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diff --git a/34403-h/34403-h.htm b/34403-h/34403-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..efc6101 --- /dev/null +++ b/34403-h/34403-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6185 @@ +<!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> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Clock Strikes Thirteen, 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.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; } + + h3.pg { font-style:normal; } + hr.full { width: 100%; + margin-top: 3em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + height: 4px; + border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ + border-style: solid; + border-color: #000000; + clear: both; } + pre {font-size: 85%;} +</style> +</head> +<body> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Clock Strikes Thirteen, by Mildred A. Wirt</h1> +<pre> +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 <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: The Clock Strikes Thirteen</p> +<p>Author: Mildred A. Wirt</p> +<p>Release Date: November 22, 2010 [eBook #34403]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: utf-8</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CLOCK STRIKES THIRTEEN***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3 class="pg">E-text prepared by Stephen Hutcheson, Brenda Lewis,<br /> + and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> + +<div id="cover" class="img"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="The Clock Strikes Thirteen" width="355" height="500" /> +</div> +<div class="box"> +<h1>The Clock +<br />Strikes Thirteen</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> </p> +<p> </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, 1942, BY CUPPLES AND LEON CO.</span></p> +<p class="center">The Clock Strikes Thirteen</p> +<p class="center"><span class="smaller">PRINTED IN U. S. A.</span></p> +</div></div> +<div id="front" class="img"> +<img src="images/front.png" alt="Penny huddled against the wall watching fearfully." width="478" height="739" /> +<p class="center"><span class="small">PENNY HUDDLED AGAINST THE WALL WATCHING FEARFULLY. +<br />“<i>The Clock Strikes Thirteen</i>” <span class="gsw">(<a href="#Page_191">See Page 191</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 SANDWICHES FOR TWO</a> <i>1</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c2">2 NIGHT RIDERS</a> <i>11</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c3">3 A BLACK HOOD</a> <i>20</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c4">4 A NEW CARETAKER</a> <i>28</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c5">5 OLD SETH</a> <i>38</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c6">6 TALL CORN</a> <i>48</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c7">7 MR. BLAKE’S DONATION</a> <i>55</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c8">8 PUBLICITY BY PENNY</a> <i>63</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c9">9 JERRY’S PARTY</a> <i>71</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c10">10 IN THE MELON PATCH</a> <i>78</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c11">11 PENNY’S CLUE</a> <i>89</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c12">12 ADELLE’S DISAPPEARANCE</a> <i>97</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c13">13 AN EXTRA STROKE</a> <i>106</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c14">14 THROUGH THE WINDOW</a> <i>115</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c15">15 TRACING BEN BOWMAN</a> <i>123</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c16">16 A FAMILIAR NAME</a> <i>130</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c17">17 FALSE RECORDS</a> <i>137</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c18">18 ADELLE’S ACCUSATION</a> <i>147</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c19">19 TRAILING A FUGITIVE</a> <i>155</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c20">20 CLEM DAVIS’ DISCLOSURE</a> <i>163</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c21">21 A BROKEN PROMISE</a> <i>170</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c22">22 THE MAN IN GRAY</a> <i>178</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c23">23 A TRAP SET</a> <i>185</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c24">24 TIMELY HELP</a> <i>193</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c25">25 SPECIAL EDITION</a> <i>203</i></dt> +</dl> +<div class="pb" id="Page_1">[1]</div> +<h2 id="c1"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">1</span> +<br /><i>SANDWICHES FOR TWO</i></h2> +<p>Jauntily, Penny Parker walked through the +dimly lighted newsroom of the <i>Riverview Star</i>, her +rubber heels making no sound on the bare, freshly +scrubbed floor. Desks were deserted, for the final +night edition of the paper had gone to press half an +hour earlier, and only the cleaning women were at +work. One of the women arrested a long sweep of her +mop just in time to avoid splashing the girl with water.</p> +<p>“I sorry,” she apologized in her best broken English. +“I no look for someone to come so very late.”</p> +<p>“Oh, curfew never rings for me,” Penny laughed, +side stepping a puddle of water. “I’m likely to be +abroad at any hour.”</p> +<p>At the far end of the long room a light glowed behind +a frosted glass door marked: “Anthony Parker—Editor.” +There the girl paused, and seeing her father’s +grotesque shadow, opened the door a tiny crack, to +rumble in a deep voice:</p> +<p>“Hands up! I have you covered!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_2">[2]</div> +<p>Taken by surprise, Mr. Parker swung quickly +around, his swivel chair squeaking a loud protest.</p> +<p>“Penny, I wish you wouldn’t do that!” he exclaimed. +“You know it always makes me jump.”</p> +<p>“Sorry, Dad,” Penny grinned, slumping into a +leather chair beside her father’s desk. “A girl has to +have some amusement, you know.”</p> +<p>“Didn’t three hours at the moving picture theatre +satisfy you?”</p> +<p>“Oh, the show was worse than awful. By the way, +here’s something for you.”</p> +<p>Removing a sealed yellow envelope from her purse, +Penny flipped it carelessly across the desk.</p> +<p>“I met a Western Union boy downstairs,” she explained. +“He was looking for you. I paid for the +message and saved him a trip upstairs. Two dollars +and ten cents, if you don’t mind.”</p> +<p>Absently Mr. Parker took two crisp dollar bills from +his pocket and reached for the telegram.</p> +<p>“Don’t forget the dime,” Penny reminded him. “It may +seem a trifle to you, but not to a girl who has to +live on a weekly allowance.”</p> +<p>For lack of change, the editor tossed over a quarter, +which his daughter pocketed with deep satisfaction. +Ripping open the envelope, he scanned the telegram, +but as he read, his face darkened.</p> +<p>“Why, Dad, what’s wrong?” Penny asked in surprise.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_3">[3]</div> +<p>Mr. Parker crumpled the sheet into a round ball and +hurled it toward the waste paper basket.</p> +<p>“Your aim gets worse every day,” Penny chuckled, +stooping to retrieve the paper. Smoothing the corrugations, +she read aloud:</p> +<p class="bq">“YOUR EDITORIAL ‘FREEDOM OF THE PRESS’ IN +THURSDAY’S STAR THOROUGHLY DISGUSTED THIS +READER. WHAT YOUR CHEAP PAPER NEEDS IS A +LITTLE LESS FREEDOM AND MORE DECENCY. IF OUR +FOREFATHERS COULD HAVE FORESEEN THE YELLOW +PRESS OF TODAY THEY WOULD HAVE REGULATED IT, +NOT MADE IT FREE. WHY DON’T YOU TAKE THAT +AMERICAN FLAG OFF YOUR MASTHEAD AND SUBSTITUTE +A CASH REGISTER? FLY YOUR TRUE COLORS +AND SOFT-PEDAL THE PARKER BRAND OF HYPOCRISY!”</p> +<p>“Stop it—don’t read another line!” the editor commanded +before Penny had half finished.</p> +<p>“Why, Dad, you poor old wounded lion!” she +chided, blue eyes dancing with mischief. “I thought +you prided yourself that uncomplimentary opinions +never disturbed you. Can’t you take it any more?”</p> +<p>“I don’t mind a few insults,” Mr. Parker snapped, +“but paying for them is another matter.”</p> +<p>“That’s so, this little gem of literature did set you +back two dollars and ten cents. Lucky I collected before +you opened the telegram.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_4">[4]</div> +<p>Mr. Parker slammed his desk shut with a force +which rattled the office windows.</p> +<p>“This same crack-pot who signs himself ‘Disgusted +Reader’ or ‘Ben Bowman,’ or whatever name suits his +fancy, has sent me six telegrams in the past month! +I’m getting fed up!”</p> +<p>“All of the messages collect?”</p> +<p>“Every one. The nit-wit has criticised everything +from the <i>Star</i>’s comic strips to the advertising columns. +I’ve had enough of it!”</p> +<p>“Then why not do something about it?” Penny +asked soothingly. “Refuse the telegrams.”</p> +<p>“It’s not that easy,” the editor growled. “Each day +the <i>Star</i> receives a large number of ‘collect’ messages, +hot news tips from out-of-town correspondents and +from reporters who try to sell free lance stories. +We’re glad to pay for these telegrams. This fellow +who keeps bombarding us is just smart enough to use +different names and send his wires from various places. +Sometimes he addresses the telegrams to me, and then +perhaps to City Editor DeWitt or one of the other +staff members.”</p> +<p>“In that case, I’m afraid you’re out of luck,” Penny +said teasingly. “How about drowning your troubles +in a little sleep?”</p> +<p>“It is late,” Mr. Parker admitted, glancing at his +watch. “Almost midnight. Time we’re starting +home.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_5">[5]</div> +<p>Reaching for his hat, Mr. Parker switched off the +light, locked the door, and followed Penny down the +stairway to the street. At the parking lot opposite the +<i>Star</i> building, he tramped about restlessly while waiting +for an attendant to bring the car.</p> +<p>“I’ll drive,” Penny said, sliding behind the steering +wheel. “In your present mood you might inadvertently +pick off a few pedestrians!”</p> +<p>“It makes my blood boil,” Mr. Parker muttered, his +thoughts reverting to the telegram. “Call my paper +yellow, eh? And that crack about the cash register!”</p> +<p>“Oh, everyone knows the <i>Star</i> is the best paper in +the state,” Penny said, trying to coax him into a better +mood. “You’re a good editor too, and a pretty fair +father.”</p> +<p>“Thanks,” Mr. Parker responded with a mock bow. +“Since we’re passing out compliments, you’re not so +bad yourself.”</p> +<p>Suddenly relaxing, he reached out to touch Penny’s +hand in a rare expression of affection. Tall and lean, +a newspaper man with a reputation for courage and +fight, he had only two interests in life—his paper and +his daughter. Penny’s mother had been dead many +years, but at times he saw his wife again in the girl’s +sparkling blue eyes, golden hair, and especially in the +way she smiled.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_6">[6]</div> +<p>“Hungry, Dad?” Penny asked unexpectedly, intruding +upon his thoughts. “I know a dandy new hamburger +place not far from here. Wonderful coffee +too.”</p> +<p>“Well, all right,” Mr. Parker consented. “It’s +pretty late though. The big clock’s striking midnight.”</p> +<p>As the car halted for a traffic light, they both listened +to the musical chimes which preceded the regularly +spaced strokes of the giant clock. Penny turned +her head to gaze at the Hubell Memorial Tower, a +grim stone building which rose to the height of +seventy-five feet. Erected ten years before as a monument +to one of Riverview’s wealthy citizens, its chimes +could be heard for nearly a mile on a still night. On +one side, its high, narrow windows overlooked the +city, while on the other, the cultivated lands of truck +farmers.</p> +<p>“How strange!” Penny murmured as the last stroke +of the clock died away.</p> +<p>“What is strange?” Mr. Parker asked gruffly.</p> +<p>“Why, that clock struck thirteen times instead of +twelve!”</p> +<p>“Bunk and bosh!”</p> +<p>“Oh, but it did!” Penny earnestly insisted. “I +counted each stroke distinctly.”</p> +<p>“And one of them twice,” scoffed her father. “Or +are you spoofing your old Dad?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_7">[7]</div> +<p>“Oh, I’m not,” Penny maintained. As the car +moved ahead, she craned her neck to stare up at the +stone tower. “I know I counted thirteen. Why, Dad, +there’s a green light burning in one of the windows! I +never saw that before. What can it mean?”</p> +<p>“It means we’ll have a wreck unless you watch the +road!” Mr. Parker cried, giving the steering wheel a +quick turn. “Where are you taking me anyhow?”</p> +<p>“Out to Toni’s.” Reluctantly Penny centered her +full attention upon the highway. “It’s only a mile into +the country.”</p> +<p>“We won’t be home before one o’clock,” Mr. +Parker complained. “But since we’re this far, I suppose +we may as well keep on.”</p> +<p>“Dad, about that light,” Penny said thoughtfully. +“Did you ever notice it before?”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker turned to gaze back toward the stone +tower.</p> +<p>“There’s no green light,” he answered grimly. +“Every window is dark.”</p> +<p>“But I saw it only an instant ago! And I did hear +the clock strike thirteen. Cross my heart and hope to +die—”</p> +<p>“Never mind the dramatics,” Mr. Parker cut in. “If +the clock struck an extra time—which it didn’t—something +could have gone wrong with the mechanism. +Don’t try to build up a mystery out of your imagination.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_8">[8]</div> +<p>The car rattled over a bridge and passed a deserted +farm house that formerly had belonged to a queer old +man named Peter Fenestra. Penny’s gaze fastened +momentarily upon an old fashioned storm cellar which +marred the appearance of the front yard.</p> +<p>“I suppose I imagined all that too,” she said, waving +her hand toward the disfiguring cement hump. “Old +Peter never had any hidden gold, he never had a +SECRET PACT with tattooed sailors, and he never +tried to burn your newspaper plant!”</p> +<p>“I’ll admit you did a nice piece of detective work +when you uncovered that story,” her father acknowledged. +“Likewise, you brought the <i>Star</i> one of its best +scoops by outwitting slippery Al Gepper and entangling +him in his own <i>Silken Ladder</i>.”</p> +<p>“Don’t forget the <i>Tale of the Witch Doll</i> either,” +Penny reminded him. “You laughed at me then, just +as you’re doing now.”</p> +<p>“I’m not laughing,” denied the editor. “I merely +say that no light was burning in the tower window, +and I very much doubt that the clock struck more +than twelve times.”</p> +<p>“Tomorrow I shall go to the tower and talk with the +caretaker, Seth McGuire. I’ll prove to you that I was +right!”</p> +<p>“If you do, I’ll treat to a dish of ice cream decorated +with nuts.”</p> +<p>“Make it five gallons of gasoline and I’ll be really interested,” +she countered.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_9">[9]</div> +<p>Due to an unusual set of circumstances, Penny had +fallen heir to two automobiles, one a second-hand contraption +whose battered sides bore the signature of +nearly every young person in Riverview. The other, +a handsome maroon sedan, had been the gift of her +father, presented in gratitude because of her excellent +reporting of a case known to many as <i>Behind the +Green Door</i>. Always hard pressed for funds, she +found it all but impossible to keep two automobiles in +operation, and her financial difficulties were a constant +source of amusement to everyone but herself.</p> +<p>Soon, an electric sign proclaiming “Toni’s” in huge +block letters loomed up. Penny swung into the parking +area, tooting the horn for service. Immediately a +white-coated waiter brought out a menu.</p> +<p>“Coffee and two hamburgers,” Penny ordered with +a flourish. “Everything on one, and everything but, +on the other.”</p> +<p>“No onions for the little lady?” the waiter grinned. +“Okay. I’ll have ’em right out.”</p> +<p>While waiting, Penny noticed that another car, a +gray sedan, had drawn up close to the building. Although +the two men who occupied the front seat had +ordered food, they were not eating it. Instead they +conversed in low tones as they appeared to watch +someone inside the cafe.</p> +<p>“Dad, notice those two men,” she whispered, touching +his arm.</p> +<p>“What about them?” he asked, but before she could +reply, the waiter came with a tray of sandwiches which +he hooked over the car door.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_10">[10]</div> +<p>“Not bad,” Mr. Parker praised as he bit into a giant-size +hamburger. “First decent cup of coffee I’ve had +in a week too.”</p> +<p>“Dad, watch!” Penny reminded him.</p> +<p>The restaurant door had opened, and a man of early +middle age came outside. Immediately the couple in +the gray sedan stiffened to alert attention. As the man +passed their car they lowered their heads, but the instant +he had gone on, they turned to peer after him.</p> +<p>The man who was being observed so closely seemed +unaware of the scrutiny. Crossing the parking lot, he +chose a trail which led into a dense grove of trees.</p> +<p>“Now’s our chance!” cried one of the men in the +gray sedan. “Come on, we’ll get him!” Both alighted +and likewise disappeared into the woods.</p> +<p>“Dad, did you hear what they said?” asked Penny.</p> +<p>“I did,” he answered grimly. “Tough looking customers +too.”</p> +<p>“I’m afraid they mean to rob that first man. Isn’t +there anything we can do?”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker barely hesitated. “I may make a chump +of myself,” he said, “but here goes! I’ll tag along and +try to be on hand if anything happens.”</p> +<p>“Dad, don’t do it!” Penny pleaded, suddenly frightened +lest her father face danger. “You might get +hurt!”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker paid no heed. Swinging open the car +door, he strode across the parking lot, and entered the +dark woods.</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>NIGHT RIDERS</i></h2> +<p>Not to be left behind, Penny quickly followed her +father, overtaking him before he had gone very far +into the forest.</p> +<p>“Penny, you shouldn’t have come,” he said sternly. +“There may be trouble, and I’ll not have you taking +unnecessary risks.”</p> +<p>“I don’t want you to do it either,” she insisted. +“Which way did the men go?”</p> +<p>“That’s what I wonder,” Mr. Parker responded, listening +intently. “Hear anything?”</p> +<p>“Not a sound.”</p> +<p>“Queer that all three of them could disappear so +quickly,” the editor muttered. “I’m sure there’s been +no attack. Listen! What was that?”</p> +<p>“It sounded like a car being started!” Penny exclaimed.</p> +<p>Hastening to the edge of the woods, she gazed toward +the parking lot. The Parker car stood where it +had been abandoned, but the gray sedan was missing. +A moving tail light could be seen far down the road.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_12">[12]</div> +<p>“There go our friends,” Mr. Parker commented +rather irritably. “Their sudden departure probably +saved me from making a chump of myself.”</p> +<p>“How could we tell they didn’t mean to rob that +other man?” Penny asked in an injured tone. “You +thought yourself that they intended to harm him.”</p> +<p>“Oh, I’m not blaming you,” the editor answered, +starting toward the parking lot. “I’m annoyed at myself. +This is a graphic example of what we were talking +about awhile ago—imagination!”</p> +<p>Decidedly crestfallen, Penny followed her father to +the car. They finished their hamburgers, which had +grown cold, and after the tray was removed, started +home.</p> +<p>“I could do with a little sleep,” Mr. Parker yawned. +“After a hard day at the office, your brand of night +life is a bit too strenuous for me.”</p> +<p>Selecting a short-cut route to Riverview, Penny +paid strict attention to the road, for the narrow pavement +had been patched in many places. On either +side of the highway stretched truck farms with row +upon row of neatly staked tomatoes and other crops.</p> +<p>Rounding a bend, Penny was startled to see tongues +of flame brightening the horizon. A large wooden +barn, situated in plain view, on a slight knoll, had +caught fire and was burning rapidly. As she slammed +on the brake, Mr. Parker aroused from light slumber.</p> +<p>“Now what?” he mumbled drowsily.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_13">[13]</div> +<p>“Dad, unless I’m imagining things again, that barn +is on fire!”</p> +<p>“Let ’er burn,” he mumbled, and then fully aroused, +swung open the car door.</p> +<p>There were no fire fighters on the scene, in fact the +only person visible was a woman in dark flannel night +robe, who stood silhouetted in the red glare. As +Penny and Mr. Parker reached her side, she stared at +them almost stupidly.</p> +<p>“We’ll lose everything,” she said tonelessly. “Our +entire crop of melons is inside the barn, packed for +shipment. And my husband’s new truck!”</p> +<p>“Have you called a fire company?” the editor asked.</p> +<p>“I’ve called, but it won’t do any good,” she answered. +“The barn will be gone before they can get +here.”</p> +<p>With a high wind whipping the flames, Penny and +her father knew that the woman spoke the truth. Already +the fire had such a start that even had water been +available, the barn could not have been saved.</p> +<p>“Maybe I can get out the truck for you!” Mr. +Parker offered.</p> +<p>As he swung open the barn doors, a wave of heat +rushed into his face. Coughing and choking, he +forced his way into the smoke filled interior, unaware +that Penny was at his side. Seeing her a moment later, +he tried to send her back.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_14">[14]</div> +<p>“You can’t get the truck out without me to help +push,” she replied, refusing to retreat. “Come on, we +can do it!”</p> +<p>The shiny red truck was a fairly light one and stood +on an inclined cement floor which sloped toward the +exit. Nevertheless, although Penny and her father exerted +every iota of their combined strength, they could +not start it moving.</p> +<p>“Maybe the brake is on!” Mr. Parker gasped, running +around to the cab. “Yes, it is!”</p> +<p>Pushing once more, they were able to start the truck +rolling. Once in motion its own momentum carried +it down the runway into the open, a safe distance from +the flames.</p> +<p>“How about the crated melons?” Penny asked, +breathing hard from the strenuous exertion.</p> +<p>“Not a chance to save them,” Mr. Parker answered. +“We were lucky to get out the truck.”</p> +<p>Driven back by the heat, Penny and her father went +to stand beside the woman in dark flannel. Thanking +them for their efforts in her behalf, she added that her +name was Mrs. Preston and that her husband was +absent.</p> +<p>“John went to Riverview and hasn’t come back +yet,” she said brokenly. “This is going to be a great +shock to him. All our work gone up in smoke!”</p> +<p>“Didn’t you have the barn insured?” the editor questioned +her.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_15">[15]</div> +<p>“John has a small policy,” Mrs. Preston replied. “It +covers the barn, but not the melons stored inside. +Those men did it on purpose, too! I saw one of ’em +riding away.”</p> +<p>“What’s that?” Mr. Parker demanded, wondering if +he had understood the woman correctly. “You don’t +mean the fire deliberately was set?”</p> +<p>“Yes, it was,” the woman affirmed angrily. “I was +sound asleep, and then I heard a horse galloping into +the yard. I ran to the window and saw the rider +throw a lighted torch into the old hay loft. As soon +as he saw it blaze up, he rode off.”</p> +<p>“Was the man anyone you knew?” Mr. Parker +asked, amazed by the disclosure. “Were you able to +see his face?”</p> +<p>“Hardly,” Mrs. Preston returned with a short laugh. +“He wore a black hood. It covered his head and +shoulders.”</p> +<p>“A black hood!” Penny exclaimed. “Why, Dad, +that sounds like night riders!”</p> +<p>“Mrs. Preston, do you know of any reason why you +and your husband might be made the target of such +cowardly action?” the newspaper man inquired.</p> +<p>“It must have been done because John wouldn’t +join up with them.”</p> +<p>“Join some organization, you mean?”</p> +<p>“Yes, they kept warning him something like this +would happen, but John wouldn’t have anything to +do with ’em.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_16">[16]</div> +<p>“I don’t blame your husband,” said the editor, seeking +to gather more information. “Tell me, what is +the name of this disreputable organization? What is +its purpose, and the names of the men who run it?”</p> +<p>“I don’t know any more about it than what I’ve +told you,” Mrs. Preston replied, suddenly becoming +close-lipped. “John never said much about it to me.”</p> +<p>“Are you afraid to tell what you know?” Mr. +Parker asked abruptly.</p> +<p>“It doesn’t pay to do too much talking. You act +real friendly and you did me a good turn saving my +truck—but I don’t even know your name.”</p> +<p>“Anthony Parker, owner of the <i>Riverview Star</i>.”</p> +<p>The information was anything but reassuring to the +woman.</p> +<p>“You’re not aiming to write up anything I’ve told +you for the paper?” she asked anxiously.</p> +<p>“Not unless I believe that by doing so I can expose +these night riders who have destroyed your barn.”</p> +<p>“Please don’t print anything in the paper,” Mrs. +Preston pleaded. “It will only do harm. Those men +will turn on John harder than ever.”</p> +<p>Before Mr. Parker could reply, the roof of the storage +barn collapsed, sending up a shower of sparks and +burning brands. By this time the red glare in the sky +had attracted the attention of neighbors, and several +men came running into the yard. Realizing that he +could not hope to gain additional information from +the woman, Mr. Parker began to examine the ground +in the vicinity of the barn.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_17">[17]</div> +<p>“Looking for hoof tracks?” Penny asked, falling +into step beside him.</p> +<p>“I thought we might find some, providing the +woman told a straight story.”</p> +<p>“Dad, did you ever hear of an organization such as +Mrs. Preston mentioned?” Penny inquired, her gaze on +the ground. “I mean around Riverview, of course.”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker shook his head. “I never did, Penny. +But if what she says is true, the <i>Star</i> will launch an +investigation. We’ll have no night riders in this community, +not if it’s in my power to blast them out!”</p> +<p>“Here’s your first clue, Dad!”</p> +<p>Excitedly, Penny pointed to a series of hoof marks +plainly visible in the soft earth. The tracks led toward +the main road.</p> +<p>“Apparently Mrs. Preston told the truth about the +barn being fired by a man on horseback,” Mr. Parker +declared as he followed the trail leading out of the +yard. “These prints haven’t been made very long.”</p> +<p>“Dad, you look like Sherlock Holmes scooting along +with his nose to the ground!” Penny giggled. “You +should have a magnifying glass to make the picture +perfect.”</p> +<p>“Never mind the comedy,” her father retorted +gruffly. “This may mean a big story for the <i>Star</i>, not +to mention a worthwhile service to the community.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_18">[18]</div> +<p>“Oh, I’m heartily in favor of your welfare work,” +Penny chuckled. “In fact, I think it would be wonderfully +exciting to capture a night rider. Is that what +you have in mind?”</p> +<p>“We may as well follow this trail as far as we can. +Apparently, the fellow rode his horse just off the main +highway, heading toward Riverview.”</p> +<p>“Be sure you don’t follow the trail backwards,” +Penny teased. “That would absolutely ruin your reputation +as a detective.”</p> +<p>“Jump in the car and drive while I stand on the +running board,” Mr. Parker ordered, ignoring his +daughter’s attempt at wit. “Keep close to the edge of +the pavement and go slowly.”</p> +<p>Obeying instructions, Penny drove the car at an +even speed. Due to a recent rain which had made the +ground very soft, it was possible to follow the trail of +hoof prints without difficulty.</p> +<p>“We turn left here,” Mr. Parker called as they came +to a dirt road. “Speed up a bit or the tires may stick. +And watch sharp for soft places.”</p> +<p>“Aye, aye, captain,” Penny laughed, thoroughly enjoying +the adventure.</p> +<p>Soon the car came to the entrance of a narrow, +muddy lane, and there Mr. Parker called a halt.</p> +<p>“We’ve come to the end of the trail,” he announced.</p> +<p>“Have the tracks ended?” Penny asked in disappointment +as she applied brakes.</p> +<p>“Quite the contrary. They turn into this lane.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_19">[19]</div> +<p>Both Mr. Parker and his daughter gazed thoughtfully +toward a small cabin which could be seen far +back among the trees. Despite the late hour, a light +still glowed in one of the windows.</p> +<p>“The man who set the fire must live there!” Penny +exclaimed. “What’s our next move, Dad?”</p> +<p>As she spoke, the roar of a fast traveling automobile +was heard far up the road, approaching from the direction +whence they had just come.</p> +<p>“Pull over,” Mr. Parker instructed. “And flash the +tail light. We don’t want to risk being struck.”</p> +<p>Barely did Penny have time to obey before the head-beams +of the oncoming car illuminated the roadway. +But as it approached, the automobile suddenly slackened +speed, finally skidding to a standstill beside the +Parker sedan.</p> +<p>“That you, Clem Davis?” boomed a loud voice. +“Stand where you are, and don’t make any false +moves!”</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>A BLACK HOOD</i></h2> +<p>“Good Evening, Sheriff,” Mr. Parker said evenly +as he recognized the heavy-set man who stepped from +a county automobile. “I’m afraid you’ve mistaken me +for someone else this time.”</p> +<p>Sheriff Daniels put away his revolver and moved +into the beam of light.</p> +<p>“Sorry,” he apologized. “Thought you might be +Clem Davis, and I wasn’t taking any chances. You’re +Parker of the <i>Riverview Star</i>?”</p> +<p>“That’s right,” agreed the editor, “Looking for +Clem Davis?”</p> +<p>“I’m here to question him. I’m investigating a fire +which was set at the Preston place.”</p> +<p>“You’re a fast worker, Sheriff,” Mr. Parker remarked. +“My daughter and I just left the Preston +farm, and we didn’t see you there. What put you on +Davis’ trail?”</p> +<p>“Our officer received an anonymous telephone call +from a woman. She reported the fire and said that I’d +find my man here.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_21">[21]</div> +<p>“Could it have been Mrs. Preston who notified +you?” Mr. Parker inquired thoughtfully.</p> +<p>“It wasn’t Mrs. Preston,” answered the sheriff. “I +traced the call to the Riverview exchange. Thought +it must be the trick of a crank until our office got a report +that a fire actually had been set at the Preston +farm. By the way, what are you doing around here, +Parker?”</p> +<p>“Oh, just prowling,” the editor replied, and explained +briefly how he and Penny had chanced to be +at the scene of the fire.</p> +<p>“If you followed a horseman to this lane there may +be something to that anonymous telephone call,” the +sheriff declared. “I’ll look around, and then have a +talk with Davis.”</p> +<p>“Mind if we accompany you?” inquired Mr. Parker.</p> +<p>“Come along,” the sheriff invited.</p> +<p>Penny was hard pressed to keep step with the two +men as they strode down the muddy lane. A light +glowed in the window of the cabin, and a woman +could be seen sitting at a table. The sheriff, however, +circled the house. Following the trail of hoof marks +he went directly to the stable, quietly opening the +double doors.</p> +<p>Once inside, Sheriff Daniels switched on a flashlight. +The bright beam revealed six stalls, all empty save one, +in which stood a handsome black mare who tugged +restlessly at her tether. Her body was covered with +sweat, and she shivered.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_22">[22]</div> +<p>“This horse has been ridden hard,” the sheriff observed, +reaching to throw a blanket over her.</p> +<p>“Here’s something interesting,” commented Mr. +Parker. Stooping, he picked up a dark piece of cloth +lying in plain view on the cement floor. It had been +sewed in the shape of a headgear, with eye holes cut +in the front side.</p> +<p>“A black hood!” Penny shouted in awe.</p> +<p>Sheriff Daniels took the cloth from the editor, examining +it closely but saying very little.</p> +<p>“Ever hear of any night riders in this community?” +Mr. Parker asked after a moment, his tone casual.</p> +<p>“Never did,” the sheriff replied emphatically. +“And I sure hope such a story doesn’t get started.”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker fingered the black mask. “All the same, +Sheriff, you can’t just laugh off a thing like this. Even +if the November elections aren’t far away—”</p> +<p>“I’m not worried about my job,” the other broke in. +“So far as I know there’s no underground organization +in this county. All this mask proves is that Clem +Davis may be the man who set the Preston fire.”</p> +<p>The officer turned to leave the stable. Before he +could reach the exit, the double doors slowly opened. +A woman, who carried a lighted lantern, peered inside.</p> +<p>“Who’s there?” she called in a loud voice.</p> +<p>“Sheriff Daniels, ma’am,” the officer answered. +“You needn’t be afraid.”</p> +<p>“Who said anything about bein’ afraid?” the woman +belligerently retorted.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_23">[23]</div> +<p>Coming into the stable, she gazed with undisguised +suspicion from one person to another. She was noticeably +thin, slightly stooped and there was a hard set +to her jaw.