +into the clutches of his enemies!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_50">[50]</div> +<p>“Now, Penny,” soothed the housekeeper. “I’m +sure we’re making far too much of the accident. +We’ll soon hear from your father.”</p> +<p>“You’re saying that to comfort me, Mrs. Weems. +Something dreadful has happened! I can <i>feel</i> it.”</p> +<p>Penny ceased pacing the floor and went to the hall +closet for her hat and coat.</p> +<p>“Where are you going?” asked the housekeeper, +her eyes troubled.</p> +<p>“To the newspaper office. If word comes, I want +to be there to get it the very first minute.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Weems started to protest, then changed her +mind. She merely said: “Telephone me the moment +you have any news.”</p> +<p>A brisk walk to the <i>Star</i> office did much to restore +Penny’s sagging courage. As she entered the newsroom, +brushing snow from her coat, she saw a group +of reporters gathered about Mr. DeWitt’s desk.</p> +<p>“News of Dad!” she thought, her pulse pounding.</p> +<p>Glimpsing Penny, the men at the desk began to +scatter. They gazed at her in such a kind, sympathetic +manner that she became frightened again.</p> +<p>“What is it, Mr. DeWitt?” she asked the editor. +“Has Dad been found?”</p> +<p>He shook his head.</p> +<p>“But you must have had some news,” she insisted, +her gaze on a folded paper which he held. “Please +don’t hide anything from me.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_51">[51]</div> +<p>“Very well,” DeWitt responded quietly. “We +found this letter in your father’s waste-basket.”</p> +<p>Penny took the paper. Silently she read the message +which had been typed in capital letters.</p> +<p>“MR. PARKER,” it warned, “THIS IS TO ADVISE +YOU TO LAY OFF ON TIRE THEFT +STORIES IN YOUR PAPER. UNLESS YOU +CHANGE YOUR POLICY YOU MAY WAKE +UP IN A DITCH.”</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>QUESTIONS WITHOUT ANSWERS</i></h2> +<p>“I’d rather not have shown that note to you,” +Mr. DeWitt said quietly. “We found it only a +moment ago.”</p> +<p>“How did it get in Dad’s waste-basket?” Penny +asked. “Do you suppose he threw it there himself?”</p> +<p>“That’s my guess. Your father never paid any attention +to unsigned letters.”</p> +<p>Penny reread the threatening note, trying not to +show how much it disturbed her. “I wonder if this +came by mail?” she remarked.</p> +<p>“We don’t know,” DeWitt replied. “There was +no envelope in the basket.”</p> +<p>“Dad never mentioned such a note to me,” Penny +resumed, frowning. “Probably thought I’d worry +about it. This makes the situation look bad, doesn’t +it, Mr. DeWitt?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_53">[53]</div> +<p>The editor weighed his words carefully before he +spoke. “It doesn’t prove that your father was waylaid +by enemies, Penny. Not at all. According to reports, +Mr. Parker was involved in an ordinary automobile +accident, and left the scene of his own free will.”</p> +<p>“With a woman who drove a black car.”</p> +<p>“Yes, according to eye-witnesses she offered to take +him to a hospital for treatment.”</p> +<p>“What became of that woman?” demanded Penny. +“Can’t the police find her?”</p> +<p>“Not so far.”</p> +<p>Before Penny could say more, Harley Schirr came +to the desk, spreading a dummy sheet for the editor +to inspect.</p> +<p>“Here’s the front-page layout,” he explained. “For +the banner we’ll give ’em, ‘Anthony Parker Mysteriously +Disappears,’ and beneath it, a double column +story. I dug a good picture out of the morgue—the +one with Parker dedicating the Riverview Orphans’ +Home.”</p> +<p>DeWitt frowned as he studied the layout. “Parker +wouldn’t like this, Schirr. It’s too sensational. Bust +that banner and cut the story down to the bare facts.”</p> +<p>“But this is a big story—”</p> +<p>“I’m expecting Mr. Parker to walk in here any +minute,” retorted DeWitt. “A ‘disappearance’ spread +would make the <i>Star</i> look silly.”</p> +<p>“Mr. Parker’s not going to show up!” Schirr refuted, +his eyes blazing. “I say we should play the +story for all it’s worth.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_54">[54]</div> +<p>“I’m sure Dad would hate sensationalism,” Penny +said, siding with Mr. DeWitt.</p> +<p>The assistant editor turned to glare at her. Although +he made no reply, she read anger and dislike +in his flashing eyes.</p> +<p>“Cut the story down,” DeWitt ordered curtly. +“And try to find a more suitable picture of Mr. +Parker.”</p> +<p>Schirr swept the dummy sheet from the desk, +crumpling it in his hand. As he started for the +morgue where pictures were filed, he muttered to +himself.</p> +<p>“Don’t know what’s got into that fellow lately,” +DeWitt sighed.</p> +<p>The editor sat down rather heavily and Penny +noticed that he looked tired and pale. For fifteen +years he had been closely associated with Mr. Parker, +regarding his chief with deep affection.</p> +<p>“Do you feel well, Mr. DeWitt?” she inquired.</p> +<p>“Not so hot,” he admitted, reaching for a pencil. +“Lately I’ve been having a little pain in my side—it’s +nothing though. Just getting old, that’s all.”</p> +<p>“Why not take the day off, Mr. DeWitt? You’ve +been working too hard.”</p> +<p>“Now wouldn’t this be a fine time to go home?” +the editor barked. “Hard work agrees with me.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_55">[55]</div> +<p>Reminded that she was keeping Mr. DeWitt from +his duties, Penny soon left the <i>Star</i> office. Debating a +moment, she walked to the nearby police station. +There she was courteously received by Chief Jalman, +a personal friend of her father’s.</p> +<p>“We’ll find Mr. Parker,” he assured her confidently. +“His description has been broadcast over the radio. +We’ve instructed all our men to be on the watch for +him.”</p> +<p>Penny broached the possibility that her father had +been waylaid by enemies.</p> +<p>“Facts fail to support such a theory,” replied Chief +Jalman. “It’s my opinion your father will show up +any hour, wondering what the fuss is all about.”</p> +<p>Penny left the police station rather cheered. Almost +without thinking, she chose a route which led +toward the scene of the accident. Reaching the familiar +street, she noted that her father’s battered car +had been towed away. All broken glass had been +swept from the pavement.</p> +<p>“When I was here before I should have questioned +more people,” she thought. “It never occurred to +me then that Dad would fail to show up.”</p> +<p>Noticing a candy store which fronted the street +close to the bent lamp post, Penny went inside. A +friendly looking woman with gray hair came to serve +her.</p> +<p>“I’m not a customer,” Penny explained. She added +that her father had been injured in the car accident, +and that she was seeking information.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_56">[56]</div> +<p>“I’ve already been questioned by police detectives,” +replied the owner of the candy shop. “I’m afraid I +can’t tell you very much.”</p> +<p>“Did you witness the accident?”</p> +<p>“Oh, yes, I saw it, but it happened so fast I wasn’t +sure whose fault it was.”</p> +<p>“You didn’t take down the license number of the +blue hit-skip car?”</p> +<p>“Was it blue?” the woman inquired. “Now I told +the police, maroon.”</p> +<p>“My information came from a small boy, so he may +have been mistaken. Did you notice the woman who +offered my father a ride?”</p> +<p>“Oh, yes, she was about my age—around forty.”</p> +<p>“Well dressed?”</p> +<p>“Rather plainly, I would say. But she drove a fine, +late-model car.”</p> +<p>“Would you consider her a woman of means?”</p> +<p>“Judging from the car—yes.”</p> +<p>Penny asked many more questions, trying to gain +an accurate picture of the woman who had aided her +father. She was somewhat reassured when the candy +shop owner insisted that Mr. Parker had entered the +car of his own free will.</p> +<p>“Did he seem dazed by the accident?” she asked +thoughtfully.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_57">[57]</div> +<p>“Well, yes, he did. I saw your father get into the +car sort of holding his head. Then he asked the +woman to stop at the curb.”</p> +<p>“Why was that?”</p> +<p>“He’d forgotten something—a leather carrying +case. At any rate, he returned to his own auto for it. +Then he drove away with the woman.”</p> +<p>As puzzled as ever, Penny went out on the street +once more. The weather had turned colder, but she +scarcely felt the icy blast which whipped her face.</p> +<p>It was silly to worry, she told herself sternly. Why, +all the facts supported Police Chief Jalman’s belief +that her father soon would return home. Mrs. +Weems was confident he would be found safe—so was +Mr. DeWitt. After all, only five hours had elapsed +since the accident. A disappearance couldn’t be considered +serious in such a short period.</p> +<p>But try as she might, Penny could not free her +mind of grave misgivings. She could not forget the +mysterious telephone call, the threatening letter, and +Harley Schirr’s cocksure opinion that her father +would not be found.</p> +<p>She stood disconsolate, gazing into the whirling +snow storm. At the end of the street the railroad station +loomed as a dark blur, reminding her of Jerry. +If only he hadn’t gone away! Jerry was the one person +who might help her, and she knew of no way to +reach him.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_58">[58]</div> +<h2 id="c8"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">8</span> +<br /><i>A FEW CHANGES</i></h2> +<p>Next morning, Penny, red-eyed because she +had slept little, walked slowly toward the <i>Star</i> office. +Throughout the long night there had been no word +from Mr. Parker.</p> +<p>At every street corner newsboys shouted the latest +headlines—that the publisher had been missing nearly +twenty-four hours. Even the <i>Star</i> carried a black, +ugly banner across its front page.</p> +<p>Penny bought a copy, reading with displeasure +the story of Mr. Parker’s disappearance.</p> +<p>“I can’t understand why Mr. DeWitt let this go +through,” she thought. “If Dad were here, he’d certainly +hate it.”</p> +<p>Entering the lobby of the <i>Star</i> building, Penny +pressed the elevator button. A long time elapsed before +the cage descended. To her surprise she saw +that it was operated, not by Mose Johnson, the colored +man, but by the janitor.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_59">[59]</div> +<p>“Sorry to keep you waiting, Miss Penny,” the man +apologized. “I’m not much good at operating this +contraption.”</p> +<p>“Where is Mose this morning, Charley?”</p> +<p>“Fired.”</p> +<p>Penny could not hide her amazement. The old +colored man had been employed ten years at the <i>Star</i> +plant. Although not strictly efficient, Mose’s habits +were good, and Mr. Parker had taken an affectionate +interest in him.</p> +<p>“It’s a shame, if you ask me,” the janitor added.</p> +<p>“What happened, Charley? Who discharged +him?”</p> +<p>“That guy Schirr.”</p> +<p>“Harley Schirr? But he has no authority.”</p> +<p>“An editor can fire and hire. I think he was just +tryin’ out his stuff on poor old Mose.”</p> +<p>“During my father’s absence, Mr. DeWitt is in +full charge here,” Penny said emphatically.</p> +<p>“DeWitt <i>was</i> in charge. But they hauled him off +to the hospital last night with a bad pain in his tummy. +Seems he had an appendicitis attack. The doctor +rushed him off and didn’t even wait until morning to +operate.”</p> +<p>The news stunned Penny. She murmured that she +hoped Mr. DeWitt was doing well.</p> +<p>“Reckon he is,” agreed the janitor. “We all +chipped in and sent him some flowers—roses. Mose +gave fifty cents, too.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_60">[60]</div> +<p>Penny’s mind came back to the problem of the +colored man.</p> +<p>“So Mr. Schirr discharged him,” she commented. +“I wonder why?”</p> +<p>The janitor pressed a button and the cage moved +slowly upward.</p> +<p>“Mose was due on at midnight,” he explained. “He +didn’t get here until after two o’clock.”</p> +<p>“Didn’t he have a reason for being so late?”</p> +<p>The cage stopped with a jerk. “Sure, Mose had a +pip this time! Something about being detained by a +ghost! Schirr didn’t go for it at all. Swelled up like +a poisoned pup and fired Mose on the spot.”</p> +<p>“I’m sorry,” Penny replied. “Dad liked Mose a lot.”</p> +<p>“Any news from your father?”</p> +<p>Penny shook her head. As far as possible she was +determined to keep her troubles to herself. Turning +to leave the cage, she inquired:</p> +<p>“Where is Mose now? At home?”</p> +<p>“He’s down in the boiler room, sittin’ by the furnace. +Says he’s afraid to go home for fear his old +lady will give him the works.”</p> +<p>“Will you please ask Mose to wait there for me?” +Penny requested. “I want to talk to him before he +leaves the building.”</p> +<p>“I’ll be glad to tell him,” the janitor said. Hesitating, +he added: “If you’ve got any influence with +Schirr, you might speak a good word for me.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_61">[61]</div> +<p>“Why for you?” smiled Penny. “Surely your job +is safe.”</p> +<p>“I don’t know about that,” the janitor responded +gloomily. “This morning when Schirr was comin’ +up in the elevator he said to me: ‘Charley, there’s +going to be a few changes made around here. I’m going +to cut out all the old, useless timber.’ He looked +at me kinda funny-like too. You know, I passed my +sixty-eighth birthday last August.”</p> +<p>“Now don’t start worrying, Charley,” Penny +cheered him. “We couldn’t run this building without +you.”</p> +<p>Deeply troubled, she tramped down the hall to the +newsroom. Reporters were in a fever of activity, +pounding out their stories. Copy boys had a nervous, +tense expression as they ran to and fro on their errands. +Harley Schirr, however, was not in evidence.</p> +<p>“The Big Shot has sealed himself in your father’s +office!” informed one of the copy desk men in a +muted voice. “Guess you heard about DeWitt?”</p> +<p>Penny nodded.</p> +<p>“The Great Genius has taken over, and how! This +place is operating on an efficiency-plus basis now. +Why, he’s got me so cockeyed, I compose poetry.”</p> +<p>Penny crossed to her father’s office, tapping on the +frosted glass door.</p> +<p>“Who is it?” demanded Schirr, his voice loud and +unpleasant.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_62">[62]</div> +<p>Penny spoke her name. In a moment the door +opened, and the editor bowed and smiled. As if she +were a guest of honor, he motioned her to a seat.</p> +<p>“We’re doing everything we can to trace your +father,” he said. “So far, we’ve had no luck and the +police admit they are baffled. I can’t express to you +how sorry I am.”</p> +<p>To Penny’s ears the words were words only, lacking +sincerity. Determining to waste no time, she +spoke of DeWitt’s sudden illness.</p> +<p>“Oh yes, he’ll be off duty for at least a month,” +replied Mr. Schirr. “Naturally in his absence I have +assumed charge. We put out a real paper this morning.”</p> +<p>“I saw the front page.”</p> +<p>Penny longed to say that the story about her father +had displeased her. However, she knew it would do +no good. The account, once printed, could not be +recalled. Far better, she reasoned, to let the matter +pass.</p> +<p>“I hear Mose Johnson has been discharged,” she +remarked.</p> +<p>“Yes, we had to let him go.” Mr. Schirr opened a +desk drawer, helping himself to one of Mr. Parker’s +cigars. “Mose is indolent, irresponsible—a drag on +the payroll.”</p> +<p>“My father always liked him.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_63">[63]</div> +<p>“Yes, he did seem to favor the old coot,” agreed +Schirr with a shrug. “Well, thank you for dropping +in, Miss Parker. If we have any encouraging news, +I’ll see that you are notified at once.”</p> +<p>Well aware that she had been dismissed, Penny left +the office. Schirr’s attitude angered her. He had +made her feel unwelcome in her own father’s newspaper +plant.</p> +<p>As she closed the door behind her, she realized that +nearly every eye in the apparently-busy newsroom, +had focused upon her. Deliberately, she composed +herself. Acting undisturbed, she swept past the rows +of desks to a rear stairway leading to the basement.</p> +<p>The janitor had delivered her message to Mose +Johnson. She found the old colored man curled up +fast asleep on a crate by the warm stove.</p> +<p>Penny touched Mose on the arm. He straightened +up as suddenly as if someone had set off a fire-cracker.</p> +<p>“Oh, Miss Penny!” he beamed. “I’se suah su’prised +at seein’ you down heah in dis dumpy fu’nace room. +But I thanks you just the same fo’ wakin’ me up out +o’ dat ghost dream.”</p> +<p>“Were you having a ghost dream?” echoed Penny.</p> +<p>“Yes, Miss. Yo’ see I was dreamin’ about dat same +ghost I saw last night on de way to work.”</p> +<p>Penny, fully aware that Mose was directing the conversation +where he wished it to go, hid a smile.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_64">[64]</div> +<p>“I heard about that, Mose,” she commented. “It +must have been quite a lively ghost to make you two +hours late.”</p> +<p>“It suah was a lively ghost,” Mose confirmed, bobbing +his woolly head. “Why, it walked around jest +like a live pu’son.”</p> +<p>“Aren’t you being a bit superstitious, Mose?”</p> +<p>“Deedy not, Miss. You is supe’stitious when you +sees a ghost dat ain’t dar. But when you sees one dat +is dar you ain’t supe’stitious. You is jest plain scared!”</p> +<p>“Suppose you tell me about it,” Penny invited.</p> +<p>“Well, Miss Penny, it was like dis,” began the old +colored man. “At half past eleven I starts off fo’ work +same as always. I picks up mah lunch box de ole lady +packed fo’ me, an’ scoots off toward de bus stop to get +de 11:45. But I nevah get dar. When I was goin’ +down dat road runnin’ past de old Harrison place, I +seen de ghost.”</p> +<p>“The Harrison place?” interrupted Penny. “Where +is that?”</p> +<p>“You know de road that winds up Craig Hill? It’s +out towa’d de boat club.”</p> +<p>“You don’t mean that big estate house with the +fence surrounding it?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_65">[65]</div> +<p>“Dat’s de place! Well, I seed dis heah ghost a cavortin’ +around behind de big iron gate dat goes in to +de old Harrison place. De ghost nevah sees me, but +I gets a good close-up of him. He was dressed in +white and he was carryin’ his own tombstone around +in his arms jes’ like it doan weigh nothin’.”</p> +<p>“Oh, Mose!” protested Penny. “And then what +happened? Did the ghost disappear?”</p> +<p>“No, Miss,” grinned the colored man, “but I did! +I turns tail an’ runs as fast as a man half mah age could +go, an’ I nevah stops fo’ nuthin’ till I gits back to mah +own place.</p> +<p>“When I tells mah ole lady what was goin’ on she +says, ‘Mose, you sees white ghosts ’cause you been a +drinkin’ some mo’ o’ dat white-eye. It’s twelve +o’clock dis minute and you’se missed de last bus. +Now you start walkin’! And if you is fired, don’t +nevah da’ken dat do’ no mo’.’”</p> +<p>Old Mose drew a deep sigh. “And dat’s jest what +happened, Miss Penny. I ain’t got no job an’ no mo’ +home than a rabbit. I’se suah bubblin’ oveh with +trouble. It all come from seein’ dat ghost you says I +didn’t see.”</p> +<p>“I’m sure you thought you saw one,” replied Penny. +“If you’ll promise to attend strictly to your duties +hereafter, I’ll ask Mr. Schirr to reinstate you on the +payroll.”</p> +<p>Old Mose brightened. “I suah nuff will!” he said +jubilantly. “I won’t have no mo’ truck with dat +ghost. No sir!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_66">[66]</div> +<p>To face Mr. Schirr once more, was a most unpleasant +ordeal for Penny. Nevertheless, she sought his +office, apologizing for the intrusion.</p> +<p>“I <i>am</i> busy,” the editor said pointedly. “What is +it you want?”</p> +<p>Penny explained that she had talked with Mose +Johnson and was convinced that his offense would +not be repeated.</p> +<p>“I want you to put him back on his old job,” she +requested.</p> +<p>“Impossible!”</p> +<p>“Why do you take that attitude?” inquired Penny, +stiffening for an argument. “Dad always liked +Mose.”</p> +<p>“One can’t mix sentiment with business. I have a +job to do here and I intend to do it efficiently.”</p> +<p>“Dad probably will show up before another day.”</p> +<p>“I don’t like to dash your hopes,” said Mr. Schirr. +“We’ve tried to spare your feelings. Perhaps your +father will be found, but you know I tried to warn +him he was inviting trouble when he mixed with the +tire-theft gang.”</p> +<p>“So you believe Dad has fallen into the clutches of +those men?”</p> +<p>“I do.”</p> +<p>“What makes you think so? Have you any evidence?”</p> +<p>“Not a scrap.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_67">[67]</div> +<p>“And how did you learn Dad intended to expose +the higher-ups?”</p> +<p>“I don’t mind telling you I heard him talking to +Jerry Livingston about it.”</p> +<p>“Oh, I see.”</p> +<p>“We’re getting nowhere with this discussion,” Mr. +Schirr said impatiently. “I really am busy—”</p> +<p>“Will you reinstate Mose?” Penny asked, reverting +to the original subject.</p> +<p>“I’ve already given my answer.”</p> +<p>“After all, this is my father’s paper,” Penny said, +trying to control her voice. “It’s not a corporation. +Only Dad’s money is invested here.”</p> +<p>“So what?”</p> +<p>“As a personal favor I ask you to reinstate Mose.”</p> +<p>“You’re making an issue of it?”</p> +<p>“Call it that if you like.”</p> +<p>Mr. Schirr’s dark eyes blazed. He slammed a paper +weight across the desk and it dropped to the floor +with a hard thud.</p> +<p>“Very well,” he said stiffly, “we’ll restore your pet +to the payroll.”</p> +<p>“Thank you, Mr. Schirr.”</p> +<p>“But get this, Miss Parker,” the editor completed. +“We may as well have an understanding. While your +father is absent, I’m in full charge here. In the future +I’ll have no interference from you or any other +person.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_68">[68]</div> +<h2 id="c9"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">9</span> +<br /><i>AN OPEN SAFE</i></h2> +<p>Rather flattened by the interview with Mr. +Schirr, Penny was glad to leave the <i>Star</i> plant. Going +down in the elevator, she requested Charley to +tell Mose Johnson that he had been restored to his +old job.</p> +<p>“That’s fine!” the janitor beamed. “Mighty glad +to hear it.” Opening the cage door, he inquired: +“Will you be going to see Mr. DeWitt?”</p> +<p>“I thought I would.”</p> +<p>“He’s at City Hospital. You might tell him that +we all miss him around here.”</p> +<p>“I’ll certainly deliver the message,” promised Penny.</p> +<p>City Hospital was only six blocks away. Penny +bought flowers and then presented herself at the institution. +After a brief wait in the lobby, she was +allowed to see Mr. DeWitt for a few minutes.</p> +<p>“Good morning,” she said cheerfully, handing the +box of flowers to a nurse.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_69">[69]</div> +<p>Mr. DeWitt, pale and weak, stirred and turned his +head so that he could see her.</p> +<p>“What’s good about it?” he muttered with a trace +of his old spirit. “They won’t even let me sit up!”</p> +<p>“I should think not,” smiled Penny. She sat down +in a chair beside the bed.</p> +<p>“Of all times to get laid up!” the editor went on. +“Heard from your father?”</p> +<p>Penny shook her head. A long silence followed, +and then she said brightly:</p> +<p>“But he’ll be found—probably today.”</p> +<p>Mr. DeWitt lay with his eyes closed. “I’ve been +thinking—” he mumbled drowsily.</p> +<p>“Yes?” Penny waited.</p> +<p>“Mind’s still fogged with that blamed ether,” DeWitt +muttered. “About your father—” His voice +trailed off.</p> +<p>“Do you think he could have been waylaid by enemies?” +Penny asked after a moment. “Mr. Schirr +believes his disappearance has a connection with the +tire-theft gang.”</p> +<p>Mr. DeWitt’s eyes opened again. “I don’t know,” +he mumbled. “Your father was planning to break a +big story—didn’t tell me much about it.”</p> +<p>“You don’t know what evidence he carried in the +portfolio when he went to see the State Prosecutor?”</p> +<p>DeWitt shook his head. “Jerry’ll know.”</p> +<p>“But how can I reach him?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_70">[70]</div> +<p>“Didn’t he leave an address at the office?”</p> +<p>“I don’t think so.”</p> +<p>“Then there’s no way to reach him.” Exhausted +from so much talking, DeWitt fell silent. At length +however, he aroused himself and asked: “Have you +tried your father’s safe?”</p> +<p>“For Jerry’s address?”</p> +<p>“No, the names of the tire-theft gang. If the police +had something to work on—”</p> +<p>“Dad took a lot of papers out just before he started +for the Prosecutor’s office,” Penny replied thoughtfully. +“But some of the evidence may have been left. +It’s worth investigating.”