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diff --git a/34403.txt b/34403.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..36af868 --- /dev/null +++ b/34403.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6667 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Clock Strikes Thirteen, by Mildred A. Wirt + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Clock Strikes Thirteen + + +Author: Mildred A. Wirt + + + +Release Date: November 22, 2010 [eBook #34403] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CLOCK STRIKES THIRTEEN*** + + +E-text prepared by Stephen Hutcheson, Brenda Lewis, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustration. + See 34403-h.htm or 34403-h.zip: + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/34403/34403-h/34403-h.htm) + or + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/34403/34403-h.zip) + + + + + +THE CLOCK STRIKES THIRTEEN + +by + +MILDRED A. WIRT + +Author of +Mildred A. Wirt Mystery Stories +Trailer Stories for Girls + +Illustrated + + + + + + + +Cupples and Leon Company +Publishers +New York + + * * * * * + +_PENNY PARKER_ +MYSTERY STORIES + +_Large 12 mo. Cloth Illustrated_ + + +TALE OF THE WITCH DOLL +THE VANISHING HOUSEBOAT +DANGER AT THE DRAWBRIDGE +BEHIND THE GREEN DOOR +CLUE OF THE SILKEN LADDER +THE SECRET PACT +THE CLOCK STRIKES THIRTEEN +THE WISHING WELL +SABOTEURS ON THE RIVER +GHOST BEYOND THE GATE +HOOFBEATS ON THE TURNPIKE +VOICE FROM THE CAVE +GUILT OF THE BRASS THIEVES +SIGNAL IN THE DARK +WHISPERING WALLS +SWAMP ISLAND +THE CRY AT MIDNIGHT + + * * * * * + +Copyright, 1942, by Cupples and Leon Co. +The Clock Strikes Thirteen + +Printed in U. S. A. + + + + +_CONTENTS_ + + + CHAPTER PAGE + 1 SANDWICHES FOR TWO _1_ + 2 NIGHT RIDERS _11_ + 3 A BLACK HOOD _20_ + 4 A NEW CARETAKER _28_ + 5 OLD SETH _38_ + 6 TALL CORN _48_ + 7 MR. BLAKE'S DONATION _55_ + 8 PUBLICITY BY PENNY _63_ + 9 JERRY'S PARTY _71_ + 10 IN THE MELON PATCH _78_ + 11 PENNY'S CLUE _89_ + 12 ADELLE'S DISAPPEARANCE _97_ + 13 AN EXTRA STROKE _106_ + 14 THROUGH THE WINDOW _115_ + 15 TRACING BEN BOWMAN _123_ + 16 A FAMILIAR NAME _130_ + 17 FALSE RECORDS _137_ + 18 ADELLE'S ACCUSATION _147_ + 19 TRAILING A FUGITIVE _155_ + 20 CLEM DAVIS' DISCLOSURE _163_ + 21 A BROKEN PROMISE _170_ + 22 THE MAN IN GRAY _178_ + 23 A TRAP SET _185_ + 24 TIMELY HELP _193_ + 25 SPECIAL EDITION _203_ + + + + + CHAPTER + 1 + _SANDWICHES FOR TWO_ + + +Jauntily, Penny Parker walked through the dimly lighted newsroom of the +_Riverview Star_, 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. + +"I sorry," she apologized in her best broken English. "I no look for +someone to come so very late." + +"Oh, curfew never rings for me," Penny laughed, side stepping a puddle of +water. "I'm likely to be abroad at any hour." + +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: + +"Hands up! I have you covered!" + +Taken by surprise, Mr. Parker swung quickly around, his swivel chair +squeaking a loud protest. + +"Penny, I wish you wouldn't do that!" he exclaimed. "You know it always +makes me jump." + +"Sorry, Dad," Penny grinned, slumping into a leather chair beside her +father's desk. "A girl has to have some amusement, you know." + +"Didn't three hours at the moving picture theatre satisfy you?" + +"Oh, the show was worse than awful. By the way, here's something for +you." + +Removing a sealed yellow envelope from her purse, Penny flipped it +carelessly across the desk. + +"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." + +Absently Mr. Parker took two crisp dollar bills from his pocket and +reached for the telegram. + +"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." + +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. + +"Why, Dad, what's wrong?" Penny asked in surprise. + +Mr. Parker crumpled the sheet into a round ball and hurled it toward the +waste paper basket. + +"Your aim gets worse every day," Penny chuckled, stooping to retrieve the +paper. Smoothing the corrugations, she read aloud: + + "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!" + +"Stop it--don't read another line!" the editor commanded before Penny had +half finished. + +"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?" + +"I don't mind a few insults," Mr. Parker snapped, "but paying for them is +another matter." + +"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." + +Mr. Parker slammed his desk shut with a force which rattled the office +windows. + +"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!" + +"All of the messages collect?" + +"Every one. The nit-wit has criticised everything from the _Star_'s comic +strips to the advertising columns. I've had enough of it!" + +"Then why not do something about it?" Penny asked soothingly. "Refuse the +telegrams." + +"It's not that easy," the editor growled. "Each day the _Star_ 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." + +"In that case, I'm afraid you're out of luck," Penny said teasingly. "How +about drowning your troubles in a little sleep?" + +"It is late," Mr. Parker admitted, glancing at his watch. "Almost +midnight. Time we're starting home." + +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 _Star_ building, he tramped about restlessly while waiting +for an attendant to bring the car. + +"I'll drive," Penny said, sliding behind the steering wheel. "In your +present mood you might inadvertently pick off a few pedestrians!" + +"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!" + +"Oh, everyone knows the _Star_ 