</p> +<p>“You’re Mrs. Davis?” the sheriff inquired, and as +she nodded, he asked: “Clem around here?”</p> +<p>“No, he ain’t,” she answered defiantly. “What you +wanting him for anyhow?”</p> +<p>“Oh, just to ask a few questions. Where is your +husband, Mrs. Davis?”</p> +<p>“He went to town early and ain’t been back. What +you aimin’ to lay onto him, Sheriff?”</p> +<p>“If your husband hasn’t been here since early evening, +who has ridden this horse?” the sheriff demanded, +ignoring the question.</p> +<p>Mrs. Davis’ gaze roved to the stall where the black +mare noisily crunched an ear of corn.</p> +<p>“Why Sal <i>has</i> been rid!” she exclaimed as if genuinely +surprised. “But not by Clem. He went to town +in the flivver, and he ain’t been back.”</p> +<p>“Sorry, but I’ll have to take a look in the house.”</p> +<p>“Search it from cellar to attic!” the woman said angrily. +“You won’t find Clem! What’s he wanted for +anyway?”</p> +<p>“The Preston barn was set afire tonight, and your +husband is a suspect.”</p> +<p>“Clem never did it! Why, the Prestons are good +friends of ours! Somebody’s just tryin’ to make a +peck o’ trouble for us.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_24">[24]</div> +<p>“That may be,” the sheriff admitted. “You say +Clem hasn’t been here tonight. In that case, who rode +the mare?”</p> +<p>“I don’t know anything about it,” the woman maintained +sullenly.</p> +<p>“Didn’t you hear a horse come into the yard?”</p> +<p>“I never heard a sound until your car stopped at the +entrance to the lane.”</p> +<p>“I suppose you never saw this before either.” The +sheriff held up the black hood which had been found +in the barn.</p> +<p>Mrs. Davis stared blankly at the cloth. “I tell you, +I don’t know nothin’ about it, Sheriff. You ain’t being +fair if you try to hang that fire onto Clem. And you +won’t find him hidin’ in the house.”</p> +<p>“If your husband isn’t here, I’ll wait until he comes.”</p> +<p>“You may have a long wait, Sheriff,” the woman +retorted, her lips parting in a twisted smile. “You can +come in though and look around.”</p> +<p>Not caring to follow the sheriff into the house, +Penny and her father bade him goodbye a moment +later. Tramping down the lane to their parked car, +they both expressed the belief that Clem Davis would +not be arrested during the night.</p> +<p>“Obviously, the woman knows a lot more than she’s +willing to tell,” Mr. Parker remarked, sliding into the +car seat beside Penny.</p> +<p>“Dad, do you think it was Clem who set fire to the +Preston barn?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_25">[25]</div> +<p>“We have no reason to suspect anyone else,” returned +the editor. “All the evidence points to his +guilt.”</p> +<p>Penny backed the car in the narrow road, heading +toward Riverview.</p> +<p>“That was the point I wanted to make,” she said +thoughtfully. “Doesn’t it seem to you that the evidence +was almost too plain?”</p> +<p>“What do you mean, Penny?”</p> +<p>“Well, I was just thinking, if I had been in Clem +Davis’ place, I never would have left a black hood lying +where the first person to enter the barn would be +sure to see it.”</p> +<p>“That’s so, it was a bit obvious,” Mr. Parker admitted.</p> +<p>“The horse was left in the stable, and the hoof tracks +leading to the Davis place were easy to follow.”</p> +<p>“All true,” Mr. Parker nodded.</p> +<p>“Isn’t it possible that someone could have tried to +throw the blame on Clem?” suggested Penny, anxiously +awaiting her father’s reply.</p> +<p>“There may be something to the theory,” Mr. +Parker responded. “Still, Mrs. Davis didn’t deny that +the mare belonged to her husband. She claimed that +she hadn’t heard the horse come into the stable, which +obviously was a lie. Furthermore, I gathered the impression +that Clem knew the sheriff was after him, and +intends to hide out.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_26">[26]</div> +<p>“It will be interesting to learn if Mr. Daniels makes +an arrest. Do you expect to print anything about it in +the paper?”</p> +<p>“Only routine news of the fire,” Mr. Parker replied. +“There may be much more to this little incident than +appears on the surface, but until something develops, +we must wait.”</p> +<p>“If you could gain proof that night riders are operating +in this community, what then?” Penny suggested +eagerly.</p> +<p>“In that case, I should certainly launch a vigorous +campaign. But why go into all the details now? I’m +sure I’ll not assign you to the story.”</p> +<p>“Why not?” Penny asked in an injured tone. “I +think night riders would be especially suited to my +journalistic talents. I could gather information about +Clem Davis and the Prestons—”</p> +<p>“This is Sheriff Daniel’s baby, and we’ll let him take +care of it for the time being,” Mr. Parker interrupted. +“Why not devote yourself to the great mystery of the +Hubell clock? That should provide a safe outlook +for your energies.”</p> +<p>The car was drawing close to Riverview. As it +approached the tall stone tower, Penny raised her eyes +to the dark windows. Just then the big clock struck +twice.</p> +<p>“Two o’clock,” Mr. Parker observed, taking a quick +glance at his watch. “Or would you say three?”</p> +<p>“There’s no argument about it this time, Dad. All +the same, I intend to prove to you that I was right!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_27">[27]</div> +<p>“How?” her father asked, covering a wide yawn.</p> +<p>“I don’t know,” Penny admitted, favoring the grim +tower with a dark scowl. “But just you wait—I’ll +find a way!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_28">[28]</div> +<h2 id="c4"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">4</span> +<br /><i>A NEW CARETAKER</i></h2> +<p>“I declare, getting folks up becomes a harder task +each morning,” declared Mrs. Maud Weems, who had +served as the Parker housekeeper for eleven years, as +she brought a platter of bacon and eggs to the breakfast +table. “I call and call until I’m fairly hoarse, and +all I get in response is a few sleepy mutters and mumbles. +The food is stone cold.”</p> +<p>“It’s good all the same,” praised Penny, pouring herself +a large-size glass of orange juice. “There’s not a +woman in Riverview who can equal your cooking.”</p> +<p>“I’m in no mood for blarney this morning,” the +housekeeper warned. “I must say quite frankly that I +don’t approve of the irregular hours in this house.”</p> +<p>“Penny and I did get in a little late last night,” Mr. +Parker admitted, winking at his daughter.</p> +<p>“A little late! It must have been at least four +o’clock when you came in. Oh, I heard you tiptoe up +the stairs even if you did take off your shoes!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_29">[29]</div> +<p>“It was only a few minutes after two,” Penny corrected. +“I’m sorry though, that we awakened you.”</p> +<p>“I hadn’t been asleep,” Mrs. Weems replied, somewhat +mollified by the apology. “I’m sure I heard every +stroke of the clock last night.”</p> +<p>“You did!” Penny exclaimed with sudden interest. +“How many times would you say it struck at midnight? +I mean the Hubell Tower clock.”</p> +<p>“Such a question!” Mrs. Weems protested, thoroughly +exasperated.</p> +<p>“It’s a very important one,” Penny insisted. “My +reputation and five gallons of gas are at stake, so weigh +well your words before you speak.”</p> +<p>“The clock struck twelve, of course!”</p> +<p>“There, you see, Penny,” Mr. Parker grinned triumphantly. +“Does that satisfy you?”</p> +<p>“Mrs. Weems,” Penny persisted, “did you actually +count the strokes?”</p> +<p>“Certainly not. Why should I? The clock always +strikes twelve, therefore it must have struck that number +last night.”</p> +<p>“I regret to say, you’ve just disqualified yourself as +a witness in this case,” Penny said, helping herself to +the last strip of bacon on the platter. “I must search +farther afield for proof.”</p> +<p>“What are you talking about anyhow?” the housekeeper +protested. “It doesn’t make sense to me.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_30">[30]</div> +<p>As she finished breakfast, Penny explained to Mrs. +Weems how the disagreement with her father had +arisen. The housekeeper displayed slight interest in +the tale of the clock, but asked many questions about +the fire at the Preston farm.</p> +<p>“That reminds me!” Mr. Parker suddenly exclaimed +before Penny had finished the story. “I want to +’phone Sheriff Daniels before I start for the office. +Excuse me, please.”</p> +<p>Pushing aside his chair, he went hurriedly to the +living room. Not wishing to miss any news which +might have a bearing on the affair of the previous +night, Penny trailed him, hovering close to the telephone. +However, her father’s brief comments told +her almost nothing.</p> +<p>“What did you learn?” she inquired eagerly as he +hung up the receiver. “Was Clem Davis arrested last +night?”</p> +<p>“No, it turned out about as we expected. Apparently, +Davis knew the sheriff was looking for him. +Anyway, he never returned home.”</p> +<p>Jamming on his hat, Mr. Parker started for the front +door. Penny pursued him to the garage, carrying on +a running conversation.</p> +<p>“This rather explodes my theory about Clem not +being guilty,” she remarked ruefully. “If he were +innocent, one would expect him to face the sheriff and +prove an alibi.”</p> +<p>“Davis can’t be far away,” Mr. Parker responded, +getting into the maroon sedan. “The sheriff will nab +him soon.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_31">[31]</div> +<p>Penny held open the garage doors, watching as her +father backed down the driveway, scraping the bark +of a tree whose gnarled trunk already bore many scars. +Before she could reenter the house, Louise Sidell, a +dark-haired, slightly plump girl, who was Penny’s +most loyal friend, sauntered into the yard.</p> +<p>“Hi!” she greeted cheerily. “About ready?”</p> +<p>“Ready for what?” Penny asked, her face blank.</p> +<p>Louise regarded her indignantly. “If that isn’t just +like you, Penny Parker! You make promises and then +forget them. Don’t you remember telling Mrs. Van +Cleve of the Woman’s Club that we would help sell +tags today, for the Orphans’ Home summer camp?”</p> +<p>“Now that you remind me, I have a vague recollection. +How many are we to sell?”</p> +<p>“Twenty-five at not less than a quarter each. I have +the tags, but we’ll have to work fast or the other girls +will sell all the easy customers.”</p> +<p>“I’ll be with you in two shakes,” Penny promised, +heading for the house. “Wait until I tell Mrs. Weems +where I am going.”</p> +<p>Returning a moment later with the car ignition keys, +she found Louise staring disconsolately at the empty +space in the garage.</p> +<p>“What became of your new car?” asked her chum.</p> +<p>“Dad’s auto is in the garage for repairs,” Penny explained +briefly. “I didn’t have the heart to make him +walk.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_32">[32]</div> +<p>“I should think not!” laughed Louise. “Imagine +having three cars in one family—if you can call this +mess of junk by such a flattering name.” Depreciatingly, +she kicked the patched tire of a battered but +brightly painted flivver which had seen its heyday in +the early thirties.</p> +<p>“Don’t speak so disrespectfully of my property,” +Penny chided, sliding into the high, uncomfortable +seat. “Leaping Lena is a good car even if she is a bit +creaky in the joints. She still takes us places.”</p> +<p>“And leaves us stranded,” Louise added with a sniff. +“Oh, well, let’s go—if we can.”</p> +<p>Penny stepped on the starter and waited expectantly. +The motor sputtered and coughed, but true to form, +would not start. Just as the girls were convinced that +they must walk, there was an explosive backfire, and +then the car began to quiver with its familiar motion.</p> +<p>“You should sell Lena to the government for a cannon,” +Louise teased as they rattled down the street. +“What do you burn in this smoke machine? Kerosene?”</p> +<p>“Never mind the slurs. Where do we start our business +operations?”</p> +<p>“We’ve been assigned to the corner of Madison and +Clark streets,” Louise answered as she separated the +yellow benefit tags into two evenly divided piles. +“It shouldn’t take us long to get rid of these.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_33">[33]</div> +<p>Neither of the girls regretted their promise to help +with the tag-day sale, for the cause was a worthy one. +The campaign to raise sufficient funds with which to +purchase and equip an orphans’ summer camp site, +had been underway many weeks, and was headed by +Mrs. Van Cleve, a prominent club woman.</p> +<p>Parking Leaping Lena at the designated street corner, +the girls went to work with a will. All their lives +they had lived in Riverview, and Penny in particular, +had a wide acquaintance. Accosting nearly everyone +who passed, she soon disposed of all her tags, and then +sold many for her chum.</p> +<p>“They’ve gone fast,” Louise declared as the morning +wore on. “We have only one left.”</p> +<p>“Don’t sell that tag!” Penny said impulsively. “I +have it earmarked for a certain person—Old Seth McGuire.”</p> +<p>“The caretaker at the Hubell Clock Tower?” Louise +asked in astonishment.</p> +<p>“Yes, he always liked children and I think he would +be glad to help.”</p> +<p>“But why drive so far?” protested Louise. “I’m sure +we could dispose of it right here, and much quicker.”</p> +<p>“Oh, I have a special reason for going to see Seth,” +Penny answered carelessly. “I’ll tell you about it on +the way there.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_34">[34]</div> +<p>From her chum’s manner, Louise deducted that +something interesting lay ahead. She had learned, frequently +to her sorrow, that Penny enjoyed interviewing +unusual characters and engaging in amazing activities. +Only a few months earlier, the girls had operated +their own newspaper in an abandoned downtown +building with results which were still the talk of Riverview. +Another time they had attended a society wedding +on an island guarded by a drawbridge, and had +ended by using the drawbridge as a means of capturing +a boatload of crooks. In fact, Louise took delight in +remarking that if ever her chum chose to write an +autobiography, a suitable title would be: “Life with +Penelope Parker: Never a Dull Moment.”</p> +<p>“What’s up now, Penny?” she inquired, as they +rattled toward the Hubell Tower in Leaping Lena.</p> +<p>“Just a little argument I had with Dad last night. I +maintain that the big clock struck thirteen last night at +midnight. He thinks I’m a wee bit touched in the +head.”</p> +<p>“Which you must be,” retorted Louise. “Who ever +heard of such a thing?”</p> +<p>“What’s so crazy about it?” Penny asked with a +grimace. “Didn’t you ever hear a clock strike the +wrong number?”</p> +<p>“Of course, but not the Hubell clock. Why, the +works were purchased in Europe, and it’s supposed to +be one of the best in the country.”</p> +<p>“Even a good clock can make a mistake, I guess. +Anyway, we’ll see what Seth McGuire has to say about +it.”</p> +<p>Penny brought Leaping Lena to a quivering halt +opposite the tall Hubell Tower. Glancing upward +at the octagonical-shaped clock face, she saw that the +hands indicated twenty minutes to twelve.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_35">[35]</div> +<p>“Rather an awkward time to call,” she remarked, +swinging open the car door, “but Seth probably won’t +mind.”</p> +<p>As the girls walked toward the tower entrance, they +noticed that the grounds surrounding the building +were not as neat as when last they had viewed them. +The shrubs were untrimmed, the lawn choked with +weeds, and old newspapers had matted against the +hedge.</p> +<p>“I wonder if Mr. McGuire has been well?” Penny +commented, knocking on the tower door. “He always +took pride in looking after the yard.”</p> +<p>“At least he seems to be up and around,” Louise +returned in a low tone. “I can hear someone moving +about inside.”</p> +<p>The girls waited expectantly for the door to open. +When there was no response to their knock, Penny +tried again.</p> +<p>“Who’s there?” called a loud and not very friendly +voice.</p> +<p>Penny knew that it was not Old Seth who spoke, +for the caretaker’s high-pitched tones were unmistakable.</p> +<p>“We came to see Mr. McGuire,” she called through +the panel.</p> +<p>The door swung back and the girls found themselves +facing a stout, red-faced man of perhaps forty, +who wore a soiled suede jacket and unpressed corduroy +trousers.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_36">[36]</div> +<p>“McGuire’s not here any more,” he informed curtly. +“You’ll probably find him at his farm.”</p> +<p>Before the man could close the door, Penny quickly +asked if Mr. McGuire had given up his position as +caretaker because of sickness.</p> +<p>“Oh, he was getting too old to do his work,” the +man answered with a shrug. “I’m Charley Phelps, the +new attendant. Visiting hours are from two to four +each afternoon.”</p> +<p>“We didn’t come to see the clock,” persisted Penny.</p> +<p>“What did bring you here then?” the man demanded +gruffly. “You a personal friend of Seth’s?”</p> +<p>“Not exactly.” Penny peered beyond the caretaker +into an untidy living room clouded with tobacco +smoke. “We thought we might sell him one of these +tags. Perhaps you would like to contribute to the +orphans’ camp fund?”</p> +<p>She extended the bit of yellow cardboard, bestowing +upon the attendant one of her most dazzling smiles.</p> +<p>“No, thanks, Sister,” he declined, refusing to take +the tag. “You’ll have to peddle your wares somewhere +else.”</p> +<p>“Only twenty-five cents.”</p> +<p>“I’m not interested. Now run along and give me a +chance to eat my lunch in peace.”</p> +<p>“Sorry to have bothered you,” Penny apologized +woodenly. Without moving from the door, she inquired: +“Oh, by the way, what happened to the clock +last night?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_37">[37]</div> +<p>“Nothing happened to it,” the caretaker retorted. +“What d’you mean?”</p> +<p>“At midnight it struck thirteen times instead of +twelve.”</p> +<p>“You must have dreamed it!” the man declared. +“Say, what are you trying to do anyhow—start stories +so I’ll lose my job?”</p> +<p>“Why, I never thought of such a thing!” Penny +gasped. “I truly believed that the clock did strike +thirteen—”</p> +<p>“Well, you were wrong, and I’ll thank you not to +go around telling folks such bunk!” the man said +angrily. “The clock hasn’t struck a wrong hour since +the day it was installed. I take better care of the +mechanism than Seth McGuire ever did!”</p> +<p>“I didn’t mean to intimate that you were careless—” +Penny began.</p> +<p>She did not complete the sentence, for Charley +Phelps slammed the door in her face.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_38">[38]</div> +<h2 id="c5"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">5</span> +<br /><i>OLD SETH</i></h2> +<p>“Well, Penny, you certainly drew lightning that +time,” Louise remarked dryly as the girls retreated to +Leaping Lena. “I thought Mr. Phelps was going to +throw the tower at you!”</p> +<p>“How could I know he was so touchy?” Penny +asked in a grieved tone.</p> +<p>“You did talk as if you thought he had been careless +in taking care of the big clock.”</p> +<p>“I never meant it that way, Lou. Anyway, he could +have been more polite.”</p> +<p>Jerking open the car door, Penny slid behind the +steering wheel and jammed her foot on the starter. +Leaping Lena, apparently realizing that her young +mistress was in no mood for trifling, responded with +instantaneous action.</p> +<p>“I guess you’re satisfied now that the clock never +struck thirteen,” Louise teased as the car fairly leaped +forward.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_39">[39]</div> +<p>“I should say not!” Penny retorted. “Why, I’m +more convinced than ever that something went wrong +with the mechanism last night. Phelps knew it too, +and for that reason didn’t want us asking questions!”</p> +<p>“You die hard, Penny,” chuckled Louise. “From +now on, I suppose you’ll go around asking everyone +you meet: ‘Where were you at midnight of the thirteenth?’”</p> +<p>“It wouldn’t do any good. Most folks just take +things for granted in this world. But there’s one +person who would pay attention to that clock!”</p> +<p>“Who?”</p> +<p>“Why, old Seth McGuire. We’ll drive out to his +farm and ask him about it.”</p> +<p>“It’s lunch time and I’m hungry,” Louise protested.</p> +<p>“Oh, you can spend the rest of your life eating,” +Penny overruled her. “Business before pleasure, +you know.”</p> +<p>Seth McGuire, one of Riverview’s best known and +well loved characters, had been caretaker at the Hubell +Clock Tower from the day of its erection, and the +girls could not but wonder why he had been relieved +of his post. The old man had personally installed the +complicated machinery, caring for it faithfully over +the years. In fact, his only other interest in life was +his farm, located a mile from the city limits, and it was +there that Penny hoped to find him.</p> +<p>“Watch for a sign, ‘Sleepy Hollow,’” she instructed. +“Mr. McGuire has given his place a fancy name.”</p> +<p>A moment later Louise, seeing the marker, cried: +“There it is! Slow down!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_40">[40]</div> +<p>Penny slammed on the brakes and Leaping Lena +responded by shivering in every one of her ancient +joints. Louise was thrown forward, barely catching +herself in time to prevent a collision with the windshield.</p> +<p>“Why don’t you join a stunt circus?” she said irritably. +“You drive like Demon Dan!”</p> +<p>“We’re here,” replied Penny cheerfully. “Nice +looking place, isn’t it?”</p> +<p>The car had pulled up near a small, neatly-kept +cottage framed in well-trimmed greenery. An even, +rich green lawn was highlighted here and there by +beds of bright red and blue flowers.</p> +<p>After admiring the grounds, the girls rang the front +bell. Receiving no response, they went around to the +rear, pounding on the kitchen screen door.</p> +<p>“Mr. McGuire’s not here,” said Louise. “Just +another wild goose chase.”</p> +<p>“Let’s try this out-building,” Penny suggested, indicating +a long, low structure made of cement building +blocks which was roofed with tin. A sign dangling +above the door proclaimed that it was the foundry and +machine shop of one Seth McGuire, maker of bells +and clocks.</p> +<p>As the girls peered through the open door an arresting +sight met their gaze. Through clouds of smoke +they saw a spry old man directing the movements of +a muscular youth who pulled a large pot-shaped +crucible of molten metal on an overhead pulley track.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_41">[41]</div> +<p>“Are you Seth McGuire?” Penny shouted to make +herself heard above the noise of running machinery.</p> +<p>The old man, turning his head, waved them back.</p> +<p>“Don’t come in here now!” he warned. “It’s dangerous. +Wait until we pour the bell.”</p> +<p>With deft, sure hands, the old fellow pulled control +chains attached to the crucible. The container twisted +and finally overturned, allowing the molten metal to +pour into a bell-shaped mold. As the last drops ran +out of it, a great cloud of steam arose, enveloping both +the old man and his helper.</p> +<p>“Won’t they be burned?” Louise murmured in +alarm, moving hastily backwards.</p> +<p>“Mr. McGuire seems to know what he’s doing,” +Penny answered, watching with interest.</p> +<p>In a moment the steam cleared away, and the old +man motioned that the girls might come inside.</p> +<p>“You’ll have to excuse my manners,” he apologized, +his mild blue eyes regarding them with a twinkle. +“Pouring a bell is exacting work and you can’t stop +until it’s done.”</p> +<p>“Is that what you were doing?” Penny inquired, +staring at the steaming mass which had been poured +into the mold. “It’s sort of like making a gelatin pudding, +isn’t it?”</p> +<p>“Jake and me never thought of it that way,” the +old man replied. “I learned from an old Swiss bell +maker when I was a lad. And I apprenticed under a +master, you may be sure of that.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_42">[42]</div> +<p>“How do you make a bell anyway?” Louise inquired +curiously.</p> +<p>“You can’t tell in five minutes what it takes a lifetime +to learn,” the old man answered. “Now a bell +like this one I’m making for the Methodist Church at +Blairstown takes a heap o’ work. Jake and me have +worked a solid week getting the pattern and mold +ready for that pouring job you just saw.”</p> +<p>“Do you ever have any failures?” Penny asked, +seeking to draw him out.</p> +<p>“Not many, but once in awhile a bell cracks,” the +old fellow said modestly. “That happens when the +mold is damp, or not of proper temperature. If +gasses collect you may get a nice healthy explosion, +too!”</p> +<p>“Does it take a long while to finish a bell after it’s +been poured?” Penny pursued the subject.</p> +<p>“A large one may require a week to cool, but I’ll +have this fellow out of the mold by tomorrow night,” +Mr. McGuire returned. “Then we’ll polish her off, +put in the clapper, and attach the bell to a sturdy +mounting. If the tone is right, she’ll be ready to install.”</p> +<p>“How do you tell about the tone?” Louise questioned +in perplexity.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_43">[43]</div> +<p>“This one should have a deep, low tone,” the old +man replied. “Other things being equal, a large bell +gives a deeper tone than a small one. Pitch depends +upon diameter, and timbre upon the shape and the +alloy used.”</p> +<p>“I never realized there was much to a bell besides +its ding-dong,” commented Penny. “But tell me, +Mr. McGuire, do you find this work more interesting +than taking care of the Clock Tower?”</p> +<p>“Looking after that place wasn’t work. It was more +like a rest cure. I took the job because, twelve years +ago when the tower went up, they couldn’t find a +competent man to look after the clock.”</p> +<p>“And now you’ve gone back to your old trade?”</p> +<p>“Oh, I liked it at the tower,” Old Seth admitted +truthfully. “I’m a bit old to do heavy work such as +this. More than likely I’d have gone on putting in my +time if Mr. Blake hadn’t wanted the job for a friend of +his.”</p> +<p>“Mr. Blake?” Penny inquired thoughtfully. “Do +you mean Clyde Blake, the real estate man?”</p> +<p>The old bell maker nodded as he gazed moodily out +the window toward the distant tower which could be +seen outlined against the blue sky.</p> +<p>“Yes, it was Blake that eased me out of that job. +He has a lot of influence and he uses it in ways some +might say isn’t always proper. I can make a fair living +as long as I have my health, so I’m not complaining.”</p> +<p>“We met the new caretaker this morning,” Penny +said after a moment. “He wasn’t very polite to us, and +the grounds have gone to wrack and ruin.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_44">[44]</div> +<p>“Did you notice the flower beds?” Old Seth asked, +feeling creeping into his voice. “Half choked with +weeds. Charley Phelps hasn’t turned a hand since he +took over there six weeks ago.”</p> +<p>“I suppose he spends most of his time looking after +the big clock,” Penny remarked, deliberately leading +the old man deeper.</p> +<p>“Charley Phelps spends most of his hours smoking +that vile pipe of his and entertaining his roustabout +friends,” Old Seth snapped. “He doesn’t know as +much as a child about complicated clock machinery. +What he can’t take care of with an oil can goes unrepaired!”</p> +<p>The conversation had moved in exactly the channel +which Penny desired.</p> +<p>“No doubt that explains why the clock hasn’t always +been striking right of late,” she said in an offhand way. +“Last night I was almost sure I heard it strike thirteen +instead of twelve times. In fact, I had a little argument +with my father about it.”</p> +<p>“You were correct,” the old man assured her. “I +was working late here in the shop and heard it myself.”</p> +<p>“There! You see, Louise!” Penny cried triumphantly, +turning to her chum.</p> +<p>“Mr. McGuire, what would cause the clock to strike +wrong?” the other asked.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_45">[45]</div> +<p>“I was wondering myself,” he admitted. “In all +the ten years I was at the tower, it never once struck +an incorrect hour. I think that there must have +been something wrong with the striking train.”</p> +<p>“Pardon my ignorance,” laughed Penny, “but what +in the world is the striking train?”</p> +<p>“Oh, we apply that name to the center section of +the mechanism which operates the clock. The going +train drives the hands, while the quarter train chimes +the quarter-hours, sounding four tuned bells.”</p> +<p>“Just as clear as mud,” sighed Louise who disliked +all mechanical things. “Does the clock strike +wrong every night?”</p> +<p>“Last night was the first time I ever heard it add +a stroke,” Mr. McGuire answered. “I’ll be listening +though, to see if Phelps gets it fixed.”</p> +<p>Penny and Louise had accomplished the purpose +of their trip, and so, after looking about the shop for a +few minutes, left without trying to sell the old man a +camp-benefit tag.</p> +<p>“Why didn’t you ask him to take one?” Louise asked +as she and her chum climbed into the parked car.</p> +<p>“Oh, I don’t know,” Penny answered uncomfortably. +“It just came over me that Old Seth probably +doesn’t have much money now that he’s out of +steady work.”</p> +<p>“He must make quite a lot from his bells.”</p> +<p>“But how often does he get an order?” Penny speculated. +“I’d guess not once in three months, if that +often. It’s a pity Mr. Blake had to push Mr. McGuire +out of the tower job.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_46">[46]</div> +<p>Louise nodded agreement, and then with a quick +change of subject, reminded her chum that they had +had no lunch.</p> +<p>“It’s too late to go home,” said Penny, who had +other plans. “I’ll treat you to one of the biggest +hamburger sandwiches you ever wrapped your teeth +around! How’s that?”</p> +<p>“I’ll take anything so long as you pay for it,” Louise +agreed with a laugh.</p> +<p>Driving on to Toni’s, the girls lunched there without +incident, and then started for Riverview by a +different route.</p> +<p>“Say, where are you taking me anyway?” Louise +demanded suspiciously. “I’ve never been on this road +before.”</p> +<p>“Only out to the Davis farm,” Penny responded +with a grin. “We have a little detective work to do.”</p> +<p>During the bumpy ride, she gave her chum a vivid +account of the adventure she had shared with her father +the previous night.</p> +<p>“And just what do you expect to learn?” Louise +inquired at the conclusion of the tale. “Are we expected +to capture Clem Davis with our bare hands +and turn him over to the authorities?”</p> +<p>“Nothing quite so startling. I thought possibly Mrs. +Davis might talk with us. She seemed to know a lot +more about the fire than she would tell.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_47">[47]</div> +<p>“I don’t mind tagging along,” Louise consented +reluctantly. “It doesn’t seem likely, though, that the +woman will break down and implicate her husband +just because you want a story for the <i>Riverview Star</i>.”</p> +<p>Undisturbed by her chum’s teasing, Penny parked +Leaping Lena at the entrance to the lane, and the girls +walked to the cabin.</p> +<p>“It doesn’t look as if anyone is here,” Louise remarked, +rapping for the second time on the oaken door.</p> +<p>“I’m sure there is,” Penny replied in a whisper. +“As we came up the lane, I saw the curtains move.”</p> +<p>Louise knocked a third time, so hard that the door +rattled.</p> +<p>“At any rate, no one is going to answer,” she said. +“We may as well go.”</p> +<p>“All right,” Penny agreed, although it was not her +nature to give up so easily.</p> +<p>The girls walked down the lane until a clump of +bushes screened them from the cabin.</p> +<p>“Let’s wait here,” Penny proposed, halting. “I have +a hunch Mrs. Davis is hiding from us.”</p> +<p>“What’s to be gained by waiting?” grumbled Louise.</p> +<p>Nevertheless, she crouched beside her chum, watching +the house. Ten minutes elapsed. Both Louise and +Penny grew very weary. Then unexpectedly, the +cabin door opened and Mrs. Davis peered into the +yard. Seeing no one, she took a wooden water bucket +and started with it to the pump which was situated +midway between cabin and stable.</p> +<p>“Now’s our chance!” Penny whispered eagerly. +“Come on, Louise, we’ll cut off her retreat and she +can’t avoid meeting us!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_48">[48]</div> +<h2 id="c6"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">6</span> +<br /><i>TALL CORN</i></h2> +<p>Hastening up the lane, Penny and Louise approached +the pump in such a way that Mrs. Davis +could not return to the house without meeting them. +Not until the woman had filled the water bucket and +was starting back did she see the two girls.</p> +<p>“Well?” she demanded defiantly.</p> +<p>By daylight the woman appeared much younger +than Penny had taken her to be the previous night. +Not more than thirty-two, she wore a shapeless, faded +blue dress which had seen many washings. Rather +attractive brown hair had been drawn back into a +tight, unbecoming knot that made her face seem +grotesquely long.</p> +<p>“I don’t suppose you recognize me,” Penny began +diffidently. “My father and I were here last night +with Sheriff Daniels.”</p> +<p>“I remember you very well,” the woman retorted. +“What do you want?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_49">[49]</div> +<p>“Why, I should like to buy some melons,” Penny +replied, the idea only that instant occurring to her. +“Have you any for sale?”