</p> +<p>The nurse returned to the room with a vase for +the flowers.</p> +<p>“I’m afraid I can’t allow you to remain much +longer,” she said regretfully.</p> +<p>As she arose to go, Penny remembered to deliver +Old Charley’s message.</p> +<p>“How’s everything at the office?” Mr. DeWitt +asked. “Who’s in charge?”</p> +<p>“Harley Schirr.”</p> +<p>Mr. DeWitt’s forehead wrinkled. “Now I know +I’ve got to roll out of here!” he declared. “Things +will be in a nice state by the time I get back.”</p> +<p>Penny did not wish to worry him. “Oh, everything +will go along,” she soothed. “Mr. Schirr is very +efficient in his methods.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_71">[71]</div> +<p>“And opinionated,” muttered DeWitt. “Oh, well, +I’ll be back on the job in ten days.”</p> +<p>Penny did not disillusion him. Saying goodbye, +she returned to the newspaper office. Pausing at the +downstairs advertising department, she talked to Bud +Corbin, a close friend of Jerry’s.</p> +<p>“This is the only address Jerry gave me,” Mr. Corbin +said, taking a card from his billfold. “A wire +might reach him. But there’s a good chance it won’t. +When he left here, he wasn’t sure he’d stop at Elk +Horn Lodge.”</p> +<p>Grateful for the address, Penny composed a telegram +which the advertising man offered to send for +her. In the message she not only told of her father’s +strange disappearance, but asked for a complete duplication +of material lost in the portfolio.</p> +<p>“At least I’ve started the ball rolling,” she thought, +with renewed hope in her efforts. “I believe Jerry +can help if only he gets the wire.”</p> +<p>Penny had not forgotten Mr. DeWitt’s suggestion +that some evidence against the tire-theft gang might +be found in Mr. Parker’s safe.</p> +<p>“I hate to open it while Dad is away,” she reflected. +“Still, I know the combination, and I’m sure he would +want me to do it.”</p> +<p>To brave Harley Schirr a second time was a duty +not to Penny’s liking. She debated waiting until +after four o’clock when the editor doubtless would +leave the building. But time was precious and she +could not afford to wait.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_72">[72]</div> +<p>“What am I, a coward?” she prodded herself. +“Why should I be afraid of Harley Schirr? When +Dad gets back on the job, he’ll bounce him back +where he belongs.”</p> +<p>Penny’s reappearance in the newsroom created a +slight stir. However, no one spoke to her as she +walked straight to her father’s office. The door was +closed.</p> +<p>“Mr. Schirr isn’t in conference?” she asked one of +the copy readers.</p> +<p>“No, just go right on in,” the man returned carelessly.</p> +<p>Without knocking, Penny opened the door. On +the threshold, she paused, startled. Harley Schirr was +down on his knees in front of the open safe. Evidently +he had been going through Mr. Parker’s private +papers in systematic fashion for he was circled +by little piles of manila envelopes.</p> +<p>Mr. Schirr was even more startled than Penny. He +sprang to his feet, the picture of guilt. Then, recovering +his poise, he scowled and demanded: “Here +again?”</p> +<p>Penny carefully closed the office door before she +spoke. Then her words were terse.</p> +<p>“Mr. Schirr, kindly explain what you are doing in +my father’s safe.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_73">[73]</div> +<p>“Looking for information about the tire-theft +gang.”</p> +<p>“A story you say the <i>Star</i> never should print.”</p> +<p>“That’s neither here nor there.” A deep flush had +crept over Schirr’s cheeks but his manner remained +confident. “As editor I have to know what’s going +on.”</p> +<p>“Who gave you permission to open the safe?”</p> +<p>“You forget that I am editor here, Miss Parker.”</p> +<p>“At least I’ve been reminded of it enough times,” +Penny retorted. “How did you learn the combination?”</p> +<p>“I’ve known it.”</p> +<p>“You saw the numbers written on Dad’s desk,” +Penny accused.</p> +<p>Mr. Schirr did not deny the charge. Turning his +back, he started to remove a rubber band from a small +stack of yellowed letters. The act infuriated Penny, +for she recognized the packet. Years before, the letters +had been written by her own mother, and Mr. +Parker always had treasured them.</p> +<p>“Don’t you touch those!” she cried, darting forward. +“They’re personal.”</p> +<p>Snatching the packet from Mr. Schirr, she gathered +up the other papers and envelopes from the floor. +Thrusting everything into the safe, she closed and +locked the door.</p> +<p>“Well!” commented the editor scathingly.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_74">[74]</div> +<p>“You’re through here!” said Penny, facing him with +blazing eyes. “Do you understand? I’m discharging +you.”</p> +<p>Mr. Schirr looked stunned. Then he laughed unpleasantly.</p> +<p>“So <i>you’re</i> discharging me,” he mocked. “By what +right may I ask?”</p> +<p>“This is my father’s plant.”</p> +<p>“Which doesn’t necessarily make you the editor or +the owner, Miss Penelope Parker. You’re a minor as +well as a nuisance. If your father proves to be dead, +the court will step in—”</p> +<p>“Get out!” cried Penny, fighting to keep back the +tears. “You don’t care about Dad, or anything but +your own selfish interests!”</p> +<p>“Now you’re hysterical.”</p> +<p>Penny’s anger subsided, to be replaced by a cool +determination that Harley Schirr should not remain +in charge of the <i>Star</i> another hour.</p> +<p>“I meant just what I said,” she told him quietly. +“Please go.”</p> +<p>Schirr smiled grimly. Seating himself at the desk, +his eyes challenged hers.</p> +<p>“I remain as editor here,” he announced. “If you +wish to contest my right, take your case to court. +In the meantime, keep out of my private office.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_75">[75]</div> +<h2 id="c10"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">10</span> +<br /><i>TALE OF A GHOST</i></h2> +<p>Beaten and close to tears, Penny stumbled out +of Harley Schirr’s office. As she paused just beyond +the closed door, every eye in the newsroom focused +upon her. Salt Sommers, camera box slung over his +shoulder, went over and spoke to her.</p> +<p>“Penny, we all heard that row. If you say the +word, we’ll walk out of here in a body.”</p> +<p>Penny smiled, touched by the expression of loyalty. +“That would do no good,” she replied. “Thanks just +the same.”</p> +<p>“We’re through taking orders from Schirr!” Salt +went on. “He always has been a pain in the neck, +and now that he has authority, there’s no holding him +down. How about it, boys?”</p> +<p>A chorus of approval greeted his words. One of +the reporters picked up a paper weight and would +have hurled it against the closed door, had not another +restrained him.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_76">[76]</div> +<p>“I’m sure Dad would want everyone to carry on,” +Penny said quietly. “The paper must be published +the same as always.”</p> +<p>“We could do our work and do it well, if Schirr +would just leave us alone,” growled one of the copy +readers.</p> +<p>“That’s right!” added another. “Why don’t you +take over, Penny?”</p> +<p>“Mr. Schirr just reminded me that I’m not the editor. +I know nothing about running a newspaper.”</p> +<p>“How about the time you ran the High School +weekly?” Salt reminded her. “Why, you did a bang +up job of it, and uncovered <i>The Secret Pact</i> story to +boot! Don’t try to tell us you don’t know how to +run a newspaper!”</p> +<p>“A weekly high school sheet and the <i>Star</i> are two +different propositions.”</p> +<p>“But your father has a fine organization here,” Salt +argued. “If Schirr can be kept from breaking it up, +everything will go along. The boys all know their +jobs.”</p> +<p>Penny’s eyes began to sparkle. But she said: “I +don’t see how I could take over, much as I would like +to do it. Schirr has staked out rights in Dad’s office +and nothing will move him short of a court order.”</p> +<p>“You don’t need a fancy office to run a paper,” +Salt grinned. “We’ll just take our orders from you. +Schirr can sit until he’s had enough of it.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_77">[77]</div> +<p>Penny gazed at the eager, loyal faces about her. +Nearly all of the men were old employees, personally +trained by her father and Mr. DeWitt. She knew +she could depend on them.</p> +<p>“We’ll do it!” she exclaimed suddenly. “As your +new editor, I wish to issue my first order. Please, +let’s not publish any more sensational stories about +Dad’s disappearance.”</p> +<p>“Okay Chief,” grinned one of the desk men. “That +suits us all fine.”</p> +<p>Penny was given a seat of honor at the slot of the +circular copy desk. There she was able to read and +pass upon every story which flowed from the typewriters +of the various reporters. With the courteous +help of one of the deskmen, she remade the front page +of the noon edition. A particularly sensational story +about Mr. Parker, prepared earlier in the day, was +promptly “busted.”</p> +<p>Penny found her new duties exacting, but surprisingly +easy. Over the years it was astonishing how +much she had learned about the workings of a newspaper +plant. At different times she had served as reporter, +society editor and special feature writer. As +for the editorial policy of the <i>Star</i>, she was thoroughly +familiar with it, for her father frequently aired his +views at home.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_78">[78]</div> +<p>Shortly after the noon edition rolled from the press, +the buzzer in Mr. Schirr’s office sounded. Mr. Parker’s +private secretary did not answer. The buzzer +kept on for nearly five minutes. Then the door was +flung open.</p> +<p>“What the blazes is the matter with everyone?” +Schirr shouted.</p> +<p>His gaze fastened upon Penny at the copy desk.</p> +<p>“Meet our new editor, Mr. Schirr,” said Salt, who +had that moment come out of the camera room.</p> +<p>Schirr ignored Penny. Snatching up one of the +noon editions, still fresh with wet ink, he glanced at +the front page. His eyes flashed.</p> +<p>“Eckert,” he said to the head copy man, “come into +my office. I want to talk to you.”</p> +<p>“Oh, sure,” said Eckert, but he did not follow +Schirr into the adjoining room.</p> +<p>Soon the ex-editor came storming out to learn what +was wrong. This time his expression was baffled.</p> +<p>“Mr. Eckert,” he said with exaggerated politeness. +“Will you please step into my office?”</p> +<p>“Sorry,” replied the copy reader. “You may as +well know right now that you’re not giving the orders +around here!”</p> +<p>“We’ll see about that!” cried Schirr.</p> +<p>Darting to one of the speaking tubes, he called the +foreman of the press room.</p> +<p>“Schirr talking!” he said curtly. “Stop the presses! +Kill that noon edition! We’re making over the front +page!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_79">[79]</div> +<p>“Can’t hear you,” was the reply, for word had been +passed to the men in the pressroom. “Louder!”</p> +<p>Schirr shouted until he was nearly hoarse. Then +suddenly conscious that he was making a spectacle of +himself, he slammed into his office. A minute later +he reappeared, hat jammed low over his eyes.</p> +<p>“This is a very clever scheme, Miss Parker,” he +said, facing her. “Well, it won’t work. I’m leaving, +but I’ll be back. With a lawyer!”</p> +<p>He strode from the newsroom, banging the door so +hard the glass rattled.</p> +<p>“Don’t worry about that egg,” Salt advised Penny. +“He’s mostly bluff.”</p> +<p>“I think he does mean to get a court order,” she +returned soberly.</p> +<p>“He may try,” Salt shrugged. “We can handle +him.”</p> +<p>Following Schirr’s departure, everything moved +smoothly at the <i>Star</i> plant. One edition after another +rolled from the presses. Penny was kept busy, and +frequently she was worried and in doubt. Nevertheless, +everyone made the way easy for her, and as the +day wore on she gained confidence.</p> +<p>Throughout the afternoon, news stories kept pouring +into the <i>Star</i> office, but no encouraging information +came in regard to Mr. Parker. Several times +Penny called the police station and also talked with +Mrs. Weems. The housekeeper, fearful that the girl +would become ill, insisted upon bringing a hot evening +meal to the office.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_80">[80]</div> +<p>“Penny, you’ve been here all day,” she chided anxiously. +“You must come home with me.”</p> +<p>“I can’t just yet,” Penny replied. “There’s too +much to do. By tomorrow, if Schirr doesn’t make +trouble, things will smooth out.”</p> +<p>“You’re working so hard you’ll be sick abed!”</p> +<p>“I want to work,” Penny said grimly. “It keeps +me from thinking. Anyway, Dad would want me to +do it.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Weems sighed as she gathered up the lunch +basket and thermos bottle. Penny barely had tasted +the food.</p> +<p>“When will you be home?” the housekeeper asked.</p> +<p>“I can’t say exactly. After the night editions are +out. Don’t sit up for me.”</p> +<p>“You know I couldn’t go to bed until you are +home,” Mrs. Weems responded. “You’ll take a taxi?”</p> +<p>“Of course,” promised Penny.</p> +<p>After the housekeeper had gone, she plunged into +her duties once more. With the force short of two +men, DeWitt and Schirr, there really was too much +work for the desk men to do unassisted. Penny wrote +headlines, copy-read stories, and passed on all matters +of policy. So busy did she keep, that when at length +she glanced at her watch, it was eleven-thirty.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_81">[81]</div> +<p>“Gracious!” she thought. “And Mrs. Weems will +be waiting up for me!”</p> +<p>Saying goodnight to the men who would carry on +in her absence, she went down the back stairs to the +street. As she glanced about for a taxicab, she saw +Old Mose Johnson shuffling toward the loading dock.</p> +<p>“Good evening,” she greeted him. “I’m glad to +see you’re ahead of time tonight.”</p> +<p>“Good evenin’, Miss Penny,” the colored man said, +doffing his tattered hat. “Yas’m. I’se heah, but I seed +dat same ghost a-lurkin’ behind de gate!”</p> +<p>“I hope that ghost isn’t becoming a habit with you, +Mose.”</p> +<p>“Deed Miss Penny, he’s mo’ dan a habit,” the colored +man sighed. “He’s a suah-nuff live ghost. De +fust time I seed him I thought he wasn’t no imagination +ghost. But when I saw him agin’ tonight I was +dead suah of it.”</p> +<p>“What happened this time, Mose?”</p> +<p>“Well, Miss Penny, I was a walking along dat same +road, down by de ole Harrison place when I seed him +again. He was a-cavortin’ behind dat same iron gate. +And he was dressed de same too, in a long white robe.”</p> +<p>“And you ran the same too, I suppose?” smiled +Penny.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_82">[82]</div> +<p>“Ah made myself scarce around dat gate, but I +didn’t run home dis time. I was a-skeered of mah ole +woman. I beats it to de restaurant on de co’ner and +waits dere ’till a bus comes. Oh, I’se gettin’ good, +Miss Penny! I can see a ghost and git to work on +time, all de same evenin’!”</p> +<p>“Well, keep up the good work,” Penny said jokingly +as she turned away.</p> +<p>The meeting with Old Mose had served to divert +the girl’s mind from her own difficulties. Riding +home by taxi, she caught herself reviewing the details +of the colored man’s outlandish tale.</p> +<p>“Mose couldn’t have seen a ghost,” she thought, +“but he’s honest about being frightened. If I didn’t +have so many serious troubles, I’d be tempted to investigate +the old Harrison estate myself.”</p> +<p>Penny alighted at her home and walked wearily up +the shoveled path. Snow was falling once more. +Already the exposed porch was covered with a half-inch +coating of feathery flakes.</p> +<p>Inside the house a light flashed on. The bright +beam shining through the window drew Penny’s attention +to a series of freshly-made footprints criss-crossing +the porch.</p> +<p>“Mrs. Weems must have had a visitor,” she thought, +observing that the heel marks were made by a woman’s +shoe.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_83">[83]</div> +<p>As Penny reached for the door knob, her glance +fell upon a long, narrow envelope which protruded +from the tin mailbox. She removed it, wondering +why the housekeeper had neglected to do so.</p> +<p>Mrs. Weems opened the door.</p> +<p>“Thank goodness, you’re home at last, Penny. I +fell asleep on the davenport. There isn’t any word—”</p> +<p>“Not a scrap of news,” Penny completed.</p> +<p>Dropping the letter on the center table, she removed +her wraps and flung herself full length on the +davenport.</p> +<p>“You poor child!” Mrs. Weems murmured. +“You’re practically exhausted. Please go straight to +bed. I’ll fix some warm milk and perhaps you can +sleep.”</p> +<p>“I don’t feel as if I’d ever sleep again,” Penny declared. +“I’m tired, but I feel so excited and tense.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Weems picked up the girl’s coat and cap. +Shaking them free of snow, she hung the garments in +the closet.</p> +<p>“Did you have a bad time of it today?” Penny +asked after a moment.</p> +<p>“It wasn’t exactly pleasant,” Mrs. Weems replied. +“Reporters and photographers came from every paper +in Riverview. The police too—although I was glad +to have them. And the telephone! I counted twelve +calls in an hour.”</p> +<p>“You must be dead. You shouldn’t have waited up +for me.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_84">[84]</div> +<p>“I wanted to, Penny. About an hour ago I thought +I heard your step on the porch, but I was mistaken.”</p> +<p>Penny sat up. “Haven’t you had a caller during +the last hour, Mrs. Weems?”</p> +<p>“No, I’ve been alone.”</p> +<p>“But I saw footprints on the porch! And I found +this in the mailbox!”</p> +<p>Penny snatched the long envelope from the table. +Holding it beneath the bridge lamp, she noticed for +the first time that it bore no stamp. Strangely, it was +addressed to her.</p> +<p>“Why, where did you get that letter?” cried Mrs. +Weems.</p> +<p>“Found it in the mailbox.” Penny’s hand trembled +as she ripped open the flap.</p> +<p>A sheet of writing paper, high quality and slightly +perfumed, slid from the envelope. The message was +terse and bore no signature at the end. It read:</p> +<div class="bq"> +<p class="bq">“Offer a suitable reward and information will be +provided as to the whereabouts of your father. Make +your offer known in the <i>Star</i>.”</p> +</div> +<div class="pb" id="Page_85">[85]</div> +<h2 id="c11"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">11</span> +<br /><i>BY A CEMETERY WALL</i></h2> +<p>Penny and Mrs. Weems reread the anonymous +message many times, analyzing every word.</p> +<p>“Plainly this note was written by a woman of some +means for the paper is fine quality,” Penny commented. +“She must have sneaked up on the porch +about an hour ago.”</p> +<p>“Call the police at once,” urged Mrs. Weems. +“They’ll tell us what we should do.”</p> +<p>“Whoever left the note may be watching the +house.”</p> +<p>“We must risk that, Penny. I’ll call the station +myself.”</p> +<p>While Mrs. Weems busied herself at the telephone, +Penny switched off the living-room light. She could +see no one loitering anywhere near the house. Slipping +on her coat, she went outside to inspect the footprints +left on the porch. Only a few remained uncovered +by snow. There was no way to tell in which +direction the writer of the anonymous message had +gone.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_86">[86]</div> +<p>Mrs. Weems had completed her telephone call by +the time Penny reentered the house.</p> +<p>“Two detectives will be here in a few minutes,” +she revealed. “You keep watch for them while I run +upstairs and get into something more suitable than a +lounging robe.”</p> +<p>Within ten minutes a car drew up in front of the +house. Penny already was acquainted with Detectives +Dick Brandon and George Fuller, and had great confidence +in their judgment. Anxiously she and Mrs. +Weems waited while the men scanned the anonymous +message.</p> +<p>“This might be only a crank note,” commented +Brandon. “Someone who’s read of Mr. Parker’s disappearance, +and hopes to pick up a little cash.”</p> +<p>“Then you don’t think it came from the tire-theft +gang?” Penny asked.</p> +<p>“Not likely. A professional kidnaper never would +have sent a note like this. The handwriting hasn’t +even been disguised.”</p> +<p>“Will it be possible to trace the person?”</p> +<p>“It should be if we have a little luck.” Detective +Brandon pocketed the letter. “Now this is what you +must do, Miss Parker. Offer a reward—say five thousand +dollars—for information about your father.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_87">[87]</div> +<p>“I’ll get the story in every edition of the <i>Star</i> tomorrow. +And then what am I to do?”</p> +<p>“You’ll likely hear from the writer of this anonymous +message, either by letter or telephone. If you +contact the woman, arrange a meeting. Then notify +us immediately.”</p> +<p>The discussion went on. When at length the two +detectives left, Penny and Mrs. Weems were hopeful +that within another twenty-four hours they might +know Mr. Parker’s fate.</p> +<p>In the morning, after only five hours of sleep, Penny +was back at her desk. Her first act was to dictate the +story offering a five-thousand-dollar reward for information +about her father. Not even to Salt Sommers +did she confide that she had received an anonymous +message.</p> +<p>“Everything’s going well here at the plant,” he assured +her. “Harley Schirr hasn’t so much as stuck +his nose through the door.”</p> +<p>“I hope we’re through with him,” replied Penny +soberly. “However, I don’t feel that we are. By the +way, no telegram has come from Jerry?”</p> +<p>“No message yet. Guess he didn’t get your wire.”</p> +<p>Throughout the morning, Penny worked tirelessly +at her desk. Although her father’s office now was +vacant, she did not take possession. Even when she +occasionally entered to get papers from the file, it +gave her a queer, tight feeling. Her father’s old neck-scarf +still hung on the clothes tree. The rubbers he +hated to wear stood heel to heel against the wall.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_88">[88]</div> +<p>“Dad is alive and well,” she told herself whenever +her courage faltered. “By tomorrow he’ll be back. +I know he will.”</p> +<p>At noon Salt brought Penny a sandwich which she +ate without leaving her desk. As she struggled with +the last mouthful, the telephone rang.</p> +<p>“Is this Miss Parker?” inquired a woman’s voice.</p> +<p>Penny gripped the receiver tightly. Her pulse began +to pound. Although she had no real reason for +thinking so, she suddenly knew that she was in contact +with the mysterious writer of the anonymous message.</p> +<p>“Yes,” she replied, keeping her voice calm.</p> +<p>“You offered a reward in your paper today. Five +thousand dollars for information about Mr. Parker.”</p> +<p>“True. Can you tell me anything about his disappearance?”</p> +<p>“I can if you’re willing to pay the money.”</p> +<p>“I’ll be glad to do it.”</p> +<p>“And no questions asked?”</p> +<p>“No questions,” Penny promised. “If you actually +can provide information that will help me find my +father, I’ll be happy to give you the money.”</p> +<p>There was a long silence. Fearful lest the woman +had lost her nerve and was about to hang up, Penny +said anxiously:</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_89">[89]</div> +<p>“Where shall I meet you? Will you come to my +home?”</p> +<p>“That’s too risky.”</p> +<p>“Then where shall I meet you?”</p> +<p>“Tonight at eight. You know the cemetery out on +Baldiff Road?”</p> +<p>“Baldiff Road?” Penny repeated doubtfully.</p> +<p>“You’ll find it on a county map,” the woman instructed. +“Meet me at the cemetery wall promptly +at eight. And don’t bring anyone with you. Just +the money. I’ll guarantee to tell you where you can +find your father.”</p> +<p>The receiver clicked.</p> +<p>Greatly excited, Penny made a futile attempt to +trace the telephone call. Failing, she set off for the +police station to talk to Detectives Fuller and Brandon.</p> +<p>“The woman must be a rank amateur or she +wouldn’t have arranged a meeting in the way she did!” +Detective Brandon assured Penny. “Now let’s find +out where Baldiff Road is located.”</p> +<p>Using a large map, he circled an area several miles +south of Riverview. Penny was surprised to note +that Baldiff Road branched off from the same deserted +thoroughfare which she and Louise had followed on +the night of the blizzard. The cemetery, Oakland +Hills, was situated perhaps a mile from the old Harrison +place where Mose Johnson had claimed to have +seen a ghost.