</p> +<p>“Melons,” the woman repeated, and the hard line +of her mouth relaxed. “I thought you came to pester +me with questions. Sure, we’ve got some good Heart +o’ Gold out in the patch. How many do you want?”</p> +<p>“About three, I guess.”</p> +<p>“You can pick ’em out yourself if you want to,” +Mrs. Davis offered. Setting down the water bucket, +she led the way through a gate to a melon patch behind +the cabin. Her suspicions not entirely allayed, +she demanded: “Sheriff Daniels didn’t send you out +here?”</p> +<p>“Indeed not,” Penny assured her. “I haven’t seen +him since last night.”</p> +<p>“It’s all right then,” Mrs. Davis said in a more +friendly tone. She stooped to examine a ripe melon. +“I figured maybe he sent you to find out what became +of my husband.”</p> +<p>“Oh, no! Didn’t Mr. Davis return home last night?”</p> +<p>“Not on your life!” the woman answered grimly. +“And he won’t be back either—not while Sheriff +Daniels is looking for him.”</p> +<p>From Mrs. Davis’ manner of speaking, Penny was +convinced that she had been in communication with +her husband since the sheriff’s visit. Trying to keep +her voice casual, she observed:</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_50">[50]</div> +<p>“Don’t you think it would be wise for your husband +to give himself up? By hiding, he makes it appear as +though he actually did set fire to the Preston barn.”</p> +<p>“Clem would be a fool to give himself up now! +Why, they’d be sure to hang the fire onto him, even +though he wasn’t within a mile of the Preston place.”</p> +<p>“Then couldn’t he prove it?”</p> +<p>“Not a chance,” the woman said with a short, hard +laugh. “Clem was framed. He never rode the horse +last night, and that black hood was planted in the +stable.”</p> +<p>“Does your husband have any enemies?”</p> +<p>“Sure, he’s got plenty of ’em.”</p> +<p>“Then perhaps you can name a person who might +have tried to throw blame on your husband.”</p> +<p>“I could tell plenty if I was a mind to,” the woman +said significantly. “I’d do it in a minute, only it +would make things worse for Clem.”</p> +<p>Penny started to reply, then remained silent as she +saw that Mrs. Davis’ gaze had focused upon a section +of cornfield which fringed the melon patch. The tall +stalks were waving in an agitated manner, suggesting +that someone might be moving among them.</p> +<p>“Here are your melons,” Mrs. Davis said nervously, +thrusting three large ones into Penny’s hands. “That +will be a quarter.”</p> +<p>As the girl paid her, she abruptly turned and hurried +toward the house.</p> +<p>“Just a minute, Mrs. Davis,” Penny called. “If you’ll +only talk to me I may be able to help your husband.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_51">[51]</div> +<p>The woman heard but paid no heed. Picking up +the water bucket, she entered the cabin, closing the +door behind her.</p> +<p>“Well, we gained three melons, and that’s all,” +Louise shrugged. “What’s our next move?”</p> +<p>“I think Mrs. Davis was on the verge of telling us +something important,” Penny declared, her voice low. +“Then she saw someone out there in the corn field +and changed her mind.”</p> +<p>“I don’t see anyone now,” Louise said, staring in +the direction her chum had indicated. “The stalks +aren’t even moving.”</p> +<p>“They were a moment ago. Clem Davis may be +hiding out there, Lou! Or it could be some of Sheriff +Davis’ men watching the cabin.”</p> +<p>“Or an Indian waiting to scalp us,” teased Louise. +“Let’s go back to the car.”</p> +<p>Penny shook her head and started toward the corn +patch. Reluctantly, Louise followed, overtaking her +at the edge of the field.</p> +<p>“Sheriff Daniels!” Penny called through cupped +hands.</p> +<p>There was no answer, only a gentle rippling of the +corn stalks some distance from them.</p> +<p>“Whoever the person is, he’s sneaking away,” Penny +whispered. “Come on, let’s stop him!”</p> +<p>“Don’t be foolish—” Louise protested, but her +chum had vanished into the forest of tall corn.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_52">[52]</div> +<p>After a moment of indecision she, too, entered the +field. By that time there was no sign of Penny, no +sound to guide her. Wandering aimlessly first in one +direction, then another, she soon became hopelessly +lost.</p> +<p>“Penny!” she shouted frantically.</p> +<p>“Here!” called a voice not far away.</p> +<p>Tracing the sound, and making repeated calls, +Louise finally came face to face with her chum.</p> +<p>“Such a commotion as you’ve been making,” chided +Penny. “Not a chance to catch that fellow now!”</p> +<p>“I don’t care,” Louise retorted crossly. Her hair +was disarranged, stockings matted with burs. “If we +can get out of this dreadful maze I want to go to the +car.”</p> +<p>“We’re at the edge of the field. Follow me and I’ll +pilot you to safety.”</p> +<p>Emerging a minute later at the end of the corn row, +Penny saw the stable only a few yards away. Impulsively, +she proposed to Louise that they investigate +it for possible clues.</p> +<p>“I’ve had enough detective work for one day,” her +chum complained. “Anyway, what do you hope to +discover in an old barn?”</p> +<p>“Maybe I can induce the horse to talk,” Penny +chuckled. “Sal must know all the answers, if only she +could speak.”</p> +<p>“You’ll have to give her the third degree by yourself,” +Louise decided with finality. “I shall go to the +car.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_53">[53]</div> +<p>Taking the melons with her, she marched stiffly +down the lane and climbed into Leaping Lena. Carefully +she rearranged her hair, plucked burs, and then +grew impatient because her chum did not come. Fully +twenty minutes elapsed before Penny emerged from +the stable.</p> +<p>“Sorry to keep you waiting so long, Lou,” she +apologized as she reached the car. “See what I found!”</p> +<p>Penny held up a bright silver object which resembled +a locket, save that it was smaller.</p> +<p>“What is it?” Louise inquired with interest.</p> +<p>“A man’s watch charm! It has a picture inside too!”</p> +<p>With her fingernail, Penny pried open the lid. +Flat against the cover had been fastened the photograph +of a boy who might have been ten or twelve +years of age.</p> +<p>“Where did you get it, Penny?”</p> +<p>“I found it lying on the barn floor, not far from +the place where we picked up the black hood last +night.”</p> +<p>“Then it must belong to Clem Davis!”</p> +<p>“It may,” Penny admitted, sliding into the seat beside +her chum. “Still, I don’t believe the Davis’ have +any children.”</p> +<p>“What will you do with the charm? Turn it over +to the sheriff?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_54">[54]</div> +<p>“I suppose I should, after I’ve shown it to Dad,” +Penny replied, carefully tying the trinket into the +corner of a handkerchief. “You know, Lou, since +finding this, I wonder if Mrs. Davis may not have told +the truth.”</p> +<p>“About what, Penny?”</p> +<p>“She said that her husband had been framed.”</p> +<p>“Then you think this watch charm was left in the +barn to throw suspicion upon Clem Davis!”</p> +<p>Penny shook her head. “No, this is my theory, +Louise. Perhaps someone hid the black hood there, +and rode Clem’s horse to make it appear he was the +guilty person. Inadvertently, that same person lost +this watch charm.”</p> +<p>“In that case, you would have a clue which might +solve the case.”</p> +<p>“Exactly,” Penny grinned in triumph. “Get ready +for a fast ride into town. I’m going to rush this evidence +straight to the <i>Star</i> office and get Dad’s opinion.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_55">[55]</div> +<h2 id="c7"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">7</span> +<br /><i>MR. BLAKE’S DONATION</i></h2> +<p>Not wishing to ride to the <i>Star</i> building, Louise +asked her chum to drop her off at the Sidell home. +Accordingly, Penny left her there, and then drove on +alone to her father’s office. The news room hummed +with activity as she sauntered through to the private +office.</p> +<p>“Just a minute, please,” her father requested, waving +her into a chair.</p> +<p>He completed a letter he was dictating, dismissed his +secretary, and then was ready to listen. Without preliminary +ado, Penny laid the watch charm on the desk, +explaining where she had found it.</p> +<p>“Dad, this may belong to Clem Davis, but I don’t +think so!” she announced in an excited voice. “It’s +my theory that the person who planted the black hood +in the stable must have lost it!”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker examined the charm carefully, gazing at +the picture of the little boy contained within it.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_56">[56]</div> +<p>“Very interesting,” he commented. “However, I +fear you are allowing your imagination to take you +for a ride. There isn’t much question of Clem Davis’ +guilt according to the findings of the sheriff.”</p> +<p>“Has any new evidence come to light, Dad?”</p> +<p>“Yes, Penny, the sheriff’s office has gained possession +of a document showing beyond question that +Clem Davis is a member of a renegade band known +as the Black Hoods.”</p> +<p>“Where did they get their proof?”</p> +<p>“Sheriff Davis won’t disclose the source of his information. +However, our star reporter, Jerry Livingston, +is working on the case, and something may +develop any hour.”</p> +<p>“Then you’re intending to make it into a big story?” +Penny asked thoughtfully.</p> +<p>“I am. An underground, subversive organization, +no matter what its purpose, has no right to an existence. +The <i>Star</i> will expose the leaders, if possible, +and break up the group.”</p> +<p>“Since the Hoods apparently burned the Preston +storage barn, their purpose can’t be a very noble one,” +Penny commented. “Nor are their leaders especially +clever. The trail led as plain as day to Clem Davis—so +straight, in fact, that I couldn’t help doubting his +guilt.”</p> +<p>“Penny, I’ll keep this watch charm, if you don’t +mind,” Mr. Parker said, locking the trinket into a +drawer. “I’ll put Jerry to work on it and he may be +able to learn the identity of the little boy in the picture.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_57">[57]</div> +<p>Abruptly changing the subject, the editor inquired +regarding his daughter’s success in selling Camp-Benefit +tags.</p> +<p>“I have only one left,” Penny replied, presenting it +with a flourish. “Twenty-five cents, please.”</p> +<p>“The cause is a worthy one. I’ll double the +amount.” Amiably, Mr. Parker flipped a half dollar +across the desk.</p> +<p>“While you’re in a giving mood I might mention +that my allowance is due,” Penny said with a grin. +“Also, you owe me five gallons of gasoline. I saw +old Seth McGuire this morning and he agreed with +me that the Hubell clock struck thirteen last night.”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker had no opportunity to reply, for just +then his secretary re-entered the office to say that Mr. +Clyde Blake wished to see him.</p> +<p>“I suppose that means you want me to evaporate,” +Penny remarked, gazing questioningly at her father.</p> +<p>“No, stay if you like. It’s probably nothing of consequence.”</p> +<p>Penny welcomed an invitation to remain. After +her talk with Seth McGuire she was curious to see the +man who had caused the old bell maker to lose his +position at the Hubell Tower.</p> +<p>“Blake probably wants to ask me to do him a personal +favor,” Mr. Parker confided in a low tone. “He’s +a pest!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_58">[58]</div> +<p>In a moment the door opened again to admit the +real estate man. He was heavy-set, immaculately +dressed, and the only defect in his appearance was +caused by a right arm which was somewhat shorter +than the left.</p> +<p>“Good afternoon, Mr. Parker,” he said expansively. +“And is this your charming daughter?”</p> +<p>The editor introduced Penny, who bowed politely +and retreated to a chair by the window. Prejudiced +against Mr. Blake, she had no desire to talk to him.</p> +<p>“What may I do for you?” Mr. Parker asked the +caller.</p> +<p>“Ah, this time it is I who shall bestow the favor,” +Mr. Blake responded, taking a cheque book from his +pocket. “Your paper has been campaigning for a +very worthy cause, namely the Orphans’ Summer +Camp Fund. It wrings my heart that those unfortunate +kiddies have been denied the benefit of fresh +air and sunshine.”</p> +<p>“If you wish to make a donation, you should give +your money to Mrs. Van Cleve,” the editor cut him +short.</p> +<p>“I much prefer to present my cheque to you,” the +caller insisted. “Shall I make it out for a hundred and +fifty dollars?”</p> +<p>“That’s a very handsome donation,” said Mr. Parker, +unable to hide his surprise. “But why give it to me?”</p> +<p>Mr. Blake coughed in embarrassment. “I thought +you might deem the offering worthy of a brief mention +in your paper.”</p> +<p>“Oh, I see,” the editor responded dryly.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_59">[59]</div> +<p>“I don’t wish publicity for myself, you understand, +but only for the real estate company which bears my +name.”</p> +<p>“I quite understand, Mr. Blake. If we should use +your picture—”</p> +<p>“That will be very acceptable,” the real estate man +responded, smiling with satisfaction. “I’ll be happy +to oblige you by posing.”</p> +<p>Helping himself to a pen, he wrote out the cheque +and presented it to the editor.</p> +<p>“Penny, how would you like to write the story?” +inquired her father. “You’ve been helping Miss Norton +with the publicity, I believe.”</p> +<p>“I’m rather bogged down with work,” Penny demurred. +“I think Mrs. Weems wants me to clean the +attic when I get home.”</p> +<p>“Never mind the attic. Please conduct Mr. Blake to +the photography room and ask one of the boys to take +his picture.”</p> +<p>Penny arose obediently, but as the real estate man +left the office ahead of her, she shot her father a black +look. She considered a publicity story very trivial +indeed, and it particularly displeased her that she must +write honeyed words about a man she did not admire.</p> +<p>“You have a very nice building here, very nice,” +Mr. Blake patronizingly remarked as he was escorted +toward the photographic department. Noticing a pile +of freshly printed newspapers lying on one of the +desks, he helped himself to a copy.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_60">[60]</div> +<p>“I see the sheriff hasn’t captured Clem Davis yet,” +he commented, scanning the front page. “I hope they +get him! It’s a disgrace to Riverview that such a +crime could be perpetrated, and the scoundrel go unpunished.”</p> +<p>“He’ll probably be caught,” Penny replied absently. +“But I wonder if he’s the guilty person.”</p> +<p>“What’s that?” Mr. Blake demanded, regarding her +with shrewd interest. “You think Davis didn’t burn +the Preston barn?”</p> +<p>“I was only speculating upon it.”</p> +<p>“Reflecting your father’s opinion, no doubt.”</p> +<p>“No, not anyone’s thought but my own.”</p> +<p>“Your father seems to be making quite a story of +it,” Mr. Blake resumed. “It will be most unfortunate +for the community if he stirs up talk about underground +organizations.”</p> +<p>“Why unfortunate?” Penny asked.</p> +<p>“Because it will give the city a bad reputation. I +doubt there is anything to this Black Hood talk, but +if there should be, any publicity might lead to an investigation +by state authorities.”</p> +<p>“A very good thing, I should think.”</p> +<p>“You do not understand,” Mr. Blake said patiently. +“Depredation would increase, innocent persons surely +would suffer. With Riverview known unfavorably +throughout the country, we would gain no new residents.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_61">[61]</div> +<p>Penny did not reply, but opened the door of the +photographic room. While Mr. Blake wandered +about, inspecting the various equipment, she relayed +her father’s instructions to Salt Sommers, one of the +staff photographers.</p> +<p>“Better get a good picture of Blake,” she warned +him. “He’ll be irritated if you don’t.”</p> +<p>“I’ll do my best,” Salt promised, “but I can’t make +over a man’s face.”</p> +<p>Mr. Blake proved to be a trying subject. Posed on +a stool in front of a screen, he immediately “froze” +into a stiff position.</p> +<p>“Be sure to make it only a head and shoulders picture, +if you please,” he ordered Salt.</p> +<p>“Can’t you relax?” the photographer asked wearily. +“Unloosen your face. Think of all those little orphans +you’re going to make happy.”</p> +<p>Mr. Blake responded with a smirk which was painful +to behold. Nothing that Salt could say or do +caused him to become natural, and at length the +photographer took two shots which he knew would +not be satisfactory.</p> +<p>“That’ll be all,” he announced.</p> +<p>Mr. Blake arose, drawing a deep sigh. “Posing is +a great ordeal for me,” he confessed. “I seldom consent +to having my picture taken, but this is a very +special occasion.”</p> +<p>Completely at ease again, the real estate man began +to converse with Penny. In sudden inspiration, Salt +seized a candid camera from a glass case, and before +Mr. Blake was aware of his act, snapped a picture.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_62">[62]</div> +<p>“There, that’s more like it,” he said. “I caught you +just right, Mr. Blake.”</p> +<p>The real estate man turned swiftly, his eyes blazing +anger.</p> +<p>“You dared to take a picture without my permission?” +he demanded. “I’ll not have it! Destroy the +film at once or I shall protest to Mr. Parker!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_63">[63]</div> +<h2 id="c8"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">8</span> +<br /><i>PUBLICITY BY PENNY</i></h2> +<p>The real estate man’s outburst was so unexpected +that Penny and Salt could only stare at him in astonishment.</p> +<p>“It’s a good full length picture,” the photographer +argued. “Much better than those other shots I took.”</p> +<p>“I can’t allow it,” Blake answered in a calmer tone. +He touched his right arm. “You see, I am sensitive +about this deformity. Unreasonable of me, perhaps, +but I must insist that you destroy the film.”</p> +<p>“Just as you say,” Salt shrugged. “We’ll use one of +the other pictures.”</p> +<p>“No, I’ve changed my mind,” Blake said shortly. +“I don’t care for any picture. Kindly destroy all the +films—now, in my presence.”</p> +<p>“Why, Mr. Blake!” Penny protested. “I thought +you wanted a picture to accompany the story I am to +write.”</p> +<p>“You may write the article, but I’ll have no picture. +The films must be destroyed.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_64">[64]</div> +<p>“Okay,” responded Salt. Removing two plates from +a holder he exposed them to the light. He started to +take the film from the candid camera, but did not +complete the operation. Mr. Blake, however, failed to +notice.</p> +<p>“Thank you, young man,” he said, bowing. “I am +sorry to have taken so much of your valuable time, and +I appreciate your efforts.”</p> +<p>Nodding in Penny’s direction, Mr. Blake left the +studio, closing the door behind him.</p> +<p>“Queer duck,” commented Salt. “His picture on +the front page would be no break for our readers!”</p> +<p>“I can’t understand why Mr. Blake became so provoked,” +Penny said thoughtfully. “That excuse about +his arm seemed a flimsy one.”</p> +<p>“Let’s develop the film and see what it looks like,” +Salt suggested, starting for the darkroom. “It was just +an ordinary shot though.”</p> +<p>Penny followed the young photographer into the +developing room, watching as he ran the film through +the various trays. In exactly six minutes the picture +was ready, and he held it beneath the ruby light for +her to see.</p> +<p>“Nothing unusual about it,” he repeated. “Blake’s +right arm looks a bit shorter than the left, but we could +have blocked that off.”</p> +<p>Salt tossed the damp picture into a wastepaper basket, +only to have Penny promptly rescue it.</p> +<p>“I wish you would save this,” she requested. “Put it +in an envelope and file it away somewhere in the office.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_65">[65]</div> +<p>“What’s the big idea, Penny?”</p> +<p>“Oh, just a hunch, I guess. Someday the paper may +want a picture of Blake in a hurry, and this one would +serve very nicely.”</p> +<p>Aware that time was fast slipping away, Penny returned +to her father’s office to report Mr. Blake’s +strange action. Mr. Parker, well versed in the peculiarities +of newspaper patrons, shrugged indifferently.</p> +<p>“Blake always was a queer fellow,” he commented, +fingering the cheque which still lay on his desk. “I +never trusted him, and I wish I hadn’t accepted this +money.”</p> +<p>“How could you have refused, Dad?”</p> +<p>“I couldn’t very well. All the same, I have a feeling +I’ll regret it.”</p> +<p>“Why do you say that?” Penny asked curiously.</p> +<p>“No reason perhaps. Only Blake isn’t the man to +give something for nothing. He aims to profit by this +affair, or I’m no judge of human nature.”</p> +<p>“He craves publicity, that’s certain.”</p> +<p>“Yes, but there’s more to it than that,” Mr. Parker +declared. “Oh, well”—he dismissed the subject, “I’ll +turn the cheque over to the camp committee and let +someone else do the worrying.”</p> +<p>“I’ll tell you why I dislike Mr. Blake,” Penny said +with feeling. “He caused Seth McGuire to lose his job +at the Hubell Tower.”</p> +<p>“That so?” the editor asked in surprise. “I hadn’t +heard about it.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_66">[66]</div> +<p>“Blake gave the position to a special friend of his. +Can’t you do something about it, Dad?”</p> +<p>“I don’t know any of the basic facts, Penny. Why +should I interfere in a matter which is none of my +affair?”</p> +<p>“At least let’s not give Mr. Blake a big build-up because +of his donation.”</p> +<p>“The story must be written,” Mr. Parker said with +finality. “I always keep a bargain, even a bad one.”</p> +<p>“Then you might write the story,” Penny proposed +mischievously. “I can’t spell such a big word as +hypocrite!”</p> +<p>“Never mind,” Mr. Parker reproved. “Just get busy +and see that you handle the article in a way favorable +to Blake.”</p> +<p>With a deep sigh, Penny took herself to the adjoining +newsroom. Selecting a typewriter, she pecked +listlessly at the keys. Presently Jerry Livingston, one +of the reporters, fired a paper ball at her.</p> +<p>“Your story must be a masterpiece,” he teased. “It’s +taken you long enough to write it.”</p> +<p>Penny jerked the sheet of copy from the typewriter +roller. “It’s not fair,” she complained. “I have to dish +out soft soap while you handle all the interesting +stories. There should be a law against it.”</p> +<p>“Learn to take the bitter along with the whipped +cream,” chuckled Jerry. “I’ve also just been handed +an assignment that’s not to my liking.”</p> +<p>“Covering the Preston fire, I suppose.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_67">[67]</div> +<p>“Nothing that spectacular. DeWitt’s sending me +out to the Riverview Orphans’ Home to dig up human +interest material in connection with the camp-fund +campaign. Want to ride along as ballast?”</p> +<p>“Well, I don’t know?” Penny debated. “I’ve had +almost enough of publicity stories for one day.”</p> +<p>“Oh, come on,” Jerry coaxed, taking her by the arm. +“You can talk to the orphans and maybe turn up a lot +of interesting facts.”</p> +<p>“For you to write,” she added ruefully. “Just a +Sister Friday—that’s my fate in this office.”</p> +<p>Actually Penny welcomed an opportunity to accompany +Jerry, for she liked him better than any +young man of her acquaintance. Spearing the story +she had just written on the copy desk spindle, she followed +the reporter to the parking lot. Jerry helped +her into one of the press cars, and they expertly drove +through heavy downtown traffic.</p> +<p>“What’s the latest on the Preston case?” Penny inquired, +clutching her hat to keep it from blowing out +the window.</p> +<p>“No latest,” Jerry answered briefly. “The Prestons +won’t talk, Mrs. Davis won’t talk, the sheriff won’t +talk. So far it totals up to one little story about a fire.”</p> +<p>“Dad said the sheriff had learned Clem Davis was +a member of a secret organization, probably known as +the Black Hoods.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_68">[68]</div> +<p>“Sheriff Daniels claims he has documentary proof,” +Jerry admitted. “He won’t produce it though, and I +have a sneaking suspicion that he may be bluffing.”</p> +<p>“Then you think he wants to convict Clem Davis +whether or not he’s guilty?”</p> +<p>“He wants to end the case just as quickly as he can, +Penny. The November elections aren’t far away. If +this night rider story gets a start, the dear public might +turn on him, demanding action or his job.”</p> +<p>“Do you think there actually is such an organization +as the Black Hoods, Jerry?”</p> +<p>“I do,” he returned soberly. “After talking with the +Prestons and Mrs. Davis, I’m convinced they could tell +quite a bit about it if they were willing to furnish evidence.”</p> +<p>It pleased Penny that Jerry’s opinion so nearly coincided +with her own. Eagerly she told him of her +own talk with Mrs. Davis, mentioning that someone +had been hiding in the cornfield near the cabin.</p> +<p>“What time was that?” Jerry asked, stopping the +car at a traffic light.</p> +<p>“Shortly after twelve o’clock.”</p> +<p>“Then it couldn’t have been Sheriff Daniels or his +deputies,” the reporter declared. “I was at the county +office talking to them about that same time.”</p> +<p>“It might have been Clem Davis,” Penny suggested. +“I’m sure his wife knows where he is hiding.”</p> +<p>As the car sped over the country road, she kept the +discussion alive by mentioning the watch charm which +she had picked up at the Davis stable. Jerry had not +seen the picture of the little boy, but promised to inspect +it just as soon as he returned to the <i>Star</i> offices.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_69">[69]</div> +<p>“Clem Davis has no children,” he assured Penny, “so +it’s unlikely the charm ever belonged to him. You +may have found an important clue.”</p> +<p>“I only wish Dad would officially assign me to the +story,” she grumbled. “He never will, though.”</p> +<p>Presently the car approached the Riverview Orphans’ +Home, a large brick building set back some distance +from the road. Children in drab blue uniforms +could be seen playing in the front yard, supervised by +a woman official.</p> +<p>“Poor kids,” Jerry said with honest feeling, “you +can’t help feeling sorry for ’em. They deserve the +best summer camp this town can provide.”</p> +<p>“The project is certain to be possible now,” Penny +replied. “Mr. Blake’s cheque put the campaign over +the top.”</p> +<p>Jerry gave the steering wheel an expert flip, turning +the car into the private road.</p> +<p>“Don’t tell me that old bird actually parted with any +money!”</p> +<p>“Oh, he did, Jerry. He donated a cheque for a +hundred and fifty dollars.”</p> +<p>“And no strings attached?”</p> +<p>“Well, he hinted that he wanted a nice write-up +about himself. I was torturing myself with the story +when you interrupted.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_70">[70]</div> +<p>“It’s mighty queer,” the reporter muttered. “Leopards +don’t change their spots. Blake must expect +something more tangible than publicity out of the +deal.”</p> +<p>His mind centering on what Penny had just told +him, Jerry gave no thought to his driving. Handling +the steering wheel skillfully, but automatically, he +whirled the car into the play area of the institution, +drawing up with a loud screeching of brakes.</p> +<p>Uncertain that the reporter could stop, the children +scattered in all directions. One little girl remained +squarely in front of the car. Covering her face with +her hands, she began to scream.</p> +<p>“Gosh all fish hooks!” Jerry exclaimed in dismay. +“I didn’t mean to frighten the kid.”</p> +<p>Jumping from the coupe, he and Penny ran to the +child.</p> +<p>“You’re all right,” Jerry said, stooping beside the +little girl. “The car didn’t come within a mile of you. +I’m mighty sorry.”</p> +<p>Nothing that either he nor Penny could say seemed +to quiet the child. Her screams did not subside until a +matron appeared and took her by the hand.</p> +<p>“Come Adelle,” she said gently. “We’ll go into the +house.”</p> +<p>“I’m as sorry as I can be,” Jerry apologized, doffing +his hat. “I didn’t intend to drive into the yard so fast. +It’s all my fault.”</p> +<p>The attendant smiled to set him at ease. “Don’t +mind,” she said quietly. “Adelle is very easily upset. +I’ll explain to you later.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_71">[71]</div> +<h2 id="c9"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">9</span> +<br /><i>JERRY’S PARTY</i></h2> +<p>Both Penny and Jerry regretted the incident, feeling +that they had been at fault because they had driven +into the play area at such high speed.</p> +<p>“Maybe I can send the kid a box of candy or make +it up to her in some way,” the reporter remarked.</p> +<p>Roving about the yard, he and Penny talked to many +of the orphans. Nearly all of the children answered +questions self-consciously and had little to say.</p> +<p>“We’ll not get much of a story here,” Jerry commented +in an undertone. “These youngsters are as +much alike as if they had been cut from one pattern.”</p> +<p>“Adelle was different,” Penny returned with a smile. +“Almost too much so.”</p> +<p>In a short while, Miss Anderson, the young woman +who had taken the child away, returned to the play +yard. Penny and Jerry immediately inquired about +the little girl.</p> +<p>“Oh, she is quite herself again,” the young woman +responded. “The upset was only a temporary one.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_72">[72]</div> +<p>“Is Adelle easily frightened?” Penny inquired curiously.</p> +<p>“Unfortunately, she is terrified of automobiles,” responded +Miss Anderson. “I am afraid it is becoming a +complex. You see, about a year ago both of her parents +were killed in a motor accident.”</p> +<p>“How dreadful!” Penny gasped.</p> +<p>“Adelle was in the car but escaped with a broken +leg,” the young woman resumed. “The incident made +a very deep impression upon her.”</p> +<p>“I should think so!” exclaimed Jerry. “How did the +accident occur?”</p> +<p>“We don’t know exactly, for Adelle was the only +witness. According to her story, the Hanover automobile +was crowded off the road by another motorist +who drove at reckless speed, without lights. The car +upset, pinning the occupants beneath it.”</p> +<p>“It seems to me I remember that story,” Jerry said +thoughtfully. “The hit-run driver never was caught.”</p> +<p>“No, according to Adelle he stopped, only to drive +on again when he saw that her parents were beyond +help.”</p> +<p>“The man must have been heartless!” Penny declared +indignantly. “How could he run away?”</p> +<p>“Because he feared the consequences,” Miss Anderson +answered. “Had he been apprehended he would +have faced charges for manslaughter, and undoubtedly +would have been assessed heavy damages.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_73">[73]</div> +<p>“I take it the child has no property or she wouldn’t +be at this institution,” Jerry said soberly.</p> +<p>“Adelle is penniless. Her parents were her only +relatives, so she was brought to us.”</p> +<p>“It’s a shame!” Penny declared feelingly. “Wasn’t +there any clue as to the identity of the man who caused +the fatal accident?”</p> +<p>“No worthwhile ones. Adelle insists that she saw +the driver’s face plainly and could recognize him again. +However, she never was able to give a very good description, +nor to make an identification.”</p> +<p>Having heard the story, Jerry was more than ever +annoyed at himself because he had caused the child +needless suffering.</p> +<p>“Miss Anderson, isn’t there something I can do to +make amends?” he asked earnestly. “What would the +little girl like? Candy, toys?”</p> +<p>“It isn’t necessary that you give her anything.”</p> +<p>“I want to do it,” Jerry insisted.</p> +<p>“In that case, why not make some small bequest to +the institution, or send something which may be enjoyed +by all the children.”</p> +<p>“Jerry, I have an idea!” cried Penny impulsively. +“Why not give a party? Would that be permissible, +Miss Anderson?”</p> +<p>“Indeed, yes. The children love them, and outings +away from the institution are their special delight.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_74">[74]</div> +<p>“Let’s give a watermelon party!” Penny proposed, +immediately considering herself Jerry’s partner in the +affair. “We could take the children to a nearby farm +and let them gorge themselves!”</p> +<p>“The children would enjoy it, I’m sure,” Miss Anderson +smiled. “Can transportation be arranged? We +have sixty boys and girls.”</p> +<p>“I’ll take care of everything,” Jerry promised. +“Suppose we set tomorrow afternoon as the date.”</p> +<p>“Oh, can’t we have the party at night?” Penny +pleaded. “There will be a full moon. A watermelon +feast wouldn’t be much fun by daylight.”</p> +<p>Miss Anderson replied that she thought the children +might be allowed to attend such a party, providing it +were held early in the evening. Penny and Jerry +talked with her about various details of the plan, and +then drove away from the institution.</p> +<p>“Well, you certainly got me into something,” Jerry +chuckled as the car turned into the main road. “Where +are we going to throw this party?”</p> +<p>“Oh, any melon farmer will be glad to let the children +invade his patch, providing we pay for the privilege,” +Penny answered carelessly. “You might turn in +at the next farm.”</p> +<p>Her confidence proved to be ill-founded, for Mr. +Kahler, the farmer whom they accosted, would not +consider the proposition.