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_90">[90]</div> +<p>“It shouldn’t be hard to nab the woman when she +shows up,” Detective Fuller declared. “Dick and I +will get there early and keep watch.”</p> +<p>“Just what am I to do?” Penny inquired. “Shall I +take the reward money with me?”</p> +<p>“We’ll give you a package of fake money,” the detective +answered. “Drive to the cemetery alone at +the appointed hour. If the woman shows up, talk to +her, try to learn what she knows. We’ll attend to +the rest.”</p> +<p>Penny returned home to consult with Mrs. Weems. +How to reach the cemetery was something of a problem. +Her own car, minus its wheels, remained at the +Yacht Club, and Mr. Parker’s automobile had been +hauled to a garage for extensive repairs.</p> +<p>“Can’t you borrow a car from someone at the <i>Star</i> +office?” suggested the housekeeper. “And do take a +man with you when you drive to the cemetery.”</p> +<p>“No, I must go alone,” insisted Penny. “That part +is very important.”</p> +<p>In the end she was able to borrow Salt Sommer’s +coupe. A little after seven o’clock she set off for +Baldiff Road with the package of fake money in her +possession. The night was not cold, but a stiff wind +blew through the evergreens; whirlwinds of snow +chased one another across the untraveled road.</p> +<p>“What a dreary place for a meeting,” Penny shivered +as she glimpsed the bleak cemetery on a hilltop.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_91">[91]</div> +<p>The area, a full half-mile from any house, was +bounded by a high snow-covered brick wall. Beyond +the barrier, starlight revealed a cluster of rounding +tombstones layered with white. No one was visible, +neither the woman nor members of the police force.</p> +<p>Penny glanced at her watch. It lacked ten minutes +of eight o’clock. She parked not far from the cemetery +entrance and switched off the engine.</p> +<p>Twenty minutes elapsed. Nervous and cold, Penny +climbed from the car and tramped back and forth to +restore circulation. She had begun to doubt that the +woman would keep the appointment.</p> +<p>Then, coming swiftly down the road, she saw a +strange looking figure. The one who approached +wore a long, tight-fitting coat. A hat with a dark +veil covered the woman’s face.</p> +<p>“There she is!” thought Penny, every nerve tense.</p> +<p>The woman came closer. While still some distance +from the cemetery entrance, she suddenly paused. +Her head jerked sideways. Then to Penny’s dismay, +she turned and fled toward the woods.</p> +<p>“Wait!” Penny shouted. “Don’t be afraid! +Wait!”</p> +<p>The woman paid no heed. Lifting her coat the better +to run, she disappeared among the trees.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_92">[92]</div> +<h2 id="c12"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">12</span> +<br /><i>FLIGHT</i></h2> +<p>As Penny wondered what to do, Detectives +Brandon and Fuller leaped from their hiding place +behind the cemetery wall. Their car had been secreted +in a clump of bushes farther down the road. +By pure mischance, the woman in the black veil had +seen it as she approached, and fearing treachery, had +fled.</p> +<p>“Quick, Dick, or she’ll get away!” Fuller shouted.</p> +<p>Penny did not join in the pursuit. Reentering her +car, she waited anxiously. From the crashing of underbrush, +she knew the detectives were having difficulty +in following the woman. In the dark forest it +would be very easy for her to elude the officers.</p> +<p>Three quarters of an hour elapsed before the men +returned.</p> +<p>“We lost her,” Detective Brandon reported. “No +use searching any longer.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_93">[93]</div> +<p>Sick at heart, Penny drove slowly toward home. +Her hopes had been completely dashed. Not only +had she failed to contact the mysterious woman, but +there now seemed little likelihood of doing so.</p> +<p>“I may receive another telephone message,” she +thought, “but I doubt it. That woman probably will +be too badly frightened to try to contact me again.”</p> +<p>At the exit of Baldiff Road, Penny headed down +the winding hillside highway which she and Louise +had followed on the night of the blizzard. The route, +although slightly longer, would take her close to the +Riverview Yacht Club.</p> +<p>“I’ll go that way and see if my car is still there,” +she decided. “Then tomorrow I can have it hauled +home and jacked up. I should have looked after the +matter long ago.”</p> +<p>The coupe rounded a curve and the road dipped +between an avenue of swaying, whispering pines. To +the left, shrouded in snow, loomed the old Harrison +house. The estate was picturesque in itself, and Mose +Johnson’s tale about a ghost had intensified the girl’s +interest.</p> +<p>“Wonder who owns the place now?” she speculated. +“Probably not any member of the Harrison +family, as I believe they were old-timers in Riverview.”</p> +<p>Penny slowed the car to idling speed. Deliberately +keeping to the left hand side of the road, she studied +with deep interest the long, snow-frosted fence which +bounded the grounds. The barrier was an unfriendly +one, high and spiked at the top.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_94">[94]</div> +<p>Suddenly her attention focused upon a well-beaten +path in the snow just inside the fence. The footprints, +plainly visible in the bright moonlight, extended +the full width of the grounds.</p> +<p>Into Penny’s mind flashed the wild yarn told by +Mose Johnson.</p> +<p>“Ghost tracks!” she thought. “At least those prints +must have been made by whatever he saw beyond the +gate.”</p> +<p>So interested was Penny in the path that for an instant +she completely forgot her driving. The front +left wheel of the car struck a tiny mound of ice and +snow at the road’s edge.</p> +<p>Barely in time to avoid an accident, the girl twisted +the steering wheel and brought the car back on the +highway.</p> +<p>“Another second and I’d have been in the ditch!” +she thought shakily. “If I must look for a ghost, +guess I’ll do the job right.”</p> +<p>Penny pulled up, this time at the opposite side of +the road. Getting out, she crossed to the iron fence +and peered through it. The path which had attracted +her attention had been pounded hard by someone who +had walked just inside the enclosure.</p> +<p>“Odd!” she reflected. “Maybe Old Mose’s ghost +has more substance than I thought.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_95">[95]</div> +<p>Penny glanced toward the big house, dark and majestic +in its setting of evergreens. Obviously the place +had been closed for the winter. Walks were not +shoveled, blinds had been drawn, and no tire tracks +led to and from the three-car garage.</p> +<p>“Wonder who or what could have made that +path?” she mused. “Certainly not an animal.”</p> +<p>Unable to solve the mystery, Penny turned to re-enter +the parked coupe. Before she could cross the +road, a light went on in a third floor room of the +estate house. Startled, she stared at it. As she +watched, it was extinguished.</p> +<p>“Someone must live here!” thought Penny. “Or +am I seeing spooks myself?”</p> +<p>For a long while she watched the upper floor of +the house. The light did not reappear. At length, +wearying of the vigil, she returned to the car.</p> +<p>Penny started the engine and bent down to open +the fins of the heater. Straightening, she cast a last, +careless glance toward the old estate. Her heart did +a flip-flop.</p> +<p>Beyond the iron gate, in the garden area, a white-robed +figure slowly paced back and forth!</p> +<p>“My Aunt!” whispered Penny. “Am I seeing +things or am I seeing things?”</p> +<p>For a moment she sat very straight, watching. The +ghostly figure, white from head to toe, moved with +measured steps toward the high gate.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_96">[96]</div> +<p>“There aren’t any ghosts,” she encouraged herself. +“But if that’s not a spook, it must be someone dressed +up like one! And who would play Hallowe’en games +on a cold night like this?”</p> +<p>Alone, frankly nervous, Penny had no overpowering +desire to investigate the white-robed figure at +close range. A large, spreading evergreen half-blocked +her view of the gate. She could not see the +ghost plainly, but she distinctly heard the rattle of a +chain as the apparition tested the lock.</p> +<p>“Real or imaginary, that spook is trying to get out!” +Penny thought with a shiver. “If Mose were here +now I’d challenge him to a race!”</p> +<p>The white-gowned figure shook the gate chain a +second time, then slowly retreated. Penny watched +for a moment, before abruptly swinging open the car +door. She had decided to investigate.</p> +<p>As she crossed the road, the white figure moved +away from her. By the time she reached the gate, it +had disappeared around a corner of the house.</p> +<p>“At least Mr. Spook wasn’t carrying his own tombstone!” +Penny observed to herself. “Mose exaggerated +that part.”</p> +<p>She waited, leaning against the gate post. Within +three minutes a light went on in the upper part of the +house. For a fleeting instant before the blind was +pulled, she saw someone standing in front of an old-fashioned +dresser.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_97">[97]</div> +<p>“Mr. Ghost seemingly has turned in for the night,” +thought Penny. “But is it a he, she, or it?”</p> +<p>Soon the bedroom light was extinguished. Cold +and tired, Penny decided that the mystery must remain +unsolved. However, as she drove on, she kept thinking +about what she had seen. Of one thing she now +was certain. The estate was not deserted!</p> +<p>Without stopping at the Yacht Club grounds, +Penny made certain that her stripped car and ice boat +remained as she last had seen them. Driving on to +Riverview, she left Salt’s car at the <i>Star</i> plant, then +taxied home to tell Mrs. Weems of her failure at the +cemetery.</p> +<p>“Don’t feel badly about it,” the housekeeper comforted. +“Surely the woman who telephoned will +make another attempt to reach you.”</p> +<p>“I doubt it,” Penny replied gloomily. “She’ll know +now that the police are watching for her.”</p> +<p>“This entire affair is so bewildering,” sighed Mrs. +Weems. “How could your father have been kidnaped? +If what we’ve learned is true, he left the +scene of the accident of his own free will.”</p> +<p>“I never was so baffled in my life,” Penny returned, +throwing herself on the davenport. “I used to think +I was good at solving puzzles. Now I know I’m just +plain dumb.”</p> +<p>“Have you thought about employing a private detective?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_98">[98]</div> +<p>“It might be a good idea!” Penny agreed, encouraged. +“I’ll see what I can do tomorrow.”</p> +<p>As she started wearily up the stairs to bed, Mrs. +Weems called after her to say that Louise Sidell had +telephoned earlier in the evening. Penny nodded absently, +assuming that her chum had phoned to express +sympathy. She did not think of the matter again until +the next morning at breakfast. As she was leaving +the table, Mrs. Weems came in to report that Louise +once more was on the telephone.</p> +<p>“Penny, I can’t tell you how shocked I was to learn +about your father,” her chum began breathlessly. “Is +there anything I can do to help?”</p> +<p>“I’m afraid not, Lou.”</p> +<p>“What are you using for a car? You must need +one badly.”</p> +<p>“Salt Sommers let me have his last night. I’ll get +along.”</p> +<p>“Penny, I know how you can buy tires!” Louise +went on. “In fact, that’s what I wanted to talk to +you about.”</p> +<p>“How can I buy tires? Rubber is supposed to be +scarce.”</p> +<p>“When I was having my hair fixed at the beauty +parlor yesterday I heard two women talking!” Louise +declared excitedly. “It seems there’s a garage where +you can get them if you pull the right strings!”</p> +<p>“Oh! A Black Market place?”</p> +<p>“I suppose that’s what you would call it.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_99">[99]</div> +<p>“I don’t want to get tires illegally,” Penny said. +“I’m not interested, Lou.”</p> +<p>“You don’t even care to know the name of the +garage?”</p> +<p>“What good would it do?”</p> +<p>“None perhaps, but it might give you a surprise.”</p> +<p>“A surprise?” Penny repeated. She glanced at the +clock, impatient because the conversation was being +prolonged. A great deal of important work awaited +her.</p> +<p>“You don’t want to know the name of the place?” +Louise persisted.</p> +<p>“Yes, I do. On second thought, it might be well +worth while to find out what I can about Black +Market operations in tires.”</p> +<p>The conviction had come suddenly to Penny that +all the evidence contained in her father’s lost portfolio +must be gathered anew. No word had been received +from Jerry Livingston. In the quest for information, +she must depend upon her own efforts.</p> +<p>“It’s going to give you a real shock to learn the +name of the place,” Louise went on.</p> +<p>“I’m shock proof by this time,” answered Penny. +“Let ’er fly.”</p> +<p>But Louise was unwilling to divulge the information +over the telephone.</p> +<p>“I don’t dare tell you now,” she replied. “Just sit +tight for ten minutes and I’ll deliver my bombshell in +person.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_100">[100]</div> +<h2 id="c13"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">13</span> +<br /><i>A BLACK MARKET</i></h2> +<p>Ten minutes later Louise was at the front door +with the Sidell family car. She tooted the horn until +Penny put on her coat and went outside.</p> +<p>“Jump in and I’ll take you to the place of mystery,” +Louise greeted her. “On second thought, you’d better +drive. I hate icy roads.”</p> +<p>Penny slid behind the steering wheel. “But where +are we going?” she protested. “Honestly, Lou, I +haven’t much time—”</p> +<p>“Mattie Williams’ garage is the place that sells the +tires! Now, are you interested?”</p> +<p>“Am I? Why, we stopped there with Salt Sommers!”</p> +<p>“We did indeed. Remember the big truck?”</p> +<p>“Lou, you may have stumbled into something really +important!”</p> +<p>“Glad you think so, chum. But you’re not interested +in Black Markets.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_101">[101]</div> +<p>“I’ve changed my mind! I want to talk to Mattie +Williams right away!”</p> +<p>Penny started the car. Driving with a mechanical, +unthinking efficiency born of many years’ practice, +she questioned Louise as to the source of her information. +The girls were deep in a discussion when they +heard someone shout. Salt Sommers had hailed them +from the curb.</p> +<p>“Why, hello,” Penny greeted him, stopping the car +with a jerk. “Any trouble at the <i>Star</i>?”</p> +<p>“Not from Schirr,” grinned Salt. “I’m hot-footing +it to the Ladies Club to mug some dames pouring tea! +For the society page.”</p> +<p>“Poor Salt!” smiled Penny, knowing how he hated +trivial assignments.</p> +<p>“On your way to the office?” the photographer +questioned.</p> +<p>Penny hesitated, then decided to confide in Salt. +She repeated what Louise had told her about the Mattie +Williams’ garage.</p> +<p>“Well, can you beat that!” the photographer exclaimed. +“I don’t know Mattie and her partner well, +but I always supposed they were honest. So they’re +dealing in stolen tires!”</p> +<p>“We don’t know for sure,” Penny said hastily. +“Our information is mostly founded on rumor.”</p> +<p>“And the tires may not be stolen ones,” contributed +Louise. “I only heard they can be bought there.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_102">[102]</div> +<p>Penny added that she would not take time to run +down the Black Market story save that her father’s +disappearance might have a connection with the tire-thief +gang.</p> +<p>“I aim to learn the names of those men Dad intended +to expose,” she said earnestly.</p> +<p>Somewhat startled by the grim note of Penny’s +voice, Salt warned her that she might be venturing on +dangerous ground.</p> +<p>“We all admire your courage,” he said, “but you +mustn’t take foolish risks. Your father would turn +thumbs down on that idea.”</p> +<p>“It’s because of Dad that I must investigate every +angle of the tire-theft racket.”</p> +<p>“Quite an ambitious assignment,” Salt said dryly. +“Now as soon as Jerry gets back from Canada—”</p> +<p>“We can’t wait! Something has to be done right +away!”</p> +<p>“I know how you feel,” responded Salt, “but there’s +such a thing as being too courageous.”</p> +<p>“I’m not courageous,” Penny denied. “Last night +at the cemetery I was scared half to death. And then +when I saw the ghost—”</p> +<p>“What ghost?” interrupted Louise.</p> +<p>Penny had not intended to speak of what she had +seen at the Harrison estate. The slip of tongue made +it necessary to tell of the path by the gate, the retreating +figure, and the mysterious light.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_103">[103]</div> +<p>“That’s funny,” commented the photographer, regarding +her with a peculiar expression. “Since I’ve +been on duty at the observation tower I’ve never seen +any activity at the estate.”</p> +<p>“I don’t believe in ghosts, but I saw one all that +same!” Penny insisted. “Just watch some night and +see for yourself!”</p> +<p>Annoyed by Salt’s smile, she shifted gears and drove +on down the street. Turning to Louise, she asked +earnestly: “You believe I saw something wandering +about the estate last night, don’t you?”</p> +<p>“Well,” Louise hesitated, unwilling to offend her +chum. “You must have been quite upset after failing +to meet that woman at the cemetery. Under the circumstances....”</p> +<p>“I was as calm as I am now,” Penny cried indignantly. +“I saw it, I tell you!”</p> +<p>“Of course you did, dear,” Louise soothed. “Do +please watch your driving more carefully, or I’ll have +to take over.”</p> +<p>Penny suddenly relaxed. “Okay, have it your own +way,” she shrugged. “I wouldn’t believe Mose Johnson, +so why should you believe me? It’s just one of +those things.”</p> +<p>For a long while they rode in silence. Few cars +were on the road and there was little business activity +at Kamm’s Corner. Penny parked in front of the +Mattie Williams’ garage.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_104">[104]</div> +<p>“What excuse will we have for questioning her?” +Louise asked dubiously.</p> +<p>“I’m not going to make an excuse,” said Penny. +“I’ll just come right out and ask her if she sells tires +without a special order.”</p> +<p>The girls entered the warm little office, stamping +snow from their galoshes.</p> +<p>“Just a minute,” called a voice which belonged to +Mattie Williams.</p> +<p>The garage owner was busy with a customer. +Soon however, she came in from the main part of the +building, wiping her oily hands on a piece of waste.</p> +<p>“What can I do for you?” she inquired briskly.</p> +<p>“You remember us, don’t you?” asked Penny, leading +into the subject of tires as gradually as possible. +“We’re friends of Salt Sommers.”</p> +<p>“Oh, sure!” the woman’s face lighted. “You came +in with him the night of the bad storm.”</p> +<p>“My car had been stripped of its tires. Ever since, +I’ve been wondering how to get new ones.”</p> +<p>A slightly guarded expression came over Mattie +Williams’ face. She said nothing.</p> +<p>“I was told I might obtain some here,” Penny +plunged on.</p> +<p>“You can,” said Mattie. “Provided you have an +order from your Ration Board.”</p> +<p>“Not without it?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_105">[105]</div> +<p>Mattie gazed at Penny with undisguised scorn. +“What sort of a place do you think we run here?” +she demanded. “Of course we don’t sell tires without +an order.”</p> +<p>“But we were told—”</p> +<p>“Well, you were told wrong,” snapped Mattie. +“Sorry. I can’t help you.”</p> +<p>Picking up a wrench from the desk top, the woman +left the office.</p> +<p>“I guess I didn’t approach her the right way,” remarked +Penny sadly. “Either that, or our information +was incorrect. Louise, are you sure—”</p> +<p>“Oh, I am!” her chum insisted. “The two women +I overheard, distinctly said Mattie Williams’ garage. +Of course, they might have been wrong about it.”</p> +<p>Before Penny and Louise could leave the office, a +middle-aged man with glasses came in through the +street door.</p> +<p>“Sam Burkholder here?” he demanded, warming +himself by the stove.</p> +<p>Penny started to say that she did not know. Just +then Mattie Williams’ partner came in the other door.</p> +<p>“Hi, Sam!” the stranger greeted him. “I’ve got the +car parked around back. Are you ready to put on +that tire?”</p> +<p>Sam frowned, darting a quick glance at the two +girls.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_106">[106]</div> +<p>“Oh, the one I patched for you!” he returned. +“Sure, it’s fixed. Drive your car in the back entrance +and I’ll take care of it.”</p> +<p>Both men went out into the main part of the garage. +Just beyond the door they paused for a whispered +conference, then separated.</p> +<p>“Shall we go?” inquired Louise, glancing at her +chum.</p> +<p>“Not just yet,” replied Penny. “I’m curious to see +that patched tire. Let’s kill a little more time here.”</p> +<p>Pretending to warm themselves by the stove, they +waited ten minutes. Then, without attracting attention, +they sauntered out onto the main garage floor. +Mattie Williams was busy washing a car and did not +see them.</p> +<p>The garage workroom was divided into sections, +separated by a double door which was closed. Penny +strolled over and pushed it open just enough to see +through the crack.</p> +<p>Sam Burkholder was working on the stranger’s car. +He had removed an old tire and wheel, and was replacing +it with one whose tread appeared new.</p> +<p>“A patched tire, my left eye!” Penny whispered to +Louise. “It’s just as we thought! This garage must +be a Black Market place!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_107">[107]</div> +<h2 id="c14"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">14</span> +<br /><i>A FAMILIAR FIGURE</i></h2> +<p>Only for a moment did the girls dare remain at +the door watching Sam Burkholder mount the tire. +Then, their curiosity satisfied, they moved quietly +away. Without speaking to Mattie Williams, they +returned to the parked automobile.</p> +<p>“Well, wasn’t I right?” Louise demanded triumphantly. +“What do you think we should do?”</p> +<p>The question plagued Penny. “I don’t know,” she +confessed. “If only we were absolutely sure the tire +was new—”</p> +<p>“It certainly looked new.”</p> +<p>“Yes, but it could have had some wear. It’s possible, +too, that the customer had a legal right to buy a +new tire.”</p> +<p>“Then you don’t intend to report to the police, +Penny?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_108">[108]</div> +<p>“I want to talk to Salt about it first. We must +move carefully, Lou. You see, my main objective is +to learn the names of the higher-ups involved in the +tire-theft racket.”</p> +<p>“And where does this garage fit into the picture?”</p> +<p>“If it fits at all, my guess is that Sam and Mattie are +buying illegal tires—perhaps from the same men who +stripped my car and threatened Dad.”</p> +<p>Driving slowly toward Riverview, Penny reviewed +what she had seen. She was convinced the information +was valuable, yet she scarcely knew how to +use it.</p> +<p>“If Salt suggests that I report to the police, that’s +what I’ll do,” she decided.</p> +<p>Enroute home, Penny stopped at another garage +to make arrangements to have her stripped coupe +hauled into the city.</p> +<p>“How about the <i>Icicle</i>?” Louise asked, thinking her +chum had forgotten the iceboat.</p> +<p>“It will have to stay where it is for the time being,” +Penny replied. “If it’s stolen, I won’t much care.”</p> +<p>At the Sidell home, the girls separated. Thanking +Louise for the use of the car, Penny returned afoot to +the <i>Star</i> office. Salt Sommers was absent on assignment, +so she did not linger long. As she rounded a +street corner on her way home, a newsboy for a rival +paper blocked her path.</p> +<p>“Read all about it!” he shouted. “Anthony Parker +Believed Kidnaped! Paper, Miss?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_109">[109]</div> +<p>Penny dropped a coin into the lad’s hand and +hastily scanned the front page. The story of her +father’s disappearance was a highly colored account, +but contained not a useful item of information. Tossing +the sheet into a street paper-container, she +moved on.</p> +<p>She was passing the Gillman Department Store +when her attention was drawn to a woman who +waited for a bus.</p> +<p>“I’ve seen her somewhere before,” thought Penny, +pausing. “Last night—”</p> +<p>The woman wore a small black hat and a long, old-fashioned +dark coat which came nearly to her ankles. +It was the shape of the garment and its unusual length +which struck Penny as familiar. Why, the woman +resembled the one who had fled from the cemetery!