</p> +<p>“The children will trample the vines, and do a lot of +damage,” he declined. “Why don’t you try the +Wentover place?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_75">[75]</div> +<p>At the Wentover farm, Jerry and Penny likewise +were turned down.</p> +<p>“No one wants sixty orphans running rampant over +his place,” the reporter observed in discouragement. +“We may as well give up the idea.”</p> +<p>“It’s possible Mrs. Davis would allow us to hold a +muskmelon party at her farm,” Penny replied thoughtfully. +“Now that her husband has skipped, she must +be in need of money.”</p> +<p>The chance of success seemed unlikely. However, +to please Penny, Jerry drove to the Davis property. +To their surprise they found the place humming with +activity. Professional melon pickers were at work in +the patch, and Mrs. Davis, dressed in overalls, was +personally supervising the laborers.</p> +<p>“I have no time to answer questions!” she announced +to Jerry before he could speak. “Please go away and +leave me alone!”</p> +<p>“Oh, I’m not here in an official capacity this time,” +the reporter grinned. “We want to make you a business +proposition.”</p> +<p>He then explained what he had in mind. Mrs. Davis +listened attentively but with suspicion.</p> +<p>“It’s likely some trick!” she declared. “I’ll have +nothing to do with it!”</p> +<p>“Mrs. Davis, we’re not trying to deceive you,” +Penny interposed earnestly. “We’ve tried several +other farms before we came here. No one is willing +to let the children trample the vines.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_76">[76]</div> +<p>“I suppose it wouldn’t hurt mine,” the woman admitted. +“By tomorrow night we’ll have all the best +melons picked and sorted. I reckon the youngsters +can have what’s left in the patch.”</p> +<p>“We’ll pay you well for the privilege,” Jerry promised, +taking out his wallet.</p> +<p>“I don’t want your money,” the woman answered +shortly. “Just see to it that the youngsters don’t tear +up the place.”</p> +<p>Neither Penny nor Jerry wished to accept such a +favor, but Mrs. Davis firmly refused to take pay.</p> +<p>“You know, I think the old girl has a tender heart +beneath a hard exterior,” the reporter remarked after +the woman had gone back to the patch. “Down under +she’s a pretty decent sort.”</p> +<p>For a time Penny and Jerry watched the laborers at +their work. Heaping baskets of melons were brought +from the patch to the barn. There they were sorted, +stamped, and packed into crates which were loaded +into a truck.</p> +<p>“Nice looking melons,” the reporter remarked. +“Mrs. Davis should make a pretty fair profit.”</p> +<p>An elderly workman, who was sorting melons, +glanced sideways at Jerry, grinning in a knowing way.</p> +<p>“Maybe,” he said.</p> +<p>“What do you mean by that?” Jerry questioned him.</p> +<p>“Sellin’ melons is a speculative business,” the old fellow +shrugged. “You ain’t sure o’ anything until your +harvest is sold and you get the money in your fist.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_77">[77]</div> +<p>Penny and Jerry watched the sorting work for a few +minutes longer and then returned to the car.</p> +<p>“You know, for a minute I thought that old duffer +was hinting at something,” the reporter remarked. +“He acted as if it would give him real pleasure to see +something happen to Mrs. Davis’ melons.”</p> +<p>“Oh, I didn’t take it that way,” Penny responded. +“He was only waxing philosophical.”</p> +<p>The hour was late. Knowing that he might be +wanted at the <i>Star</i> office, Jerry drove rather fast over +the bumpy road.</p> +<p>As the press car sped around a bend, a man who +stood leaning against a fence post, quickly retreated +into the woods. His act, however, had drawn Penny’s +attention.</p> +<p>“Stop the car, Jerry!” she cried. “There he is +again!”</p> +<p>“Who?” demanded the reporter, slamming on +brakes.</p> +<p>“I think it’s the same man who hid in the cornfield!” +Penny exclaimed excitedly. “It must be Clem Davis!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_78">[78]</div> +<h2 id="c10"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">10</span> +<br /><i>IN THE MELON PATCH</i></h2> +<p>“Which way did the fellow go?” Jerry demanded, +bringing the car to a standstill.</p> +<p>“Into the woods,” Penny answered tersely.</p> +<p>Leaping from the automobile, they climbed a fence, +and reached the edge of the woods. Pausing there, +they listened intently. No sound could be heard, not +even the crackling of a stick.</p> +<p>“This timber land extends for miles,” said Jerry. +“We’d only waste time playing hide and seek in there. +Our best bet is to notify Sheriff Daniels and let him +throw a net around the entire section.”</p> +<p>“I guess you’re right,” Penny acknowledged regretfully.</p> +<p>Making all haste to Riverview, they stopped briefly +at the sheriff’s office to make their report. Penny then +said goodbye to Jerry and went to the newspaper +building where she had parked Leaping Lena. The +car would not start. Experienced in such matters, +Penny raised the hood and posed beside it, a picture of +a young lady in deep distress. Soon a taxi-cab cruised +along.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_79">[79]</div> +<p>“Having trouble, sister?” the driver asked.</p> +<p>Penny slammed down the hood, and scrambled into +Leaping Lena.</p> +<p>“Just give me a little push,” she instructed briskly.</p> +<p>Obligingly, the taxi driver backed into position behind +Leaping Lena. After the two cars had gathered +speed, Penny shifted gears. Lena responded with an +ailing cough and then a steady chug.</p> +<p>“Thanks!” Penny shouted, waving farewell to her +benefactor. “I’ll return the favor someday.”</p> +<p>“Not with that mess of junk!” the taxi man laughed.</p> +<p>By keeping the motor running at high speed, Penny +reached home without mishap. Her father had arrived +ahead of her, she noted, for the maroon car had been +put away for the night.</p> +<p>Locking the garage doors, Penny entered the house +by way of the kitchen.</p> +<p>“Where’s Dad?” she asked the housekeeper, absently +helping herself to a freshly baked cookie.</p> +<p>“Listen, and I think you can tell,” Mrs. Weems +answered.</p> +<p>A loud hammering noise came from the basement. +Inspired by an advertisement of Waldon’s Oak Paneling, +Mr. Parker had decided to wall up the recreation +room without the services of a carpenter. Much of +his spare time was spent carrying on a personal feud +with boards which refused to fit into the right places.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_80">[80]</div> +<p>“Poor Dad,” Penny grinned as she heard a particularly +loud exclamation of wrath. “I’ll go down and +drip a few consoling words.”</p> +<p>Descending the stairs, she stood watching her father +from the doorway of the recreation room.</p> +<p>“Hello, Penny,” he said, looking over his shoulder. +“You may as well make yourself useful. Hold this +board while I nail it in place.”</p> +<p>“All right, but be careful where you pound. Remember, +I have only two hands and I prize them both.”</p> +<p>With Penny holding the board, Mr. Parker nailed it +to the underpinning.</p> +<p>“Well, what do you think of the job?” he asked, +standing back to admire his work.</p> +<p>“As a carpenter you’re a very good editor,” Penny +answered with exaggerated politeness. “Aren’t walls +supposed to come together at the corners?”</p> +<p>“I made a little mistake in my calculations. Later on +I may build a corner cupboard to cover up the slight +gap.”</p> +<p>“Slight!” Penny chuckled. “Dad, if I were you I +wouldn’t get tangled up in any more carpenter jobs. +It’s too hard on your disposition.”</p> +<p>“I never was in a better mood in my life,” Mr. +Parker insisted. “Good reason, too. At last I’ve got +the best of Mr. Ben Bowman!”</p> +<p>“Bowman?” Penny inquired in a puzzled tone.</p> +<p>“That crank who keeps sending me collect messages.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_81">[81]</div> +<p>“Oh, to be sure! I’d forgotten about him.”</p> +<p>“He sent another telegram today,” Mr. Parker declared, +smiling grimly. “I suspected it came from him +and refused to pay for it.”</p> +<p>“Bravo,” Penny approved. “I knew you could get +the best of that fellow if you just put your mind to it.”</p> +<p>On the floor above a telephone rang, but neither of +them paid any heed, knowing that Mrs. Weems would +answer. In a moment the housekeeper called down the +stairway, telling Mr. Parker he was wanted on the +’phone.</p> +<p>“It’s Mr. DeWitt from the office,” she informed him.</p> +<p>Putting aside his hammer, Mr. Parker went upstairs. +Soon he returned to the basement, his manner noticeably +subdued.</p> +<p>“What’s the matter, Dad?” Penny inquired curiously. +“You look as if you had just received a stunning +blow.”</p> +<p>“DeWitt telephoned to tell me the <i>Star</i> lost an important +story today.”</p> +<p>“How did that happen, Dad?”</p> +<p>“Well, a correspondent wired in the news, but by +accident the message never reached DeWitt’s desk.”</p> +<p>Penny regarded her father shrewdly. “Ben Bowman’s +telegram?”</p> +<p>“I’m afraid it was,” Mr. Parker admitted. “The +message came to two dollars. I didn’t know DeWitt +had hired a correspondent at the town of Altona. +Naturally I jumped to conclusions.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_82">[82]</div> +<p>“So you lost a news story because you refused a +bona fide telegram,” Penny said, shaking her head. +“Ben Bowman scores again.”</p> +<p>“You see what I’m up against,” the editor growled. +“I’d give a hundred dollars to be rid of that pest.”</p> +<p>“You really mean it?” Penny demanded with interest.</p> +<p>“My peace of mind would be well worth the price.”</p> +<p>“In that case, I may apply my own brain to the task. +I could use a hundred dollars.”</p> +<p>The discussion was interrupted by Mrs. Weems +who called that dinner was ready. As Mr. Parker +went to his usual place at the dining room table, he +saw a yellow envelope lying on his plate.</p> +<p>“What’s this?” he demanded sharply.</p> +<p>“A telegram,” explained Mrs. Weems. “It came +only a moment ago. I paid the boy.”</p> +<p>“How much was the message?” the editor asked, his +face grim.</p> +<p>“A dollar and a half.” Mrs. Weems regarded her +employer anxiously. “Did I do anything I shouldn’t +have? I supposed of course you would want me to +accept the message.”</p> +<p>“This is just too, too good!” Penny chuckled, thoroughly +enjoying the situation. “Everything so perfectly +timed, almost as if it were a play!”</p> +<p>“I don’t understand,” Mrs. Weems murmured. “I’ve +done something I shouldn’t—”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_83">[83]</div> +<p>“It was not your fault,” Mr. Parker assured her. +“In the future, however, refuse to accept any collect +message.”</p> +<p>As her father did not open the telegram, Penny +seized upon it.</p> +<p>“This is from a man who calls himself Isaac Fulterton,” +she disclosed, glancing at the bottom of the typed +page.</p> +<p>“Merely one of Ben Bowman’s many names,” Mr. +Parker sighed.</p> +<p>“Ah, this is a gem!” Penny chuckled, and read aloud: +“‘Here is a suggestion for your rotten rag. Why not +print it on yellow paper? I know you will not use it +because editors think they know everything. I once +knew a reader who got a little good out of your paper. +He used it to clean the garbage can.’”</p> +<p>“How dreadful!” Mrs. Weems exclaimed, genuinely +shocked.</p> +<p>“Penny, if you insist upon reading another line, I +shall leave the table,” Mr. Parker snapped. “I’ve had +quite enough of Ben Bowman.”</p> +<p>“I’m sorry, Dad,” Penny apologized, slipping the +message into her pocket. “I can appreciate that this +doesn’t seem very funny to you.”</p> +<p>The telegram was not mentioned again. Nevertheless, +Mr. Parker’s good humor had given way to moody +silence, contributing no cheer to the evening meal. +Mrs. Weems kept glancing uneasily at her employer, +wondering if she had offended him. Only Penny, +whose appetite never failed, seemed thoroughly at ease.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_84">[84]</div> +<p>“Dad,” she said suddenly. “I have an idea how Ben +Bowman might be trailed!”</p> +<p>“Never mind telling me,” her father answered. “I +prefer not to hear his name mentioned.”</p> +<p>“As you like,” she shrugged. “I’ll shroud myself in +mystery and silence as I work. But when the case is +ended, I’ll present my bill!”</p> +<p>Actually, Penny held slight hope that ever she would +be able to turn the elusive Ben Bowman over to the +police. The wily fellow was far too clever ever to file +two messages from the same telegraph office, and very +seldom from the same city. However, the town of +Claymore, from which the last message had been sent, +was only fifty-five miles away. It had occurred to her +that by going there she might obtain from telegraph +officials the original message filed.</p> +<p>“In that way I’d at least have Ben Bowman’s signature,” +she reflected. “While it wouldn’t be much, it +represents a start.”</p> +<p>Always, Penny’s greatest problem was insufficient +time. Greatly as she desired to drive to Claymore, she +knew it would be out of the question for several days. +Not only must arrangements for the orphans’ melon +party be completed, but other interests demanded attention.</p> +<p>Temporarily dismissing Ben Bowman from her +mind, Penny devoted herself to plans for the outing. +Cars easily were obtained, and the following night, +sixty excited orphans were transported to the Davis +farm. With shrieks of laughter, the boys and girls +took possession of the melon patch.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_85">[85]</div> +<p>“Pick all you like from the vines,” Penny called, +“but don’t touch any of the crated ones.”</p> +<p>In the yard not far from the storage barn stood a +truck loaded with melons which were ready for the +market.</p> +<p>“This must represent the cream of Mrs. Preston’s +crop,” Jerry remarked, lifting the canvas which covered +the load. “Maybe she’ll be luckier than her +neighbors, the Doolittles.”</p> +<p>“What happened to them?” Penny asked, surprised +by the remark.</p> +<p>“Don’t you ever read the <i>Star</i>?”</p> +<p>“I didn’t today. Too busy. Tell me about the +Doolittles, Jerry.”</p> +<p>“Mr. Doolittle was taking a load of melons to market. +Another truck brushed him on the River road. +The melon truck upset, and the entire shipment was +lost.”</p> +<p>“Can’t he get damages?”</p> +<p>“Doolittle didn’t learn who was responsible.”</p> +<p>“Was it an accident or done deliberately?” Penny +asked thoughtfully.</p> +<p>“Sheriff Daniels thinks it was an accident. I’m inclined +to believe the Black Hoods may have had something +to do with it.”</p> +<p>“Why should anyone wish to make trouble for Mr. +Doolittle, Jerry? All his life he has stayed on his little +truck farm, and strictly attended to his own affairs.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_86">[86]</div> +<p>“There’s only one possible reason so far as I know,” +the reporter answered. “Not long ago Doolittle refused +to join the Holloway County Cooperative, an +organization that markets crops for the truck farmers.”</p> +<p>“And you believe the Hoods may be connected with +the Cooperative?”</p> +<p>“I wouldn’t go so far as to say that,” Jerry replied +hastily. “Fact is, the Holloway Cooperative always +has had a good reputation.”</p> +<p>“There’s no question the Preston barn was destroyed +by the Hoods,” Penny said reflectively. “Although +the evidence pointed to Clem Davis, I’ve never felt +satisfied he was guilty.”</p> +<p>“Same here,” agreed Jerry. “Another thing, I keep +mulling over what that melon sorter said yesterday.”</p> +<p>“You mean his hint that something might happen to +Mrs. Davis’ crop?”</p> +<p>“Yeah. Maybe he knew more than he let on.”</p> +<p>“The Hoods will have to work fast if they destroy +the Davis melons,” Penny rejoined. “Besides, didn’t +the sheriff uncover proof that Clem Davis is a member +of the organization?”</p> +<p>“That’s what he says. I wonder about that too.”</p> +<p>Not far from the truck was a small pile of discarded +melons, culls which were misshapen or over-ripe. Selecting +one, Jerry tossed it into the air and caught it.</p> +<p>“Just the right size for a hand grenade,” he remarked. +“Watch!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_87">[87]</div> +<p>He threw the melon hard against the barn. It burst +against the siding, breaking into a dozen fragments and +leaving an unsightly blotch of oozing seeds.</p> +<p>“Jerry, you shouldn’t do that,” Penny chided. +“Mrs. Davis won’t like it.”</p> +<p>“Okay, I’ll be good,” the reporter promised. “The +temptation was just too strong to resist.”</p> +<p>By this time, the hubbub in the melon patch had +slightly subsided as the youngsters gained their fill of +cantaloupe. Soon institution officials began to pilot +the children to the waiting cars. Several lads protested +at the early termination of the party.</p> +<p>“Do let the boys stay awhile longer,” Penny pleaded. +“Jerry and I will bring them back in a few minutes.”</p> +<p>“Very well,” the matron consented. “But don’t +allow them to eat so many melons that they will be +sick.”</p> +<p>The responsibility of looking after six orphans +weighed heavily upon Penny. After the cars had +driven away, she and Jerry patrolled the patch, trying +vainly to maintain order. With institution authorities +no longer present, the boys proceeded to enjoy themselves. +They ran races down the furrows, lassoed one +another with vines, and pelted ripe melons against the +fence posts.</p> +<p>“Hey, you little hoodlums!” Jerry shouted. “Cut it +out or you’ll go back to the Home pronto!”</p> +<p>“Says who?” mocked one saucy little fellow in a +piping voice.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_88">[88]</div> +<p>“Quiet everyone!” commanded Penny suddenly. +“Listen!”</p> +<p>In the silent night could be heard the clatter of horses’ +hoofs. Jerry whirled around, gazing toward the entrance +to the lane. Two horsemen, black hoods covering +their faces, rode at a hard gallop toward the storage +barn.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_89">[89]</div> +<h2 id="c11"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">11</span> +<br /><i>PENNY’S CLUE</i></h2> +<p>“The nightshirt riders!” Jerry exclaimed. +“Duck down, everyone!”</p> +<p>Penny and the six lads from the Riverview Home +crouched low, watching the approach of the two +riders.</p> +<p>“One of those men may be Clem Davis, but I doubt +it!” muttered Jerry. “They’re here to destroy the +crated cantaloupes!”</p> +<p>“Jerry, we can’t let them get away with it!” Penny +exclaimed. “Why not pelt them with melons when +they get closer?”</p> +<p>“Okay,” he agreed grimly, “we’ll give ’em a spoiled +cantaloupe blitz. Gather your ammunition, gang, and +get ready!”</p> +<p>Screened from the approaching horsemen by trees +and bushes, the young people hastily collected a few +over-ripe cantaloupes which were small enough to +throw with accuracy.</p> +<p>Unaware of the barrage awaiting them, the two +hooded men rode into the yard.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_90">[90]</div> +<p>“Now!” Jerry gave the signal. “Let ’em have it!”</p> +<p>Taking careful aim, he hurled his own melon with +all his strength. It found its mark, striking one of the +men with stunning force, nearly causing him to fall +from the saddle.</p> +<p>Penny and the boys from the orphans’ home concentrated +their efforts on the other horseman. While +many of their shots were wild, a few went true. One +struck the horse which reared suddenly on her hind +legs, unseating the rider.</p> +<p>“Give it to him!” Jerry shouted, observing that the +fallen man was unhurt.</p> +<p>Handicapped by lack of ammunition, there followed +a brief lull in the battle, as the young people sought to +replenish their stock. Seizing the opportunity, one of +the night riders galloped away. The other man, who +had lost his horse, scrambled into the cab of the loaded +melon truck.</p> +<p>“He’s going to drive off!” Penny cried. “Let’s stop +him!”</p> +<p>She and Jerry ran toward the truck, but they were +too late. The giant motor started with a roar, and the +heavy vehicle rolled out of the yard.</p> +<p>Just then, Mrs. Davis came running from the cabin.</p> +<p>“My melons!” she screamed. “They’ve taken my +melons! Oh, I was afraid something like this would +happen!”</p> +<p>“Maybe I can overtake that fellow,” Jerry called to +her. “Ride herd on these kids until I get back!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_91">[91]</div> +<p>As he ran toward his own car, Penny was close at +his heels. She slid into the seat beside him and they +raced down the lane.</p> +<p>“Which way did the truck go?” Jerry demanded. +“I was so excited I forgot to notice.”</p> +<p>“It turned right. No sign of it now, though.”</p> +<p>“The fellow is running without lights to make it +harder for us to follow him.”</p> +<p>Jerry and Penny both were hopeful that they could +overtake the truck, which carried a heavy load. However, +they had been delayed several minutes in getting +started, and as the miles fell behind them, they caught +no glimpse of the man they pursued.</p> +<p>“He must have turned off on that little side road we +passed a quarter of a mile back,” Penny declared in +discouragement. “Switch off the engine a minute.”</p> +<p>Bringing the car to a standstill, Jerry did as instructed. +Both listened intently. From far over the +hills they thought they could hear the muffled roar of +a powerful motor.</p> +<p>“You’re right, Penny! He turned off at that side +road!” Jerry exclaimed, backing the coupe around. +“We’ll get him yet!”</p> +<p>Retracing their route, they started down the narrow +rutty highway. Five minutes later, rounding a sharp +bend, they caught their first glimpse of the truck, a +dark object silhouetted in the moonlight. Only for a +moment did it remain visible, and then, descending +a hill, was lost to view.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_92">[92]</div> +<p>“We’re gaining fast,” Jerry said in satisfaction. “It +won’t be long now.”</p> +<p>The coupe rattled over a bridge. For no reason at +all it began to bump, a loud pounding noise coming +from the rear of the car.</p> +<p>“Gracious! What now?” Penny exclaimed.</p> +<p>“A flat,” Jerry answered tersely. “Just our luck.”</p> +<p>Pulling up at the side of the road, he jumped out to +peer at the tires. As he had feared, the left rear one +was down.</p> +<p>“We’ll probably lose that fellow now,” he said irritably.</p> +<p>With Penny holding a flashlight, the reporter +worked as fast as he could to change the tire. However, +nearly fifteen minutes elapsed before the task had +been accomplished.</p> +<p>“We may as well turn back,” he said, tossing tools +into the back of the car. “How about it?”</p> +<p>“Oh, let’s keep on a little farther,” Penny pleaded. +“If we drive fast we might still overtake him.”</p> +<p>Without much hope, they resumed the pursuit. +Tires whined a protest as they swung around sharp +corners, and the motor began to heat.</p> +<p>“This old bus can’t take it any more,” Jerry declared, +slackening speed again. “No sense in ruining +the car.”</p> +<p>Penny had been watching the road carefully. They +had passed no bisecting highways, so she felt certain +that the truck could not have turned off. On either +side of the unpaved thoroughfare were lonely stretches +of swamp and woods.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_93">[93]</div> +<p>“Let’s not turn back yet,” she pleaded. “We still +have a chance.”</p> +<p>“Okay,” Jerry consented, “but don’t forget we have +six orphans waiting for us at the Davis place.”</p> +<p>The car went on for another eight miles. Then +came a welcome stretch of pavement.</p> +<p>“We must be getting near the state line,” Jerry remarked. +“Yeah, there it is.”</p> +<p>Directly ahead was a tiny brick building with an +official waiting to inspect cars which passed beyond +that point. A series of markers warned the motorist +to halt at the designated place.</p> +<p>As Jerry drew up, a man came from the little +building.</p> +<p>“Carrying any shrubs, plants or fruit?” he began but +the reporter cut him short.</p> +<p>“We’re following a stolen truck!” he exclaimed. +“Has a red truck loaded with cantaloupes gone through +here tonight?”</p> +<p>“I checked one about fifteen minutes ago.”</p> +<p>“Fifteen minutes!” Jerry groaned. “That finishes +us.”</p> +<p>“The trucker could have reached Claymore by this +time,” the inspector responded. “Once in the city you +wouldn’t have much chance to pick him up. I have +the truck license number though. If you’ll give me +all the facts, I’ll make a report to Claymore police.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_94">[94]</div> +<p>There was no point in pursuing the thief farther. +Accordingly, Penny and Jerry provided the requested +information, and then drove to the Davis farm. Regretfully, +they told Mrs. Davis of their failure to trace +the melon thief.</p> +<p>“I’ve lost my crop, the truck—everything,” she said +in a crushed voice. “What’s the use trying anyhow? +A body would be smarter to go along with ’em than +to try to fight.”</p> +<p>“I take it you have a pretty fair idea who it was that +came here tonight?” Jerry said shrewdly. “Who are +these Hoods?”</p> +<p>“I don’t dare tell you,” the woman answered fearfully. +“You saw what they did tonight. They threw +the blame of the Preston fire on Clem. They’ll do +worse things if I don’t keep mum.”</p> +<p>“You want to help your husband, don’t you?” +Penny inquired.</p> +<p>“Of course I do! But I know better than to talk.”</p> +<p>“You’ve been warned?” Jerry pursued the subject.</p> +<p>“Yes, I have. Now don’t ask me any more questions. +I’ve told you too much already.”</p> +<p>“I just want to know one thing,” Jerry said relentlessly. +“Did your trouble start because you and your +husband refused to join the Holloway Cooperative?”</p> +<p>“Maybe it did,” the woman answered, her voice +barely above a whisper. “I ain’t saying.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_95">[95]</div> +<p>It was apparent to Jerry and Penny that they could +expect no assistance from Mrs. Davis. Although the +events of the night had convinced them that Clem +Davis was innocent, others would not share their opinion. +They felt that by shielding the guilty parties, +Mrs. Davis was adopting a very stupid attitude.</p> +<p>“Come along, Penny,” Jerry said with a shrug. +“Let’s be moving.”</p> +<p>Six reluctant orphans were rounded up from the +hay loft where a boisterous game of hide and seek was +in progress.</p> +<p>“I can jam four into my coupe if you can handle the +other two in your car,” Jerry remarked to Penny. “If +they make you any trouble, just toot the horn twice, +and I’ll come back and settle with ’em!”</p> +<p>“Oh, we’ll get along fine,” she smiled. “Come along, +boys.”</p> +<p>“Here’s a souvenir to remember the night by,” Jerry +said. From the ground he picked up two melons +which he handed to the orphans. “Just don’t sock the +matron with them when you get back to the Home!”</p> +<p>“Jerry, let me see one of those melons!” Penny exclaimed +suddenly. “They fell from the truck, didn’t +they?”</p> +<p>“I guess so,” Jerry responded, surprised by her display +of interest. “What about ’em?”</p> +<p>“I’ll show you.”</p> +<p>Turning on the dash light of the car, Penny held the +melon in its warm glow. Slowly, she turned it in her +hands.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_96">[96]</div> +<p>“There!” she said, pointing to a tiny triangle shaped +marking on the cantaloupe. “This may prove a clue +which will lead to the capture of the thief!”</p> +<p>“I don’t get it,” answered Jerry. “What clue?”</p> +<p>“Why, this stamping on the melon!” she replied excitedly. +“The Hoods must intend to sell that load of +cantaloupes. If they do, we may be able to trace the +shipment.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_97">[97]</div> +<h2 id="c12"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">12</span> +<br /><i>ADELLE’S DISAPPEARANCE</i></h2> +<p>Jerry took the melon from Penny’s hand to examine +it.</p> +<p>“This stamp may be helpful,” he said dubiously, +“but I doubt it. The Hoods never would be so stupid +as to sell melons which could be traced. No, I think +our investigation will have to center close at home.”</p> +<p>“You’re referring to the Holloway Cooperative, +Jerry?”</p> +<p>“That outfit certainly merits an investigation. In +the morning I’ll jog out to their packing plant and +talk to the manager, Hank Holloway.”</p> +<p>“What time will you be going, Jerry?”</p> +<p>“About nine o’clock probably.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps I’ll meet you there,” Penny said thoughtfully. +“That is, if you don’t mind.”</p> +<p>“Glad to have you,” the reporter responded in a +hearty voice.</p> +<p>The two cars soon started for the Riverview Orphans’ +Home, arriving there without mishap. After +unloading the boys entrusted to their care, Jerry +and Penny then went to their respective residences.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_98">[98]</div> +<p>“I’m glad you came at last,” Mrs. Weems remarked +as the girl entered the house. “You’re to telephone +Miss Anderson at the Riverview Orphans’ Home.”</p> +<p>“But I just left there,” Penny protested. “When +did the call come?”</p> +<p>“About fifteen minutes ago.”</p> +<p>Wondering what could be amiss, Penny went to the +telephone. In a moment she was in communication +with Miss Anderson, who assisted the matron of the +institution. The young woman’s voice betrayed agitation +as she disclosed that following the night’s outing, +an orphan had been discovered missing.</p> +<p>“Oh, goodness!” Penny exclaimed, aghast. “One of +those six boys?”</p> +<p>Miss Anderson’s reply slightly reassured her.</p> +<p>“No, the missing child is a little girl who was not +permitted to attend the party because of a severe cold. +You may remember her—Adelle.”</p> +<p>“Indeed I do, Miss Anderson. Tell me how I may +help.”</p> +<p>“We’ve already organized searching parties,” the +young woman returned. “Adelle surely will be found +within a few hours. However, if the story gets out it +will do the institution no good—particularly at this +time when our drive for funds is on.”</p> +<p>“I see,” Penny murmured, “you would like the news +kept out of the <i>Star</i>?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_99">[99]</div> +<p>“Can it be arranged?” Miss Anderson asked eagerly. +“If you will talk to your father about it we’ll be very +grateful.”</p> +<p>“I’ll ask him not to print the story,” Penny promised, +none too pleased by the request. “I do hope +Adelle is found soon.”</p> +<p>She could not help feeling that the institution officials +seemed far more worried about the prospect of +unfavorable publicity than over the missing child’s +welfare. Saying goodbye to Miss Anderson, she +sought her father who was reading in the library.</p> +<p>“Penny, you know I don’t like to grant such favors,” +Mr. Parker frowned when the conversation was repeated +to him. “As a matter of principle, it never pays +to withhold information unless the telling will harm +innocent persons.”</p> +<p>“In this case, it will damage the institution,” Penny +argued quietly. “Besides, I feel more or less responsible. +What started out as a nice little party for the +orphans, ended in a regular brawl. It was planned +primarily for Adelle and then she ran away because +she wasn’t permitted to attend.”</p> +<p>Starting at the very beginning, Penny told her father +everything that had happened during the night. The +tale was one of absorbing interest to Mr. Parker. +When she had finished, he said:</p> +<p>“Don’t worry about the affair, Penny. I am as interested +in the Riverview Camp fund as you are. +We’ll give the institution no unfavorable publicity.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_100">[100]</div> +<p>“Oh, thanks, Dad!” she cried gratefully, wrapping +her arms about his neck. “You’re just grand!”</p> +<p>“Weak as water, you mean,” he corrected with a +chuckle. “By the way, I suppose you know that your +friend Blake has been named to the Camp Fund board.”</p> +<p>“No!” Penny exclaimed. “How did that happen?”</p> +<p>“He hinted to Mrs. Van Cleve that he would like to +serve. Naturally, after his handsome donation, she +couldn’t refuse.”</p> +<p>“Why do you suppose Mr. Blake has taken such a +sudden interest in the Home?”</p> +<p>“I wonder myself. I’ve thought from the first that +he’s up to something. So far I’ve not been able to +figure out his little game.”</p> +<p>“Well, you’re on the board too,” Penny declared, +undisturbed. “If he starts any monkey business you +can put a quick stop to it.”</p> +<p>“I fear you overestimate my talents,” Mr. Parker +responded. “However, I do intend to see that Blake +doesn’t profit too much by his donation.”</p> +<p>The hour was late and Penny soon went to bed. +Disturbed by Adelle’s disappearance, she did not sleep +well. Arising early, she telephoned the Orphans’ +Home, hoping to learn that the child had been found. +No such good news awaited her.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_101">[101]</div> +<p>“Searchers have looked everywhere between here +and the Davis farm,” Miss Anderson revealed. “Unless +the child is found by noon, it will be necessary to +broadcast a general alarm. And that’s certain to bring +unfavorable attention to the Home.”</p> +<p>“Is there any chance she could have been kidnaped?” +Penny asked thoughtfully.</p> +<p>“Not the slightest,” was the prompt reply. “Adelle +took most of her clothes with her. It’s a plain case of +a runaway, but most annoying at this time.”</p> +<p>Penny ate a hasty breakfast, and then remembering +her appointment with Jerry, drove to the Holloway +Cooperative. The buildings were of modern concrete +construction, located three and a half miles from Riverview +in the heart of the truck farming district.</p> +<p>Jerry Livingston had not yet arrived, so Penny +waited in the car. Soon his coupe swung into the +drive and pulled up alongside Leaping Lena.</p> +<p>“Sorry to be late,” he apologized. “I was held up at +the office.”</p> +<p>Knowing that her father would have told Jerry +about Adelle’s disappearance, Penny inquired regarding +the latest news.</p> +<p>“So far there’s not a trace of the child,” the reporter +answered. “Your father’s sore at himself for +promising not to carry the story. It may develop into +something big.”</p> +<p>Penny walked beside Jerry to the entrance of the +cooperative plant.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_102">[102]</div> +<p>“No one seems to worry much about Adelle,” she +remarked. “The institution people are afraid of unfavorable +publicity, Dad’s alarmed about his story, +while you and I are just plain indifferent.”</p> +<p>“I’m not indifferent,” Jerry denied. “In a way I +feel responsible for that kid. But what can we do?”</p> +<p>“Nothing, I guess,” acknowledged Penny unwillingly. +“Miss Anderson said they had enough searchers.”</p> +<p>Opening the door of the building, they stepped into +a huge room which hummed with activity. Girls in +uniforms stood at long tables inspecting melons which +moved on an endless belt arrangement before them. +Sorted as to quality and size, each cantaloupe was +stamped and packed in a crate which was then borne +away.</p> +<p>“Hank Holloway around here?” Jerry asked one of +the workers.</p> +<p>“Over there,” the girl responded, pointing to a +burly, red-faced man who stood at the opposite end +of the room.</p> +<p>Jerry and Penny approached the manager of the cooperative.</p> +<p>“Good morning,” the man said gruffly, gazing at +them critically. “What can I do for you?”</p> +<p>“We’re from the <i>Star</i>,” Jerry informed. “Do you +mind answering a few questions?”</p> +<p>“I’m pretty busy,” Hank Holloway responded, +frowning. “What do you want to know?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_103">[103]</div> +<p>“There’s a rumor going the rounds that this cooperative +has been forcing farmers to market their +melons through your organization.”</p> +<p>“It’s a lie!” the manager retorted. “Why they come +here begging us to take their stuff! We get better +prices than anyone in this section of the state, and we +pass the profit right back to the farmers.”</p> +<p>“How do you account for the depredation that’s +been going on around here lately? Who would you +say is behind it?”</p> +<p>“What d’you mean, depredation?” Hank Holloway +demanded.</p> +<p>“The destruction of the Preston barn just as their +melons were ready for market. Then last night a +truck of cantaloupes was stolen from the Davis place.”</p> +<p>“That so?” the manager asked. “Hadn’t heard +about it. Clem Davis always was a worthless, no-good. +It wouldn’t surprise me that he covered his +harvest with plenty of insurance, and then arranged +the snatch so he could collect.”</p> +<p>“That hardly seems reasonable,” Jerry said dryly.</p> +<p>“You asked for my opinion and I’m giving it to you. +The Davis melons were so inferior we wouldn’t handle +them at the cooperative.”</p> +<p>“Why, I thought their cantaloupes were particularly +fine ones!” Penny protested.</p> +<p>“I don’t know what you two are trying to get at!” +Hank Holloway said with sudden anger. “The Cooperative +does business in a fair and square way. Our +books are open for inspection at any time. Now +you’ll have to excuse me, for I’ve got work to do.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_104">[104]</div> +<p>With a curt nod, he turned away.</p> +<p>Penny and Jerry wandered about the room for a +few minutes, watching the packers. They did not +much blame Hank Holloway for showing irritation. +Their questions had been very pointed and the man +had immediately guessed that their purpose was to uncover +facts detrimental to the Cooperative.</p> +<p>“We learned about as much as I expected to,” Jerry +said with a shrug, as he and Penny finally left the +building. “Naturally one couldn’t hope he’d break +down and confess all.”</p> +<p>“What did you really think of him, Jerry?”</p> +<p>“Hard to say,” the reporter answered. “He’s a +rough and ready sort, but that’s not against him. +There’s no real reason to believe he’s crooked—just a +hunch of mine.”</p> +<p>Having been assigned to cover a board meeting, +Jerry hurriedly said goodbye to Penny. Left to herself, +she drove slowly toward Riverview.</p> +<p>“Since I am so near Seth McGuire’s place, I may +as well stop for a minute or two,” she thought impulsively.</p> +<p>Despite many exciting events, Penny had not lost +interest in the Hubell clock. Although it seemed reasonable +that a faulty mechanism had caused it to strike +thirteen, such an explanation did not completely satisfy +her. She was eager to learn from the former caretaker +if the difficulty had been corrected.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_105">[105]</div> +<p>Leaving her car by the main road, Penny went directly +to the shop. The door was closed and locked. +However, as she turned away, she distinctly heard a +voice inside the building. Although she could not +make out the words, she was certain that a child had +called.</p> +<p>“Who is it?” she shouted.</p> +<p>“Help! Let me out!” came the plaintive cry from +inside the shop.</p> +<p>Penny ran to the window and peered into the dark +interior. She scarcely was able to believe what she +saw. A little girl, her face streaked with tears and dirt, +pounded fiercely on the heavy door, seeking release.</p> +<p>“It’s Adelle!” she gasped. “How in the world did +she get locked in Mr. McGuire’s shop?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_106">[106]</div> +<h2 id="c13"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">13</span> +<br /><i>AN EXTRA STROKE</i></h2> +<p>With all the windows and the door of the shop +locked, Penny did not know how to free the imprisoned +child. However, as she considered the problem, +Seth McGuire appeared on the porch of the cottage.</p> +<p>“Good morning,” he greeted her pleasantly.</p> +<p>“Oh, Mr. McGuire!” Penny exclaimed. “Did you +know there is a child locked inside your shop?”</p> +<p>“A child!” the old man exclaimed, coming quickly +down the steps. “Why bless me! How can that be?”</p> +<p>“I don’t understand how she got inside, but she’s +there! Officials of the Riverview Orphans’ Home +have been searching for Adelle Hanover since last +night.”</p> +<p>“Wait until I get my key,” the old man said in an +agitated voice. “I hope you don’t think I locked the +child into the shop!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_107">[107]</div> +<p>Knowing Mr. McGuire as she did, Penny entertained +no such thought. Waving encouragingly to +Adelle through the window, she waited for the old +man to return.</p> +<p>“I locked the door about eleven o’clock last night,” +he explained, fumbling nervously with the key. “The +little girl must have stolen in there sometime between +six o’clock and that hour.”</p> +<p>The old man’s hand shook so that he could not unlock +the door. Taking the key, Penny did it for him. +Adelle, her hair flying wildly about her face, stumbled +out of the shop.</p> +<p>“I’m hungry,” she sobbed. “It was cold in there, +and a big rat kept running around. Why did you lock +me inside?”</p> +<p>“Why, bless you,” Mr. McGuire murmured, “I +never dreamed anyone was inside the shop! How did +you get in there?”</p> +<p>“I went inside last night and hid,” Adelle explained +in a calmer voice. “It was cold outside and I had to +have some place to sleep.”</p> +<p>“You never should have run away from the Home,” +Penny reproved. “Why did you do it?”</p> +<p>“Because I don’t like it there,” the child answered +defiantly. “I’ll never be adopted like the other children.”</p> +<p>“Why, how silly!” Penny answered. “Of course +someone will adopt you.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_108">[108]</div> +<p>Adelle shook her head. “Miss Anderson says I +won’t be—I heard her tell the matron. It’s on account +of a nervous ’fliction. I’m afraid of things, ’specially +cars.”</p> +<p>“That’s very natural, everything considered,” +Penny replied, thinking of the story Miss Anderson +had told her. “Now I’ll take you to the Home.”</p> +<p>Adelle drew away, and as if seeking protection, +crowded close beside Mr. McGuire.</p> +<p>“I’m never going back, even if I freeze and starve!” +she announced. “I’ll find me a cave and live on berries. +It would be more fun than being an orphan.”</p> +<p>Penny gazed despairingly at the old bell maker. +With a chuckle, he took the child by the hand and led +her toward the cottage.</p> +<p>“We’ll have lunch and talk things over,” he proposed. +“How will that be?”</p> +<p>“I’m awful hungry,” Adelle admitted, smiling up at +him. “But you won’t give me any old boiled potatoes, +will you? We have ’em every single day at the +Home.”</p> +<p>“No potatoes,” he laughed. “We’ll have the very +nicest things I can find in the icebox, and maybe a +stick of candy to top it off.”</p> +<p>While Mr. McGuire pottered about the kitchen +preparing a warm meal, Penny washed Adelle and +combed her tangled hair. Afterwards, she telephoned +officials of the Home, telling them that the child had +been found.</p> +<p>“I’ll bring her there within an hour,” she promised. +“Just as soon as she has had her lunch.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_109">[109]</div> +<p>Adelle was ravenous. She was not a pretty child, +but her face had an elfin quality when she smiled. Her +brown eyes, roving about the spick and span little +dinette, took in every detail.</p> +<p>“This is almost as nice as it was at our home,” she +remarked. “I mean my real home, when Daddy and +Mother were alive.”</p> +<p>“You’ll have a nice place again when you are +adopted,” Penny assured her kindly.</p> +<p>“I’d like to stay here,” Adelle said, looking thoughtfully +at the old man. “Would your wife let me?”</p> +<p>“Why, bless you, I haven’t a wife,” he answered in +embarrassment. “I’m a bachelor.”</p> +<p>“Wouldn’t you like a little girl?” Adelle persisted. +“I could do your dishes for you and sweep the floor. +I’d be real good.”</p> +<p>“Well, now I’ve often thought I would like a nice +little girl,” he replied, smiling.</p> +<p>“Then you can have me!” Adelle cried, jumping up +from her chair. “You can tell the Home I won’t be +back!”</p> +<p>“Not so fast, not so fast,” Mr. McGuire said hastily. +“I’d like a little girl, but I am afraid I can’t afford one. +You see, I don’t make much money any more and +there are other reasons—”</p> +<p>“Oh, I won’t eat much,” Adelle promised. “Please +keep me, Mr. McGuire.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_110">[110]</div> +<p>The old man was so distressed that Penny tried to +come to his rescue. However, despite repeated explanations, +Adelle refused to understand why she +could not immediately become Mr. McGuire’s little +girl.</p> +<p>“If I had my old job back, I’d be tempted, sorely +tempted,” the old man said to Penny. “I’ve always +wanted someone that was near and dear to me.” He +drew a deep sigh. “As things are, I don’t see how it +could be worked out.”</p> +<p>“Won’t you keep thinking about it?” Adelle +pleaded. “Anytime you want me, I’ll come right +away.”</p> +<p>“Yes, I’ll think about it,” Mr. McGuire promised +soberly. “I really will.”</p> +<p>An hour later Penny took a very depressed Adelle +back to the Riverview Orphans’ Home. Leaving her +there, she drove on into town, chancing to see her +chum, Louise Sidell on the street. Signalling her with +a toot of the horn, Penny swung wide the door.</p> +<p>“On your way home, Lou?” she inquired.</p> +<p>“No, just wandering around in a daze trying to do a +bit of shopping,” Louise answered, sharing the seat. +“The stores here never have anything I want.”</p> +<p>“Then why not go to Claymore?” Penny proposed +suddenly.</p> +<p>“I would if I could get there.”</p> +<p>“I’ll take you,” Penny offered. “I need to go to +Claymore on special business, and I’d like to have +someone ride along.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_111">[111]</div> +<p>“Well, I don’t know,” Louise replied dubiously. “I +doubt Leaping Lena would stand such a long trip.”</p> +<p>“Oh, I’ll take the other car.”</p> +<p>“In that case the answer is ‘yes,’” Louise replied instantly.</p> +<p>Penny drove directly home to exchange cars and +tell Mrs. Weems where she was going.</p> +<p>“Louise and I may not be back until very late,” she +warned. “It’s barely possible we’ll attend the theatre +while we’re at Claymore. There’s a new play on, and +everyone says it’s grand.”</p> +<p>“If you drive after night, be very careful,” the +housekeeper responded uneasily. “There are so many +accidents these days.”</p> +<p>A brief stop was made at the Sidell residence, and +then the girls took to the road. Deliberately, Penny +selected the same route which she and Jerry had followed +the previous night.</p> +<p>“Is that why we’re going to Claymore?” Louise inquired +curiously, as she heard the story of what had +happened to the Davis truck. “You intend to trace +those stolen melons?”</p> +<p>“I haven’t much hope of doing that,” Penny answered. +“I want to visit the telegraph office and get +an original message which was sent to Dad. His life +has been made miserable by a pest who keeps sending +him telegrams, and I’m out to catch the rascal.”</p> +<p>“You jump around from one thing to another so +fast I can’t keep track of your enterprises,” Louise +sighed.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_112">[112]</div> +<p>“I concentrate on the ones which offer a prospect of +ready cash,” Penny rejoined with a laugh. “If I catch +Mr. Ben Bowman it means exactly one hundred dollars +to me!”</p> +<p>Upon reaching Claymore, the girls spent two hours +shopping at the large department stores. Penny then +made a tour of the telegraph offices, finally locating +the one from which Mr. Bowman’s message had been +sent. After explaining why she wished it, she was allowed +to inspect and keep the original copy which +bore the sender’s signature.</p> +<p>“I’ll turn this handwriting over to the police,” she +explained to Louise. “They may be able to trace Ben +Bowman by means of it.”</p> +<p>“Providing the man ever comes to Riverview,” +Louise said skeptically. “It seems like a forlorn hope +to me.”</p> +<p>Before leaving the office, Penny inquired of the +clerk who had handled the message if a description of +Ben Bowman could be provided.</p> +<p>“I really don’t remember him,” the young woman +answered. “In general I should say he was well-dressed—probably +about thirty-five years of age.”</p> +<p>“Not much to go on,” Penny said regretfully. +“Thanks anyhow.”</p> +<p>“Where now?” Louise asked in a weary voice as +they finally left the telegraph office. “Shall we buy +tickets to the play?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_113">[113]</div> +<p>“Not yet,” said Penny. “I’d like to wander around +the market district a bit.”</p> +<p>For the next hour they did exactly that, selecting a +section of the city where farmers brought their produce +to sell in open stalls. Penny went from one +counter to another, inspecting cantaloupes, hoping to +find one which bore the Davis stamp.</p> +<p>“I’m getting tired of pawing vegetables!” Louise +presently complained. “When do we eat?”</p> +<p>“All right, we may as well call it a day,” Penny replied +reluctantly.</p> +<p>In the downtown section of the city, the girls found +a small cafe which advertised a deluxe dinner for one +dollar. Treating themselves to the best, they enjoyed +a leisurely meal, and then bought theatre tickets.</p> +<p>“Penny, do you realize what all this is costing us?” +Louise began to worry belatedly.</p> +<p>“Oh, I’ll soon make it up,” Penny joked. “Wait until +I capture Ben Bowman! With my profit from him +we’ll paint the town red!”</p> +<p>“You’re nothing if not optimistic,” Louise said pityingly.</p> +<p>The play was an excellent one and when the curtain +fell at eleven, neither girl begrudged the money paid +for tickets.</p> +<p>“It’s been a grand day,” Louise sighed contentedly +as they left the theatre. “Let’s get home now as +quickly as we can.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_114">[114]</div> +<p>The drive to Riverview consumed nearly an hour. +As the girls approached the Hubell Tower, they noted +by the illuminated clock face that the hands pointed to +twelve o’clock.</p> +<p>“The witching hour of midnight,” Louise remarked. +“Do you still think that mechanical creature has supernatural +powers?”</p> +<p>“Quiet!” Penny commanded, idling the car as the +big clock began to strike. “I’m going to count the +strokes.”</p> +<p>“I’ll do it too, just so you can’t pull a fast one on me. +That’s two now.”</p> +<p>As each slow note sounded, Louise counted it aloud. +Reaching twelve, she paused, but the clock did not. +There was a slight break, then another stroke.</p> +<p>“Why, it did strike thirteen!” she gasped. “Or perhaps +I became mixed up!”</p> +<p>“You made no mistake,” Penny declared, easing the +car to a standstill by the curb. “It struck thirteen, and +that last stroke wasn’t like the others!”</p> +<p>“It did seem to have a slightly different tone. I +wonder why?”</p> +<p>“Someone may have struck the bell an extra tap!” +Penny answered with conviction. “Louise, don’t you +see! It must be a signal!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_115">[115]</div> +<h2 id="c14"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">14</span> +<br /><i>THROUGH THE WINDOW</i></h2> +<p>“You have the craziest ideas, Penny,” Louise +scoffed. “I’ll admit the clock struck an extra time, but +it must have been because something is wrong with +the mechanism. A signal, my eye!”</p> +<p>Lowering the car window, Penny peered curiously +up at the tower which was shrouded in fog and mist.</p> +<p>“Lou, there’s someone up there in the cupola! It +may be Charley Phelps!”</p> +<p>“You can’t make a mystery out of Charley,” +yawned Louise. “Probably he’s trying to repair the +clock. Come on, let’s get home.”</p> +<p>Reluctantly, Penny raised the window glass. Before +she could drive on, another car pulled up not far +from the tower. The driver, a man in an overcoat, +swung open the door as if to alight. However, observing +Penny’s car parked close by, he seemed to change +his mind. Keeping his head lowered so that his face +was shadowed, he drove away.</p> +<p>“Who was that man?” Penny demanded suspiciously.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_116">[116]</div> +<p>“I’m afraid I neglected to inquire,” Louise retorted. +“So careless of me!”</p> +<p>“Whoever he was, he intended to enter the tower! +When he saw us here, he became nervous and drove +away!”</p> +<p>“Oh, Penny, you’re the limit.”</p> +<p>“Maybe I am, but I know what I think. The striking +of the clock was a signal for some sort of meeting at +the tower!”</p> +<p>“A board of directors confab perhaps?” teased +Louise.</p> +<p>“Listen!” said Penny, ignoring the jibes. “I want +to park the car on a side street, and then come back +here afoot. Something is up and I mean to find out +about it!”</p> +<p>“Oh, Penny,” Louise sighed. “If I don’t get home +Mother never will allow me to go anywhere with you +again. Don’t you realize what time it is?”</p> +<p>“Thirteen o’clock!” Penny chuckled. “It may +never be that again, so I must strike while the clock +strikes, so to speak. How about it?”</p> +<p>“Well, it’s your car,” Louise replied with a shrug. +“I’m powerless in your hands.”</p> +<p>Penny drove around a block, parking on a well-lighted +street. She and Louise then approached the +tower afoot. Not wishing to be seen, they took care +to keep close to a high hedge which edged the grounds.</p> +<p>“I never felt more silly in my life,” Louise complained. +“What are we supposed to do now?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_117">[117]</div> +<p>“Windows were made to look through,” Penny responded +coolly. “Let’s see what Charley Phelps is +doing inside the tower.”</p> +<p>Circling the building, the girls placed a rock beneath +one of the rear windows. From that unstable perch, +Penny was able to peer into the living quarters of the +tower.</p> +<p>“Well, what do you see, Sherlock?” Louise demanded +impatiently.</p> +<p>“Nothing.”</p> +<p>“How perfectly amazing!” Louise taunted mischievously. +“What do you make of it?”</p> +<p>“Charley Phelps seems to be reading a newspaper.”</p> +<p>“Baffling! It must have some deep, dark significance.”</p> +<p>With a sigh, Penny stepped down from the rock. +“Want to look?” she invited.</p> +<p>“I do not!”</p> +<p>“Then I guess we may as well go home,” Penny +said reluctantly.</p> +<p>As she spoke, both girls heard an automobile pull up +in front of the tower. With reviving hope, Penny +placed a restraining hand on Louise’s arm, forcing her +to wait in the shadow of the building. A minute +elapsed and then the front door of the tower slammed +shut. Without the slightest hesitation, Penny once +more moved to her previous position beneath the +window.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_118">[118]</div> +<p>“Charley has some visitors,” she reported in a whisper. +“Four men I never saw before. I wish I could +hear what they are saying.”</p> +<p>“Why not smash the window, or saw a hole through +the wall?” Louise proposed sarcastically.</p> +<p>Penny stepped from the rock, offering the place to +her chum.</p> +<p>“Do look inside,” she urged. “Maybe you’ll recognize +those men. It’s really important.”</p> +<p>Louise unwillingly did as requested, but after a moment +moved away from the window.</p> +<p>“I never saw any of them either,” she said. “They +must be friends of Charley Phelps.”</p> +<p>“It’s a special meeting,” Penny insisted. “I suspect +other men may come along within a few minutes.”</p> +<p>“I know one thing,” Louise announced flatly. “I’ll +not be here to see them. If you’re not ready to go +home, then I shall walk!”</p> +<p>“Oh, all right, I’ll go,” Penny grumbled. “It seems +a pity though, just when we might have learned something +important.”</p> +<p>Taking care to remove the stone from beneath the +tower window, she hastened after her chum. In silence +they drove to the Sidell home where Louise +alighted.</p> +<p>“Sorry to have spoiled your fun, Penny,” she apologized +as she said goodnight. “If you’ll only arrange +to conduct your explorations by daylight I’ll try to +cooperate.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_119">[119]</div> +<p>Arriving at her own home a few minutes later, +Penny found her father waiting up for her. Mr. +Parker had attended a meeting of the Camp Fund +board, and upon returning at eleven-thirty, had been +disturbed to find his daughter absent.</p> +<p>“Hold it! Hold it!” Penny greeted him before he +could speak. “I know it’s late, but I can explain everything.”</p> +<p>“You’re always able to explain—too well,” the editor +responded dryly. “Mrs. Weems expected that +you would be home not later than eleven o’clock.”</p> +<p>“Well, one thing just seemed to lead to another, +Dad. Louise and I saw a wonderful show, I obtained +a copy of Ben Bowman’s signature, and then to top it +off, the Hubell clock struck thirteen again!”</p> +<p>“Which in your estimation explains everything?”</p> +<p>“I wish it did,” Penny said, neatly changing the subject. +“Dad, Louise and I saw a number of men going +into the tower tonight. Obviously, they were summoned +there by the striking of the clock.”</p> +<p>“Tommyrot!”</p> +<p>“Oh, Dad, you haven’t a scrap of imagination,” +Penny sighed. “Has it never occurred to you that +Charley Phelps may be connected with the Hoods?”</p> +<p>“Never,” replied Mr. Parker. “And if I were you +I shouldn’t go around making such wild suggestions. +You <i>might</i> find yourself involved in serious trouble.”</p> +<p>“You’re the only one to whom I’ve confided my +theory, Dad. In fact, it only this minute occurred +to me.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_120">[120]</div> +<p>“So I thought, Penny. If I were you I would forget +the Hubell clock. Why not devote yourself to +something worthwhile?”</p> +<p>“For instance?”</p> +<p>“I’ll provide an interesting job. I’ve been asked to +select play equipment for the new orphans’ camp. +I’ll be happy to turn the task over to you.”</p> +<p>“Do you think I could do it?” Penny asked dubiously.</p> +<p>“Why not? You can learn from the matron of the +Home what is needed, and then make your selection.”</p> +<p>“I’ll be glad to do it, Dad. When is the camp to +open?”</p> +<p>“The actual date hasn’t been set, but it will be soon. +That is, unless a serious disagreement arises about the +camp site.”</p> +<p>“A disagreement?” Penny inquired curiously.</p> +<p>“Yes, Mr. Blake is trying to influence the board to +buy a track of land which he controls.”</p> +<p>“At a very high price?”</p> +<p>“The price seems to be fair enough. I personally +don’t care for the site, however. It’s located on the +river, but too close to the swamp.”</p> +<p>“Then why does the board consider it?”</p> +<p>“Mr. Blake gave a very generous donation, you remember. +I figured at the time he would expect something +in return.”</p> +<p>“He’ll profit by the sale?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_121">[121]</div> +<p>“Obviously. I don’t know who owns the land, but +Blake will receive a commission on the sale. The +board also is considering a wooded property closer to +Riverview, and I favor that site.”</p> +<p>“Will the board listen to you, Dad?”</p> +<p>“I rather doubt it. My objections weren’t especially +vigorous. Either property will be satisfactory, and +Blake’s price is a trifle more attractive.”</p> +<p>With a yawn, Mr. Parker arose and locked the front +door.</p> +<p>“It’s after one,” he said. “Let’s get to bed.”</p> +<p>Penny started up the stairway, only to pause as the +telephone rang. While her father answered it, she +waited, curiously to learn who would be calling at +such a late hour. In a moment he replaced the receiver +on its hook.</p> +<p>“That was the night editor of the <i>Star</i>,” he explained +briefly.</p> +<p>“Has a big story broken, Dad?”</p> +<p>“Another storage barn was burned to the ground +about ten minutes ago. The night editor called to ask +how I wanted the story handled.”</p> +<p>“Then the depredation was done by the Hoods!”</p> +<p>“It looks that way.”</p> +<p>Penny came slowly down the stairway to face her +father.</p> +<p>“Dad, if the fire was set only a few minutes ago, +doesn’t that support my theory?”</p> +<p>“Which theory? You have so many.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_122">[122]</div> +<p>“I mean about the Hubell Tower,” Penny said soberly. +“The clock struck thirteen on the night the +Preston barn was destroyed! Don’t you see, Dad? +The Hoods hold their meetings and then ride forth to +accomplish their underhanded work!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_123">[123]</div> +<h2 id="c15"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">15</span> +<br /><i>TRACING BEN BOWMAN</i></h2> +<p>“Penny, let’s postpone this animated discussion +until morning,” Mr. Parker said wearily, reaching to +switch out the bridge lamp.</p> +<p>“Then you don’t agree with me that the caretaker +of the Tower may have some connection with the +Hoods, Dad?” she asked in an injured tone.</p> +<p>“I certainly do not,” he answered firmly. “Now if +you’ll excuse me, I’m going to bed.”</p> +<p>Decidedly crestfallen, Penny followed her father +upstairs. For several minutes she stood by the window +of her room, gazing toward the Hubell Tower whose +lights could be dimly seen across the city. Then, with +a shrug, she too dismissed the subject from her mind +and gave herself to slumber.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_124">[124]</div> +<p>Mr. Parker had gone to the office by the time Penny +arose the next morning. Finding a discarded newspaper +by his plate, she eagerly scanned it for an account +of the midnight fire. To her disappointment, +only a brief item appeared on the front page. The +story merely said that the barn of John Hancock, +truck farmer, had been destroyed by a blaze of unknown +origin. In the right hand column was another +news item to the effect that Sheriff Daniels had made +no progress in tracing the missing Clem Davis.</p> +<p>Tossing aside the paper, Penny helped with the +breakfast dishes. As gently as possible she broke the +news to Mrs. Weems that she might make another +trip to Claymore.</p> +<p>“Why bother to remain home even for meals?” the +housekeeper said severely. “I declare, I don’t know +what your father is thinking about to allow you such +liberties! When I was a girl—”</p> +<p>“It was considered very daring to go for a buggy +ride without a chaperon,” Penny completed mischievously. +“Now, I’m very sorry about last night. Louise +and I didn’t intend to remain out so late.”</p> +<p>“It was after one o’clock when you came in,” Mrs. +Weems replied, her voice stern. “You know I don’t +approve of such hours for a girl of your age.”</p> +<p>“I promise it won’t happen again. Please let me go +to Claymore though. I’m expected to buy playground +equipment for the Riverview Orphans’ new camp.”</p> +<p>Exerting all her charm, Penny explained the necessity +for the trip. Finally convincing Mrs. Weems that +the excuse had not been “thought up” on the spur of +the moment, she was granted the requested permission.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_125">[125]</div> +<p>Penny’s next move was to induce Louise Sidell to +accompany her on the excursion. Both girls laid siege +to Mrs. Sidell who somewhat dubiously said that her +daughter might go, providing she would be home by +nightfall.</p> +<p>Recalling her father’s instructions, Penny called at +the Riverview Orphans’ Home to talk with the matron. +There she obtained a list of playground equipment +to be purchased, with suggested prices for each +item.</p> +<p>As the girls were leaving the institution they met +Miss Anderson and paused to inquire about Adelle.</p> +<p>“The child seems to be nervous and unhappy,” the +young woman told them. “Especially so since she ran +away. We sincerely hope she will presently become +adjusted.”</p> +<p>Penny asked if there was any prospect the little girl +would be adopted.</p> +<p>“Not very soon,” Miss Anderson answered regretfully. +“In fact, her name is not on the list of eligibles. +We never allow a child to leave the Home until we +feel that he or she is capable of adapting himself to +new conditions.”</p> +<p>The drive to Claymore was an enjoyable one, and +by eleven o’clock, the girls had purchased many of the +items on their list. To the amusement of the department +store salesman, they insisted upon testing teeter-totters, +swings, and even the slides.</p> +<p>“All this equipment is for the Riverview Orphans’ +Home—not for ourselves,” Penny explained. “The +committee will pay for it.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_126">[126]</div> +<p>“Very well, we’ll send the merchandise just as soon +as a cheque is received,” the salesman promised, giving +her an itemized bill.</p> +<p>Feeling very well satisfied with their purchases, +Penny and Louise wandered into another department +of the store. The delightful aroma of food drew them +to a lunch counter, and from there they went to the +main floor.</p> +<p>The store was very crowded. As Penny was inspecting +a pair of gloves on a counter, a man pushed +past her, and ran toward the nearest exit. In surprise +she turned around, unintentionally blocking the way +of a store detective. Shoving past her, he pursued the +first man only to lose him in the milling crowd near +the front door.</p> +<p>“That fellow must have been a shoplifter!” Penny +remarked to Louise. “I think he got away too!”</p> +<p>The unexpected commotion had drawn the interest +of many shoppers. Mingling with the crowd, the +girls heard a woman tell a companion that the man +who had escaped was wanted for attempting to pass a +forged cheque.</p> +<p>A moment later, the store detective came striding +down the aisle. Pausing at the jewelry counter he +spoke to the floorman, confirming the report.</p> +<p>“Well, the fellow escaped! He tried to pass a bum +cheque for fifty dollars.”</p> +<p>“What name did he use?” the floorman inquired.</p> +<p>“Ben Bowman. It will be something else next time.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_127">[127]</div> +<p>Penny had heard the words. Startled by the name, +she moved hastily to the detective’s side.</p> +<p>“Excuse me,” she addressed him, “did I understand +you to say that a man by the name of Ben Bowman +forged a cheque?”</p> +<p>“That’s correct, Miss,” the detective answered, staring +at her curiously. “Know anything about the +man?”</p> +<p>“I think I may. Would it be possible for me to see +the cheque?”</p> +<p>The detective removed it from a vest pocket, offering +the signature for inspection. One glance satisfied +Penny that the cheque had been signed by the same +man who had been sending her father “crank” messages.</p> +<p>“At home I have a telegram which I’m sure bears +this identical signature!” she revealed. “I’ve never +seen the man though—except as he ran through the +store.”</p> +<p>The store detective questioned Penny at length +about her knowledge of Bowman. Realizing that a +description of the man might be of great value to her, +he showed her a small card which bore a mounted +photograph.</p> +<p>“This is Ben Bowman,” he assured her. “He’s an +expert forger, and uses any number of names. Think +you can remember the face?”</p> +<p>“I’ll try to,” Penny replied. “He doesn’t seem to +have any distinguishing features though.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_128">[128]</div> +<p>“His angular jaw is rather noticeable,” the detective +pointed out. “Brown eyes are set fairly close together. +He’s about six feet two and dresses well.”