</p> +<p>Penny pretended to gaze into the store window. +Actually she studied the woman from every angle. +She might have been forty-seven years of age and was +large-boned. Her face was heavily lined, and her long +hands were covered by a pair of cheap, black cotton +gloves.</p> +<p>“Can it be the same woman?” thought Penny in +perplexity.</p> +<p>A bus bearing a county placard glided up to the +curb. The woman in black was the only passenger to +board it.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_110">[110]</div> +<p>“That bus goes out toward Baldiff Road and the +cemetery!” Penny told herself. “And that’s where +I’m going too!”</p> +<p>An instant before the folding doors slammed shut, +she sprang aboard. Paying her fare, she sought a seat +at the rear of the bus.</p> +<p>No sooner was the coach in motion than Penny regretted +her hasty action. What could she hope to +gain by pursuing the strange woman? She was not +certain enough of her identification to make a direct +accusation. County buses ran infrequently. In all +likelihood, she would find herself stranded in the +country.</p> +<p>Penny arose to leave the bus. Then changing her +mind a second time, she sat down. Try as she would, +she could not rid herself of a conviction that the +woman she followed was the same one who had visited +the cemetery.</p> +<p>The bus made few stops in the city. Once beyond +the city limits, it sped along at a brisk speed. To +Penny’s satisfaction, the woman in black soon began +to gather up her packages. She pressed a button and +the bus skidded to a stop at a crossroads.</p> +<p>With no show of haste, Penny followed the woman +from the bus. Pretending to enter a grocery store at +the corner, she waited and watched.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_111">[111]</div> +<p>Apparently the woman lived nearby, for she started +off down a narrow, winding road which ran at right +angles to the main highway.</p> +<p>“Why that’s the road that runs past the Harrison +place,” Penny thought. “Wonder if she can be going +there?”</p> +<p>Waiting until the woman was nearly out of sight, +she trudged after her. Walking was difficult for the +road had not been cleared by a snow plow. Fortunately +for Penny, the woman did not once glance +behind her. She kept steadily on until she came +within view of the big estate house on the hill. Just +before she reached the boundary fence, she cut across +a field, approaching the dwelling from the rear.</p> +<p>Penny remained at the road, watching. The woman +took a key from her pocket, unlocking a small, padlocked +gate at the rear of the grounds. She snapped +the lock shut again, and disappeared into the house.</p> +<p>Penny perched herself on top of an old-fashioned +rail fence to think over what she had seen. The +woman, whoever she was, obviously lived at the estate. +Yet the cheap quality of her clothing suggested +that she could not be the owner of such an expensive +establishment.</p> +<p>“Probably a servant or caretaker,” Penny reasoned. +“But is she the one who ran away last night?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_112">[112]</div> +<p>Far over the hills in a lonely grove of pines stood +Oakland Cemetery. On either side of Baldiff Road +stretched dense woods, a growth that crept to the very +boundaries of the Harrison estate. Penny instantly +noted that it would be possible for a person to flee +from the cemetery to the very door of the estate without +once leaving the shelter of trees.</p> +<p>“Perhaps it was the same woman!” she thought. +“If she lives here, it would be logical for her to specify +Oakland Cemetery as a meeting place! And escape +would be easy for her, too!”</p> +<p>Penny slid down from the fence. It would do no +good to question the woman. Rather, if she were +guilty, questions might serve to place her on the alert. +Far better, she reasoned, to bide her time.</p> +<p>“I’ll learn everything I can about that woman,” she +thought. “Tonight I’ll watch the house.”</p> +<p>In making her plans, Penny did not take into account +Mrs. Weems’ attitude. Upon reaching home +late in the afternoon, she found the housekeeper in a +most discouraged mood. No favorable news had been +received from any source.</p> +<p>“I’ve been worried about you too, Penny,” Mrs. +Weems confessed. “Where did you go after you left +the <i>Star</i> office?”</p> +<p>Penny told of her trip to Mattie Williams’ garage +and later to the Harrison estate. In particular she described +the mysterious woman she had followed by +bus.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_113">[113]</div> +<p>“I plan to go back there tonight,” she concluded. +“For the first time since Dad disappeared, I feel I may +have stumbled into a valuable clue!”</p> +<p>Mrs. Weems looked troubled. “But Penny,” she +protested, “you can’t go to the estate alone!”</p> +<p>“I thought perhaps Louise would accompany me.”</p> +<p>“Two girls alone at night! I can’t give my consent, +Penny. It’s not safe.”</p> +<p>“But I don’t wish to call the police just yet, Mrs. +Weems. I’ve no real evidence. Will you come with +me?”</p> +<p>The housekeeper hesitated. Naturally a timid +woman, she had no desire to stir from her own fireside +that night. But she knew where her duty lay.</p> +<p>“Yes, I’ll go with you, Penny,” she consented. +“Shall we start soon?”</p> +<p>“Not until after dark. One can’t expect a ghost to +show up in broad daylight.”</p> +<p>“A ghost!” Mrs. Weems quavered. “Penny, what +are you letting me in for?”</p> +<p>“Frankly, I don’t know. Some strange things have +been going on at the Harrison estate. Tonight I hope +to solve part of the mystery at least.”</p> +<p>Pressed for an explanation, Penny repeated Mose +Johnson’s story and told of seeing the strange white-robed +figure with her own eyes. The tale did not +add to Mrs. Weems’ comfort of mind.</p> +<p>“We’re crazy to go out there,” the housekeeper +protested. “Must we do it?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_114">[114]</div> +<p>“I think it may be our one hope of gaining a clue +which will lead to Dad.”</p> +<p>“Then I’m willing to risk it,” agreed Mrs. Weems. +“However, we’ll drive out in a taxi. And I shall personally +select the driver—a man to be depended on in +an emergency.”</p> +<p>So excited was the housekeeper that she had difficulty +in preparing the evening meal. In the end +Penny took over, shooing her out of the kitchen.</p> +<p>“I declare I don’t know why I am so nervous,” Mrs. +Weems shivered. “I haven’t felt so shaky since the +time I attended a seance at Osandra’s.”</p> +<p>“You saw ghosts a-plenty on that occasion,” smiled +Penny. “I only hope we have as much luck tonight.”</p> +<p>By eight o’clock everything was in readiness for the +journey into the country. Dressing warmly and carrying +an extra blanket, Penny and Mrs. Weems +walked to a nearby cab station. There the housekeeper +selected a driver, a burly man who looked as +if he might have been an ex-prizefighter.</p> +<p>“Sure, Ma’am,” he said as Mrs. Weems questioned +him, “you can depend on me to look after you.”</p> +<p>“How are you at capturing ghosts?” inquired +Penny, climbing into the cab.</p> +<p>The driver looked a trifle startled. “Swell!” he +rejoined. “Bring on your spook, and if he don’t +weigh no more than two hundred pounds, I’ll nail +him!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_115">[115]</div> +<p>Penny and Mrs. Weems were satisfied that they +were in good hands. They instructed the man, Joe +Henkell, to drive directly to the old Harrison estate.</p> +<p>“By the way, do you know who owns the property?” +Penny asked as the cab rolled toward the +country.</p> +<p>“Fellow from the East,” Joe flung over his shoulder. +“I’m not sure. Think his name is Deming—George +Allan Deming. Wealthy sportsman. Has his +own plane an’ everything.”</p> +<p>“Married?”</p> +<p>“Couldn’t tell you. The estate has been closed up +this winter.”</p> +<p>The cab soon approached the familiar grounds. +Penny directed the driver to pull up some distance +from the dark house.</p> +<p>“Switch off the headlights,” she instructed. “We’ll +wait here. It may be a long time too, so make yourself +comfortable.”</p> +<p>Joe, taking Penny at her word, began to smoke a +vile-smelling cigar which nearly drove Mrs. Weems to +distraction. After an hour had elapsed, the housekeeper +scarcely could endure the stuffy air of the cab.</p> +<p>“Penny, must we wait any longer?” she asked +plaintively.</p> +<p>“Why, it’s early, Mrs. Weems. I expect to stay +until midnight at least.”</p> +<p>“Midnight!” The housekeeper quietly collapsed.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_116">[116]</div> +<p>Just then the cab driver turned around, touching +Penny’s arm. He directed her attention to the house +by saying briefly: “A light just went on.”</p> +<p>Penny and Mrs. Weems focused their attention on +the upper floor of the estate. A single light could be +seen burning there, but as they watched it blinked off.</p> +<p>“Now if a ghost is to appear this is the time!” announced +Penny. “Why don’t we get closer?”</p> +<p>She sprang from the cab. Mrs. Weems and the +taxi driver followed with less enthusiasm. The +housekeeper, quivering and shaking, clutched the +man’s arm as she struggled against the wind.</p> +<p>“Joe, you stay right beside me!” she ordered.</p> +<p>“Sure, Ma’am,” he said soothingly. “I couldn’t get +away if I had a mind to.”</p> +<p>Penny, a step ahead, held up her hand as a warning +for silence. She had seen the familiar white figure +rounding a corner of the house.</p> +<p>“There’s the ghost!” she whispered. “See! Beyond +the gate!”</p> +<p>Joe whistled softly.</p> +<p>“A spook, sure’s I’m alive!” he muttered.</p> +<p>“And you promised to nail him,” reminded Penny, +starting forward along the fence. “We’ll creep a little +closer. Then Joe, I shall expect you to do your +stuff!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_117">[117]</div> +<h2 id="c15"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">15</span> +<br /><i>GHOST IN THE GARDEN</i></h2> +<p>The three investigators moved stealthily along +the high fence. Through the iron palings they could +see a white-garbed figure walking with measured tread +amid the shrubs of the frozen garden. Back and forth +the apparition strolled, following a well-trod path between +the shrunken snowdrifts.</p> +<p>Penny, Mrs. Weems, and the taxi driver crept +closer. The ghostly one did not note their approach. +Hooded head bent low, he glided to the gate, testing +chain and padlock.</p> +<p>“Poor restless soul!” whispered Mrs. Weems.</p> +<p>Penny gave the housekeeper a tiny pinch to break +the spell which had fallen upon her. “That’s no +ghost,” she whispered. “Don’t you see! It’s a man +wearing a heavy white bathrobe over his clothing. +He’s pulled the wide collar up over his head like a +hood!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_118">[118]</div> +<p>“It’s a man all right,” added the taxi driver. “You +can tell by the way he walks. Ghosts kinda slither, +don’t they?”</p> +<p>“I believe it’s someone imprisoned on the grounds!” +Penny whispered tensely. “Watch!”</p> +<p>The ghost, his face shadowed, rattled the chain +again. Then with a distinct, audible sigh, he turned +and tramped back along the fence away from the gate.</p> +<p>“Aw, that spook could get out if he wanted to,” +muttered the taxi driver. “Why don’t he climb over +the fence?”</p> +<p>“Perhaps the man is a sleep walker,” suggested Mrs. +Weems nervously. “Whoever he is, the poor fellow +should be in his bed.”</p> +<p>Penny was determined to learn the identity of the +man. Moving to the gate, she called softly. The +figure in white whirled around, looking straight toward +her.</p> +<p>Penny caught a fleeting impression of a lean, startled +face. Then the man turned and fled toward the +house. No longer could there be any doubt that he +was a man, for as he ran the legs of his woolen pajamas +showed beneath the white robe.</p> +<p>“Wait!” Penny called. “Please wait!”</p> +<p>The ghostly one hesitated, and glanced over his +shoulder. But the next moment he was gone, having +vanished through a side door into the house.</p> +<p>Penny, weak from excitement, clung to the gate. +“Mrs. Weems!” she cried. “Did you see him?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_119">[119]</div> +<p>“Yes, you frightened him away when you shouted.”</p> +<p>“But didn’t you notice his face? As he turned toward +me, I caught a glimpse of it. Mrs. Weems, the +man looked like Dad!”</p> +<p>“Oh, Penny,” the housekeeper murmured, taking +her arm, “you can’t be right. How could it be your +father?”</p> +<p>“It looked like him.”</p> +<p>“Not to me,” said Mrs. Weems firmly. “Why, if +it had been Mr. Parker, he would have answered when +you called. He wouldn’t have run away.”</p> +<p>Penny was compelled to acknowledge the logic of +the housekeeper’s reasoning. “I guess that’s true,” she +said reluctantly. “I’ll admit I didn’t see his face +plainly. I wanted it to be Dad so badly I may have +imagined the resemblance.”</p> +<p>A light was switched on in an upstairs room of the +estate house. However, blinds were lowered, and +those on the ground did not obtain another glimpse of +the mysterious man who haunted the snowy garden. +Finally Mrs. Weems induced Penny to return to the +taxi.</p> +<p>Speeding toward Riverview, neither of them had +much to say. Penny could not blot from her mind +the vision of a startled, bewildered face. Reason told +her that Mrs. Weems was right—the man could not +be her father. Who then, was he? Why had he refused +to talk to her at the gate?</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_120">[120]</div> +<p>“The man may have been a sleep walker,” she +thought. “Possibly the owner of the estate, Mr. +Deming.”</p> +<p>The cab had reached the business section of Riverview. +Upon impulse Penny decided to stop at the +<i>Star</i> plant to make sure that everything was going +well.</p> +<p>“It won’t take me long,” she assured Mrs. Weems. +“Why don’t you wait in the cab?”</p> +<p>Only a skeleton night force was on duty at the +<i>Star</i> office. The advertising department had been +closed, and on the floor above, scrub women were +busy mopping up. A sleepy-eyed desk man greeted +Penny as she entered the deserted newsroom.</p> +<p>“Everything’s Okay,” he assured her. “The final +edition’s out, and most of the boys have gone home. +I was just taking a little cat nap.”</p> +<p>“Any news?”</p> +<p>“Not about your father. The police have been +kept busy chasing down false rumors. About four +hours ago a report came in your father had been seen +in Chicago.”</p> +<p>“Chicago!”</p> +<p>“Just a fake report.”</p> +<p>“Oh, I see,” said Penny weakly. “No word from +Jerry, I suppose?”</p> +<p>The deskman shook his head. “Plenty of mail for +you though.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_121">[121]</div> +<p>“Anything important?”</p> +<p>“Mostly replies to that reward offer you made. A +lot of ’em are screwball letters. Your father’s been +seen in every section of the city from the river to the +Heights.”</p> +<p>“Where is the mail?”</p> +<p>“I dumped it on your father’s desk.”</p> +<p>“I’ll take it home to read,” Penny said. “By going +through every letter carefully I may stumble upon a +clue.”</p> +<p>She crossed the newsroom and opened the door of +her father’s office.</p> +<p>The light was not on. Groping for the wall switch, +her keen ears detected stealthy steps moving away +from her. Sensing the presence of someone in the +room she called sharply: “Who’s here?”</p> +<p>There was no reply. Across the room, a door softly +opened and clicked shut. Penny was startled. Although +the private office had two entrances, one leading +directly into the hall, the latter had not been used +in years. Usually the door was locked and a clothes +tree stood in front of it.</p> +<p>Her groping fingers found the switch and she +flooded the room with light. A glance revealed that +mail lying on the desk had been disturbed. One of +the top drawers remained open. The clothes tree had +been moved from in front of the hall door. Plainly, +someone had just fled from the room!</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_122">[122]</div> +<p>Darting to the corridor door, Penny jerked it open. +No one was in sight. However, at the end of the deserted +hall, she saw the elevator cage moving slowly +downward.</p> +<p>“I’ll get that fellow yet!” she thought grimly.</p> +<p>Taking the hall at a run, she plunged down the stairway +two steps at a time. Breathless but triumphant, +she reached the lower corridor just as the cage stopped +with a jerk.</p> +<p>Harley Schirr stepped out, closing the grilled door +behind him.</p> +<p>“Fancy meeting you here!” said Penny, her eyes +flashing. “What were you doing in my father’s office?”</p> +<p>Schirr regarded her coolly. Without answering, he +tried to brush past her.</p> +<p>“You were looking for something in Dad’s desk!” +Penny accused, blocking the way. “I know how you +got in too! Through the hall entrance. You’re such +a professional snooper you probably have a skeleton +key that unlocks half the doors in the building!”</p> +<p>“I’ve had about enough of your insolence!” Schirr +retorted. “There’s no law which says I can’t come to +this plant. And speaking of law, I may sue you for +libel.”</p> +<p>“What a laugh.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_123">[123]</div> +<p>“You’ll not be laughing in a few days, Miss Parker! +Oh, no! I’ve hired a lawyer, and we’re preparing our +case. You’ve insulted me, humiliated me in the eyes +of my fellow newspapermen, but you’ll have to pay. +And pay handsomely!”</p> +<p>The threat failed to disturb Penny. Schirr, determined +to wound her deeply, went on with grim +satisfaction.</p> +<p>“You kid yourself you’ll see your father again,” he +jeered. “Well, you won’t! Mr. Parker is dead and +you may as well get used to the idea.”</p> +<p>Penny’s eyes burned. “You say that only to +torture me!”</p> +<p>“It’s the truth. If you weren’t so blind you’d acknowledge +it. Your father tried to run a gang of +professional tire-thieves out of this town, and they did +for him.”</p> +<p>“You seem very certain of your facts, Mr. Schirr. +Perhaps you know some of the higher-ups personally.”</p> +<p>“How would I?”</p> +<p>“Your knowledge is so complete,” Penny said scathingly.</p> +<p>“I’m only telling you my opinion,” Schirr growled, +now on the defensive. “If you want to ride along in +a sweet dream that’s Okay with me.”</p> +<p>“I want to get at the truth,” said Penny shortly. +“Do you have one scrap of evidence that Dad has +fallen into the hands of enemies?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_124">[124]</div> +<p>Schirr hesitated, knowing well that an affirmative +answer might lead to questioning from the police.</p> +<p>“I don’t have any knowledge of the case,” he said. +“At least not for publication!”</p> +<p>Flashing a superior smile, he pushed past Penny, +and went out of the building.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_125">[125]</div> +<h2 id="c16"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">16</span> +<br /><i>A DOOR IN A BOX</i></h2> +<p>Penny scarcely knew what to think of Harley +Schirr’s actions. All her accusations were true, of +that she was sure. But she was unable to decide +whether or not he had any information about her +father’s strange disappearance.</p> +<p>“The old snooper may be hand in glove with the +tire thieves!” she thought bitterly. “I wouldn’t put +it past him. If I could prove anything, wouldn’t I like +to turn him over to the police!”</p> +<p>Climbing the stairs, Penny explained briefly to the +<i>Star</i> deskman what had occurred.</p> +<p>“Shirr here again!” he exclaimed. “Why, I’m sure +he never came through the newsroom.”</p> +<p>“No, he got into Dad’s office by means of that old +hall door. Tomorrow I want a new lock put on.”</p> +<p>“I’ll have it taken care of myself,” promised the +deskman.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_126">[126]</div> +<p>Reentering her father’s office, Penny gathered up +the mail and carefully locked both doors. She then +returned to the waiting taxicab. During the ride +home she made no mention of Mr. Schirr, preferring +not to worry the housekeeper.</p> +<p>Later in Mr. Parker’s study, she and Mrs. Weems +examined every letter written in response to the reward +offer. Not even one of them offered the slightest +promise.</p> +<p>“I’ll turn everything over to the police,” Penny said +with a sigh. “Maybe they’ll find a clue I’ve not considered +important.”</p> +<p>Both she and Mrs. Weems were feeling the effects +of such a long period of strain. Meals had been irregular, +appetites poor. Penny in particular had lost +so much weight that she looked thin and sallow. Yet +somehow she managed to keep up her strength and to +face each day with hope.</p> +<p>“Mrs. Weems,” she said the next morning at breakfast, +“if you’ll advance me some money, I’m going on +another taxi jaunt today.”</p> +<p>“Not to the Harrison place.”</p> +<p>“No, out to Mattie Williams’ garage. I’m convinced +that place is dealing in stolen tires. If only I +can reconstruct the evidence which disappeared in +Dad’s portfolio, I may get a clue that will lead to him.”</p> +<p>Without protest, Mrs. Weems gave Penny the +money. Secretly she thought that the girl would do +much better to turn all of her information over to the +police. However, she realized that Penny needed activity +to keep her from brooding, so she wisely did not +discourage her.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_127">[127]</div> +<p>“Don’t get into any trouble,” she warned anxiously.</p> +<p>“No danger of that, Mrs. Weems. I’ve not enough +pep for it these days.”</p> +<p>Engaging the same cabman who had served her so +well the previous night, Penny motored to the Williams’ +garage. She had made no plans and scarcely +knew what she would say when she entered the place. +As she debated, the big doors of the building opened, +and a tow car drove away with Mattie at the wheel.</p> +<p>“There she goes!” thought Penny, disappointed. +“I’m afraid my interview will have to wait.”</p> +<p>Getting out, she sauntered into the garage office. +Mattie’s partner, Sam, was nowhere to be seen. Nor +did he appear to be working in the main part of the +building.</p> +<p>Penny waited a few minutes, then wandered about +the floor where a number of cars had been stored. No +workmen were in evidence.</p> +<p>“This might be a good time to do a bit of looking +around!” she thought suddenly. “I’ll never have a +better chance.”</p> +<p>Penny opened the doors into the room where she +had observed Sam Burkholder mount a new tire on the +car of a customer. One wall was stacked high with +large wooden boxes, not unlike those she and Louise +had seen delivered by the truck driver, Hank Biglow, +on the night of the blizzard.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_128">[128]</div> +<p>She thumped one of the boxes with her knuckles. +It gave off a hollow, empty sound. She tried another +box with no better luck. Some of the big crates had +been opened. They contained nothing except a little +brown wrapping paper.</p> +<p>Disappointed, Penny turned away. But as she +moved toward the exit, her eyes flashed upon one of +the boxes which had escaped her attention. Boards +were loose at one end, and could be hinged back on +their nails like a door.</p> +<p>Intrigued, Penny crossed to the crate. As she pulled +on one of the boards, all swung back as a unit.</p> +<p>“Why, it’s like a door!” she thought. “A door in +a box!”</p> +<p>Penny gazed into the box and was further amazed. +It had no back wall. Instead, she saw a long, empty +tunnel formed by several crates piled one in front of +the other. And at the very end stood a real door!</p> +<p>“Maybe this is the pay-off!” thought Penny excitedly.</p> +<p>Pulling the boards into place behind her, she stooped +and made her way through the tunnel to the door. It +was locked.</p> +<p>“I’ll bet a cent stolen tires are stored in that room!” +reasoned Penny. “If only I could get in there!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_129">[129]</div> +<p>Her mind did not dwell long on the problem. A +moment later she was alarmed to hear a low murmur +of voices. Someone was approaching the storage +room from the main part of the garage. Unless she +wished to be trapped in the tunnel of boxes, she must +abandon the investigation!</p> +<p>Penny started hurriedly toward the opening. Before +she could get through the tunnel, the big double +doors squeaked open and she heard heavy footsteps in +the room. Peering out through a knothole in one of +the boxes, she saw Mattie Williams and her partner, +Sam. They were arguing and their voices came to her +plainly:</p> +<p>“Guess you didn’t look for me back quite so soon, +Sam,” Mattie reprimanded her partner. “When I +went off in the tow car you figured I’d be gone a long +time. Thought it would give you a good chance to +tamper with the books!”