</p> +<p>Penny was highly elated to have gained a description +of Bowman, and especially pleased that the man +had been traced to Claymore. The fact that he was a +known forger, encouraged her to hope that police +soon would apprehend him.</p> +<p>“That one hundred dollars Dad offered for Bowman’s +capture is as good as mine already,” she boasted +gleefully to Louise as they left the store. “All I need +to do is wait.”</p> +<p>“No doubt you’ll collect,” Louise admitted grudgingly. +“I never met anyone with your brand of luck.”</p> +<p>“I feel especially lucky today too,” Penny said with +a gay laugh. “Tell you what! Let’s make another +tour of the vegetable markets.”</p> +<p>“It will make us late in getting home. The time is +sure to be wasted too.”</p> +<p>“Oh, come along,” Penny urged, seizing her by the +arm. “I promise to have you in Riverview no later +than three o’clock.”</p> +<p>In driving into Claymore that morning the girls had +noticed a large outdoor market near the outskirts of +the city. Returning to it, Penny parked the car, and +with her chum wandered about the sales area.</p> +<p>“A nice fat chicken?” a farm woman asked persuasively, +holding up an uninviting specimen. “Fresh +eggs?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_129">[129]</div> +<p>“We’re looking for melons,” Penny replied.</p> +<p>“Mr. Breldway has some nice cantaloupes,” the +woman returned. “He got a truck load of ’em in from +Riverview just the other day.”</p> +<p>Locating Mr. Breldway’s place of business, Louise +and Penny began to inspect the melons offered for +sale. Almost at once they came upon a basket of cantaloupes +which bore a blurred stamp.</p> +<p>“Louise, these look like the Davis crop!” Penny +cried excitedly. “Wouldn’t you say someone deliberately +had blocked out the old marking?”</p> +<p>“It does appear that way.”</p> +<p>“Maybe we can find just one melon with the original +stamp!”</p> +<p>Penny dug into the basket with both hands, tossing +up cantaloupes for Louise to place on the ground. +Their activities immediately drew the attention and +displeasure of Mr. Breldway.</p> +<p>“If you’re looking for a good melon let me help +you,” he said, hurrying toward them.</p> +<p>Penny straightened, holding up a cantaloupe for +him to see.</p> +<p>“I don’t need any help,” she said distinctly. “I’ve +found the melon I want. It bears the Davis stamp.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_130">[130]</div> +<h2 id="c16"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">16</span> +<br /><i>A FAMILIAR NAME</i></h2> +<p>“The melon you have selected is a very good +one,” the market man declared, not understanding the +significance of Penny’s remark. “Shall I put it in a +sack for you?”</p> +<p>“I’m not interested in the melon—only in the +stamp,” Penny replied. “Do you realize that you may +be liable to arrest?”</p> +<p>“What d’you mean, liable to arrest?” the man +demanded. “I’m an honest dealer and I have a license.”</p> +<p>“Look at these melons.” Penny held up one which +bore the blurred stamp. “The trade name has been +altered.”</p> +<p>The dealer took the cantaloupe from her, examining +it briefly. She then offered him the single melon bearing +the Davis stamp.</p> +<p>“Well, what about it?” he asked.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_131">[131]</div> +<p>“Just this. A few nights ago a truck load of melons +similar to these, was stolen from the Davis farm near +Riverview. The thief was trailed right to this city.”</p> +<p>“You’re trying to say that I sell stolen melons!”</p> +<p>“I’m not making any direct accusations,” Penny replied +evenly. “No doubt you can explain where you +got the melons.”</p> +<p>“Certainly I can. I bought a truck load of them +from a farmer named John Toby. The melons were +good, the price cheap, and I didn’t pay any attention +to the stamp.”</p> +<p>“Is Mr. Toby a regular dealer?”</p> +<p>“I buy from him now and then, when his prices are +right. I never bothered to ask any questions.”</p> +<p>“Where does the man live?”</p> +<p>“I can’t tell you that. He’s a large, heavy-set fellow +with brown hair and eyes.”</p> +<p>The description was too meagre to be of value to +Penny.</p> +<p>“Does Mr. Toby drive a red truck?” she inquired +thoughtfully.</p> +<p>“He did this last time.”</p> +<p>“It was a red truck which was stolen from the Davis +farm,” Penny said quietly. “I’m sure these melons +came from there too.”</p> +<p>“I paid good money for them,” the dealer retorted +in a defiant tone. “So far as I knew, they belonged to +this fellow Toby. I can’t investigate every farmer +who offers me produce.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_132">[132]</div> +<p>“All the same, you could get into serious trouble for +selling stolen melons,” Penny replied. “Of course, I +have no intention of going to the police, providing +you are willing to cooperate.”</p> +<p>“What d’you mean, cooperate?” the dealer inquired +suspiciously.</p> +<p>“Only this. Will you see John Toby again?”</p> +<p>“That’s hard to tell. He said he might bring in another +load of melons within the next few days.”</p> +<p>“When you receive the next shipment, will you +notify me?”</p> +<p>“Yes, I’m willing to do that,” the dealer promised. +“If Toby is crooked, I want to know it myself.”</p> +<p>Penny gave the man her name, address, and telephone +number. Knowing that he might not be able +to reach her quickly enough, she instructed him to detain +the farmer by force if necessary.</p> +<p>“If I can’t get in touch with you, I may have the fellow +questioned by police,” the dealer offered. “I +don’t want to put myself into a hole.”</p> +<p>Penny was not entirely satisfied that the market man +would keep his promise. However, she hesitated to +make a report to the police without first consulting +her father. Everything considered, it seemed best to +let the situation work out as it would.</p> +<p>“Well, your luck is still running true to form,” +Louise said jokingly, as the girls drove toward Riverview. +“Do you have any idea who John Toby +may be?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_133">[133]</div> +<p>“Not the slightest,” Penny confessed. “The description +would fit Hank Holloway, or for that matter, +any one of a dozen men I know.”</p> +<p>The girls arrived in Riverview by mid-afternoon +after an uneventful trip. Penny dropped Louise at +the Sidell home and then went to the <i>Star</i> office to +talk with her father. Mr. Parker was absent from his +desk, but his secretary who was typing letters, explained +that he would return in a moment.</p> +<p>Penny sat down in her father’s chair to wait. A +bulky, unsealed envelope lay on the desk. Peering at +it curiously she noted that it bore the marking: “Property +Deed: Lots 456, 457, and 458.”</p> +<p>“What’s this?” she asked aloud. “Is Dad buying +property?”</p> +<p>“Oh, no,” the secretary replied, glancing up from +her typewriter. “That is the deed and abstract for the +Orphans’ Camp site.”</p> +<p>“I wonder which property it is?”</p> +<p>“The land Mr. Blake controls, I believe. At least +he brought the papers into the office this morning for +your father’s inspection. I heard him say that if the +forms are satisfactory, the deal will be completed at +once.”</p> +<p>Penny unfolded one of the lengthy documents, +shaking her head as she scanned the legal terms.</p> +<p>“I don’t see how Dad makes anything of this,” she +said. “Such a mess of words and names!”</p> +<p>“I imagine Mr. Parker intends to turn it over to his +lawyer,” the secretary smiled.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_134">[134]</div> +<p>The editor entered the office at that moment, and +Penny directed her next question to him.</p> +<p>“Dad, is it all settled that the camp board will purchase +Mr. Blake’s land?”</p> +<p>“Practically so,” he answered. “If my lawyer, Mr. +Adams, approves the abstract, the deal will be completed. +Against my advice Mrs. Van Cleve already +has given Blake five hundred dollars to hold an option.”</p> +<p>“Why did she do that, Dad?”</p> +<p>“Well, Blake convinced her he had another buyer +for the property. It’s the old story. Competition +stimulates interest.”</p> +<p>“Do the papers seem to be all right?”</p> +<p>“Oh, I’ve not looked at them,” Mr. Parker replied. +“Blake is a good real estate man though, so there’s not +likely to be any flaw.”</p> +<p>“Who actually owns the property, Dad?”</p> +<p>“It’s there on the abstract,” he answered. “Why +not look it up for yourself?”</p> +<p>“Too much like doing home-work,” Penny grinned, +but she spread the document on the desk and began +to read various names aloud. “‘Anna and Harry Clark +to Lydia Goldwein, Lydia Goldwein to Benjamin +Bowman—’”</p> +<p>“What was that name?” Mr. Parker demanded +sharply.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_135">[135]</div> +<p>“Benjamin Bowman.” Penny peered at the document +a second time to make certain she had made no +mistake. “That’s the truth, Dad. Who knows, +maybe it’s your old pal, Ben!”</p> +<p>“Are you making up that name?” Mr. Parker asked +skeptically.</p> +<p>Penny thrust the abstract into his hand. “Here, +read it for yourself, Dad. Bowman seems to be the +present owner of the land.”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker rapidly scanned the document.</p> +<p>“The land is held by a Benjamin Bowman,” he admitted, +frowning. “A strange coincidence.”</p> +<p>“I never heard of a Bowman family living near +Riverview,” Penny remarked, reaching for a telephone +book. “Did you?”</p> +<p>“No, but Bowman is a fairly common name.”</p> +<p>Turning to the “B” section Penny went through the +telephone list.</p> +<p>“There’s only one Bowman here,” she said, penciling +a circle around the name. “A Mrs. Maud Bowman.”</p> +<p>“The name Maud Bowman doesn’t appear on the +abstract,” Mr. Parker declared, as he studied the document +once more. “There’s something funny about +this.”</p> +<p>“Mr. Blake seemed rather eager to dispose of the +land, didn’t he?”</p> +<p>“His price was a bit low, which surprised me,” Mr. +Parker said, thinking aloud. “Probably everything +can be explained satisfactorily.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_136">[136]</div> +<p>“Then why not ask Mr. Blake to do it?” Penny +proposed. “He should be able to tell you something +about his client.”</p> +<p>“That’s really a first-class idea,” Mr. Parker agreed +and he reached for a telephone. “I’ll ask Mr. Blake +to come here at once.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_137">[137]</div> +<h2 id="c17"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">17</span> +<br /><i>FALSE RECORDS</i></h2> +<p>Mr. Blake, suave, completely at ease, sat opposite +Mr. Parker and Penny in the editor’s private office.</p> +<p>“I came as soon as I could after receiving your telephone +message, Mr. Parker,” he said pleasantly. +“Now what seems to be the trouble?”</p> +<p>“Perhaps I shouldn’t have bothered you,” the editor +apologized. “However, in glancing over the abstract +for the Orphans’ Camp property I noticed that the +land is owned by a man named Benjamin Bowman.”</p> +<p>“Quite true. I am acting as his agent.”</p> +<p>“It happens that I have had dealings with a man by +that same name,” resumed Mr. Parker. “Rather unpleasant +dealings, I might add. I’m curious to learn if +this property owner is the same fellow.”</p> +<p>“Very unlikely, I think,” Mr. Blake shrugged. +“My client does not reside in Riverview.”</p> +<p>“Nor does the man I have in mind.”</p> +<p>“Can you tell us what he looks like?” Penny interposed +eagerly.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_138">[138]</div> +<p>“I am very sorry, but I can’t,” Mr. Blake returned. +“I’ve never met Mr. Bowman.”</p> +<p>“Yet you act as his agent?” Mr. Parker inquired in +astonishment.</p> +<p>“All our dealings have been by mail or telephone.”</p> +<p>“I see,” the editor commented reflectively. “Well, +at least you can provide me with the man’s address.”</p> +<p>“I can’t do that either,” Mr. Blake declined. “Benjamin +Bowman is a salesman with no permanent address. +He communicates with me at fairly regular +intervals, but until I hear from him, I have no idea +where he will be the following week.”</p> +<p>“Your description seems to fit the man of my acquaintance,” +Mr. Parker said dryly. “But tell me, +how do you expect to complete this deal? Will Bowman +come here to sign the necessary papers?”</p> +<p>“Oh, that won’t be required. He’s already made +out the sales documents, and also given me a power of +attorney.”</p> +<p>“Mr. Bowman seems to think of everything,” Mr. +Parker remarked grimly. “I was hoping for the pleasure +of meeting him.”</p> +<p>“I really don’t see what all this has to do with the +sale of the property,” Mr. Blake reproved in a mild +voice. “You feel that the site is a suitable one, and the +price right?”</p> +<p>“I have no serious objections to it.”</p> +<p>“Then why allow your personal feelings to interfere +with the deal?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_139">[139]</div> +<p>“I have no intention of doing so,” Mr. Parker answered.</p> +<p>“Then if you’ll give your approval, we’ll sign the +final papers tomorrow at my office. The dedication +of the new camp has been set for the tenth of the +month, and that means no time can be lost.”</p> +<p>“Everything seems to have been settled without my +approval,” Mr. Parker said, smiling. “However, if +you don’t mind, I’ll keep this abstract a little longer.”</p> +<p>“As you like,” the real estate man shrugged. “Have +your lawyer go over the records with a fine tooth +comb. He’ll find no flaws anywhere.”</p> +<p>Arising, Mr. Blake bowed politely and left the office. +Penny waited until she knew that he was a considerable +distance from the door before seeking her father’s +opinion of the interview.</p> +<p>“Everything may be on the level,” he conceded, +frowning. “I’ve no reason to distrust Blake, and yet I +can’t help feeling that there’s something peculiar about +this land deal.”</p> +<p>“Blake has been rushing things through at such a +furious rate,” Penny nodded. “Another thing, Ben +Bowman is a well-known forger.”</p> +<p>“What makes you think that?” the editor asked +alertly. “Any real information?”</p> +<p>Penny revealed everything she had learned that day +at Claymore. Mr. Parker listened attentively, making +few comments until she had finished.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_140">[140]</div> +<p>“I am more than ever convinced there is something +phoney about Bowman’s connection with this affair,” +he declared grimly. “We’ll see what my lawyer has +to say.”</p> +<p>Having made up his mind that the transaction merited +a thorough investigation, Mr. Parker personally +carried the questionable abstract to a reliable law firm, +Adams and McPherson. The report came back late in +the afternoon, and was relayed to Penny at the dinner +table.</p> +<p>“Mr. Adams says that the abstract seems to be drawn +up correctly,” the editor disclosed. “He could find +no flaw in it or in any of the records at the court +house.”</p> +<p>“Then apparently we jumped too hasty to conclusions,” +Penny remarked in disappointment.</p> +<p>“I’m not so sure. Mr. Adams tells me that the +ownership of the property is a very muddled affair.”</p> +<p>“Muddled?”</p> +<p>“Yes, it has changed hands many times in the past +year, and oddly, none of the buyers or sellers seem to +be known in Riverview.”</p> +<p>“What does Mr. Adams think about that, Dad?”</p> +<p>“He advises that the records be inspected very carefully. +It will take weeks though, for they are quite +involved.”</p> +<p>“I suppose that will hold up the opening of the +camp.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_141">[141]</div> +<p>“It may,” Mr. Parker acknowledged. “However, +it seems wise to take every precaution even if the camp +isn’t opened this year. Too much money is involved +to risk paying for land which may have a faulty title.”</p> +<p>The following day, the editor conferred with members +of the Camp Fund board, telling of his findings. +To his chagrin, Mrs. Van Cleve did not share his +views.</p> +<p>“I trust Mr. Blake’s judgment implicitly,” she insisted. +“I am sure the property will be satisfactory in +every way. If there should by chance be any flaw in +the title, he would make it good.”</p> +<p>“We can’t possibly delay the dedication another +week,” added another feminine member of the board. +“The summer is nearly over now.”</p> +<p>“At least postpone making the final payment until +after I have had another report from my lawyers,” Mr. +Parker pleaded.</p> +<p>“Very well, we’ll do that,” Mrs. Van Cleve agreed. +“Mr. Blake is so obliging I am sure he will allow us to +set up equipment on the land, even though we don’t +actually possess title.”</p> +<p>The entire transaction seemed very unbusinesslike +to Mr. Parker, but he did not attempt to force his opinion +upon the board members. Accordingly, plans +went forward for the grand opening of the camp. +Stories appeared regularly in the <i>Star</i>, playground +equipment and floored tents were set up on the camp +site, and the actual dedication program was announced.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_142">[142]</div> +<p>“You might know Mr. Blake would be invited to +make the main speech,” Penny remarked disapprovingly +as she scanned the latest story of the coming +affair. “Every day, in every way, he gives me a bigger +and bigger pain!”</p> +<p>Throughout the week both she and Louise had been +very active, helping out at the new camp site. The +land had been cleared of underbrush, trails had been +constructed, and a well dug. While supervising the +setting-up of slides, merry-go-rounds and teeter-totters, +Penny upon several occasions had had disagreements +with Mr. Blake. The man remained at the site +almost constantly, imposing his wishes upon everyone.</p> +<p>“A great deal of time and money has been spent getting +that place ready for the dedication,” Penny commented +to her father. “If anything should happen that +the final papers aren’t signed, it would be a pity.”</p> +<p>“I’ve had no report as yet,” Mr. Parker answered. +“My lawyers tell me they never delved into a more involved +case.”</p> +<p>“What does Mr. Blake think about the investigation?”</p> +<p>“He seems to be agreeable. However, I suspect he’s +been working on the various board members, trying +to get them to conclude the deal without waiting.”</p> +<p>“How long will it be before you’ll have a final report, +Dad?”</p> +<p>“I don’t know,” he admitted. “I expected to get it +long before this.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_143">[143]</div> +<p>In the flurry of preparing for the camp dedication, +Penny had no opportunity to give much thought to +other affairs. She did not see Seth McGuire, the sheriff +had nothing to disclose concerning Clem Davis’ +disappearance, and the Black Hoods seemed to have +become an extinct organization.</p> +<p>On the morning of the designated date, Penny was +abroad early. She and Louise planned to drive to the +dedication exercises together, and wished to arrive before +the grounds were congested. Eating breakfast +hurriedly, Penny scarcely noticed when her father +was called to the telephone. He absented himself +from the dining room nearly fifteen minutes. As he +returned to the table, Penny pushed back her chair, +ready to leave.</p> +<p>“Well, I’ll see you at the camp grounds, Dad,” she +said lightly.</p> +<p>“I don’t know what to do about the dedication,” +responded Mr. Parker in a sober tone. “By rights +there should be none.”</p> +<p>Penny stared at him.</p> +<p>“I’ve just heard from my lawyers,” Mr. Parker explained.</p> +<p>“Then, there is a flaw in the title as you suspected!”</p> +<p>“Decidedly. It’s a very mixed-up mess, and as yet +we’re not sure what it may mean.”</p> +<p>“Tell me about it, Dad,” Penny pleaded, sliding +back into her chair.</p> +<p>“Benjamin Bowman—whoever he may be—doesn’t +own the camp property.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_144">[144]</div> +<p>“Then in whose name is it?”</p> +<p>“The property doesn’t belong to anyone.”</p> +<p>“Why, how ridiculous!” Penny exclaimed. “Doesn’t +every piece of land in the world belong to someone?”</p> +<p>“Actually the heirs of Rosanna and Joseph Schulta +own this particular property. But there are no heirs.”</p> +<p>“What you say doesn’t make sense to me, Dad.”</p> +<p>“The whole affair is very involved,” Mr. Parker explained. +“In tracing back the history of the land, my +lawyers found that originally it was owned by Rosanna +and Joseph Schulta, an elderly couple, who had +no known relatives. They sailed for Germany more +than fifty years ago. The ship sank, and presumably +they were lost. Their land was never claimed, and +somehow the state overlooked the case.”</p> +<p>“But I thought the property had changed hands +many times in recent years!”</p> +<p>“Only theoretically. All those records have been +falsified.”</p> +<p>“By whom, Dad? Ben Bowman?”</p> +<p>“My lawyers are inclined to think Blake may be at +the bottom of it. He is a very shrewd real estate man, +and in examining records at the court house, he may +have learned about this floating property.”</p> +<p>“Then he deliberately tried to cheat the Camp Fund +board!”</p> +<p>“It looks that way. Neither Ben Bowman nor anyone +else owns the property. Had you not noticed his +name on the abstract, it’s unlikely the fraud would +have been uncovered for quite a few years to come.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_145">[145]</div> +<p>“What will you do, Dad?” Penny inquired, deeply +distressed. “The dedication is scheduled to start +within an hour.”</p> +<p>“I don’t see how it can be postponed,” Mr. Parker +said soberly. “It will have to go on according to +schedule.”</p> +<p>“Afterwards you’ll ask for Blake’s arrest?”</p> +<p>“There’s no real evidence against him.”</p> +<p>“No evidence!”</p> +<p>“He claims to be a mere agent of Ben Bowman. All +of the deeds and legal papers were drawn up by some +other person. If any accusation is made against him, +he can escape by maintaining that he knew nothing of +the back records.”</p> +<p>“There’s one person who might be able to implicate +him!” Penny exclaimed. “Ben Bowman!”</p> +<p>“Bowman should have it in his power to clear up +some of the mystery,” Mr. Parker agreed. “But how +are we to find him?”</p> +<p>“I don’t know,” Penny admitted. “It looks rather +hopeless unless the police just present him to us +wrapped in pink ribbon.”</p> +<p>The clock struck nine. Daring not to linger any +longer, Penny hastily bade her father goodbye and +left the house.</p> +<p>Driving to the camp site with Louise Sidell, she told +her chum of the latest complications.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_146">[146]</div> +<p>“Mr. Blake is one of the worst hypocrites in the +world,” she declared feelingly. “He pretends he +wants to help the orphans, and all the while he intends +to trick the Board and make a nice profit for himself.”</p> +<p>“Your father won’t let him get away with it,” Louise +returned confidently. “So long as the money hasn’t +been paid over there’s no need to worry.”</p> +<p>Arriving at the camp site, the girls went at once to +the official tent. To their surprise, Mr. Blake, Mrs. +Van Cleve, and all members of the Board save Mr. +Parker, were there. On the table lay various legal +papers which bore signatures still moist with ink.</p> +<p>Penny gazed from one person to another, slowly +comprehending the scene.</p> +<p>“You’re not buying this property!” she exclaimed +in protest.</p> +<p>Mrs. Van Cleve’s reply stunned her.</p> +<p>“It seemed unreasonable to keep Mr. Blake waiting,” +the woman said quietly. “The transaction has just +been completed.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_147">[147]</div> +<h2 id="c18"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">18</span> +<br /><i>ADELLE’S ACCUSATION</i></h2> +<p>“Oh, Mrs. Van Cleve! You’ve been cheated!”</p> +<p>The signing of the papers had taken Penny so by +surprise that she did not weigh her words before +speaking. Too late, she realized that her father never +would approve of revealing the facts in such blunt +fashion. However, having said so much, she was determined +to go on.</p> +<p>“My dear, what do you mean?” inquired Mrs. Van +Cleve, troubled by the unexpected accusation.</p> +<p>“Any money paid for this land will be lost! My +father has just learned—”</p> +<p>“I resent such loose talk!” Mr. Blake broke in irritably. +“Mr. Bowman, whom I represent, has taken a +substantial loss on the property.”</p> +<p>“And who is Ben Bowman?” Penny challenged. +“You can’t produce him, nor prove that he owns the +land. The title is faulty. Neither you nor Ben Bowman +has any right to sell it!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_148">[148]</div> +<p>“This isn’t true?” Mrs. Van Cleve asked the real +estate man.</p> +<p>“Certainly not! You may be sure that if there is +the slightest flaw in the title, I shall return your +cheque.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps, considering the uncertainty, it might be +wise to postpone payment until I have talked again +with Mr. Parker,” Mrs. Van Cleve said diffidently.</p> +<p>The real estate man made no attempt to hide his +annoyance. “My dear Mrs. Van Cleve,” he said, “the +deal already has been completed. I have tried to remain +patient, but really this is too much.”</p> +<p>On the table lay several typewritten papers. +Clipped neatly to the uppermost one, was the cheque +endorsed by Mrs. Van Cleve. Mr. Blake reached to +take possession of it, but his move was deliberate. +Acting impulsively, Penny darted forward and seized +the bit of paper. To the horror of everyone in the +tent, she tore the cheque into a dozen pieces and tossed +them into the air.</p> +<p>“There!” she announced, a trifle stunned by her +own act.</p> +<p>“Penelope, you shouldn’t have done that,” Mrs. Van +Cleve reproved, but she smiled faintly.</p> +<p>“You are an outrageous child!” Mr. Blake exclaimed, +losing his temper. “What do you expect to +accomplish by such a stupid trick? Mrs. Van Cleve +will merely write out another cheque.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_149">[149]</div> +<p>“Well, under the circumstance, it might be better to +wait,” the club woman demurred. “I really shouldn’t +have acted without consulting Mr. Parker.”</p> +<p>“Unless the transaction is completed now I shall +have nothing to do with the dedication,” Mr. Blake +declared. “I shall decline to make my speech.”</p> +<p>Penny’s broad grin made it clear that she thought +the loss would not be a great one.</p> +<p>“Furthermore, I shall ask that my recent donation +be returned,” Mr. Blake resumed severely. “I shall +withdraw this property for sale—”</p> +<p>“<i>You</i> will withdraw it!” Penny caught him up. “I +thought you merely were acting as the agent for Benjamin +Bowman!”</p> +<p>“I mean I shall make such a suggestion to him,” the +real estate man amended.</p> +<p>Penny waited anxiously for Mrs. Van Cleve’s decision. +To her relief, the society woman seemed annoyed +by the attitude Mr. Blake had taken.</p> +<p>“I am sorry,” she said coldly. “If you don’t wish +to make the dedication speech, we will manage to do +without your services. As for the cheque, I cannot +make out another until I have discussed the situation +with Mr. Parker.”</p> +<p>The argument went on, but Penny did not remain +to hear it. Louise took her forcibly by the arm, fairly +pulling her outside the tent.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_150">[150]</div> +<p>“Haven’t you caused enough trouble?” she demanded +disapprovingly. “Such a mess as everything +is in now!”</p> +<p>“I don’t care,” Penny replied. “I saved the Camp +Fund money. Mrs. Van Cleve was glad I tore up the +cheque too! She just didn’t dare say so.”</p> +<p>“There will be no dedication. What will everyone +think?”</p> +<p>Disconsolately, Louise gazed toward the area which +had been roped off for cars. Although it was half an +hour before the formal program was to start, hundreds +of persons had arrived. On a platform, built especially +for the occasion, an orchestra played spritely selections. +There were picnic tables and a stone fireplace +for outdoor cooking.</p> +<p>As the girls wandered slowly toward the river, a bus +loaded with orphans arrived from the Riverview +Home. With shrieks of laughter, the children +swarmed over the grounds, taking possession of +swings, sand pile, and slides.</p> +<p>“It seems a pity,” Louise remarked again.</p> +<p>By ten o’clock the grounds were jammed with visitors. +Penny knew that her father must have arrived +for the exercises, but although she searched everywhere, +she could not find him. In roving about, she +did meet Mr. Blake, who pretended not to see her.</p> +<p>How matters had been arranged, the girls did not +know. However, promptly at ten-thirty, the dedication +exercises began, exactly as scheduled. Mr. Blake +occupied the platform with other members of the +board, and at the proper time made a brief and rather +curt speech.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_151">[151]</div> +<p>“Everything seems to have turned out rather well,” +Louise remarked in relief. “Mr. Blake may not be +such a bad sort after all.”</p> +<p>“Don’t you believe it,” Penny returned. “He’s +just clever enough never to put himself in a bad light +if he can help it. I only hope Mrs. Van Cleve didn’t +give in to him and sign another cheque.”</p> +<p>Following the dedication exercises, a portion of the +crowd dispersed, but many persons remained to enjoy +picnic lunches. Penny and Louise ate their own +sandwiches, and then watched the orphans at play.</p> +<p>“The new camp director seems very efficient,” +Louise remarked, her gaze upon a young man who +supervised the children.</p> +<p>Presently, as the girls watched, the camp supervisor +announced that he would take several boys and +girls for a sail on the river. The boat, a twelve-foot +dinghy, had been the gift of a well-to-do Riverview +department store owner.</p> +<p>Immediately there was a great clamor from the +children, for everyone wanted to take the first ride.</p> +<p>“Only six may go,” the director said, and called off +the names.</p> +<p>Penny and Louise wandered down to the water’s +edge to watch the loading of the boat. Adelle had +been one of the orphans chosen, and they waved reassuringly +to her.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_152">[152]</div> +<p>The camp director shoved off, and quickly raised +the sail. There were squeals of delight from the children +as it filled, causing the craft to heel over slightly.</p> +<p>“The breeze is quite uncertain today,” Penny remarked +anxiously. “I hope that young man knows +what he is about.”</p> +<p>The boat sailed a diagonal course across the river, +turned, and came back on another tack. Then as the +breeze died, it seemed to make no progress at all. +Losing interest, Penny and Louise started to walk on +down the shore.</p> +<p>Scarcely had they turned away than they were +startled to hear screams from the river. Whirling +around, they saw that the camp director was in serious +trouble. A sudden puff of wind had caught the boat +when it did not have steerage way. Unable to drive +ahead, it slowly tilted sideways.</p> +<p>“It’s going over!” Louise screamed.</p> +<p>Already Penny had kicked off her shoes. Without +waiting for the inevitable result, she plunged into the +river. When her head emerged from the water, she +saw the boat on its side. Two children were clinging +to it, the camp director was frantically trying to support +two others, while another girl and boy struggled +wildly to keep from sinking.</p> +<p>Swimming as rapidly as she could, Penny reached +the overturned boat. Her first act was to help the +camp director who was being strangled by the two +children who clung to him. Drawing the trio to the +craft, she then seized a struggling boy by the hair, and +pulled him to safety.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_153">[153]</div> +<p>“Adelle!” the camp director gasped. “Get her!”</p> +<p>The little girl had been carried a considerable distance +from the boat. Penny started to swim toward +her, but she saw that it would not be necessary. From +the forest close by had emerged an unshaven man in +rough, soiled clothing. Diving into the water, he +seized Adelle, and swam with her to shore.</p> +<p>Penny did not return to the overturned boat for +several men had waded out to tow it to land. Concerned +regarding Adelle, she followed the child’s +rescuer.</p> +<p>The man bore the orphan in his arms to a grassy +spot on shore. Stretching her out there, he hesitated +an instant, and then before the crowd could surround +him, darted quickly away toward the woods.</p> +<p>“Wait!” Penny shouted, wading through the shallow +water.</p> +<p>The man heard, but paid no heed. He entered the +forest and was lost to view.</p> +<p>“That was Clem Davis!” Penny thought tensely. +“I’m sure of it!”</p> +<p>Before she could reach Adelle, other persons had +gathered around the child. Clyde Blake pushed +through the crowd.</p> +<p>“What is this?” he inquired. “What has happened?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_154">[154]</div> +<p>As the man bent over Adelle, the little girl opened +her eyes, gazing directly into his face. For a moment +she stared at him in a bewildered way. Then, struggling +to a sitting position, she pointed an accusing +finger.</p> +<p>“You are the one!” she whispered shakily. “You’re +the man whose car killed my Mother and Daddy!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_155">[155]</div> +<h2 id="c19"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">19</span> +<br /><i>TRAILING A FUGITIVE</i></h2> +<p>Adelle’s accusation brought a murmur of +consternation and shocked surprise from the crowd. +Mr. Blake, however, seemed undisturbed. Dropping +on his knees, he supported Adelle and wrapped his +coat about her trembling shoulders.</p> +<p>“There, there, my poor child,” he said soothingly. +“You are quite upset, and for good reason.”</p> +<p>“Don’t touch me,” Adelle shivered, cringing away. +“You’re mean and cruel!”</p> +<p>By this time, Miss Anderson and other officials of +the Riverview Home had reached the scene. Somewhat +sternly they tried to silence the child.</p> +<p>“She doesn’t know what she is saying,” Miss Anderson +apologized to Mr. Blake. “Adelle has been +very nervous since she was in an automobile accident.”</p> +<p>“I quite understand,” the real estate man responded. +“The child must have a change of clothing, and no +doubt, medical care. May I send her to the Home in +my car?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_156">[156]</div> +<p>“Why, that is very kind of you, I am sure,” Miss +Anderson said gratefully.</p> +<p>With every appearance of concern, Mr. Blake +picked Adelle up in his arms and carried her away. +Penny was kept busy helping bundle up the other +children who had been rescued from the water. None +the worse for the misadventure, they too were taken +to Mr. Blake’s car.</p> +<p>“Here, put on my coat before you freeze,” Louise +said anxiously to Penny after the automobile had sped +away. “We must start home at once.”</p> +<p>“I don’t want to go now!” Penny protested. “Did +you notice that man who pulled Adelle from the +water?”</p> +<p>“He looked like a tramp. I wonder what made him +run away?”</p> +<p>“Lou, I think that man was Clem Davis. By rights +I should tell the sheriff, but I can’t bring myself to do +it—not after the way he saved Adelle.”</p> +<p>“Never mind all that now,” Louise said, forcing +Penny toward the car. “You must go home and +change your wet clothes.”</p> +<p>“But I want to find Clem Davis and talk with him!”</p> +<p>“That will have to wait. You’re going home!” +Taking her chum firmly by the arm, Louise pushed her +into the car.</p> +<p>At the Parker home, Penny changed her clothes, +discussing the day’s events as she dried her hair. +Adelle’s accusation had not escaped her, and she had +taken it more seriously than did others in the crowd.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_157">[157]</div> +<p>“Perhaps that child knew what she was talking +about!” she declared to Louise. “Blake’s car may +have been the one which killed her parents!”</p> +<p>“Oh, Penny, you’re so hopelessly prejudiced against +the man,” her chum replied.</p> +<p>“Maybe I am, but Adelle is the only person who +can identify the hit-run motorist.”</p> +<p>“Even so, you know she probably is not a reliable +witness.”</p> +<p>“I’ll grant that her accident today may have upset +her emotionally,” Penny conceded. “After she recovers, +I’m curious to learn what she’ll have to say.”</p> +<p>The hour was so late that the girls did not return +to the camp site. Louise soon went to her own home +and Penny was left alone. She restlessly wandered +about, polished the car, and fretted because neither her +father nor Mrs. Weems came home. At length, for +want of another occupation, she motored to the Riverview +Home on the pretext of inquiring about the condition +of the children rescued from the water.</p> +<p>“They’re doing just fine,” Miss Anderson assured +her. “That is, all except Adelle. The child is very +upset.”</p> +<p>“Has she said anything more about Mr. Blake?” +Penny inquired.</p> +<p>“She doesn’t know his name, but she keeps insisting +he was the man whose car killed her parents. I never +was so mortified in my life as when she made the accusation. +Fortunately, Mr. Blake did not take offense.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_158">[158]</div> +<p>Penny was eager to talk with Adelle, and Miss +Anderson said that she might do so for a few minutes. +The little girl had been put to bed but seemed quite +content as she played with a new doll.</p> +<p>“Mr. McGuire sent me this,” she said, holding it up +for Penny to see. “I’ve named her Imogene.”</p> +<p>Miss Anderson was called to the telephone. During +the young woman’s absence, Penny discreetly questioned +Adelle about the motor accident in which her +parents had lost their lives. She was worried lest the +child be upset again, but to her relief Adelle answered +in a matter-of-fact tone.</p> +<p>“No one will believe me,” the little girl said. “Just +the same, that man I saw today was the one who ran +into my Daddy’s car. He had a big, gray automobile +with a horn on it that played a tune.”</p> +<p>“A gray car?” Penny repeated thoughtfully. “I’m +quite sure Mr. Blake’s sedan is dark blue. Why, you +were taken home in his automobile this afternoon, +Adelle.”</p> +<p>“It wasn’t that car,” the child answered. “He must +have another one.”</p> +<p>Miss Anderson re-entered the room, so Penny did +not ask additional questions. Soon leaving the Home, +she motored slowly toward the camp site by the river. +Although she readily understood that Adelle might +be mistaken, a conviction was growing upon her that +Clyde Blake could have been the hit-run driver.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_159">[159]</div> +<p>“Even if he doesn’t drive a gray car, that proves +nothing,” she mused. “He easily could have changed +it during the past year.”</p> +<p>Penny thought that she might find her father or +some of the Camp Board officials still at the river. +However, as she drove into the parking area, she observed +that the grounds were entirely deserted. Paper +plates, napkins and newspapers had been blown helter-skelter +by the wind. Picnic tables still held the unsightly +remains of lunches. The speakers’ platform +had been torn down, even the tents were gone, for +it was not planned to make practical use of the +grounds until more work had been done.</p> +<p>As Penny was starting to drive away, she noticed a +lone man near one of the picnic tables. He was +dressed in rough, unpressed garments, and seemed to +be scavenging food which had been left behind.</p> +<p>“That’s the same man who pulled Adelle from the +water!” she thought alertly.</p> +<p>Leaping from the car, Penny ran toward him.</p> +<p>Hearing footsteps, the man turned and saw her. +Almost in panic he started for the woods.</p> +<p>“Wait!” Penny shouted. “I won’t turn you over to +the police! Please wait!”</p> +<p>The man hesitated, and then apparently deciding +that he had nothing to fear from a girl, paused.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_160">[160]</div> +<p>“I want to thank you for saving Adelle,” Penny +said breathlessly. “Why did you run away?”</p> +<p>“Well, I don’t know,” the man answered, avoiding +her gaze. “I never liked crowds.”</p> +<p>Penny decided to risk a direct accusation. “You +are Clem Davis,” she said, eyeing him steadily.</p> +<p>“That’s a laugh,” the man retorted, starting to edge +away. “My name is Thomas Ryan.”</p> +<p>“Now please don’t run away again,” Penny pleaded, +sensing his intention. “If you are Clem Davis, and I’m +sure you are, I want to help you.”</p> +<p>“How could you help me?”</p> +<p>“By exposing the men who framed you. I never believed +that you set fire to the Preston barn.”</p> +<p>“I never did.”</p> +<p>“Please tell me about it,” Penny urged, seating herself +at one of the picnic benches.</p> +<p>“Who are you anyhow?” the man asked suspiciously. +“Why are you so willing to help me, as you +say?”</p> +<p>“I’m Penelope Parker, and my father publishes the +<i>Star</i>.”</p> +<p>“Oh, I see, you’re after a story!”</p> +<p>“No, that part is only incidental,” Penny said +hurriedly. “What my father really wants to do is +to expose the Black Hoods and drive them out of existence. +You’re the one person who might be able to +provide evidence which would convict the guilty +parties.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_161">[161]</div> +<p>“I could tell plenty if I was a mind to do it. No +one would believe me though.”</p> +<p>“I will, Mr. Davis.”</p> +<p>“I was in the notion of going to the Grand Jury at +one time,” the man said slowly. “That’s what brought +on all my trouble. If I’d had sense enough to have +kept my mouth shut, I wouldn’t be a fugitive now.”</p> +<p>“What connection did you have with the Hoods? +Were you a member of the organization?”</p> +<p>“Yes, I was,” the man admitted reluctantly. “I +didn’t know much about the Hoods when I joined ’em. +Then I tried to drop out, and that’s what turned ’em +against me.”</p> +<p>“Suppose you tell me all about it. What is the real +purpose of the organization?”</p> +<p>“Well, right now the Hoods are trying to force +every truck farmer in this district to join the County +Cooperative.”</p> +<p>“Then Hank Holloway must be the ring leader!” +Penny exclaimed, startled by the information.</p> +<p>“No, he’s not at the head of the Hoods,” Clem Davis +corrected.</p> +<p>“Who is the man?” Penny questioned eagerly.</p> +<p>Clem Davis started to speak, then hesitated. An +automobile had driven into the parking area only a few +rods away. Several workmen who had been assigned +to clean up the grounds, alighted.</p> +<p>“They’re coming this way,” Clem Davis said uneasily. +“I can’t risk being seen.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_162">[162]</div> +<p>Abruptly, he started toward the sheltering trees.</p> +<p>“Wait!” Penny pleaded, pursuing him. “You +haven’t told me half enough. Please wait!”</p> +<p>“I’m not going to risk arrest,” the man returned over +his shoulder.</p> +<p>“At least meet me here again!”</p> +<p>“Okay, I’ll do that,” Clem Davis agreed.</p> +<p>“Tomorrow night just at dusk,” Penny said quickly. +“And please don’t fail me. I promise. I’ll help you.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_163">[163]</div> +<h2 id="c20"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">20</span> +<br /><i>CLEM DAVIS’ DISCLOSURE</i></h2> +<p>After Clem Davis had disappeared into the +woods, Penny wasted no more time in the vicinity. +Jumping into her car, she drove home in a daze of +excitement, to tell her father the amazing story.</p> +<p>“Meeting that man was wonderful luck!” she assured +him exultantly. “Why, if only he reveals what +he knows, we will get an exclusive story for the <i>Star</i>! +We’ll expose the Hoods and put an end to the organization!”</p> +<p>“As easy as that?” laughed Mr. Parker. “Seriously +though, I think we are on the verge of cracking the +story. In going over the books of the County Cooperative, +Jerry has discovered any number of discrepancies.”</p> +<p>“I’ve always thought that Hank Holloway might be +connected with the Hoods, Dad! I believe he was the +night rider who made off with Mrs. Davis’ melons.”</p> +<p>“Any idea who the other members of the outfit may +be?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_164">[164]</div> +<p>“Not yet, but I expect to find out when I meet +Clem Davis tomorrow.”</p> +<p>“I’ll go with you,” Mr. Parker declared. “Maybe +I should take Sheriff Daniels along too.”</p> +<p>“Oh, Dad,” Penny protested indignantly. “I promised +to help Clem, not turn him over to an officer. I +am afraid that unless I go alone, he’ll not even show +himself.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps it would be best for you to go by yourself,” +the editor admitted. “Learn what you can from Davis, +and make an appointment for him to see me.”</p> +<p>Another matter weighed heavily on Penny’s mind. +In her encounter with Clyde Blake that morning, she +had acted in a high-handed manner, and sooner or +later her father must hear about the cheque episode.</p> +<p>“Dad, I have a confession to make,” she began +awkwardly. “When I reached the camp this morning +I found that Mr. Blake had induced the board members +to buy the property—”</p> +<p>“Never mind,” Mr. Parker interrupted. “I’ve already +heard the details of your disgraceful actions +from Mrs. Van Cleve.”</p> +<p>“I’m thoroughly ashamed of myself,” Penny said +contritely. “I tore up the cheque on the spur of the +moment.”</p> +<p>“It was a foolish, rather dramatic thing to do. However, +I must acknowledge the result was highly +pleasing to everyone save Clyde Blake.”</p> +<p>“What does he have to say, Dad?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_165">[165]</div> +<p>“He claims that he acted in good faith for Benjamin +Bowman. Likewise, that he had no suspicion the title +was faulty.”</p> +<p>“Naturally he would take such an attitude.”</p> +<p>“I’ve asked Blake to produce Ben Bowman,” Mr. +Parker resumed. “Unless he can do so and prove that +the property actually is owned by him, the deal is off.”</p> +<p>“Do you think Blake will bring the man to Riverview?”</p> +<p>“I doubt it very much,” the editor answered. “I +suspect he’ll bluff, and finally let the deal go by default. +It will be an easy way out for him.”</p> +<p>“Blake always seems to escape his misdeeds. I wish +we could find Ben Bowman ourselves, and bring the +two men together. That would be interesting!”</p> +<p>“Finding Ben Bowman would serve many useful +purposes,” Mr. Parker said grimly. “But now that I +would actually welcome a communication from him, +he no longer pesters me!”</p> +<p>Eagerly Penny awaited the hour appointed for her +meeting with Clem Davis. Knowing that the man did +not obtain enough to eat, she spent considerable time +the next afternoon preparing a lunch basket of substantial +food. Taking it with her, she waited at the +camp site for nearly a half hour. Finally, just as she +began to think that the man had failed her, he appeared.</p> +<p>“I’ve brought you some hot coffee,” Penny said, +taking the plug from a thermos bottle. “A little +food too.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_166">[166]</div> +<p>“Say, that’s swell!” the man murmured gratefully. +“My wife slips me a handout whenever she can, but +lately the house has been watched so closely, she can’t +get away.”</p> +<p>Seating himself at the picnic table, Clem Davis +drained the cup of coffee in a few swallows, and +greedily devoured a sandwich.</p> +<p>“Now what do you want to know?” he asked +gruffly.</p> +<p>Mr. Parker had told Penny exactly what questions +to ask. She began with the most important one.</p> +<p>“Mr. Davis, tell me, who is the head man of the +Hoods?”</p> +<p>“I don’t know myself,” he answered promptly. +“At the meetings, the Master always wore a robe and +a black hood. None of the members ever were permitted +to see his face.”</p> +<p>“You have no idea who the man may be?”</p> +<p>Clem Davis shook his head as he bit into another +sandwich. “I doubt there are more than one or two +members of the order who know his identity. Hank +Holloway might, or maybe Charley Phelps.”</p> +<p>“Is Phelps a member?” Penny asked quickly.</p> +<p>“One of the chief ones. Most of the meetings are +held at his place.”</p> +<p>“You don’t mean at the Hubell Tower?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_167">[167]</div> +<p>Penny’s pulse had stepped up to a faster pace, for +the information was of the greatest value. Furthermore, +it thrilled her that her own theory regarding +Charley Phelps was receiving support.</p> +<p>“Sure, the Hoods meet at the Tower about once +a month,” Clem Davis disclosed. “Usually they get +together on the thirteenth, but sometimes they have +extra sessions. When special meetings are held, a +green light burns on the tower, or the clock strikes +thirteen times just at midnight.”</p> +<p>“I thought so!” Penny exclaimed, highly elated. +“Tell me, why did you decide to break your connection +with the Hoods?”</p> +<p>“I joined the organization before I knew what I was +letting myself in for. When they made plans to burn +the Preston barn, I wanted to quit. The Hoods +threatened me, and to get even, planted evidence that +made it look as if I had set the fire.”</p> +<p>Penny was inclined to believe that Clem Davis had +told a straight story for it coincided with her own +theories. Always it had seemed to her that evidence +pointing to his guilt had been entirely too plain. To +corroborate her conclusions, she had brought from +home the watch fob found at the Davis stable, hoping +that he might identify it.</p> +<p>“That’s not mine,” he said promptly when she +showed the article to him. “I never saw it before.”</p> +<p>Penny opened the tiny case, displaying the child’s +picture. However, the man had no idea who the little +boy might be.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_168">[168]</div> +<p>“Mr. Davis,” she said quietly, replacing the watch +fob in her pocket. “I believe in your innocence, and +I want to help you. I am sure I can, providing you +are willing to cooperate.”</p> +<p>“I’ve already told you about everything I know.”</p> +<p>“You’ve given me splendid information,” Penny +praised. “What I want you to do is to talk with my +father. He’ll probably ask you to repeat your story +to the Grand Jury.”</p> +<p>“I’d be a fool to do that,” Clem Davis responded. +“I can’t prove any of my statements. The Preston +fire would be pinned on me, and the Hoods might try +to harm my wife. Why, they ran off with a truck load +of our melons the other night.”</p> +<p>“I know. But unless someone has the courage to +speak out against the Hoods they’ll become bolder +and do even more harm. Supposing you were promised +absolute protection. Then would you go before +the Grand Jury?”</p> +<p>“Nothing would give me more pleasure. But who +can guarantee I’ll not be made to pay?”</p> +<p>“I think my father can,” Penny assured him. “Will +you meet him here tomorrow night at this same hour?”</p> +<p>“Okay,” the man agreed, getting up from the table. +“You seem to be on the level.”</p> +<p>“I’ll bring more food tomorrow,” Penny said as +an extra inducement. “You must have had a hard time +since you’ve been hiding out in the woods.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_169">[169]</div> +<p>“Oh, it’s not so bad once you get used to it,” the +man shrugged. “I’ve got a pretty good place to sleep +now.”</p> +<p>“Inside a building?” Penny asked curiously.</p> +<p>“An automobile,” the man grinned. “Someone +abandoned it in the swamp and I’ve taken possession.”</p> +<p>“An old one, I suppose.”</p> +<p>“Not so old,” Clem Davis answered. “Funny thing, +it’s a 1941 Deluxe model with good upholstery. The +only thing I can see wrong with it is that the front +grill and fenders have been smashed.”</p> +<p>“The car isn’t by chance a gray one?”</p> +<p>“Yes, it is,” the man admitted. “How did you +guess?”</p> +<p>“I didn’t guess,” Penny returned soberly. “I have +a suspicion that car is the one which killed two people +about a year ago. Mr. Davis, you must take me to it +at once!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_170">[170]</div> +<h2 id="c21"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">21</span> +<br /><i>A BROKEN PROMISE</i></h2> +<p>“You want me to take you to the abandoned car +now?” Clem Davis echoed in surprise. “It’s located +deep in the swamp, just off a side road.”</p> +<p>“Would it require long to get there?” Penny asked +thoughtfully.</p> +<p>“A half hour at least. With night coming on you +wouldn’t be able to see a thing.”</p> +<p>“It is getting dark,” Penny admitted regretfully. +“Everything considered, I guess it would be better to +wait until tomorrow. But in the meantime, I wish you +would search the car carefully. Get the engine number—anything +which might help to identify the +owner.”</p> +<p>“The engine number has been filed off,” Clem +answered. “I’ll give the car a good going over though +to see what I can learn. Thanks for the food.”</p> +<p>Raising his hand in a semi salute, the man started +into the woods.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_171">[171]</div> +<p>“Don’t forget to meet Dad and me tomorrow night,” +Penny called after him. “We’ll be waiting here about +this same time.”</p> +<p>The interview with the fugitive had more than fulfilled +Penny’s expectations. Driving straight home, +she made a full report of the talk to her father. Breathlessly, +she revealed that the Hoods held monthly meetings +at the Hubell Tower, and that both Hank Holloway +and Charley Phelps were members of the order.</p> +<p>“You weren’t able to learn the name of the head +man?” Mr. Parker questioned.</p> +<p>“No, Clem didn’t know it himself. He says the +Master never shows himself to anyone, but always +appears in mask.”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker began to pace the floor, a habit of his +when under mental stress. The information Penny +had acquired was of utmost importance. He believed +it to be authentic, but he dared not overlook +the possibility that Clem Davis had deliberately lied.</p> +<p>“We must move cautiously on this story,” he said +aloud. “Should we make false accusations against +innocent persons, the <i>Star</i> would face disastrous lawsuits.”</p> +<p>“You’re not going to withhold the information from +the public?” Penny demanded in disappointment.</p> +<p>“For the present, I must. The thing for us to do +is to try to learn the identity of the head man. Any +news published in the <i>Star</i> would only serve as a tip-off +to him.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_172">[172]</div> +<p>“You’re right, of course,” Penny agreed after a +moment of silence.</p> +<p>“Now that we have such a splendid start, it should +be easy to gain additional information,” the editor +resumed. “You say the meetings usually are held on +the thirteenth of the month?”</p> +<p>“That’s what Clem Davis told me.”</p> +<p>“Then we’ll arrange to have the Tower watched on +that night. In the meantime, I’ll see Davis and learn +what I can from him. Jerry is working on the County +Cooperative angle of the story, and should have some +interesting facts soon.”</p> +<p>Penny knew that her father was adopting a wise +policy, but she could not help feeling slightly disappointed. +Always eager for action, she had hoped +that Clem Davis’ disclosures would lead to the immediate +arrest of both Hank Holloway and Charley +Phelps. However, she brightened at the thought that +at least additional revelations might follow her father’s +meeting with the fugitive.</p> +<p>The following night, shortly after six-thirty, Penny +and Mr. Parker presented themselves at the Orphans’ +Camp site. They had brought a basket of food, coffee, +and a generous supply of cigarettes.</p> +<p>“What time did Davis promise to meet you?” Mr. +Parker asked impatiently.</p> +<p>“He should be here now,” Penny returned. “I can’t +imagine why he’s late.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_173">[173]</div> +<p>Another half hour elapsed, and still the fugitive +did not appear. Mr. Parker paced restlessly beside +the picnic table, becoming increasingly impatient.</p> +<p>“He’s probably waiting until after dark,” Penny +declared optimistically.</p> +<p>Another hour elapsed. The shadows deepened and +a chill wind blew from the river. Hungry mosquitoes +kept Mr. Parker more than occupied as he sought to +protect himself.</p> +<p>“Well, I’ve had enough of this!” he announced at +last. “The man isn’t coming.”</p> +<p>“Oh, Dad, let’s wait just a little longer,” Penny +coaxed. “I’m sure he meant to keep his promise.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps he did, although I’m inclined to think +otherwise. At any rate, I am going home!”</p> +<p>Penny had no choice but to follow her father to the +car. She could not understand Clem Davis’ failure +to appear unless he had feared that he would be placed +under arrest. While it was quite possible that the man +might come to the picnic grounds the following night, +she was afraid she would never see him again.</p> +<p>“I half expected this to happen,” Mr. Parker remarked +as he drove toward Riverview. “Unless we +can get Davis to swear to his story, we haven’t a scrap +of real evidence against the Hoods.”</p> +<p>“We may learn something on the night of the +thirteenth,” Penny said hopefully.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_174">[174]</div> +<p>“Possibly, but I’m beginning to wonder if everything +Davis told you may not have been for the purpose +of deception.”</p> +<p>“He seemed sincere. I can’t believe he deliberately +lied to me.”</p> +<p>Submerged in gloom, Penny had little to say during +the swift ride into Riverview. She could not blame +her father for feeling annoyed, because the trip had +cost him two hours of valuable time. Clem Davis’ +failure to appear undoubtedly might deprive the <i>Star</i> +of a spectacular scoop.</p> +<p>“Never mind,” Mr. Parker said to comfort her. +“It wasn’t your fault. We’ll find another way to get +our information.”</p> +<p>The car proceeded slowly through the downtown +section of Riverview. Turning her head to read an +electric sign, Penny’s attention was drawn to a man +in a gray suit who was walking close to the curb.</p> +<p>“Dad, stop the car!” she cried, seizing his arm. +“There he is now!”</p> +<p>“Clem Davis?” Mr. Parker demanded, swerving the +automobile toward a vacant space near the sidewalk.</p> +<p>“No! No! Ben Bowman! I’m sure it is he!”</p> +<p>Springing from the car, Penny glanced up the street. +She had alighted just in time to see the man in gray +enter a telegraph office.</p> +<p>“What nonsense is this?” Mr. Parker inquired impatiently. +“Why do you think the fellow is Bowman?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_175">[175]</div> +<p>“I’m sure he’s the same man I saw at Claymore. The +one who tried to pass a forged cheque! Oh, please +Dad, we can’t let him get away!”</p> +<p>Switching off the car ignition, Mr. Parker stepped +to the curb.</p> +<p>“If it should prove to be Ben Bowman, nothing +would please me better than to nab him,” he announced +grimly. “But if you’ve made a mistake—”</p> +<p>“Come on,” Penny urged, seizing his hand. “We +can talk about it later.”</p> +<p>Through the huge plate glass window of the telegraph +office, the man in gray could be seen standing +at one of the counters. His back was to the street and +he appeared to be writing a message.</p> +<p>“I’m sure it’s Ben Bowman,” Penny said again. +“Why not go inside and ask him if that’s his name?”</p> +<p>“I shall. But I’m warning you again, if you’ve +made one of your little mistakes—”</p> +<p>“Go ahead, faint heart!” Penny chuckled, giving +him a tiny push. “I’ll stay here by the door ready to +stop him if he gets by you.”</p> +<p>With no appearance of haste, Mr. Parker sauntered +into the telegraph office. Deliberately taking a place +at the counter close beside the man in gray, he pretended +to write a message. Actually, he studied his +companion, and attempted to read the lengthy telegram +which the other had composed. Before he could +do so, the man handed the paper to a girl clerk.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_176">[176]</div> +<p>“Get this off right away,” he instructed. “Send it +collect.”</p> +<p>The clerk examined the message, having difficulty in +reading the writing.</p> +<p>“This night letter is to be sent to Anthony Parker?” +she inquired.</p> +<p>“That’s right,” the man agreed.</p> +<p>Mr. Parker waited for no more. Touching the man +on the arm, he said distinctly:</p> +<p>“I’ll save you the trouble of sending that message. +I am Anthony Parker.”</p> +<p>The man whirled around, his face plainly showing +consternation.</p> +<p>“You are Ben Bowman I assume,” Mr. Parker said +coolly. “I’ve long looked forward to meeting you.”</p> +<p>“You’ve got me mixed up with someone else,” the +man mumbled, edging away. “My name’s Clark +Edgewater. See, I signed it to this telegram.”</p> +<p>As proof of his contention, he pointed to the lengthy +communication which lay on the counter. One glance +satisfied Mr. Parker that it was another “crank” message.</p> +<p>“I don’t care how you sign your name,” he retorted. +“You are Ben Bowman. We have a few +matters to talk over.”</p> +<p>The man gazed uncertainly at Mr. Parker. He +started to speak, then changed his mind. Turning, +he made a sudden break for the exit.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_177">[177]</div> +<p>“Stop him!” Mr. Parker shouted. “Don’t let him +get away!”</p> +<p>Penny stood close to the door. As the man rushed +toward her, she shot a bolt into place.</p> +<p>“Not quite so fast, Mr. Bowman,” she said, smiling. +“We really must have a chat with you.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_178">[178]</div> +<h2 id="c22"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">22</span> +<br /><i>THE MAN IN GRAY</i></h2> +<p>With the door locked, the man saw that he could +not hope to escape. Accepting the situation, he regarded +Mr. Parker and Penny with cold disdain.</p> +<p>“All right, my name is Ben Bowman,” he acknowledged, +shrugging. “So what?”</p> +<p>“You’re the man who has been sending me collect +messages for the past three months!” Mr. Parker accused.</p> +<p>“And what if I have? Is there any law against it? +You run a lousy paper, and as a reader I have a right +to complain!”</p> +<p>“But not at my expense. Another thing, I want to +know what connection you’ve had with Clyde Blake.”</p> +<p>“Never heard of him.”</p> +<p>“Then you don’t own property in this city?”</p> +<p>“Nor anywhere else. Now if you’re through giving +me the third degree, I’ll move on.”</p> +<p>“Not so fast,” interposed Penny, refusing to unbar +the door, “if I’m not mistaken you’re the same man +who is wanted at Claymore for forging a cheque.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_179">[179]</div> +<p>“Really, this is too much!” Ben Bowman exclaimed +angrily. “Unless you permit me to pass, I shall protest +to the police.”</p> +<p>“I see an officer just across the street,” Mr. Parker +declared. “Penny, will you call him over?”</p> +<p>“Just a minute,” Ben Bowman interposed in an +altered tone. “We can settle this ourselves. I’ll admit +I was hasty in sending those messages—just a way +to let off steam, I guess. If you’re willing to forget +about it I’ll repay you for every dollar you spent.”</p> +<p>“I’m afraid I can’t forget that easily,” Mr. Parker +retorted. “No, unless you’re willing to come clean +about your connection with Clyde Blake I’ll have +to call the police.”</p> +<p>“What do you want to know about him?”</p> +<p>“Is he acting as your real estate agent?”</p> +<p>“Certainly not.”</p> +<p>“You do know the man?”</p> +<p>“I’ve done a little work for him.”</p> +<p>“Didn’t he pay you to allow him to use your name +on a deed?”</p> +<p>“He gave me twenty-five dollars to make out some +papers for him. I only copied what he told me to +write.”</p> +<p>“That’s all I want to know,” Mr. Parker said grimly. +“Penny, call the policeman!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_180">[180]</div> +<p>“See here,” Bowman protested furiously, “you +intimated that if I told what I knew about Blake you’d +let me off. Why, you’re as yellow as that paper you +run!”</p> +<p>“I make no deals with men of your stamp!” Mr. +Parker retorted.</p> +<p>As Penny unlocked the door, Ben Bowman made a +break for freedom. However, the editor was entirely +prepared. Seizing the man, he held him until Penny +could summon the policeman. Still struggling, Bowman +was loaded into a patrol wagon and taken to +police headquarters.</p> +<p>“I guess that earns me a nice little one hundred +dollars!” Penny remarked as she and her father went +to their own car. “Thanks, Dad.”</p> +<p>“You’re entirely welcome,” Mr. Parker grinned. “I +never took greater pleasure in acknowledging a debt.”</p> +<p>“What’s your next move, Dad? Will you expose +Clyde Blake in tomorrow’s <i>Star</i>?”</p> +<p>“I’m tempted to do it, Penny. The evidence still is +rather flimsy, but even if Ben Bowman denies his story, +I think we can prove our charges.”</p> +<p>“It’s a pity you can’t break the Hood yarn in the +same edition,” Penny said musingly. “What a front +page that would make!”</p> +<p>“It certainly would be a good three pennies worth,” +Mr. Parker agreed. “Unfortunately, it will be many +days before the Hoods are supposed to hold their +meeting at the Tower.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_181">[181]</div> +<p>“But why wait? We could call that gathering ourselves!”</p> +<p>“Just how?”</p> +<p>“Simple as pie. All we would need to do would be +to have the clock strike thirteen instead of twelve.” +Penny glanced at her wrist watch and added persuasively: +“We have several hours in which to work!”</p> +<p>“You’re completely crazy!” accused Mr. Parker. +“Just how would you arrange to have the clock strike +thirteen?”</p> +<p>“I’ll take care of that part, Dad. All I’ll need is a +hammer.”</p> +<p>“To use on the caretaker, Charley Phelps, I suppose,” +Mr. Parker remarked ironically.</p> +<p>“Oh, no,” Penny corrected, “I propose to turn all +the strong-arm work over to you and your gang of +reporters. Naturally, Phelps will have to be removed +from the scene.”</p> +<p>“What you propose is absolutely impossible,” the +editor declared. “Even so, I’ll admit that I find your +idea rather fascinating.”</p> +<p>“This is no time for being conservative, Dad. Why, +the Hoods must know you are out to break up their +organization. Every day you wait lessens your chance +of getting the story.”</p> +<p>“I realize that only too well, Penny. I pinned quite +a bit of hope on Clem Davis. His failure to appear +puts everything in a different light.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_182">[182]</div> +<p>“Why not test what he told us?” Penny argued. +“It will be easy to learn if the striking of the clock +is a signal to call the Hood meeting. If the men should +come, we’ll have them arrested, and run a big story +tomorrow morning!”</p> +<p>“Coming from your lips it sounds so very simple,” +Mr. Parker smiled. “Has it occurred to you that if +we fail, we’ll probably breakfast at the police station?”</p> +<p>“Why worry about that?” grinned Penny. “You +have influence.”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker sat for several minutes lost in thought.