</p> +<p>“That’s not so, Mattie. I was marking up some expenses +like I always do.”</p> +<p>“I’ve been aiming to have a straight talk with you +for a long time, Sam,” the woman resumed. “That’s +why I asked you to step back here in the storage +room. No use having the customers know about our +differences.”</p> +<p>“I don’t see what you’ve got to squawk about,” Sam +retorted. “Ain’t you made more money since I +teamed up with you than you ever did before?”</p> +<p>“Yes.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_130">[130]</div> +<p>“But you’re always afraid I’ll cheat you out of a +penny.”</p> +<p>“I’ve caught you in some dishonest tricks. About +those tires—”</p> +<p>A loud, insistent tooting of an automobile horn +broke up the conversation. Abandoning the argument, +Mattie and Sam went to serve the impatient +customer.</p> +<p>Penny did not tarry. Crawling from the tunnel, +she glanced about for a means of escape. Fortunately, +the room had an outside exit. Making use of it, she +returned to the waiting taxi, without seeing either +Sam or Mattie again.</p> +<p>“Police station, Joe,” she instructed.</p> +<p>“How do you want to go?” the cab driver inquired. +“This road or No. 32?”</p> +<p>“Let’s drive past the old Harrison place.”</p> +<p>“Sure,” grinned Joe. “Maybe we’ll see that spook +again!”</p> +<p>The cab bumped along the frozen road, soon coming +within view of the hillside estate. Joe slowed +down without being requested to do so.</p> +<p>“I was tellin’ the boys about that place last night,” +he flung over his shoulder. “They tell me the owner +is this guy Deming. He’s gone East for the winter. +A big, fat, bald-headed man.”</p> +<p>“Our ghost was a thin person.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_131">[131]</div> +<p>“Yeah, I was thinking that,” agreed Joe. “Maybe +Deming’s got a sick relative or something.”</p> +<p>The explanation did not satisfy Penny. With +troubled eyes she gazed toward the rambling old +house which by daylight looked so deserted. No +smoke curled from the chimneys. Had it not been for +a trail of footprints along the fence, she easily could +have convinced herself that she had imagined the +events of the previous night.</p> +<p>“Say, who’s that trackin’ through the fields?” Joe +suddenly demanded.</p> +<p>Penny turned to glance in the direction that the +cabman pointed. Her heart did a little flip-flop. A +woman in a long black coat, market basket on her arm, +was hastening toward the rear door of the estate house.</p> +<p>“Stop the cab, Joe!” she cried.</p> +<p>The car came to a halt with a little sideways skid. +Leaping out, Penny plunged through the drifts and +was able to confront the woman at the rear gate of the +premises.</p> +<p>“How do you do,” she greeted her breathlessly.</p> +<p>The woman was so startled that she nearly dropped +her market basket. Confused, she stammered a reply +and started to unlock the gate.</p> +<p>“Just a moment, please,” requested Penny. “May I +come inside and talk to you?”</p> +<p>“About what?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_132">[132]</div> +<p>“My father’s disappearance. You made an appointment +to meet me at the cemetery. Why did you run +away?”</p> +<p>The bold attack was not without an effect. The +woman gasped, and fumbled nervously with the key to +the padlock.</p> +<p>“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” she muttered.</p> +<p>“Unless you tell me everything you know regarding +my father’s disappearance, I’ll call the police!”</p> +<p>“The police—” the woman repeated, plainly +frightened.</p> +<p>“Yes,” Penny went on relentlessly, “this is a serious +matter. It will do you no good to bluff.”</p> +<p>The woman gave up trying to unlock the gate. +Setting her basket down in the snow she said weakly: +“You advertised a reward—”</p> +<p>“I’ll still be glad to pay it for worthwhile information. +What do you know about my father?”</p> +<p>The woman drew a deep breath. “Well, I picked +him up in my car after the accident.”</p> +<p>“You did?” Penny became jubilant. “Where is he +now?”</p> +<p>“I can’t tell you that. Mr. Parker asked me to take +him to Mercy Hospital. I let him off at the entrance +to the grounds. That’s the last I saw of him.”</p> +<p>“My father entered the hospital?”</p> +<p>“I don’t know. I didn’t remain to watch.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_133">[133]</div> +<p>The story was disappointing. If true, Mr. Parker’s +disappearance remained as mysterious as ever. Penny +was silent a moment and then she asked the woman +why she had fled from the cemetery.</p> +<p>“Because I saw a police car parked behind the +bushes,” the other answered defiantly. “And those +detectives chased me, too! I only intended to be +helpful and maybe win a reward. Now I want nothing +to do with the case. I’ve told you everything I +know.”</p> +<p>The woman unlocked the gate and started to enter +the grounds.</p> +<p>“You’re not Mrs. Deming?” Penny asked quickly.</p> +<p>“Who I am is my own business.”</p> +<p>“I suppose the ghost is your own affair too!”</p> +<p>“Ghost? What ghost?”</p> +<p>“You live here, yet you haven’t learned that the +grounds are haunted?” Penny inquired significantly. +“Nearly every night a man in white wanders back +and forth in the garden.”</p> +<p>“I don’t know anything about it!” the woman said +nervously. “I’ll not answer any more questions +either!”</p> +<p>Plainly frightened, she snapped shut the padlock of +the gate and fled into the house.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_134">[134]</div> +<h2 id="c17"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">17</span> +<br /><i>ADVENTURE BY MOONLIGHT</i></h2> +<p>A moment Penny stood gazing at the estate house. +She considered climbing the iron fence and trying to +gain entrance to the dwelling. Then, deciding that +nothing would be achieved by again accosting the +strange woman, she returned to the waiting taxi.</p> +<p>“Where to?” asked the cabman.</p> +<p>“It’s still the police station,” directed Penny, repeating +an earlier order. “I have twice as much to report +now.”</p> +<p>As the cab pulled away, she noticed a movement of +curtains at the front of the estate house. Evidently +the woman who had fled, was watching.</p> +<p>Joe made a quick trip to Riverview, depositing +Penny at the doorstep of Central Station.</p> +<p>“Will you need me any more?” he asked hopefully.</p> +<p>“I may.”</p> +<p>“Okay,” said Joe, slamming the cab door. “I’ll +stick around. You know, I kinda like this job.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_135">[135]</div> +<p>Once inside the police station, Penny inquired for +Chief Jalman. Unable to see him, she asked to speak +to the two detectives who had been assigned to her +father’s case. Both men were away from the building.</p> +<p>“Why not talk to Carl Burns?” suggested the desk +sergeant. “He’s familiar with the case.”</p> +<p>Penny was sent to see a heavy-set man who warmed +himself by a steaming radiator. Evidently he had +spent several hours in an unheated police car for he +stamped his feet to restore circulation.</p> +<p>“Mr. Burns?” inquired Penny.</p> +<p>The man turned, staring at her. Penny returned +the stare. She had seen the officer before and the +recollection was not entirely pleasant. He was the +same officer she had met near Mattie’s garage on the +night of the blizzard.</p> +<p>“What may I do for you?” he asked.</p> +<p>Uncomfortably aware of the officer’s scrutiny, +Penny began to tell of her visit to the Williams’ +garage. She stammered a bit and lost confidence.</p> +<p>“You say you saw some big boxes at the garage,” he +demanded. “What’s so suspicious about that?”</p> +<p>Penny tried to explain about the tunnel of boxes +which led to a hidden storage room. Even to her own +ears the story had a fantastic sound.</p> +<p>“What you <i>think</i> or <i>surmise</i> doesn’t go in this business!” +the officer said rather rudely. “Did you actually +see any stolen tires?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_136">[136]</div> +<p>“Well, no, I didn’t,” Penny admitted. “The door +was locked.”</p> +<p>“Are you willing to swear out a warrant charging +Mattie and her partner with dealing in stolen merchandise?”</p> +<p>“I don’t suppose I’d dare do that. I thought if +police would investigate—”</p> +<p>“We can’t go on suspicions, Miss Parker. We act +only on sound evidence.”</p> +<p>“Well, it doesn’t matter so much about the stolen +tires,” Penny said desperately. “I have another clue—a +really important one. I’ve found the woman who +eluded Detectives Brandon and Fuller at the cemetery!”</p> +<p>“Now we may get somewhere,” replied the officer. +“Who is the woman? Where did you see her?”</p> +<p>Penny told everything she knew about the woman +who had taken her father to Mercy Hospital. Word +for word she repeated their recent conversation together.</p> +<p>“I’ll turn this evidence over to Detective Fuller,” +the policeman promised. “He’ll probably want to +question the woman himself.”</p> +<p>“I hope he does it right away,” replied Penny. +“She may take it into her head to skip out of town.”</p> +<p>Officer Burns smiled wearily. “Just trust us to +handle the case,” he said. “We know our business.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_137">[137]</div> +<p>Penny left the station feeling none too satisfied. Although +she had nothing against Mr. Burns, she sensed +that he did not like her. She wondered if she could +depend on him to repeat her story as she had told it.</p> +<p>“If that estate house isn’t investigated immediately, +I’ll do something myself!” she thought.</p> +<p>Joe, the cabman, still waited. Signaling him, Penny +regretfully explained that she would have no further +use for his services.</p> +<p>“Well, if you change your mind and want to do +some more ghost huntin’ tonight, just give me a ring,” +Joe grinned. “My number’s 20476.”</p> +<p>Penny carefully wrote it down. She then walked +to the nearby <i>Star</i> building where many matters +awaited her attention. There she worked without +interruption until late afternoon, taking only enough +time to call the police station. Detective Fuller was +not available. So far as she could learn, no investigation +had been made of the Harrison estate.</p> +<p>Thoroughly annoyed, Penny tramped home to dinner. +Only a cold meal awaited her. Mrs. Weems, ill +with a headache, had set out a few dishes on the +kitchen table, and gone to bed.</p> +<p>“It’s nothing,” the housekeeper insisted as Penny +questioned her anxiously. “I’ve just worried too +much the past few days.”</p> +<p>“Let me call Doctor Barnell.”</p> +<p>“Indeed not,” Mrs. Weems remonstrated. “I’ll be +all right tomorrow.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_138">[138]</div> +<p>Penny brewed a cup of tea and made the housekeeper +as comfortable as she could. By the time she +had eaten a snack and washed the dishes it was eight +o’clock. Debating a long while, she went to the telephone +and summoned a cab.</p> +<p>“Number 20476,” she requested.</p> +<p>Penny was zipping on her galoshes when the doorbell +rang. Without giving her time to answer it, +Louise Sidell marched into the kitchen bearing a +freshly baked lemon pie.</p> +<p>“Mother sent this over,” she explained. “I slipped +on the ice coming over and nearly had a catastrophe!”</p> +<p>Carefully Louise deposited the pie on the kitchen +table. Cutting short Penny’s praise of it, she inquired +alertly: “Going somewhere?”</p> +<p>Penny explained that she intended to motor to the +Harrison estate.</p> +<p>“Not alone?” Louise demanded.</p> +<p>“I’ll have to, I guess. Mrs. Weems is sick, so I +can’t take her along.”</p> +<p>“You could invite me,” Louise said eagerly. “I’ll +telephone mother to come over and stay with Mrs. +Weems while we’re gone!”</p> +<p>The arrangement proved satisfactory to everyone. +Mrs. Sidell came immediately to the house, and very +shortly thereafter the girls sped away in Joe’s taxicab.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_139">[139]</div> +<p>The night was a pleasant one, mildly cold, but with +a bright moon.</p> +<p>“Park before you get to the estate,” Penny directed +the driver. “We don’t want to be seen. It might defeat +our purpose.”</p> +<p>Joe drew up in a clump of trees some distance from +the Harrison grounds. He then walked with the +girls to the spiked fence. There was no sign of activity.</p> +<p>Two hours elapsed. During that time nothing unusual +occurred. No lights were visible inside the +house. Even Penny began to lose heart.</p> +<p>“This is getting pretty boring,” she sighed. “I don’t +believe the ghost is going to show up tonight.”</p> +<p>“We may have been observed,” suggested Louise. +“One can see very plainly tonight.”</p> +<p>After another half hour had elapsed Penny was +willing to return to the cab. The three started away +from the fence. Just then they heard a door slam inside +the house. Instantly they froze against the screen +of bushes, waiting.</p> +<p>“There’s the ghost!” whispered Louise.</p> +<p>A figure had appeared in the garden beyond the +gate. But the one who walked alone was not a ghost. +Plainly he was garbed in street clothes rather than +white. Over his suit he wore a heavy overcoat. A +snap-brimmed hat was pulled low on his forehead.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_140">[140]</div> +<p>Penny could not see the man’s face, but the silhouette +seemed strangely familiar.</p> +<p>“That looks like Dad!” she whispered, clutching +Louise’s hand. “It is he! I’m sure!”</p> +<p>“Oh, it can’t be—”</p> +<p>Penny paid no heed to her chum’s protest. Breaking +away, she ran toward the gate.</p> +<p>The man in the garden became suddenly alert. As +he heard the approaching footsteps he gazed toward +the road. Upon seeing Penny he started to retreat.</p> +<p>“Wait!” she called frantically. “Don’t you know +me, Dad? It’s Penny!”</p> +<p>The words seemed to convey nothing to the man. +He shook his head in a baffled sort of way, and walked +swiftly toward the house.</p> +<p>Penny ran on to the gate. It was locked, but she +vaulted over, landing in a heap on the other side. By +the time she had picked herself up, the man had +vanished into the house.</p> +<p>“Are you hurt?” Louise cried, hurrying to the gate.</p> +<p>Penny brushed snow from her coat and did not +answer.</p> +<p>“That man couldn’t have been your father,” Louise +said kindly. “Do come back, Penny.”</p> +<p>“But it was Dad! I’m sure of it!”</p> +<p>“You called to him,” Louise argued. “If it had been +Mr. Parker he couldn’t have failed to recognize your +voice.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_141">[141]</div> +<p>“It was Dad,” Penny insisted stubbornly. “He’s +being held a prisoner here!”</p> +<p>“But that’s ridiculous! Whoever that man is, he +could escape from the grounds just as easily as you +climbed the gate.”</p> +<p>Penny did not wish to believe, yet she knew her +chum was right.</p> +<p>“Anyway, I’m going to talk to him,” she declared. +“Now that I am inside the grounds, I’ll ring the doorbell.”</p> +<p>Leaving Louise and Joe on the other side of the +fence, Penny went boldly to the front door. She +knocked several times and rang the bell. There was +no response.</p> +<p>“Why doesn’t someone answer?” she thought impatiently.</p> +<p>At the rear of the house a door slammed. Suddenly +Louise called from the gate: “Penny! A woman is +leaving the estate by the back way!”</p> +<p>Penny darted to the corner of the house. The +same woman she had met earlier that day had let herself +out the rear gate. Holding the skirts of her long +black coat, she fairly ran across the snowy fields.</p> +<p>“Shall I nab her?” called Joe, eager for action.</p> +<p>Penny’s reply was surprisingly calm.</p> +<p>“No, let her go,” she decided. “While that woman +is away, I’ll get into the house. I think Dad is in there +alone, and I’m going to find him!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_142">[142]</div> +<h2 id="c18"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">18</span> +<br /><i>THROUGH THE CELLAR WINDOW</i></h2> +<p>Penny returned to the front porch and rang +the doorbell many times. No one came to admit her. +She tested the door, finding it locked. Windows +above the porch level could not be raised.</p> +<p>“I’ll try the back door,” she said, refusing to accept +defeat.</p> +<p>Louise and Joe followed her to the rear of the +dwelling, but remained on the outside of the fence.</p> +<p>As Penny had feared, the back door also was locked. +She tested eight windows. Finally she found one +which opened into the cellar. To her delight the +sash swung inward as she pushed on it.</p> +<p>“Here I go!” she called to Louise. “You and Joe +stay where you are and keep watch.”</p> +<p>Penny crawled through the narrow opening and +swung herself down to the cellar floor. She landed +with a thud beside a laundry tub. The room was +dark. Groping her way toward a stairway, she +tripped over a box and made a fearful clatter.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_143">[143]</div> +<p>“I’ve certainly advertised my arrival!” she thought +ruefully.</p> +<p>At the top of the stairway Penny found a light +switch and boldly turned it on. The kitchen door +was not locked. She opened it and stepped out into +another semi-dark room.</p> +<p>A doorbell at the front of the house began to ring. +Penny was dumbfounded. Then she became annoyed, +thinking that Louise and the cab driver were +trying to get in.</p> +<p>Groping her way through the house, she unlocked +the door and flung it open.</p> +<p>“For Pity Sakes!” she exclaimed, and then her voice +trailed off.</p> +<p>A uniformed messenger boy stood on the porch.</p> +<p>“Mrs. Botts live here?” he asked, taking a telegram +from his jacket pocket.</p> +<p>Penny did not know what to answer. Thinking +quickly, she replied: “This is the Deming estate.”</p> +<p>The messenger boy turned the beam of his flashlight +on the telegram. “Mrs. Lennie Botts, Stop 4, Care of +G. A. Deming,” he read aloud. “This is the place all +right.”</p> +<p>“But Mrs. Botts isn’t at home now.”</p> +<p>“I’ve had a lot of trouble getting here,” the boy +complained. “Even had to climb over the gate. How +about signing for the telegram?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_144">[144]</div> +<p>“Oh, all right,” agreed Penny, accepting the pencil. +“I don’t know why I didn’t think of that idea myself!”</p> +<p>In return for the telegram she gave the boy a small +tip. The moment he had gone, she closed the front +door and switched on a table lamp.</p> +<p>Penny found herself in a luxuriously furnished living +room. The rug underfoot was Chinese, the furniture +solid mahogany, hand carved. However, she had +no interest in her surroundings. Rather tensely, she +examined the telegram. Dared she open it?</p> +<p>“What’s ten years or so of jail in my young life?” +she cajoled herself. “I’m willing to spend it in Sing +Sing if only I can find Dad!”</p> +<p>Penny ripped open the envelope. The message, addressed +to Mrs. Lennie Botts was terse and none too +revealing:</p> +<p>“HAVE CHANGED PLANS. WILL RETURN +THE TWENTY-SEVENTH BY PLANE. +PLEASE HAVE EVERYTHING IN READINESS.”</p> +<p>The telegram was signed by the owner of the estate, +G. A. Deming.</p> +<p>“Today is the twenty-seventh of the month,” +thought Penny. “This message must have been several +hours delayed.”</p> +<p>The telegram had provided little information. +Evidently the woman who had refused to tell her +name was Mrs. Lennie Botts. Regretting that she had +opened the message, Penny tossed it carelessly on the +table.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_145">[145]</div> +<p>Footsteps sounded on the floor directly above. +Penny had taken no pains to be quiet. Nevertheless, +her pulse quickened as she heard someone pad to the +head of the stairway. A muffled voice called: “Who’s +there?”</p> +<p>Penny’s heart leaped for she was sure she recognized +the tones. Fairly trembling with excitement, +she darted to the foot of the circular staircase. On +the top landing in the heavy shadows stood a man +whose face she could not see.</p> +<p>“Dad!” she cried. “I’m Penny.”</p> +<p>“Penny?” the man demanded impatiently as if the +name meant nothing to him. “Where is Mrs. Botts?”</p> +<p>“Why, she went away.”</p> +<p>“And how did you get into the house?”</p> +<p>“Through a cellar window.”</p> +<p>“I thought so! Young lady, I don’t know what +you’re doing here in Mrs. Bott’s absence. Unless you +leave at once I’ll summon the police.”</p> +<p>Penny was not to be discouraged so easily. She +started slowly up the stairway.</p> +<p>“Stand where you are!” the man ordered sharply. +“I’ve been sick, but I’m still a match for any house-breaker. +I have a revolver—”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_146">[146]</div> +<p>So dark was the stairway that Penny could not know +whether or not the man was bluffing. His voice, +startlingly similar to her father’s, sounded grim and +determined. Knowing that a stranger would have +good reason to treat her as a burglar, she was afraid to +venture further.</p> +<p>“Dad—” she began.</p> +<p>“Don’t keep calling me Dad!” he snapped.</p> +<p>“Who are you?” asked Penny, completely baffled.</p> +<p>“Who am I?” the man repeated. “Why, I’m Lester +Jones, a salesman. I room here.”</p> +<p>The answer dumbfounded Penny. “Then you’re +not being held a prisoner by Mrs. Botts?” she faltered.</p> +<p>“On the contrary, Mrs. Botts has been very kind to +me. Especially since I’ve been sick.”</p> +<p>Penny’s perplexity increased. “But I’ve seen you +wandering in the garden at night,” she murmured. +“Why do you do it?”</p> +<p>“Because—oh, hang it! Do I have to explain everything +to you? My head’s aching again. Unless you +go away and stop bothering me, I’ll call the police.”</p> +<p>Penny was completely crushed. She had been so +sure that the man was her father! Seemingly she had +made a very stupid mistake.</p> +<p>“I’ll go,” she said quietly.</p> +<p>Retreating down the stairway, she left the opened +telegram on the living-room table and switched off +the light. Then unlocking the kitchen door, she rejoined +Louise and Joe.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_147">[147]</div> +<p>“I guess you didn’t have any luck,” her chum commented, +observing her downcast face.</p> +<p>Penny ruefully admitted that the man who had been +seen in the garden was Lester Jones.</p> +<p>“I knew he wasn’t your father,” Louise replied. +“You wouldn’t listen to reason—”</p> +<p>“All the same, his voice was similar,” Penny cut in. +“Why, the man even used one of Dad’s pet expressions.”</p> +<p>“What was it?” Louise inquired curiously.</p> +<p>“‘Oh, hang it!’ That’s the expression Dad uses +when he’s irritated.”</p> +<p>Louise helped her chum over the back fence and +guided her toward the parked taxi. Midway there +Penny paused to stare up at the dark windows of the +second floor.</p> +<p>“Lou!” she exclaimed. “That man must have been +Dad even if he didn’t know me!”</p> +<p>“Oh, Penny, don’t start that all over again,” Louise +pleaded. “You’re only torturing yourself.”</p> +<p>“I’m going back!”</p> +<p>“No, we can’t let you, Penny.”</p> +<p>Louise held her chum’s arm firmly. Joe opened the +door of the taxi and they pushed her in. Penny protested +for a moment, then submitted.</p> +<p>“All right, but we’re going straight to the police +station!” she announced. “I’ll not be satisfied until +that man positively is identified as Lester Jones.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_148">[148]</div> +<p>A few minutes later, at the police station, Detective +Fuller heard the entire story. It was the first he had +learned about Mrs. Botts, for Penny’s earlier message +had not been delivered by Policeman Burns.</p> +<p>“For that matter, I’ve not seen Burns today,” the +detective explained. “I’ll go to the estate at once and +question the woman.”</p> +<p>Again Penny and Louise taxied to the estate, this +time trailed by a police car. Detective Fuller broke +the padlock on the gate and led the party to the front +door.</p> +<p>A light now burned in the living room. To Penny’s +astonishment, the door was opened by Mrs. Botts.</p> +<p>“Good evening,” she greeted the visitors pleasantly.</p> +<p>Detective Fuller flashed his badge. “We want to +ask you a few questions,” he said. “May we come +in?”</p> +<p>With obvious reluctance the woman stepped aside, +allowing the party to enter the living room. Penny’s +gaze roved to the center table. The telegram which +she had opened no longer was there.</p> +<p>Mrs. Botts did not offer chairs to the callers. +Glaring at Penny with undisguised dislike, she said +coldly: “I suppose I am indebted to you for this visit. +What is it you want?”