</p> +<p>“You know, I’ve ALWAYS been lucky,” Penny +coaxed. “I feel a double dose of it coming on tonight!”</p> +<p>“I believe in hunches myself,” Mr. Parker chuckled. +“No doubt I’m making the biggest mistake of my life, +but I’m going to try your wild scheme. Crazy as it +is, it may work!”</p> +<p>“Then let’s go!” laughed Penny.</p> +<p>At the <i>Star</i> office, Mr. Parker hastily summoned a +special staff of newspaper men, warning them to hold +themselves in readiness to get out a special edition on +short notice. From the group he chose Salt Sommers, +Jerry Livingston, and two reporters known for their +pugilistic prowess.</p> +<p>“Now this is the line up, boys,” he revealed. “We’re +going to kidnap Charley Phelps from the Tower. It’s +risky business unless things break right for us, so if any +of you want to drop out now, this is your chance.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_183">[183]</div> +<p>“We’re with you, chief!” declared Salt Sommers, +tossing a pack of photographic supplies over his +shoulder.</p> +<p>“Sure, what are we waiting for?” chimed in Jerry.</p> +<p>It was well after eleven o’clock by the time the over-loaded +press car drew up not far from the Hubell +Tower. Penny parked on a dark side street, and +Jerry was sent to look over the situation. Soon he returned +with his report.</p> +<p>“Charley Phelps is alone in the Tower,” he assured +the editor. “We shouldn’t have any trouble handling +him.”</p> +<p>“Okay, then let’s do the job,” Mr. Parker returned. +“Remember, if we muff it, we’ll do our explaining to +a judge.”</p> +<p>Separating into groups so that they would not attract +attention, Penny and the five men approached +the Tower. A light glowed from within, and the +caretaker could be seen moving about in the tiny +living room.</p> +<p>Tying handkerchiefs over their faces, Salt and Jerry +rapped on the back door. Charley Phelps opened it +to find himself gazing into the blinding light of two +flashlights.</p> +<p>“Say, what—” he began but did not finish.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_184">[184]</div> +<p>Jerry and Salt had seized his arms. Before he could +make another sound, they shoved a gag into his mouth, +and dragging him into the Tower, closed the door. +Working swiftly, they trussed his hands and feet and +pushed him into a machinery room.</p> +<p>“Nice work, boys,” Mr. Parker praised.</p> +<p>“Listen!” whispered Penny, who had followed the +men into the Tower.</p> +<p>The clock had begun to strike the hour of midnight.</p> +<p>“Get up there quickly and do your stuff!” her +father commanded. “You’ve not much time!”</p> +<p>Two steps at a time, Penny raced up the steep iron +stairway which led to the belfry of the Tower. Anxiously, +she counted the strokes as they pealed forth +loud and clearly. Eight—nine—ten. The clock had +never seemed to strike so fast before. Desperately +she wondered if she could reach the belfry in time.</p> +<p>The stairway was dark, the footing uncertain. In +her nervousness, Penny stumbled. Clutching the +handrail, she clung to it a moment until she had recovered +balance. But in that interval the clock had +kept striking, and she was no longer sure of the count.</p> +<p>“It must be eleven,” she thought, running up the +remaining steps. “The next stroke will be the last.”</p> +<p>Penny reached the great bell just as the clapper +struck against the metal. The sound was deafening.</p> +<p>“Now!” she thought excitedly. “This is the moment, +and I dare not fail!”</p> +<p>Balancing herself precariously, Penny raised a +hammer high above her head. With all her strength +she brought it down hard against the bell.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_185">[185]</div> +<h2 id="c23"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">23</span> +<br /><i>A TRAP SET</i></h2> +<p>To Penny’s sensitive ears, the sound which resulted +from the hammer blow, seemed weak and lacking +in resonance. She sagged back against the iron +railing, feeling that she had failed.</p> +<p>“That was swell!” a low voice said in her ear. “A +perfect thirteenth stroke!”</p> +<p>Turning around, Penny saw that Jerry Livingston +had followed her into the belfry.</p> +<p>“Did it really sound all right?” she inquired anxiously.</p> +<p>“It was good enough to fool anyone. But the +question is, will it bring the Hoods here?”</p> +<p>In the room far below, Mr. Parker had lowered the +blinds of the circular windows. Making certain that +Charley Phelps was securely bound and gagged so +that he could make no sound, he opened the front +door a tiny crack and left it that way.</p> +<p>“How about the lights?” Salt Sommers asked.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_186">[186]</div> +<p>“Leave them on. Shove that sound apparatus under +the daybed. Now I guess everything’s set. Upstairs, +everyone.”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker, Salt, and the two reporters, joined +Penny and Jerry on the iron stairway.</p> +<p>“We may have a long vigil,” the editor warned. +“In fact, this whole scheme is likely to turn out a bust.”</p> +<p>Few words were spoken during the next twenty +minutes. Penny stirred restlessly, and finally went +to join Jerry who was maintaining a watch from the +belfry.</p> +<p>“See anyone?” she whispered, scanning the street +below.</p> +<p>“No sign of anyone yet.”</p> +<p>At intervals automobiles whizzed past the tower, +and presently one drew up not far from the building. +Immediately, Jerry and Penny focused their attention +upon it. The headlights were turned to parking, then +a man alighted and came toward the Hubell Tower.</p> +<p>“Who is he?” Jerry whispered. “Can you tell?”</p> +<p>“I’m not sure,” Penny said uncertainly. “It may be +Hank Holloway.”</p> +<p>As the man stepped into the light, they both saw +that her identification had been correct. The man +rapped on the door several times. Receiving no answer, +he finally entered.</p> +<p>“Charley!” those on the iron stairway heard him +call. “Where are you?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_187">[187]</div> +<p>The brilliantly lighted living room combined with +the absence of the caretaker, seemed to mystify the +newcomer. Muttering to himself, he moved restlessly +about for a few minutes. Finally seating himself, he +picked up a newspaper and began to read.</p> +<p>From their post in the belfry, Penny and Jerry soon +observed two other men approaching the tower. One +they recognized as a workman who had sorted melons +at the Davis farm, but his companion was unknown +to them. Without rapping, they too entered the +building.</p> +<p>“Where’s Charley?” inquired one of the men.</p> +<p>“That’s what I was wondering,” Hank Holloway +replied, tossing aside his paper. “For that matter, I +can’t figure out why this special meeting was called. +Something important must have come up.”</p> +<p>Within ten minutes, three other men had arrived. +Jerry was able to identify two of them by name, but +he dared not risk whispering the information to Mr. +Parker who crouched on the stairway.</p> +<p>“There’s something mighty queer about this meeting,” +Hank Holloway growled. “Where is the +Master? And what’s become of Charley?”</p> +<p>From the machinery room in which the caretaker +had been imprisoned came a slight thumping sound.</p> +<p>“What was that?” Hank demanded suspiciously.</p> +<p>“I didn’t hear anything,” answered one of the other +men. “Maybe it was someone at the door.”</p> +<p>Hank tramped across the room to peer out into the +night. As the door swung back, a dark figure moved +swiftly along the hedge, crouching low.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_188">[188]</div> +<p>“Who’s there?” Hank called sharply.</p> +<p>“Quiet, you fool!” was the harsh response.</p> +<p>A man wearing a dark robe and a black hood which +completely hid his face, brushed past Holloway, and +entered the Tower living room.</p> +<p>“Close the door!” he ordered.</p> +<p>Holloway hastened to obey. An expectant and +rather tense silence had fallen upon the men gathered +in the room.</p> +<p>“Now what is the meaning of this?” the Master demanded, +facing the group. “Who called this meeting?”</p> +<p>“Why, didn’t you?” Holloway asked blankly.</p> +<p>“I did not.”</p> +<p>“All I know is that I heard the clock strike an extra +stroke,” Holloway explained. “I thought it was queer +to be having another meeting so soon. Then I found +Charley wasn’t here—”</p> +<p>“Charley not here!” the Master exclaimed.</p> +<p>“He must have stepped out somewhere. The lights +were on, and the door partly open.”</p> +<p>“I don’t like this,” the Master said, his voice harsh. +“Charley has no right to call a meeting without a special +order from me. It is becoming increasingly dangerous +for us to gather here.”</p> +<p>“Now you’re talking!” Holloway nodded. “Anthony +Parker of the <i>Star</i> is on the warpath again. One +of his reporters has been prying into the books of the +County Cooperative.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_189">[189]</div> +<p>“He’ll learn nothing from that source, I trust.”</p> +<p>“Not enough to do any harm.”</p> +<p>“You act as though you had a grievance, Holloway. +Any complaints?”</p> +<p>“Why, no, the Cooperative has made a lot of money +since you’ve taken over. We want to go along with +you, if your flare for the dramatic doesn’t get us in +too deep.”</p> +<p>“What do you mean by that, Holloway?”</p> +<p>“This night riding business is getting risky. Why, +if Clem Davis should talk—”</p> +<p>“We’re not through with him yet.”</p> +<p>“Another thing, most of us never did approve of +holding meetings here at the Tower,” Hank Holloway +went on. “It’s too public a place, and sooner or later +someone will start asking questions about what goes +on.”</p> +<p>“Anything else?”</p> +<p>“Well, we think you ought to show yourself—let +us know who you are. We’re all in this together, and +we ought to take the same risks. I’ve been carrying +the heavy end.”</p> +<p>“That settles it!” the masked man said with finality. +“We’re through.”</p> +<p>“How do you mean?” Holloway asked.</p> +<p>“We’re breaking up the organization—now—tonight.”</p> +<p>“There’s no call to do that.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_190">[190]</div> +<p>“Holloway, you do a lot of talking and not much +thinking,” the other snapped. “This will be our last +meeting. We’ll divide the profits, and for a time at +least, remain inactive.”</p> +<p>“That’s all very well for you,” Holloway complained. +“You step out of it without anyone even +knowing who you are. But some of us are tied up +with the County Cooperative. If there’s any investigation, +we’ll take the rap.”</p> +<p>“There will be no investigation.”</p> +<p>“That’s easy to say,” Holloway argued. “I don’t +like the way things have been going lately. If we’re +breaking up, we have a right to know who you are.”</p> +<p>“Sure,” chimed in another. “Remove your mask, +and let’s have a look. We think we have your number +but we ain’t positive.”</p> +<p>“You never will be,” the masked man returned +coolly, backing toward the door. “And now, goodnight.”</p> +<p>“Oh, no, you don’t!” Holloway cried, trying to +head him off.</p> +<p>“Stand back!” ordered the Master harshly.</p> +<p>From beneath his robe he whipped a revolver.</p> +<p>“All right,” Holloway sneered. “I never argue +when I’m looking into a muzzle.”</p> +<p>Before the Master could retreat, there was another +disturbance from inside the machinery room. Unmistakably, +the door rattled.</p> +<p>“Someone is in there!” Holloway exclaimed.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_191">[191]</div> +<p>Startled, the Master postponed his flight. Still holding +the revolver, he tried to open the door, but found +it locked.</p> +<p>For those hiding on the stairway, the situation had +become a tense one. In another moment, the members +of the Black Hoods unquestionably would break +the door lock and find Charley Phelps.</p> +<p>“Let’s take ’em, Chief!” whispered Jerry, who was +eager for action. “Now is our only chance.”</p> +<p>“All set!” Mr. Parker gave the signal.</p> +<p>With a concerted rush, the four young men leaped +down the stairway, hurling themselves on Holloway +and the masked man. Catching the latter unaware, +Jerry knocked the revolver from his hand and it went +spinning over the floor.</p> +<p>Penny started down the stairway, but Mr. Parker +pushed her back.</p> +<p>“Stay where you are!” he ordered as he too joined +the fray.</p> +<p><a href="#front">Penny huddled against the wall, watching fearfully.</a> +Her father and the reporters outnumbered their opponents +by one man, but the Hoods were all strong, +powerful fellows who fought desperately. A chair +crashed against the lamp, shattering it. In the resulting +darkness, she no longer could see what was happening.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_192">[192]</div> +<p>Suddenly a figure broke away from the general +tangle of bodies and darted toward the circular stairway. +For a moment Penny believed that he must be +one of the reporters, then she saw that the man wore +a hood over his face.</p> +<p>“The Master!” she thought, chills racing down her +spine. “He’s trying to get away, and I’ve got to stop +him!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_193">[193]</div> +<h2 id="c24"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">24</span> +<br /><i>TIMELY HELP</i></h2> +<p>As the black-robed man started up the stairway, +Penny attempted to block his path. Failing to trip +him, she seized his arms and held fast.</p> +<p>“Out of my way!” the man cried, giving her a hard +push.</p> +<p>Penny clung tightly and struggled to reach the hood +which covered his face.</p> +<p>Suddenly, the man jerked free and darted on up the +steep, circular stairway. Pursuing him, Penny was +able to seize the long flowing black robe, only to have +it tear loose in her hands.</p> +<p>Gaining the first landing, midway to the belfry, the +man did not hesitate. Swinging his legs through an +open window, he leaped to the ground twenty feet +below.</p> +<p>“He’ll be killed!” Penny thought.</p> +<p>Reaching the window she saw the man lying in a +heap at the base of the tower. For a moment he remained +motionless, but as she watched, he slowly +scrambled to his feet and staggered off.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_194">[194]</div> +<p>Until the man ducked behind the high hedge, +Penny saw him plainly silhouetted in the moonlight. +Although his black hood remained in place, his body +no longer was covered by the dark robe.</p> +<p>“I know him!” she thought. “Even with his mask +on, I’m sure I can’t be wrong!”</p> +<p>Fearing to attempt the hazardous leap, Penny ran +down the iron stairway, shouting that the Master of +the Hoods had escaped. By this time, Mr. Parker’s +crew of reporters had gained the upperhand of the +remaining members of the organization.</p> +<p>“Which way did the fellow go?” the editor demanded, +running to the door.</p> +<p>“Along the hedge toward the street!” Penny directed.</p> +<p>Leaving Jerry, Salt, and the others to guard the +prisoners, Mr. Parker and his daughter hastened outdoors. +There was no sign of anyone in the vicinity of +the Tower.</p> +<p>“He can’t be far away,” Penny maintained. “Anyway, +I know his identity!”</p> +<p>“You saw his face?”</p> +<p>“No, but as he ran across the yard I noticed that +one arm was much shorter than the other.”</p> +<p>“Clyde Blake!”</p> +<p>“That’s what I think. Maybe we can catch him at +his home!”</p> +<p>“If Blake is our man, we’ll get him!” Mr. Parker +said tersely. “We may need help though.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_195">[195]</div> +<p>Reentering the Tower building, he telephoned police +headquarters, asking that a patrol wagon be sent +for Hank Holloway, Charley Phelps, and the other +prisoners.</p> +<p>“Send a squad to Clyde Blake’s home,” he added +crisply. “I’ll meet your men there and provide all the +evidence they’ll need to make the arrests.”</p> +<p>Jerry, Salt, and the two reporters were instructed +to remain at the Tower pending the arrival of the +patrol wagon. There was slight danger that any of +the prisoners could escape for all the captives had been +locked into the machinery room.</p> +<p>Delaying only long enough to obtain the case of +sound equipment hidden beneath the daybed, Mr. +Parker and Penny hastened to the waiting press car.</p> +<p>“Dad,” she marveled as they passed near a street +light, “you should see your eye! It’s turning black. +Someone must have pasted you hard.”</p> +<p>“Never mind that now,” he returned indifferently. +“We’re out for a big story, and we’re going to get it +too!”</p> +<p>The police cruiser which had been summoned was +not in sight by the time Mr. Parker and Penny reached +the Blake home. At first glance, the house seemed to +be dark. However, a dim light glowed from the windows +of one of the upstairs, rear bedrooms.</p> +<p>“We’ll not wait for the police,” Mr. Parker said, +starting up the walk.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_196">[196]</div> +<p>His knock at the door went unanswered. Even +when the editor pounded with his fist, no one came to +admit him.</p> +<p>“Someone is inside,” Penny declared, peering up at +the lighted window. “It must be Blake.”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker tried the door and finding it unlocked, +stepped boldly into the living room.</p> +<p>“Blake!” he shouted.</p> +<p>On the floor above Mr. Parker and Penny heard the +soft pad of slippered feet. The real estate man, garbed +in a black silk dressing gown, gazed down over the +balustrade.</p> +<p>“Who is there?” he called.</p> +<p>“Anthony Parker from the <i>Star</i>. I want to talk +with you.”</p> +<p>Slowly Clyde Blake descended the stairway. His +gait was stiff and deliberate.</p> +<p>“You seem to have injured your leg,” Mr. Parker +said significantly.</p> +<p>“I stumbled on the stairway not fifteen minutes +ago,” Blake answered. “Twisted my ankle. May I +ask why I am honored with a visit at this hour?”</p> +<p>“You know why I am here!” Mr. Parker retorted, +reaching to switch on a living room light.</p> +<p>“Indeed, I don’t.” Deliberately Blake moved away +from the bridge lamp into the shadow, but not before +both Penny and her father had noted a long, ugly +scratch across his cheek.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_197">[197]</div> +<p>“It’s no use to pretend,” Mr. Parker said sharply. +“I have all the evidence I need to convict you of being +a ringleader of the Hoods.”</p> +<p>“You are quite mad,” the real estate man sneered. +“Parker, I’ve put up with you and your methods quite +long enough. You queered my deal with the Orphans’ +Camp Board. Now you accuse me of being a member +of a disreputable organization. You must be out +of your mind.”</p> +<p>“You’ve always been a good talker, Blake, but this +time it will get you nowhere. My reporters were at +the Hubell Tower. I have a complete sound record +of what transpired there. Either give yourself up, or +the police will take you by force.”</p> +<p>“So you’ve notified the police?”</p> +<p>“I have.”</p> +<p>“In that case—” Blake’s smile was tight. With a +dextrousness which caught Penny and her father completely +off guard, he whipped a revolver from beneath +his dressing robe. “In that case,” he completed, +“we’ll handle it this way. Raise your hands, if you +please.”</p> +<p>“Your politeness quite overpowers me,” the editor +said sarcastically, as he obeyed.</p> +<p>“Now turn your back and walk to the telephone,” +Blake went on. “Call the police station and tell the +chief that you made a mistake in asking for my arrest.”</p> +<p>“This will get you nowhere, Blake.”</p> +<p>“Do as I say!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_198">[198]</div> +<p>Mr. Parker went to the telephone, stalling for time +by pretending that he did not know the police station +number.</p> +<p>“Garfield 4508,” Blake supplied. “Say exactly +what I tell you or you’ll taste one of my little bullets!”</p> +<p>The real estate man stood with his back to the +darkened dining room, in such position that he could +cover both Mr. Parker and Penny. As the editor began +to dial the phone, he backed a step nearer the archway. +Behind him, the dark velvet curtains moved +slightly.</p> +<p>Penny noted the movement but gave no indication +of it. The next instant a muscular arm reached +through the velvet folds, seizing Blake from the rear. +The revolver was torn from his hand.</p> +<p>Dropping the telephone, Mr. Parker snatched up +the weapon and covered Blake.</p> +<p>“All right, it’s your turn to reach,” he said.</p> +<p>As Blake slowly raised his hands, another man +stepped into the circle of light. He wore rough garments +and had not shaved in many days.</p> +<p>“Clem Davis!” Penny exclaimed.</p> +<p>“I came here to get Blake,” the man said briefly. +“I’ve thought for a long time he was the person responsible +for all my trouble. Tonight when the clock +struck thirteen, I watched the Hubell Tower. I saw +Blake put on his hood and robe and then enter the +building, so I knew he was the Master.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_199">[199]</div> +<p>“You’re willing to testify to that?” Mr. Parker +asked.</p> +<p>“Yes,” Clem Davis nodded, “I’ve been thinking +things over. I’m ready to give myself up and tell what +I know.”</p> +<p>“You’ll have a very difficult time of it proving your +absurd charges,” Blake said scathingly.</p> +<p>“I think not,” Mr. Parker corrected. “Ben Bowman +was captured tonight, and he’s already confessed his +part in the real estate swindle. Even if you weren’t +mixed up with the Hoods, you’d go to jail for that.”</p> +<p>Blake sagged into a chair, for the first time looking +shaken.</p> +<p>“I’ll make a deal with you, Parker,” he began, but +the editor cut him short.</p> +<p>“You’ll face the music! No, Blake, you can’t +squeeze out of it this time.”</p> +<p>A car had drawn up in front of the house. Running +to the window, Penny saw three policemen crossing +the street. She hurried to the door to open it for them.</p> +<p>“Here’s your man,” Mr. Parker said as the policemen +tramped into the living room.</p> +<p>Turning the revolver over to one of the officers, +he disclosed exactly what had occurred. Blake was +immediately placed under arrest. He was granted ten +minutes to change into street clothing and prepare for +his long sojourn in jail.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_200">[200]</div> +<p>“I am being persecuted,” he whined as he was led +away. “This is all a trick to build up circulation for +the <i>Star</i>. If there is such an organization as the Black +Hoods, Clem Davis is the man who heads it!”</p> +<p>Penny and Mr. Parker felt very grateful to the fugitive +who had come to their aid at such a timely moment. +They wished to help him if they could, but +they knew he could not escape arrest. Clem Davis +realized it too, for he made no protest when told that +Sheriff Daniels must be called.</p> +<p>“I’m ready to give myself up,” he repeated. “I was +a member of the Hoods, but I never went along with +them once I learned that they meant to defraud the +truck farmers. I hope I can prove my innocence.”</p> +<p>Within a few minutes Sheriff Daniels arrived to assume +charge of his prisoner. Entertaining no sympathy +for the man, he told Penny and her father that +in all likelihood Davis must serve a long sentence.</p> +<p>“He’s wanted for setting fire to the Preston barn,” +the sheriff insisted. “Unless he can prove an alibi for +himself, he hasn’t a chance.”</p> +<p>“Can’t you tell where you were at the time of the +fire?” Mr. Parker asked the man.</p> +<p>“I was at a place called Toni’s.”</p> +<p>“Why, that’s right, Dad!” Penny cried. “Don’t +you remember? We saw Davis leave the place, and +he was followed by two men—probably members of +the Hood organization.”</p> +<p>“We saw a man leave there shortly after midnight,” +Mr. Parker agreed.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_201">[201]</div> +<p>“You wouldn’t swear he was Clem Davis?” the +sheriff asked.</p> +<p>“I’m not sure,” Mr. Parker admitted truthfully. +“However, it’s obvious that a man scarcely could have +gone from Toni’s at that time and still set fire to the +barn. My daughter and I drove directly there, and +when we arrived the building had been burning for +some time.”</p> +<p>“All of which proves nothing unless you can show +that Clem Davis actually was at Toni’s after midnight.”</p> +<p>“Could the owner of the place identify you?” Penny +thoughtfully inquired.</p> +<p>“I doubt it,” Davis answered. “It might be worth +a try, though.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps I can prove that you weren’t near the +Preston farm at midnight!” Penny exclaimed as a sudden +idea came to her. “Clem, you heard the Hubell +clock strike the hour?”</p> +<p>“Yes, I did.”</p> +<p>“How many strokes were there?”</p> +<p>“Thirteen,” Davis answered without hesitation. “I +counted them and figured the Hoods were having one +of their get-togethers.”</p> +<p>“What is this?” the sheriff demanded in bewilderment.</p> +<p>“We can prove that the Hubell clock did strike +thirteen on that particular night,” Penny resumed. +“It was a signal used by the Hoods, but that’s not the +point.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_202">[202]</div> +<p>“What are you getting at?”</p> +<p>“Just this. The Hubell clock can’t be heard at the +Preston farm.”</p> +<p>“True.”</p> +<p>“One can still hear the clock at Toni’s but not a +quarter of a mile beyond it. You see, if Mr. Davis +heard the thirteenth stroke, he couldn’t have had time +to reach the Preston farm and set the fire.”</p> +<p>“That’s an interesting argument,” the sheriff said, +smiling. “And you plead Clem’s case very earnestly. +I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’ll investigate all these angles +you’ve brought up, and if the evidence supports your +theory, I promise he’ll go free.”</p> +<p>“That’s fair enough,” declared Mr. Parker.</p> +<p>The sheriff did not handcuff his prisoner. As they +were leaving the house, Clem Davis turned to thank +Penny for her interest in his behalf.</p> +<p>“Oh, I almost forgot,” he said, taking a rectangular +metal object from beneath his baggy coat. “Here’s +something for you.”</p> +<p>“A rusty automobile license plate!” Penny exclaimed, +staring at it.</p> +<p>“Found it in the swamp not far from that abandoned +car I told you about.”</p> +<p>“Then it must have been thrown away by the driver +of the hit-skip car!”</p> +<p>“That’s how I figure,” Clem Davis drawled. “If +you can learn the owner of this license plate, you’ll +know who killed that orphan’s folks!”</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>SPECIAL EDITION</i></h2> +<p>Lights blazed on every floor of the <i>Riverview +Star</i> building, proclaiming to all who passed that another +special edition was in the process of birth. +Pressmen industriously oiled the big rotaries ready for +a big run of papers; linotype men, compositors, reporters, +all were at their posts, having been hastily +summoned from comfortable beds.</p> +<p>In the editor’s office, Penny sat at a typewriter hammering +out copy. Jerking a long sheet of paper from +beneath the roller, she offered it to her father.</p> +<p>“My contribution on the Hubell Clock angle,” she +said with a flourish.</p> +<p>Mr. Parker rapidly scanned the story, making a +number of corrections with a blue pencil.</p> +<p>“I should slug this ‘editorial material,’” he remarked +with a grin. “Quite a plug you’ve put in for Seth +McGuire—suggesting that he be given back his old +job as caretaker of the Tower.”</p> +<p>“Well, don’t you think it’s a good idea?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_204">[204]</div> +<p>“The old man will get his job back—I’ll see to that,” +Mr. Parker promised. “But the front page of the +<i>Star</i> is not the place to express wishful thinking. +We’ll reserve it for news if you don’t mind.”</p> +<p>Crossing out several lines, Mr. Parker placed the +copy in a pneumatic tube, and shot it directly to the +composing room. He glanced at his watch, noting +aloud that in exactly seven minutes the giant presses +would start rolling.</p> +<p>“Everything certainly has turned out grand,” Penny +sighed happily. “Hank Holloway and Clyde Blake +are sure to be given long prison sentences for their +Black Hood activities. You’ve promised to see that +Old Seth gets his job back, so that part will end beautifully. +He’ll adopt Adelle and I won’t need to worry +about her any more.”</p> +<p>“What makes you think Seth will adopt the +orphan?” Mr. Parker asked curiously.</p> +<p>“Why, he’s wanted to do it from the first. He hesitated +because he had no steady work, and not enough +money. By the way, Dad, how long will it take to +learn the owner of that automobile license plate that +Clem Davis gave us?”</p> +<p>“Jerry is trying to get the information now, Penny. +All the registry offices are closed, but if he can pull +some official out of bed, there’s a chance he may obtain +the data tonight. I’m not counting on it, however.”</p> +<p>The door of the office swung back and City Editor +DeWitt hurried into the room.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_205">[205]</div> +<p>“Everything set?” Mr. Parker inquired.</p> +<p>“We need a picture of Clyde Blake. There’s nothing +in the morgue.”</p> +<p>“Salt Sommers has one you might use!” Penny +cried. “It was taken when Blake came here the other +day. He objected to it because it showed that one +arm was shorter than the other.”</p> +<p>“Just what we need!” DeWitt approved. “I’ll rush +it right out. Except for the picture, the front page is +all made up.”</p> +<p>The door closed behind the city editor, but before +Mr. Parker could settle comfortably into his chair, it +burst open again. Jerry Livingston, breathless from +running up several flights of stairs, faced his chief.</p> +<p>“I’ve got all the dope!” he announced.</p> +<p>“You learned who drove the hit-run car?” Penny +demanded eagerly.</p> +<p>“The license was issued in Clyde Blake’s name!”</p> +<p>“Then Adelle’s identification at the picnic was correct!” +Penny exclaimed.</p> +<p>“Write your story, Jerry, but make it brief,” Mr. +Parker said tersely. “We’ll make over the front +page.”</p> +<p>Calling DeWitt, he gave the new order. In the +composing room, headlines were jerked and a story of +minor importance was pulled from the form to make +room for the new material.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_206">[206]</div> +<p>“We’ll roll three minutes late,” Mr. Parker said, +glancing at his watch again. “Even so, our papers will +make all the trains, and we’ll scoop every other sheet +in town.”</p> +<p>Jerry wrote his story which was sent paragraph by +paragraph to the composing room. Barely had he +typed “30,” signifying the end, when the lights of the +room dimmed for an instant.</p> +<p>“There go the presses!” Mr. Parker declared, ceasing +his restless pacing.</p> +<p>Within a few minutes, the first paper, still fresh with +ink, was laid upon the editor’s desk. Penny peered +over his shoulder to read the headlines announcing the +arrest of Blake and his followers.</p> +<p>“There’s not much here about Ben Bowman,” she +commented after a moment. “What do you think +will happen to him, Dad?”</p> +<p>“That remains to be seen,” answered the editor. +“He’s already wanted for forgery, so it should be +fairly easy to prove that he worked with Blake to defraud +the Camp Board.”</p> +<p>“I’m worried about the orphans’ camp. So much +money has been spent clearing the land and setting up +equipment.”</p> +<p>“Probably everything can be settled satisfactorily +in the end,” Mr. Parker returned. “It may take time +and litigation, but there’s no reason why a perfect title +can’t be obtained to the land.”</p> +<p>Penny felt very well pleased at the way everything +had turned out. Only one small matter remained unexplained. +She had been unable to learn the significance +of the watch fob found in Clem Davis’ stable.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_207">[207]</div> +<p>“Why, I can tell you about that,” Jerry Livingston +assured her. “The fob belonged to Hank Holloway. +He admitted it at the police station. The little boy in +the picture is his nephew.”</p> +<p>Both Penny and her father were tired for it was very +late. With the <i>Star</i> ready for early morning street +sales, they thought longingly of home and bed. Yet +as their car sped down a dimly lighted street, Penny +revived sufficiently to say:</p> +<p>“How about a steak at Toni’s, Dad?”</p> +<p>“Oh, I don’t feel like eating at this late hour,” Mr. +Parker declined.</p> +<p>“That’s not the idea, Dad. I’m suggesting a raw +steak for that left eye of yours. By morning it will +be swollen shut.”</p> +<p>“It is quite a shiner,” the editor agreed, gazing at his +reflection in the car mirror. “But the story was well +worth the cost.”</p> +<p>“Thanks to whom?” Penny asked mischievously.</p> +<p>“If I say thanks to you, Penny, you will be expecting +an increase in your allowance or something of the +sort.”</p> +<p>“Maybe I’ll ask for it anyhow,” Penny chuckled. +“And don’t forget that you owe me a hundred dollars +for getting that crack-pot, Ben Bowman, out of your +hair!”</p> +<p>“So I do,” Mr. Parker conceded with a laugh. +“That also will be worth the price.”</p> +<h2>Transcriber’s Note</h2> +<ul> +<li>Typographical errors were corrected without comment.</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> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CLOCK STRIKES THIRTEEN***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 34403-h.txt or 34403-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/4/4/0/34403">http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/4/0/34403</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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