</p> +<p>“I understand you have a roomer here,” began Detective +Fuller.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_149">[149]</div> +<p>“A roomer?” Mrs. Botts echoed blankly.</p> +<p>“Yes, a man by the name of Lester Jones.”</p> +<p>“Ridiculous! You don’t seem to realize that this +is the Deming estate.”</p> +<p>“Are you an employee here?”</p> +<p>“I am the housekeeper. During Mr. Deming’s absence +I look after the property. I assure you no one +but myself lives in the house at present.”</p> +<p>“No roomer ever has stayed here?”</p> +<p>Mrs. Botts drew herself up proudly. “Would Mr. +Deming be likely to annoy himself with roomers? He +has a very substantial fortune.”</p> +<p>“You might try to pick up a few dollars yourself.”</p> +<p>“Mr. Deming would not hear of such a thing! He +pays me well.”</p> +<p>Detective Fuller asked additional questions, trying +to learn whether or not the woman was the one who +had fled from the cemetery. Mrs. Botts frankly admitted +that she had taken Mr. Parker to the hospital, +but she denied ever trying to collect a ransom.</p> +<p>“What you say now doesn’t agree with your original +story,” Penny protested. “You admitted to me—”</p> +<p>“I admitted nothing,” Mrs. Botts broke in indignantly. +“I have no secrets to hide!”</p> +<p>“But I’m sure Mr. Jones is living in this house,” +Penny said stubbornly. “He’s upstairs.”</p> +<p>“Indeed?” mocked Mrs. Botts. “Perhaps you’d like +to search the house.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_150">[150]</div> +<p>“Yes, we would,” said Detective Fuller.</p> +<p>Mrs. Botts remained undisturbed. Bestowing upon +Penny a look of deep contempt, she motioned toward +the stairway.</p> +<p>“Very well, search the house,” she invited with cool +assurance. “I’ve told you the truth. You’ll find no +one here but myself.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_151">[151]</div> +<h2 id="c19"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">19</span> +<br /><i>A BAFFLING SEARCH</i></h2> +<p>In systematic, unhurried fashion, Detective +Fuller went through every room in the Deming house. +The bed chambers, nine in number, were in perfect +order. Only Mrs. Botts’ suite over the kitchen appeared +to have been used recently.</p> +<p>As the search progressed, Penny’s bewilderment increased. +She knew that Lester Jones had been in the +house an hour earlier, yet there was no sign of him. +Personally she inspected clothes closets and bureau +drawers. Not an article could she find that ever had +belonged to her father. She did come upon a white +woolen bathrobe. Believing it to be the garment worn +by the “ghost” she called it to Detective Fuller’s attention.</p> +<p>“Oh, that robe belongs to my employer, Mr. Deming,” +explained Mrs. Botts.</p> +<p>Penny indicated water stains along the hem which +suggested that the garment had been allowed to trail +in the snow.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_152">[152]</div> +<p>“Sometimes I wear the robe when I go outside to +bring in the washing,” replied Mrs. Botts. “It is +warmer than my coat.”</p> +<p>Try as she would, Penny could not trip the woman +into making any damaging admissions. Mrs. Botts had +changed her original story and would not acknowledge +that she had fled from the cemetery. Stubbornly, +she maintained that she had told everything +she knew about Mr. Parker’s disappearance.</p> +<p>“I took him to Mercy Hospital in my employer’s +car,” she repeated to Detective Fuller. “That’s the +last I saw of him.”</p> +<p>“In what condition was Mr. Parker when you left +him?” questioned the detective.</p> +<p>“He seemed all right. Perhaps he was a bit dazed.”</p> +<p>“Why didn’t you report to the police?”</p> +<p>“Because I didn’t see the newspapers for a day,” +Mrs. Botts replied sullenly. “Later I read Miss Parker’s +offer of a reward.”</p> +<p>“Then you did write, requesting me to run the ad +in the <i>Star</i>!” Penny cried triumphantly.</p> +<p>“No, of course not,” Mrs. Botts retorted, “I merely +read the item.”</p> +<p>Penny knew Mrs. Botts was not telling the entire +truth, but to prove it seemed an impossible matter. +Neither could she establish that a man who claimed to +be Lester Jones had been living in the house. True, +Louise and the taxi driver would support her story, +but it would only be their word against Mrs. Botts’. +The situation had become hopelessly confusing.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_153">[153]</div> +<p>Detective Fuller was not entirely satisfied with the +housekeeper’s story. “Guess we’ll have to take you +along to the station for questioning,” he concluded.</p> +<p>Only then did Mrs. Botts lose her composure.</p> +<p>“No, don’t take me away!” she pleaded anxiously. +“My employer is coming home tonight. I just received +the telegram. If I’m not here when he arrives, +I may lose my job!”</p> +<p>Actually Detective Fuller had little evidence against +Mrs. Botts and doubted that he could hold her many +hours in jail. Far more might be gained by allowing +the woman her freedom and keeping watch of the +house.</p> +<p>“We’ll let you stay here,” he decided after a moment’s +thought. “However, you’ll be wanted for +questioning a little later. Make no attempt to leave +the premises.”</p> +<p>“I won’t try to go away,” Mrs. Botts promised. +“I want to cooperate with the police. All I ask is +that my employer, Mr. Deming, doesn’t hear of this. +I’m innocent and it’s not right for me to lose a good +job.”</p> +<p>Very shortly the party bade the woman goodbye +and left the estate. Detective Fuller assigned a policeman +to keep watch of the property and then returned +to Riverview. Louise and Penny, completely bewildered, +left with their driver, Joe, debated their next +action.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_154">[154]</div> +<p>“Where to?” the cabman inquired. “Home?”</p> +<p>“I suppose so,” sighed Penny. “I never was in such +a muddle in all my life. What became of that man +I thought was Dad?”</p> +<p>“He must have left the house while we were at the +police station,” Louise declared. “It was a surprise +finding Mrs. Botts there too! She must have returned +in a hurry after we went away.”</p> +<p>“Mrs. Botts got rid of Lester Jones somehow,” +Penny said with conviction. “Oh, she’s a slick one!”</p> +<p>As Joe shifted gears, the girls observed a dark figure +approaching the estate from down the road.</p> +<p>“Wait!” Penny instructed the cabman. “Let’s see +who it is.”</p> +<p>A moment later the figure emerged from the shadow +cast by a giant tree. Penny was surprised to recognize +Mose Johnson. The old colored man carried a +basket on his arm and evidently had been doing a little +late marketing at the crossroads store.</p> +<p>“Good evening, Mose,” Penny greeted him as he +approached the cab.</p> +<p>“Evenin’, Miss Penny,” he beamed, pausing. “I’se +suah astonished to see yo’ all out dis way. Has yo’ +been lookin’ for dat ghost?”</p> +<p>“I’m afraid I have,” Penny admitted ruefully. “I’ve +certainly had no luck.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_155">[155]</div> +<p>Mose shifted the market basket to his other hand. +“Dat ole ghost ain’t been around so much lately,” he +explained. “I comes by dis spot half an hour ago on +my way to de sto’ to get some victuals. Dere wasn’t +no ghost around den either. If dere had a been I’d +have seen him, you kin be suah o’ dat. I was mighty +skittish and ready to make mahself absent in about two +shakes.”</p> +<p>“And you didn’t see a thing?” inquired Penny.</p> +<p>“Well now, I can’t rightly say dat,” Old Mose corrected. +“I didn’t see no ghost but I did see a taxicab.”</p> +<p>“Ours, I suppose.”</p> +<p>“Not dis one, Miss. De cab I see was a yelleh one.”</p> +<p>The information interested Penny. “Which way +was it going, Mose?” she asked quickly.</p> +<p>“It wasn’t goin’, Miss Penny. It was standin’ right +at de gate. Den I sees two dark lookin’ white men +git out and go into de big house.”</p> +<p>“You did?” Penny demanded eagerly. “Then what +happened? Did the cab drive away?”</p> +<p>“It waited ’till de two men came back, ’cept when +dey comes back dere is three of ’em!”</p> +<p>“Three men?” Penny cried, her excitement mounting. +“What did the third man look like, Mose? +Think hard! It’s very important.”</p> +<p>“Well,” said Mose, “he was tall and he had something +in his hand. A funny lookin’ little satchel. I +guess you calls it a quick-case.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_156">[156]</div> +<p>“You don’t mean a brief case?”</p> +<p>“Yes, dat’s it,” Mose grinned. “Anyways, dey all +gits in de taxicab and off dey snorts. And dat’s all I +sees. Dere wasn’t no ghost.”</p> +<p>The colored man’s rambling information served to +confirm Penny’s own suspicions. Mrs. Botts had lied. +A roomer known as Lester Jones had been held at the +house and later hustled away. Perhaps the man <i>was</i> +her father!</p> +<p>“Mose,” she cried, “the person you saw may have +been Dad! Did it look like him?”</p> +<p>“Why, now yo’ speaks of it, dere was somethin’ +about dat man dat look like Mr. Parker,” the colored +man agreed. “Kinda de way he walked. I couldn’t +see his face cause he kept it sort o’ tucked down in his +collar.”</p> +<p>“All the same, it must have been Dad!” Penny exclaimed. +“The brief case practically proves it! Tell +me, which way did the cab go?”</p> +<p>“Straight down de road,” said Mose, pointing. “But +de car’s been gone a long time now. If you figures +on catchin’ dose men, you all bettah be travelin’.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_157">[157]</div> +<h2 id="c20"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">20</span> +<br /><i>ACCUSATIONS</i></h2> +<p>Alarmed and excited by Mose Johnson’s revelation, +Penny glanced about for the policeman who had +been assigned to watch the Deming mansion. The +officer had taken cover somewhere and was not to be +seen.</p> +<p>“Joe, drive as fast as you can to the airplane spotting +station!” she ordered the cabman. “I’ll telephone the +police station from there.”</p> +<p>As the taxi bounced along over the frozen road, the +girls kept close watch for the yellow cab Mose Johnson +had mentioned. They did not expect to overtake +it. If the old colored man’s story was accurate, the +taxi bearing Mr. Parker had left the mansion at least +a half hour earlier.</p> +<p>“Dad must have been spirited away immediately +after I talked to him!” Penny said. “He’s been +drugged or something! Otherwise he would have +known me.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_158">[158]</div> +<p>“But according to Mose, your father must have +gone willingly with those men,” Louise returned.</p> +<p>“That’s the queer part.”</p> +<p>“Of course, you’re not certain the man is your +father.”</p> +<p>“Yes, I am!” Penny insisted. “I was almost sure of +it earlier this evening. Now I know! Oh, Lou, something +terrible has happened to Dad!”</p> +<p>Louise drew her chum into the hollow of her arm. +“Brace up!” she said sternly. “You’re not going to +cave in now, are you?”</p> +<p>Penny’s slumping shoulders stiffened. She brushed +away a tear. “Of course I’m not going to cave in!” +she replied indignantly. “I’ll find Dad—tonight, too!”</p> +<p>Enroute to the airplane spotting station, the cab +neither met nor passed any vehicle. Leaving Louise +in the taxi, Penny clattered up the tower steps and +burst into the overheated room where Salt Sommers +was making out a report. Her words fairly tumbled +over one another as she told him what had happened.</p> +<p>“Will you notify police for me?” she pleaded.</p> +<p>“Of course,” Salt assured her, reaching for a telephone. +“My relief’s due in five minutes now, so I’ll +be free to join in the search.”</p> +<p>While the photographer waited impatiently for a +connection, Penny asked him if he had seen a yellow +taxi pass the tower.</p> +<p>“Not since I’ve been on duty. The cab must have +taken another road.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_159">[159]</div> +<p>Salt completed the call to the Riverview Police Station +and was told that every radio-equipped cruiser in +the city would be ordered to watch for the yellow +cab. As he hung up the receiver, a low humming +sound was heard outside the tower.</p> +<p>“Listen!” commanded Salt. “A plane!”</p> +<p>Distinctly they both could hear the roar of a motor +to the eastward.</p> +<p>“That’s an unidentified ship,” Salt declared, reaching +for another telephone. Taking down the receiver +he said tersely: “Army Flash,” and went on to report +the position of the passing airplane.</p> +<p>Penny had gone to the doorway. She could see the +wing lights of the passing ship. As she watched, the +lights descended in a steep glide.</p> +<p>“Salt!” she called. “The plane is landing!”</p> +<p>The photographer darted to the platform to see for +himself. “You’re right!” he exclaimed. “It’s coming +down at the Deming estate!”</p> +<p>“Mr. Deming is due home tonight from the East,” +Penny added. “That must be his plane.”</p> +<p>Salt went inside to complete his report to headquarters. +As he rejoined Penny, they saw a man +trudging along the road toward the tower.</p> +<p>“My relief,” said the photographer. “I’m free to +go.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_160">[160]</div> +<p>Gathering up his belongings, he followed Penny +to the waiting taxicab. There a brief conference was +held. The girls were in favor of searching for the +yellow taxi, but Salt pointed out that the chance of +finding it was a slim one. He proposed that they return +to the mansion and try to force information from +Mrs. Botts.</p> +<p>“Detective Fuller had no luck,” replied Penny. +“She has one story and she sticks to it. Her one fear +is that she’ll lose her job.”</p> +<p>“Then this is the time to make things merry for +her!” urged the photographer. “If Mr. Deming just +arrived home, we’ll toss a few firebrands around and +find out what he has to say!”</p> +<p>The suggestion appealed to Penny. From the first +she had distrusted Mrs. Botts and felt that police had +been entirely too lenient with her.</p> +<p>“All right, let’s go!” she agreed. “If Mrs. Botts +loses her job, I’m sure it’s no more than she deserves.”</p> +<p>Joe drove the party once more to the Deming mansion. +No policeman was in evidence near the premises. +Actually he had gone to the crossroads store to +report to his superiors the arrival of Mr. Deming’s +airplane, but at the moment Penny assumed the man +was neglecting his duties.</p> +<p>“If this case ever is solved, we must do it ourselves!” +she declared, thumping on the front door. “I’m in no +mood to take any slippery answers from Mrs. Botts!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_161">[161]</div> +<p>After a long delay the door was opened by the caretaker. +Recognizing Penny and her friends, the woman +sought to lock them out.</p> +<p>“Oh, no you don’t!” said Salt, pushing her firmly +aside. “We want to see Mr. Deming.”</p> +<p>“He’s not here,” Mrs. Botts replied nervously. +“Please leave me alone. Go away!”</p> +<p>Ignoring the plea, Penny, Louise, and the photographer +walked boldly into the living room. A fire +burned in the grate and there were fresh flowers on +the table.</p> +<p>“Where is Mr. Deming?” asked Salt in a loud voice.</p> +<p>Footsteps sounded on the circular stairway. A +portly, bald-headed man with a pleasant face came +heavily down the steps.</p> +<p>“Did someone ask for me?” he inquired.</p> +<p>“You’re Mr. Deming?” asked Salt.</p> +<p>“I am. Flew in from New York about ten minutes +ago and was just changing my clothes. What may I +do for you?”</p> +<p>“I’ve been trying to tell these folks you can’t see +them tonight, Mr. Deming,” broke in Mrs. Botts. +“You’re too tired.”</p> +<p>“Nonsense,” replied the mansion owner impatiently. +“Sit down by the fire, everyone. Tell me what +brought you here.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Botts began to edge toward the kitchen door. +Observing the action, Salt called sharply:</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_162">[162]</div> +<p>“Don’t go, Mrs. Botts. We want to talk to you in +particular.”</p> +<p>“I’ve nothing to say,” the caretaker retorted tartly.</p> +<p>“Sit down, Mrs. Botts,” ordered her employer. +“For some reason you have seemed very nervous since +I arrived home tonight.”</p> +<p>“It was upsetting to get your telegram so late,” +Mrs. Botts mumbled, sinking down on the sofa.</p> +<p>“Mr. Deming,” began Penny, “a great deal has happened +here tonight.”</p> +<p>“I intended to tell you about it myself,” interrupted +Mrs. Botts, addressing her employer. “I’ve not had +a chance.”</p> +<p>“Be quiet, please,” commanded Mr. Deming. “Do +continue, Miss—”</p> +<p>“Parker,” supplied Penny. She introduced Salt and +Louise, then resumed her story.</p> +<p>As the tale unfolded, Mr. Deming listened with increasing +amazement. Now and then he focused his +gaze upon the crestfallen Mrs. Botts, but he did not +speak until Penny had finished.</p> +<p>“This is a very serious charge you have made against +my housekeeper,” he said then. “Mrs. Botts, what +have you to say?”</p> +<p>“There’s not a word of truth in it!” the woman +cried. “Why, I’ve worked for you ten years, Mr. +Deming. I’ve been a loyal, faithful servant. Why +should I deceive you by taking a stranger into the +house?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_163">[163]</div> +<p>“It does seem fantastic,” replied the perplexed Mr. +Deming. “Miss Parker, what proof have you that +your accusations are true?”</p> +<p>“The proof of my own eyesight,” Penny said +quietly. “For that matter, a number of persons saw +the ghost wandering about the grounds.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Botts tossed her head. “I’ve already explained +that part. Frequently when I go outdoors, I put on +your old white bathrobe, Mr. Deming. It’s warmer +than my coat.”</p> +<p>“The ghost happened to be a man,” Penny said. +“And here is something you don’t know, Mrs. Botts. +I was in this house earlier this evening while you were +away. I talked with your mysterious roomer, and +I’m satisfied it was my father.”</p> +<p>“So <i>you</i> were here!” Mrs. Botts cried angrily. +“Mr. Deming, this girl opened the telegram you addressed +to me!”</p> +<p>“I did indeed,” admitted Penny, unabashed.</p> +<p>Mr. Deming arose and walking over to the fire, +stood with his back to it. “I confess I don’t know +what to say,” he said. “I’ve never had reason to distrust +Mrs. Botts.”</p> +<p>“Thank you, sir.” The housekeeper smiled triumphantly.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_164">[164]</div> +<p>Penny realized that Mr. Deming was on the verge +of swinging to Mrs. Botts’ side. So far the interview +had gained nothing. She had told the entire story. +There was no further information she could add.</p> +<p>“I suppose we may as well go,” she said, looking +miserably at Salt.</p> +<p>Penny arose. Suddenly her eyes lighted upon a +small object lying half hidden between the cushions +of the sofa. Before Mrs. Botts realized what she was +about, she had pounced upon it.</p> +<p>“Dad’s spectacle case!” she cried triumphantly.</p> +<p>Opening the lid, she held up a pair of dark horn-rimmed +glasses.</p> +<p>“I’m sure I don’t know where the case came from,” +Mrs. Botts stammered.</p> +<p>“When Dad reads on the sofa at home, he often +loses his case between the cushions!” Penny went on +excitedly. “Mrs. Botts, you thought you were very +clever getting him away from here and removing all +the evidence!”</p> +<p>“A salesman who wore glasses was here last +week—” the housekeeper began weakly.</p> +<p>“You can’t talk yourself out of this,” Penny cut her +short, “Mr. Deming, let me show you something.”</p> +<p>She reopened the lid of the case and pointed to the +initials “A. P.” engraved in gold letters.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_165">[165]</div> +<p>“Anthony Parker,” she said impressively. “Dad +had them stamped there because he lost the case so +many times. Does this prove my story?”</p> +<p>“It does,” said Mr. Deming. Sternly he faced the +housekeeper. “Mrs. Botts, you have deeply humiliated +me. I shall turn you over to the police.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Botts began to weep. Stumbling across the +room, she clutched her employer’s arm.</p> +<p>“Please don’t turn me away from here,” she pleaded. +“Just give me a chance and I’ll explain everything. +Please, Mr. Deming! This time I promise to tell the +truth!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_166">[166]</div> +<h2 id="c21"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">21</span> +<br /><i>MRS. BOTTS’ REVELATION</i></h2> +<p>“Very well, tell your story,” Mr. Deming bade +the housekeeper. “What do you know about Mr. +Parker’s disappearance?”</p> +<p>“It was just like I said,” Mrs. Botts began in an aggrieved +voice. “I was driving not far from the railroad +station when I saw the auto accident.”</p> +<p>“You say you were driving?” Mr. Deming interposed. +“In whose car, may I ask?”</p> +<p>“I used yours, Mr. Deming. I didn’t think you +would care.”</p> +<p>“We’ll skip that. Go on with your story.”</p> +<p>“Well, I saw the accident. A coupe driven by a +young man, crowded Mr. Parker’s car off the road.”</p> +<p>“Purposely?” asked Penny.</p> +<p>“I don’t know. Two men were in the car and they +were speeding. I read part of the license number +too. It was F-215 something.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_167">[167]</div> +<p>“Why didn’t you give this information to the police +immediately?” demanded Mr. Deming.</p> +<p>“I’m trying to explain. I stopped my car—your +car, I mean. Mr. Parker seemed stunned so I offered +to take him to the hospital. Of course at that time +I didn’t know who he was.”</p> +<p>“Dad didn’t seem much hurt?” Penny inquired +quickly.</p> +<p>“He had a few scratches, but nothing serious. We +started for the hospital. Before we got there Mr. +Parker changed his mind and decided he didn’t want +to go. He asked me to take him to a hotel or a rooming +house.”</p> +<p>“How strange!” exclaimed Penny. “Why didn’t +he ask to go home?”</p> +<p>“Because he didn’t remember he had a home,” Mrs. +Botts replied. “I guess the accident must have stunned +him. Anyway, he said his name was Lester Jones. +Since he wanted a room and was willing to pay, I +figured I could bring him here.”</p> +<p>“So you turned my home into a hotel,” Mr. Deming +remarked rather grimly.</p> +<p>“I—I didn’t think you would be back this winter. +I wouldn’t have done it, Mr. Deming, only I needed +extra money. My sister in Kansas has been sick and +I’ve had to send her funds.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_168">[168]</div> +<p>“Mrs. Botts, I’ve always paid you well,” her +employer responded. “Had you told me you needed +more money, I would have assisted you. But go on.”</p> +<p>“Well, I brought Mr. Parker here and gave him a +room. Right off I noticed how queer he acted. He +didn’t seem to be sure who he was, and he kept +going through some papers he carried in a portfolio, +trying to puzzle things out.”</p> +<p>“All this while you made no attempt to contact +police?” Mr. Deming questioned severely.</p> +<p>“I was wondering what to do when I saw a picture +of Mr. Parker in the paper.”</p> +<p>“And then you dropped an unsigned letter in my +mailbox?” Penny probed.</p> +<p>Mrs. Botts knew that the net was closing tightly +about her. Although she tried to slant her story in +such a way that she would not appear too much at +fault, the facts remained bald and ugly.</p> +<p>“Yes, I left a note at your house,” she acknowledged +reluctantly. “Later I telephoned and made an appointment +to meet you at the cemetery.”</p> +<p>“Why didn’t you go through with it?” asked Penny. +“Were you afraid?”</p> +<p>“I began to realize I might be held for something +I never intended to do. Folks started to watch this +house. I tried to keep my roomer out of sight, but +he’d do such queer things.”</p> +<p>“Such as stroll in the garden at night,” supplied +Penny.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_169">[169]</div> +<p>“Yes, I felt sorry for the poor man. He had such +dreadful headaches and was so bewildered.”</p> +<p>“Evidently you weren’t sorry enough to tell him +who he was,” reprimanded Mr. Deming. “Really +Mrs. Botts, I can’t understand why you acted as you +did.”</p> +<p>“I just kept getting in deeper and deeper,” the +housekeeper whined. “Mr. Parker paid me three +dollars a day for his room and board. It didn’t seem +wrong to take the money as long as he was satisfied.”</p> +<p>“Where is my father now?” Penny broke in. +“That’s the important thing.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Botts regarded the girl with a trace of her +former arrogance. “I don’t know what became of +Mr. Parker after he left here,” she said coldly.</p> +<p>“You sent him away when you knew Mr. Deming +was coming home!” Penny accused. “You thought +you could keep the truth from your employer!”</p> +<p>“And I would have too, if it hadn’t been for you!” +Mrs. Botts flared. “I’ve not done any harm, but +you’ve made a lot out of it, and now I’ll be discharged.”</p> +<p>“You are quite right about that,” agreed Mr. Deming +in a quiet voice. “However, there’s far more at +stake than a job, Mrs. Botts. Even now you don’t +seem to realize the seriousness of your offense.”</p> +<p>“You won’t turn me over to the police, will you, +Mr. Deming?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_170">[170]</div> +<p>“It will not be in my hands to decide your fate. I +strongly advise you to tell everything you know. +Where did Mr. Parker go when he left here?”</p> +<p>“I’ve no idea.” Mrs. Botts covered her face. “Oh, +leave me alone—don’t ask me any more questions. My +head buzzes.”</p> +<p>“A taxicab with two men in it was seen at the door +earlier this evening,” Penny went on relentlessly. +“What have you to say about that?”</p> +<p>“They were friends who came for Mr. Parker.”</p> +<p>“Your friends?”</p> +<p>“Well, no, I found the names and addresses in Mr. +Parker’s brief case. They were men in the tire business.”</p> +<p>This latest scrap of information fairly stunned +Penny. As she well knew, her father’s portfolio contained +only evidence pertaining to the tire-theft case.</p> +<p>“Who were the men?” she demanded.</p> +<p>“One was named Kurt Mollinberg—Ropes Mollinberg +his friend called him. I forget the other.”</p> +<p>“Ropes Mollinberg!” exclaimed Salt Sommers who +had listened quietly to the story. “Why, he’s one of +the lowest rats in this town! Connected with the +numbers racket and I don’t know what else!”</p> +<p>“Why did you summon those men, of all persons?” +Mr. Deming questioned.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_171">[171]</div> +<p>“Well, I found their addresses in the portfolio. I +had to get rid of Mr. Parker before you came and I +was afraid to call his house.”</p> +<p>“You’re a cruel, heartless woman!” accused Penny. +“You sent my father away with two of the most notorious +rascals in Riverview. Why, those men have +been waiting for a chance to waylay him! They +wanted to get possession of vital evidence Dad had in +his portfolio.”</p> +<p>“I didn’t know,” murmured Mrs. Botts. “When +they came in the taxi, they offered me money.”</p> +<p>“And you took it?”</p> +<p>“I tried not to, but they forced it on me.”</p> +<p>Penny sprang to her feet. Only by the greatest +effort of will could she keep from telling the housekeeper +what she thought of her contemptible actions.</p> +<p>“You sent Dad away with those men,” she repeated +mechanically. “Didn’t he realize who they were?”</p> +<p>“I told him they were his friends. I really thought +so. He went willingly enough.”</p> +<p>Penny was sick with despair. From the first, the +situation had been grave, but now there seemed little +hope. From Mrs. Botts’ story she could only conclude +that her father suffered from a brain injury. +Even if she were fortunate enough to find him, he +would not be likely to recognize her as his daughter.</p> +<p>“Oh, Salt,” she pleaded, turning to the photographer. +“What are we to do? What can we do?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_172">[172]</div> +<p>His reply though prompt, was not completely reassuring.</p> +<p>“We’ve already put every policeman in Riverview +on the trail of those men!” he answered soberly. +“And we’ll scour every nook and cranny of this +town ourselves! Chin up, Penny! Why, we’ve only +started to fight!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_173">[173]</div> +<h2 id="c22"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">22</span> +<br /><i>A PARK BENCH</i></h2> +<p>Penny and her friends were heartsick with the +knowledge that Mr. Parker had fallen into the hands +of ruthless members of the tire-theft gang. The taxi +which had borne him away had left the mansion fully +an hour earlier. There seemed little likelihood that +the trail could be picked up quickly.</p> +<p>“I’ll telephone the boys at the newspaper office,” +Salt offered. “The police too! We’ll put a description +on the radio. We’ll have everybody in Riverview +watching for that yellow taxi.”</p> +<p>“Call the cab companies too,” urged Penny. “We +may be able to trace it through the driver.”</p> +<p>Salt made good use of the Deming telephone which +had not been disconnected during the winter months. +While he phoned, Penny ran outside to find the +policeman assigned to guard the mansion. She soon +returned with him and placed Mrs. Botts in his custody.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_174">[174]</div> +<p>“Oh, Mr. Deming, don’t let them take me to jail,” +the housekeeper pleaded. “I didn’t mean to do anything +wrong.”</p> +<p>“Mrs. Botts, I can’t help you,” her employer returned +coldly. “Your offense is a very serious one. +The court must decide your fate.”</p> +<p>The housekeeper broke into tears again and for several +minutes was quite hysterical. When her act +moved no one, she resigned herself to the inevitable. +Packing a few articles in a bag, she prepared to leave +the house in the custody of the policeman.</p> +<p>“I’m sorry about everything,” she said as she bade +the girls goodbye. “I hope Mr. Parker is found. I +really do.”</p> +<p>After Mrs. Botts had gone, Penny was too upset to +remain quietly in a chair. She longed to join in an +active search for the yellow taxi. Common sense +told her that the cab undoubtedly had reached its +destination, yet she hoped she might pick up a clue.</p> +<p>“By questioning filling station attendants, we may +be able to learn which way it went from the crossroads,” +she urged.</p> +<p>“Come on, then,” said Salt.</p> +<p>Joe, faithful as ever, waited in his cab outside the +mansion. Penny chose to ride beside him, as the +front seat offered an unobstructed view of the road.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_175">[175]</div> +<p>The cab turned away from the mansion and swept +down the familiar twisting highway. At the first +bend, the bright headlights illuminated a patch of +snow along the ditch. Penny thought she saw a small, +dark object lying on the ground.</p> +<p>“Stop the car!” she cried.</p> +<p>Joe brought the cab to a standstill a little farther +down the road.</p> +<p>Penny leaped out and ran back to the ditch. Lying +just at its edge was a leather portfolio. A glance satisfied +her that it had belonged to her father.</p> +<p>“Salt! Louise!” she shouted. “I’ve found Dad’s +satchel!”</p> +<p>The others came running. By that time Penny had +examined the portfolio. It was empty.</p> +<p>“Just as I thought,” she muttered. “Those men +were after the evidence Dad carried! And they got +it, too!”</p> +<p>Salt and Joe examined the snowy ditches for a long +distance. There were no footprints. They could +only conclude that the portfolio had been thrown +from a window of the moving cab. Evidently Mr. +Parker remained a prisoner.</p> +<p>“Now that those men have what they want, maybe +they’ll release Dad,” Penny said hopefully. “Don’t +you think so, Salt?”</p> +<p>The photographer glanced at Joe. Neither spoke.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_176">[176]</div> +<p>“You believe they’ll harm Dad!” Penny cried, +reading their faces. “Maybe I’ll never see him +again—”</p> +<p>“Now Penny,” Salt soothed, guiding her toward +the taxi.</p> +<p>The cab rolled on, its tires crunching the hard-packed +snow. At the crossroads, they met a police +car and hailed it. Penny turned the empty portfolio +over to one of the officers, explaining where it had +been found.</p> +<p>“Every road is being watched,” she was told in +return. “The alarm has been broadcast throughout +the State, too. If that yellow cab still is on the road, +we’ll get it.”</p> +<p>For an hour longer, Penny and her party scoured +roads in the vicinity of Riverview. Many times they +stopped at filling stations and houses to inquire if a +yellow cab had been seen to pass. Always the answer +was in the negative.</p> +<p>“Don’t you think we ought to go home?” Salt suggested +at length. “For all we know, police may have +found Mr. Parker by this time. We’d never learn +about it while we’re touring around.”</p> +<p>“All right, let’s go home,” agreed Penny.</p> +<p>The taxi turned toward Riverview. Arriving at +the outskirts, Joe chose a boulevard which wound +through the park. The trees, each limb and twig +glistening with ice, were very beautiful.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_177">[177]</div> +<p>Penny gazed absently toward the frozen lake where +a few boys were skating. Suddenly her gaze fastened +upon a man who sat on a park bench beneath a street +lamp. He wore no hat. His overcoat was unbuttoned.</p> +<p>“That man!” she cried. “Salt, it looks like Dad! +And it is he! It is!”</p> +<p>The man on the bench had turned slightly so that +she was able to see his face.</p> +<p>Joe brought the cab to a halt with a jerk. Penny +leaped out, followed by the others. The first to +reach the bench, she fairly flung herself headlong at +the disheveled man who sat so dejectedly alone.</p> +<p>“Oh, Dad, I’ve found you at last! How thankful +I am you’re safe!”</p> +<p>The man on the bench stared blankly at her.</p> +<p>“Who are you?” he asked in a dazed voice.</p> +<p>“Why, I’m Penny—your daughter.”</p> +<p>“I have no daughter,” the man answered bitterly. +“No home. Nothing. Not even a name.”</p> +<p>Salt, Louise and Joe reached the bench.</p> +<p>“Who are these people?” the man asked. “Why +do they stare at me?”</p> +<p>“Why, Mr. Parker,” said Salt, taking his arm. “You +remember me, don’t you?”</p> +<p>“Never saw you before in my life.”</p> +<p>“You’re my father—Anthony Parker,” Penny +said desperately. “You were in a bad accident. Don’t +you remember?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_178">[178]</div> +<p>“I remember that I was taken by two men in a taxicab. +They pretended to be my friends. As soon as +we were well away from Mrs. Botts’ home, they +robbed me of my money and portfolio. Then they +pushed me out of the cab. I started walking. I kept +on until I came here.”</p> +<p>“You’re cold and tired,” said Salt, trying to guide +him toward the taxi.</p> +<p>“Who are you?” Mr. Parker demanded suspiciously. +“Why should I let you take me away? You’ll only +try to rob me—”</p> +<p>“Oh, Dad, you don’t understand,” Penny murmured. +“You’re sick.”</p> +<p>“Come along, sir,” urged Salt. “We’re your +friends. We’ll take you to the doctor.”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker planted his feet firmly on the ground.</p> +<p>“I’m not going a step!” he announced. “Not a +step!”</p> +<p>“Sorry, sir, but if you’re so set about it, we’ll have +to do it this way.”</p> +<p>Salt nodded to Joe. Before Mr. Parker knew what +was coming, they caught him firmly by the arms and +legs. Although he resisted, they carried him to the +cab.</p> +<p>“Take us home as fast as you can!” Penny directed +Joe. “Then I’ll want you to go for Doctor Greer, the +brain specialist. Dad’s in very serious condition.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_179">[179]</div> +<p>“Serious, my eye!” snorted the publisher. He +struggled to free himself from Salt’s grip. “Let me +out of here!”</p> +<p>“Dad, everything will be all right now,” Penny +tried to soothe him. “You’re with friends. You’re +going home.”</p> +<p>“I’m being kidnaped!” Mr. Parker complained. +“Twice in one night! If I were strong enough to get +out of here—”</p> +<p>Again he tried to free himself. Failing, he edged +into a corner of the seat and averted his face.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_180">[180]</div> +<h2 id="c23"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">23</span> +<br /><i>FORGOTTEN EVENTS</i></h2> +<p>In the upstairs bedroom, Penny moved with velvet +tread. Noiselessly she rearranged a vase of flowers +and closed the slat of a Venetian blind.</p> +<p>“You needn’t be so quiet,” said Mr. Parker from +the bed. “I’ve been awake a long time now.”</p> +<p>Penny went swiftly to his side. “How are you +feeling this afternoon, Dad?”</p> +<p>“Afternoon?” Mr. Parker demanded, sitting up. +“How long have I been sleeping?”</p> +<p>“Roughly, about two days.”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker threw off the covers.</p> +<p>“Oh, no, you don’t,” said Penny, pressing him back +against the pillow. “Doctor Greer says you are to +have absolute bed rest for several days. It’s part of +the treatment.”</p> +<p>“Treatment for what?” grumbled Mr. Parker. “I +feel fine!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_181">[181]</div> +<p>“That’s wonderful,” declared Penny, with a deep +sigh of relief. “I’ll have Mrs. Weems bring up something +for you to eat.”</p> +<p>She called down the stairway to the housekeeper, +and then returned to the bedside. Her father looked +more like his former self than at any time since the +strange motor accident which had caused him to lose +his memory. His voice too, was more natural.</p> +<p>“Guess I must have had a bad dream,” Mr. Parker +murmured, his gaze roving slowly about the room. +“I seem to recall riding around in a taxi, and being +pushed out into the snow.”</p> +<p>“You know where you are now, don’t you?” asked +Penny.</p> +<p>“Certainly. I’m at home.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Weems came into the room bearing a tray of +food. Hearing Mr. Parker’s words, she looked at +Penny and tears sprang to her eyes.</p> +<p>“Doctor Greer was right,” she whispered. “His +memory is slowly coming back. How thankful I +am!”</p> +<p>“What’s all this?” Mr. Parker inquired alertly. +“Will someone kindly tell me why I am being imprisoned +in this bed?”</p> +<p>“Because you’ve been very, very sick,” Penny said, +arranging the food in front of him. “You know who +I am now, don’t you?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_182">[182]</div> +<p>“Why, certainly,” replied Mr. Parker indignantly. +“You’re my daughter. Your name is—now let me +think—”</p> +<p>“Penny.”</p> +<p>“To be sure,” agreed Mr. Parker, in confusion. +“Fancy forgetting my own daughter’s name!”</p> +<p>“You’ve forgotten a number of other things too, +Dad. But events gradually are coming back to you. +Suppose you tell me your name.”</p> +<p>“My name?” Mr. Parker looked bewildered. +“Why, I don’t remember. It’s not Jones. I took that +name because I couldn’t think of my own. What’s +wrong with me?”</p> +<p>Penny tucked a napkin beneath her father’s chin +and offered him a spoonful of beef broth.</p> +<p>“What’s wrong with me?” Mr. Parker demanded +again. “Am I a lunatic? Can’t either of you tell me +the truth?”</p> +<p>“You’re recovering from a severe case of amnesia,” +revealed Penny. “The doctor says it was brought on +by overwork in combination with the shock of being +in an auto accident. Since you were hurt you’ve not +remembered what happened before that time.”</p> +<p>“I do recall the auto mishap,” Mr. Parker said +slowly. “Another car crowded me off the road. The +crash stunned me, and my mind was a sort of blank. +Then a pleasant woman took me to her home.”</p> +<p>“A pleasant woman, Dad?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_183">[183]</div> +<p>“Why, yes, Mrs. Botts gave me a nice room and +good food. I liked it there. But one night a girl +broke in—could that have been you, Penny?”</p> +<p>“Indeed, it was.”</p> +<p>“When Mrs. Botts came home she was very excited,” +Mr. Parker resumed meditatively. “She said +I had to leave. She hustled me out of the house with +two strangers.”</p> +<p>“One of the men was Ropes Mollinberg, a member +of the tire-theft gang.”</p> +<p>“Yes, that was his name!” Mr. Parker agreed. +“Speaking of tire thieves, I’ve been intending to write +an editorial for the paper. Penny, please have my +secretary come in. I’ll dictate the material while it +is fresh in my mind.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Weems looked slightly distressed. Penny, +however, whisked away the tray of food. Getting +pencil and paper she again sat down beside her father.</p> +<p>“Your secretary isn’t available just now, but I’ll +take down what you want to say.”</p> +<p>Penny could not write shorthand so she only pretended +to jot down notes. Mr. Parker led off with +a few crisp sentences, then wandered vaguely from +one idea to another.</p> +<p>“I can’t seem to think straight any more,” he complained. +“Type that up please and let me see it before +it goes to the compositors.”</p> +<p>“How shall I sign the editorial?” Penny inquired.</p> +<p>“Why, with my name—Anthony Parker.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_184">[184]</div> +<p>Penny jumped up and fairly laughed with joy.</p> +<p>“Dad, events are coming back to you! You’ve just +recalled your name and that’s a big step forward.”</p> +<p>“Anthony Parker,” the publisher murmured. “Yes, +that’s it! Now there’s another matter that troubles +me. I had a brief case—”</p> +<p>“It was stolen by those men who took you away,” +Penny supplied eagerly. “Dad, if only you could remember +what those lost papers contained, we’d expose +the entire tire-theft gang!”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker thought for a long while, then shook +his head.</p> +<p>“Mind’s a blank, Penny. What does the doctor +say? Is there a chance my memory ever will return?”</p> +<p>“Of course,” returned Penny heartily. “You’ve +already recalled a number of important things. Me, +for instance! Doctor Greer thinks that with rest, +events will gradually return to mind. Or another +shock, perhaps a blow somewhat similar to the one +you had, might bring everything back.”</p> +<p>“Well, what are we waiting for?” Mr. Parker +joked. “Go get the sledge hammer!”</p> +<p>“It’s not that easy, I’m afraid.”</p> +<p>“I’m afraid not, either,” sighed Mr. Parker wearily. +“Guess I’ll sleep some more now. I feel pretty tired.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_185">[185]</div> +<p>During the days that followed, the publisher made +a slow but steady recovery. At first Penny did not +worry him by mentioning how matters had gone at +the <i>Star</i> office. Only after Mr. Parker was well +enough to spend several hours a day at the plant, did +she reveal how Harley Schirr had sought to establish +himself as editor of the paper.</p> +<p>“That fellow!” exclaimed Mr. Parker in annoyance. +“Why, I meant to discharge him and he knew it. I +have evidence in my safe showing that Schirr accepted +money from a local politician.”</p> +<p>“You did have evidence,” Penny corrected. +“While you were away, Mr. Schirr went through +your safe.”</p> +<p>Amazed by the boldness of his former employee, +Mr. Parker immediately examined the contents of +both his desk and strongbox. To his chagrin he found +that Penny was right. Every document pertaining to +Schirr was missing.</p> +<p>“Well, it doesn’t matter,” the publisher said philosophically. +“He’ll never set foot in this office again, +nor in any other Riverview newspaper!”</p> +<p>“Dad,” said Penny, “I’ve wondered if Schirr may +not be hooked up with the tire-theft gang. What do +you think?”</p> +<p>“My poor thinker isn’t much good these days. +However, I very much doubt it, Penny. Schirr always +was a snoop and not above taking money for +writing biased stories. My judgment would be that +he has no connection with the Mollinberg outfit.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_186">[186]</div> +<p>“If only you could remember what was in your +stolen portfolio!” Penny sighed.</p> +<p>“If only I could!” agreed Mr. Parker. “Sometimes +I doubt I’ll ever fully recover my memory.”</p> +<p>“Oh, you will, Dad. You’re doing better every +day.”</p> +<p>Penny seldom spoke of the automobile accident +which had caused her father’s trouble for the subject +was a painful one to them both. Although the publisher +had been absolved of all blame, police had not +succeeded in tracing the hit-skip driver.</p> +<p>Mr. Parker seemed well and strong. Each day he +went to the office for longer and longer periods. +Gradually his memory was returning, yet he had been +unable to recall data which might bring about the +capture of the tire-theft gang. Strangely, he could +remember nothing of his intention to call at the State +Prosecutor’s office. Nor could he disclose a scrap of +evidence which had been carried in the stolen portfolio.</p> +<p>“If only Jerry would wire or return from his vacation!” +Penny commented anxiously. “I can’t understand +why he doesn’t reply to my message.”</p> +<p>The reporter’s long absence had caused considerable +worry at the <i>Star</i> office. Jerry was the one person +who could divulge the contents of the stolen portfolio +documents, but repeated wires failed to bring +any response.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_187">[187]</div> +<p>“Jerry will show up one of these days,” Mr. Parker +said confidently. “The only trouble is, by that time +the higher-ups of the tire-theft gang may have skipped +town.”</p> +<p>“Dad, can’t you remember the men who took you +away in the taxi?”</p> +<p>“Only vaguely. I’ve described them to police as +best I can. So far, no action.”</p> +<p>Penny was silent for a moment. In her mind she +had been turning over a way to bring the crooks to +justice. It seemed to her that the men might be identified +through Black Market operators with whom they +must have dealings.</p> +<p>“Now what are you keeping from me?” inquired +Mr. Parker lightly.</p> +<p>“I was thinking about a place known as Mattie Williams’ +garage,” replied Penny. “I’ve good reason to +suspect it deals in stolen tires.”</p> +<p>She went on to tell of her recent adventure in the +storage room of the garage. The information did +not excite Mr. Parker as she had feared it might. Instead, +it fired him with a determination to get at the +truth of the matter.</p> +<p>“Penny, we’ll break our story yet!” he exclaimed, +reaching for his hat. “Let’s go to Mattie’s place now!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_188">[188]</div> +<p>“Unless we actually see the inside of the storage +room we’ll learn nothing. You may be sure Mattie +and her partner won’t cooperate.”</p> +<p>“We’ll get into that room somehow,” returned Mr. +Parker grimly. “I’ll take along a few pet skeleton +keys just for luck.”</p> +<p>At the Williams’ garage an hour later, they found +Mattie and Sam busy with repair work.</p> +<p>“Be with you in a minute,” the woman called to Mr. +Parker.</p> +<p>“No hurry,” replied the publisher. “No hurry +whatsoever.”</p> +<p>He and Penny wandered aimlessly about. Choosing +a moment when both Sam and Mattie were inside +the office, they slipped unnoticed into the room where +the empty boxes had been stored.</p> +<p>“Now show me the tunnel,” urged the publisher. +“We’ll have to work fast!”</p> +<p>Penny swung back the hinged boards of the big +box. She led her father between a high aisle of crates +to the locked door of the inner room.</p> +<p>“Now if only I have a key that will unlock it!” +muttered Mr. Parker.</p> +<p>He tried several. At length one did fit the keyhole, +the lock clicked, and he was able to push open the +door.</p> +<p>In the little storage room close to the outside building +wall were tires of all sizes and description. Some +were new, still wrapped in clean paper. Others appeared +slightly used.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_189">[189]</div> +<p>“See, Dad!” Penny cried triumphantly. “I was +right!”</p> +<p>“We still have no proof this rubber was illegally +obtained.”</p> +<p>Penny darted forward to inspect a stack of tires +which rose half way to the ceiling.</p> +<p>“Here’s one that might have come off my car!” +she cried. “See! Mine had a tiny cut place where I +rammed the maple tree backing out of our garage!”</p> +<p>“All tires look alike, Penny. Without the serial +number—”</p> +<p>“I do remember part of it. One was 8910 something.”</p> +<p>“Then this isn’t your tire,” replied Mr. Parker, +reading the number. “However, I shouldn’t be surprised +that these are stolen tires.”</p> +<p>Penny held up her hand as a signal for silence.</p> +<p>“Quiet, Dad!” she whispered.</p> +<p>Footsteps had sounded in the tunnel between the +boxes. The next instant the door was flung open. +Penny and her father stood face to face with Sam +Burkholder.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_190">[190]</div> +<h2 id="c24"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">24</span> +<br /><i>TRICKERY</i></h2> +<p>“What d’you think you’re doing in here?” demanded +Sam Burkholder harshly. “Snoopers, eh?”</p> +<p>“Call us that if you like,” retorted Mr. Parker. +“How long have you been dealing in stolen tires?”</p> +<p>The shot hit its target. Sam started to speak but +no words came. He looked badly frightened. Convinced +that his suspicion was correct, Mr. Parker +added sternly:</p> +<p>“Naturally, I’ll report this to the police. You and +your partner will have to face charges.”</p> +<p>“Keep Mattie out of this,” growled Sam. “She +had nothing to do with the tire business.”</p> +<p>“So you carried on crooked operations all by your +lonesome?”</p> +<p>“I’ve bought and sold a few tires,” Sam said sullenly. +“All these government regulations give me a +pain. A guy can’t make any money these days.”</p> +<p>“So you admit you’ve been doing an illegal business?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_191">[191]</div> +<p>“Maybe,” said Sam, watching Mr. Parker craftily. +“But what’s it to you? I take it you’re not a government +agent?”</p> +<p>“I’m interested in breaking up a gang of leeches—the +men who’ve been cleaning this town of tires for +the past three months.”</p> +<p>“Those guys are crooks all right,” agreed Sam. +“Why the last time they sold me a bunch of tires they +charged double. When I wasn’t going to take ’em +they said, ‘Either you do, or else!’”</p> +<p>“Did you deal with Ropes Mollinberg?”</p> +<p>“He’s just one of the little fry. What will you give +me to spill?”</p> +<p>“Nothing.”</p> +<p>“Will you keep Mattie out of this?”</p> +<p>“If she’s innocent.”</p> +<p>“She is,” insisted Sam. “Supposin’ I tell you how +to get the whole gang, will you forget what you’ve +seen here?”</p> +<p>“I make no bargains with Black Market dealers,” +retorted Mr. Parker. “Either you tell what you +know, or I’ll have you and Mattie hauled into court.”</p> +<p>Sam Burkholder was silent a moment.</p> +<p>“Okay,” he said abruptly. “I’ve had enough of +this business anyhow. I’ll tell you what I know, and +it won’t take me long. I’ve never seen nor dealt direct +with the big shots.”</p> +<p>“Then how do you get your tires?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_192">[192]</div> +<p>“A trucker by the name of Hank Biglow delivers +them to me.”</p> +<p>“Louise and I know that man!” cried Penny. “For +whom does he work?”</p> +<p>“I’ve never asked. But from something Hank +dropped I kinda suspect the boys are having a meeting +tonight.”</p> +<p>“Where?” Mr. Parker demanded eagerly.</p> +<p>“I’ll tell you on one condition. You’ve got to keep +Mattie out of this. So far as she knows this garage +has been run pretty much on the square.”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker was unwilling to make any sort of +agreement with the man. Nevertheless, he realized +that Sam had it within his power to withhold vital +information.</p> +<p>“Very well,” he said, “I’ll take your word for it that +Mattie is innocent. Now where is the meeting to be +held?”</p> +<p>“At Johnson’s warehouse.”</p> +<p>“Isn’t that along the river?”</p> +<p>“Yeah, about eight miles from here. The boys will +be loading some tires there. If you’re willing to take +the risk, you may learn something. Meeting’s at +seven.”</p> +<p>Penny glanced at her wrist watch.</p> +<p>“It’s after six now!” she exclaimed in dismay. “Dad, +if we are to get there in time, we’ve got to step!”</p> +<p>“Right you are,” he agreed.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_193">[193]</div> +<p>Before leaving the garage, Mr. Parker telephoned +Central Police Station. Without mentioning Sam’s +name, he revealed a little of what he had learned and +requested an immediate investigation of the Johnson +Warehouse. Then, intending to meet officers there, +he and Penny taxied along the winding river road.</p> +<p>Although not yet seven o’clock, it was darkening +fast. The driver switched on headlights, illuminating +a long stretch of icy pavement.</p> +<p>“Can’t you go faster?” Mr. Parker urged impatiently.</p> +<p>“Don’t dare, sir,” replied the driver.</p> +<p>Even as he spoke, a crossroads traffic light flashed +red. Though the driver applied the foot brake with +quick stabs, the car went into a disastrous skid. Out +of control, it slid crosswise in the narrow road. The +front wheels rolled into a deep, slippery ditch.</p> +<p>“Just our luck!” muttered Mr. Parker.</p> +<p>Several times the driver tried to back the car from +the ditch. Failing, he and Mr. Parker pushed while +Penny handled the steering wheel. The tires kept +spinning and would not grip the ice.</p> +<p>“No use,” the publisher acknowledged at last. +“We’re only wasting time. We need a tow car.”</p> +<p>“The nearest house or filling station is at least a mile +up the road,” volunteered Penny. “I’m afraid we’re +stalled here until the police car comes along.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_194">[194]</div> +<p>They climbed into the taxi and waited. No vehicle +of any description came by. With increasing +impatience, Mr. Parker looked at his watch.</p> +<p>“It’s nearly seven o’clock now!” he exclaimed. +“Either the police are waiting farther down the road, +or they’ve taken a different route!”</p> +<p>“What are we going to do?” Penny asked helplessly. +“If we sit here much longer we’ll miss catching +those men at their meeting.”</p> +<p>“I don’t see what we can do. Maybe our best bet +is to walk to the nearest filling station.”</p> +<p>Penny suddenly was struck with an idea. “The +Riverview Yacht Club is closer!” she cried.</p> +<p>“True, but it’s closed for the winter.”</p> +<p>“My iceboat is still there,” said Penny. “If you’re +not afraid to ride with me, I could get you to Johnson’s +Warehouse in nothing flat.”</p> +<p>“What are we waiting for?” demanded Mr. Parker.</p> +<p>Leaving the cab driver behind, Penny and her +father ran most of the way to the club. The <i>Icicle</i>, +covered with snow, runners frozen to the ice, remained +where it had been abandoned.</p> +<p>“The sail’s here too!” Penny declared, burrowing +in a box hidden deep in the cockpit. “In this wind, +we’ll go places!”</p> +<p>“Are you sure you can handle the boat?” Mr. +Parker asked anxiously. He had never ridden in the +<i>Icicle</i> and from his daughter’s vivid descriptions, had +no great desire to do so.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_195">[195]</div> +<p>“I know I can start it going,” Penny replied with a +quick laugh. “I’ll worry about stopping it when the +time comes!”</p> +<p>They cleared the little boat of snow and pushed it +out on the smooth ice of the river. Penny made certain +that all the ropes were free running.</p> +<p>“Now you get in, Dad,” she advised as she hoisted +the flapping sail. “I want to be sure where you are +when the fireworks begin.”</p> +<p>The wind filled the big sail like a balloon. Nothing +happened. The iceboat did not move an inch.</p> +<p>“Why don’t we go?” growled Mr. Parker. “Runners +dull?”</p> +<p>Penny gave the boat a hard push.</p> +<p>“Want me to help?” offered her father.</p> +<p>“No, thanks,” puffed Penny. “When this baby +makes up its mind, it will go so fast you’d be left behind.”</p> +<p>Once more she pushed. The sail filled again and +the runners stirred.</p> +<p>“It’s moving!” shouted Penny.</p> +<p>The <i>Icicle</i> was pulling away from her. She clung +fast, trying to scramble aboard. <a href="#front">Her feet went out +from under her and she was dragged over the ice.</a></p> +<p>“Hang on!” shouted Mr. Parker. “I can’t sail this +thing alone!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_196">[196]</div> +<p>Penny clung desperately. Away flew a mitten. +Her scarf flapped in her face. With a supreme effort, +she pulled herself aboard, and took command of the +tiller.</p> +<p>“Are you hurt?” Mr. Parker shouted anxiously in +her ear.</p> +<p>Penny shook her head and laughed. “Getting +started always is quite a trick,” she replied. “Sit +tight! We have a stiff breeze tonight.”</p> +<p>Penny and her father wore no protective goggles. +The sharp wind stung their eyes even though they +kept their heads low.</p> +<p>“How’ll we know when we get to the warehouse?” +Mr. Parker shouted. “I can’t see anything!”</p> +<p>“Just trust me,” laughed Penny. “All I worry +about is stopping this bronco when we get there!”</p> +<p>The boat was moving with the speed of an express +train. Penny made her decisions with lightning-like +rapidity, twice steering to avoid open stretches of +water. She was worried, but had no intention of letting +her father know.</p> +<p>The boat raced on. Then far ahead loomed the +dark outline of a building.</p> +<p>“That’s the warehouse!” shouted Mr. Parker. +“Don’t go past it!”</p> +<p>Penny gradually slowed the <i>Icicle</i>. Approaching +shore, she slacked the main sheet and shot up into +the wind. By using her overshoes for brakes, she +finally brought the boat to a standstill not far from +the warehouse.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_197">[197]</div> +<p>“Well done, skipper,” praised Mr. Parker.</p> +<p>Scrambling from the boat, they glanced anxiously +about. A dim light shone from inside the warehouse. +Not far from its side entrance stood a truck. There +were no other vehicles, no sign of the expected police +car.</p> +<p>“Is this the place?” Penny asked doubtfully.</p> +<p>“Yes, it’s the only warehouse within a mile. Queer +the police aren’t here to meet us.”</p> +<p>The publisher waded through a shrunken snowdrift +to a side door of the building. It was not locked and +he pushed it open a crack. Far down a deserted corridor +shone a dim lantern light.</p> +<p>“Oughtn’t we to wait for the police?” Penny whispered +uneasily.</p> +<p>Without answering, Mr. Parker started down the +corridor. Penny quickly overtook him, padding along +close at his side.</p> +<p>The corridor opened into a large storage room +used in years past to house river merchandise. Now +the walls were stacked high with tires.</p> +<p>On the ground floor stood a truck which several +men were loading. Two others watched the work +from a balcony overhead.</p> +<p>“Dad, do you recognize any of those men?” Penny +whispered.</p> +<p>“No, but we’ve evidently come to the right place,” +he replied.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_198">[198]</div> +<p>The men did not talk as they loaded the tires into +the truck. For many minutes Penny and her father +watched the work.</p> +<p>“That truck soon will be pulling out,” Penny observed. +“Why don’t the police come?”</p> +<p>“I’m going to talk to those men,” Mr. Parker decided. +“You stay here.”</p> +<p>Before Penny could protest, her father stepped +boldly into the lighted room. Immediately work +ceased. Every eye focused upon him.</p> +<p>“Good evening,” said Mr. Parker casually.</p> +<p>The remark was greeted by a suspicious silence. +Then one of the men, a red-faced fellow with a +twisted lower lip, asked: “You lookin’ fer somebody?”</p> +<p>“Just passing through and noticed the light,” replied +Mr. Parker. “Wondered what’s going on.”</p> +<p>“You can see, can’t you?” growled one of the workmen. +“We’re trying to load tires. Now get out of +here or I’ll bounce one on your head! We got work +to do.”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker did not lack courage. However, the +grim faces warned him that the men would not +hesitate to make their promise good. With Penny unprotected +in the corridor he could afford to take no +chances.</p> +<p>“Sorry to have bothered you,” he apologized, and +retreated.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_199">[199]</div> +<p>Penny waited nervously in the dark hallway. +“Now what are we to do?” she whispered as her +father rejoined her.</p> +<p>“We’ll telephone again for the police. Let’s get out +of here.”</p> +<p>Noiselessly they stole from the building. As they +huddled in the lee of a brick wall, a car came down +the road.</p> +<p>“That may be the police now!” Penny murmured +hopefully.</p> +<p>The car turned in at the warehouse. A lone policeman +alighted. As he came over to the building, Penny +recognized him as Carl Burns.</p> +<p>“Where’s the rest of your men?” Mr. Parker demanded. +“Surely you don’t expect to handle this tire +gang single handed?”</p> +<p>“Aren’t you a bit mixed up?” the policeman +drawled.</p> +<p>“Mixed up?”</p> +<p>“I’m here on a routine inspection. This is a defense +plant, or didn’t you know?”</p> +<p>“A defense plant!” Mr. Parker echoed.</p> +<p>“A warehouse for one, I should say,” corrected the +policeman. “Tires intended for the Wilson war plant +are earmarked and shipped out from here. A couple +of trucks are going out tonight. I’m on the job to see +they’re not hijacked.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_200">[200]</div> +<p>Penny gazed blankly at her father. If the policeman’s +information was correct, then they had nearly +made a serious blunder.</p> +<p>“Guess we’ve been tricked,” Mr. Parker muttered. +“We were told this place operates in the Black Market.”</p> +<p>“That’s a laugh,” responded the policeman. “Who +told you that yarn?”</p> +<p>“I can’t divulge my source.”</p> +<p>“Well, you sure were taken for a ride!” the policeman +taunted. “Mr. Parker, why not let the police +handle the crooks while you look after your newspaper +business? You’ve not been yourself since you +were in that auto accident.”</p> +<p>Penny and her father resented the implication, but +wisely allowed the remark to pass without comment. +Decidedly crestfallen, they bade the policeman goodbye +and returned to the iceboat.</p> +<p>“We’ve made ourselves ridiculous!” Mr. Parker +commented bitterly as they shoved off down river. +“Taken in by Sam Burkholder!”</p> +<p>“He probably lied to get rid of us,” agreed Penny. +“By this time he’s likely removed every tire from +Mattie’s garage!”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker nodded and did not speak again. His +failure to learn the identity of the key men associated +with Ropes Mollinberg, had been a bitter disappointment.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_201">[201]</div> +<p>Penny handled the <i>Icicle</i> effortlessly and without +much thought. Faster and faster the little boat +traveled, its runners throwing up a powdery dust.</p> +<p>Then without warning the <i>Icicle</i> struck something +frozen in the ice. Before Penny could make a move, +the runners leaped from the surface. The boat tilted +to a sharp angle, and went over.</p> +<p>Penny felt herself sliding. Snow filled her mouth, +the sleeves of her coat. Her cap hung over one ear. +Laughing shakily, she scrambled to her feet.</p> +<p>“Are you all right, Dad?” she called anxiously.</p> +<p>Then she saw him. Mr. Parker was sprawled flat +on the ice a few yards away. He did not move. Terrified, +she ran to him and grasped his arm.</p> +<p>“Dad! Speak to me!”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker stirred slightly. He raised a hand and +rubbed his head. Slowly he pulled himself to a sitting +position.</p> +<p>“Penny—” he mumbled, staring at her.</p> +<p>“Yes, Dad.”</p> +<p>“It’s come to me—in a flash!”</p> +<p>“What has, Dad?” Penny asked, wondering how +badly her father had been stunned.</p> +<p>“Why, all the evidence I had in my portfolio! +Names! Pictures! I know every man who was mixed +up in the tire deal. Jerry gave it all to me.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_202">[202]</div> +<p>“You remember everything?” cried Penny. “Dad, +that’s wonderful! It’s just like Doctor Greer said. +You’ve regained your memory as the result of a sudden +blow.”</p> +<p>“Things did seem to rush back to me after I hit my +head on the ice.”</p> +<p>Gripping Penny’s hand, Mr. Parker pulled himself +to his feet. Still giddy, he staggered and caught the +iceboat for support. Then recovering, he exclaimed:</p> +<p>“We’ve got to go back there right away!”</p> +<p>“Where, Dad?”</p> +<p>“To the warehouse. We were tricked, but not by +Sam Burkholder! Policeman Burns is one of the men +I aim to expose!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_203">[203]</div> +<h2 id="c25"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">25</span> +<br /><i>FINAL EDITION</i></h2> +<p>Penny and her father had no definite plan as they +raced toward Johnson’s warehouse in the iceboat. +Their only thought was to return and somehow prevent +the escape of the tire thieves.</p> +<p>“Dad, is Harley Schirr one of the gang?” Penny +shouted in Mr. Parker’s ear.</p> +<p>“Schirr?” he repeated impatiently. “Of course +not!”</p> +<p>“Then why didn’t he want you to publish the +tire stories in the <i>Star</i>?”</p> +<p>“Oh, Schirr’s a natural-born coward,” Mr. Parker +answered. “He likes to snoop and give unasked advice. +Let’s forget him.”</p> +<p>The <i>Icicle</i> slowed to a standstill near the warehouse. +Penny and her father leaped out and climbed the +slippery bank. Nearby they saw a loaded truck about +to pull away from the building.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_204">[204]</div> +<p>“We never can stop those men now!” gasped +Penny.</p> +<p>“Yes, we can!” cried her father. “A police car is +coming, and this time it’s no fake!”</p> +<p>As he spoke, an automobile bearing the notation, +“Police Department” in bold letters, skidded into the +driveway. Detective Fuller was at the wheel and at +least four policemen were with him.</p> +<p>“Stop that truck!” Mr. Parker shouted. “Don’t let +it get away!”</p> +<p>Detective Fuller and four companions leaped from +the police car. As the loaded truck started off with +a roar, they blocked the road.</p> +<p>“Halt!” shouted Detective Fuller.</p> +<p>When the order was ignored, he fired twice. The +bullets pierced the rear tires of the truck. Air +whistled out and the rubber slowly flattened.</p> +<p>For a few yards the truck wobbled on, then +stopped. Two detectives leaped for the cab.</p> +<p>“All right, get out!” ordered Detective Fuller, +covering the men.</p> +<p>The truck driver and two others slouched sullenly +out of the cab. As flashlights swept their faces, Penny +recognized one of the men.</p> +<p>“Hank Biglow!” she identified the driver.</p> +<p>“And this man is Ham Mollinberg, a brother of +Ropes,” said Mr. Parker, indicating a red-faced fellow +in a leather jacket. “The man beside him is Al +Brancomb, wanted for skipping parole in California.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_205">[205]</div> +<p>“Any others in the warehouse?” demanded Detective +Fuller.</p> +<p>“There should be,” said Penny excitedly. “Where’s +Mr. Burns?”</p> +<p>“What Burns do you mean?” questioned one of the +detectives.</p> +<p>“Connected with your police force, unfortunately,” +informed Mr. Parker. “That’s why I planned to consult +the Prosecutor before I spread the story on the +<i>Star’s</i> front page. You boys have done good work in +Riverview and I didn’t want to make the department +look bad.”</p> +<p>“Burns, eh?” Detective Fuller repeated. “We’ll +find out what he has to say!”</p> +<p>The policeman, however, was not to be apprehended +so easily. Four men, including Ropes Mollinberg, +were captured inside the warehouse. Burns had +left the building some minutes earlier and had returned +to Riverview.</p> +<p>“Don’t worry, we’ll get him!” Detective Fuller +promised Mr. Parker. “How about these other eggs? +Can you identify them?”</p> +<p>“They’re all members of the outfit,” the publisher +said without hesitation. “One of my reporters, Jerry +Livingston, spent weeks watching these men and getting +wise to their methods.”</p> +<p>“Then he can testify against them.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_206">[206]</div> +<p>“He can if he gets back,” agreed Mr. Parker. +“Jerry’s in Canada and for some reason we’ve been +unable to locate him.”</p> +<p>Penny and her father remained at the warehouse +until the handcuffed prisoners had been taken away. +They were jubilant over the capture. Not only +would the tire-theft gang be broken up, but the <i>Star</i> +had achieved another exclusive front-page story.</p> +<p>“The best part of all is that you’ve recovered your +memory!” Penny declared to her father. “After this, +you won’t dare fuss when I tell you I’m going ice-boating!”</p> +<p>“You’re right,” agreed Mr. Parker. “The <i>Icicle</i> is +the best pal I ever had!”</p> +<p>Within an hour after Penny and her father left the +warehouse they were notified that Mr. Burns had been +taken into custody. Evidence piled up rapidly against +the policeman. As it definitely was established that +he had accepted money from Ropes Mollinberg, he +was stripped of his badge and put behind bars.</p> +<p>Police were not compelled to search the Williams’ +garage. Before they could act, Sam Burkholder came +voluntarily to Central Station, offering to make a +clean breast of his part in the Black Market dealings. +Both he and Mattie were held as witnesses against the +tire thieves.</p> +<p>“Will Mattie be kept in jail long?” Penny asked her +father.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_207">[207]</div> +<p>“I doubt it,” he replied. “Apparently, Sam acted +alone in selling illegal tires. Since he’s showing a disposition +to cooperate with police, he’ll probably escape +with a heavy fine.”</p> +<p>With the tire theft case soon to come up for trial, +Penny was disturbed lest Jerry Livingston fail to return +from Canada in time to testify. For many days +she tormented herself with wild speculations. Then +one afternoon her worries were brought to an end by +the arrival of a telegram. Nothing had happened to +the young reporter. He had failed to reply to messages +only because he had been out of touch with +civilization.</p> +<p>In his wire, Jerry stated that he would return to +Riverview at once to aid in the search for the publisher.</p> +<p>“Jerry doesn’t know yet that you’ve been found!” +Penny said to her father. “We must wire him right +away to set his mind at rest.”</p> +<p>The message was sent, and within a few hours a reply +arrived, addressed to Penny.</p> +<p>“COMING ANYWAY,” it read. “AM BRINGING +YOU A BEAR RUG TOGETHER WITH A +NICE BEAR HUG.”</p> +<p>As if pleasant surprises never would end, still another +came Penny’s way. Police notified her that +among the tires seized at the Johnson Warehouse was +a set of five belonging to her stripped car.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_208">[208]</div> +<p>“You’re much better off than I,” Mr. Parker teased +her. “Your car now is in running order again. Mine +will be in the garage for many a day. I’ll have to pay +my own repair bill, too.”</p> +<p>“Unless the hit-skip driver is found.”</p> +<p>“I’m afraid he never will be,” sighed Mr. Parker. +“I’ll always believe the men who crowded me off the +road were hired by the tire-theft gang. No way to +prove it though.”</p> +<p>“The car license number Mrs. Botts gave police +didn’t seem to be accurate,” Penny replied. “By the +way, have you decided what you’ll do about her?”</p> +<p>“Mrs. Botts?”</p> +<p>“Yes, so far you’ve placed no formal charge against +her.”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker smiled as he reached for a final edition +of the <i>Star</i>. The paper carried not only an account of +the round-up at Johnson’s Warehouse, but a full confession +from Mrs. Botts.</p> +<p>“I bear the woman no ill will,” he said. “She’s already +lost her position as caretaker at the Deming +estate. That’s punishment enough as far as I’m concerned.”</p> +<p>Presently Mrs. Weems entered the living-room with +a glass of milk. When she tried to make the publisher +take it he complained that he no longer was an invalid.</p> +<p>“Now drink your milk like a good lad,” Penny +scolded. “Why, you’re still as thin as a ghost.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_209">[209]</div> +<p>With a wry face Mr. Parker gulped down the drink.</p> +<p>“Let’s not speak of ghosts,” he pleaded. +“I’m well now, and I don’t like to be reminded +of those disgraceful night-shirt parades.”</p> +<p>“Are you sure you’re perfectly well?” teased +Penny.</p> +<p>“Of course I am. My memory is as good as it ever +was!”</p> +<p>“Haven’t you forgotten a rather important financial +item?”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker looked puzzled. Then light broke over +his face.</p> +<p>“Your allowance! I’ve not paid it for a long while, +have I?”</p> +<p>“You certainly haven’t,” grinned Penny. +“The old till is painfully empty. I can use a little +folding money to good advantage.”</p> +<p>Her father smiled and opened his pocketbook. “Here +you are,” he said. “Go out and paint the town +red!”</p> +<p>When Penny thumbed over the little stack of “folding +money” she drew in her breath. Then she leaped +to her feet in youthful exuberance.</p> +<p>“Oh, Dad, you’re a darling!” she cried. “Why, this +will buy a brush and a whole barrel of red paint! +Look out, Riverview, here I come!”</p> +<h2>Transcriber’s Notes</h2> +<ul> +<li>Silently corrected a handful of palpable typos.</li> +<li>Replaced the list of books in the series by the complete list, +as in the final book, “The Cry at Midnight”.</li> +</ul> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Ghost Beyond the Gate, by Mildred A. 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