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." + +"Thanks," Mr. Parker responded with a mock bow. "Since we're passing out +compliments, you're not so bad yourself." + +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. + +"Hungry, Dad?" Penny asked unexpectedly, intruding upon his thoughts. "I +know a dandy new hamburger place not far from here. Wonderful coffee +too." + +"Well, all right," Mr. Parker consented. "It's pretty late though. The +big clock's striking midnight." + +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. + +"How strange!" Penny murmured as the last stroke of the clock died away. + +"What is strange?" Mr. Parker asked gruffly. + +"Why, that clock struck thirteen times instead of twelve!" + +"Bunk and bosh!" + +"Oh, but it did!" Penny earnestly insisted. "I counted each stroke +distinctly." + +"And one of them twice," scoffed her father. "Or are you spoofing your +old Dad?" + +"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?" + +"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?" + +"Out to Toni's." Reluctantly Penny centered her full attention upon the +highway. "It's only a mile into the country." + +"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." + +"Dad, about that light," Penny said thoughtfully. "Did you ever notice it +before?" + +Mr. Parker turned to gaze back toward the stone tower. + +"There's no green light," he answered grimly. "Every window is dark." + +"But I saw it only an instant ago! And I did hear the clock strike +thirteen. Cross my heart and hope to die--" + +"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." + +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. + +"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!" + +"I'll admit you did a nice piece of detective work when you uncovered +that story," her father acknowledged. "Likewise, you brought the _Star_ +one of its best scoops by outwitting slippery Al Gepper and entangling +him in his own _Silken Ladder_." + +"Don't forget the _Tale of the Witch Doll_ either," Penny reminded him. +"You laughed at me then, just as you're doing now." + +"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." + +"Tomorrow I shall go to the tower and talk with the caretaker, Seth +McGuire. I'll prove to you that I was right!" + +"If you do, I'll treat to a dish of ice cream decorated with nuts." + +"Make it five gallons of gasoline and I'll be really interested," she +countered. + +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 +_Behind the Green Door_. 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. + +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. + +"Coffee and two hamburgers," Penny ordered with a flourish. "Everything +on one, and everything but, on the other." + +"No onions for the little lady?" the waiter grinned. "Okay. I'll have 'em +right out." + +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. + +"Dad, notice those two men," she whispered, touching his arm. + +"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. + +"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." + +"Dad, watch!" Penny reminded him. + +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. + +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. + +"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. + +"Dad, did you hear what they said?" asked Penny. + +"I did," he answered grimly. "Tough looking customers too." + +"I'm afraid they mean to rob that first man. Isn't there anything we can +do?" + +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." + +"Dad, don't do it!" Penny pleaded, suddenly frightened lest her father +face danger. "You might get hurt!" + +Mr. Parker paid no heed. Swinging open the car door, he strode across the +parking lot, and entered the dark woods. + + + + + CHAPTER + 2 + _NIGHT RIDERS_ + + +Not to be left behind, Penny quickly followed her father, overtaking him +before he had gone very far into the forest. + +"Penny, you shouldn't have come," he said sternly. "There may be trouble, +and I'll not have you taking unnecessary risks." + +"I don't want you to do it either," she insisted. "Which way did the men +go?" + +"That's what I wonder," Mr. Parker responded, listening intently. "Hear +anything?" + +"Not a sound." + +"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?" + +"It sounded like a car being started!" Penny exclaimed. + +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. + +"There go our friends," Mr. Parker commented rather irritably. "Their +sudden departure probably saved me from making a chump of myself." + +"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." + +"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!" + +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. + +"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." + +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. + +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. + +"Now what?" he mumbled drowsily. + +"Dad, unless I'm imagining things again, that barn is on fire!" + +"Let 'er burn," he mumbled, and then fully aroused, swung open the car +door. + +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. + +"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!" + +"Have you called a fire company?" the editor asked. + +"I've called, but it won't do any good," she answered. "The barn will be +gone before they can get here." + +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. + +"Maybe I can get out the truck for you!" Mr. Parker offered. + +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. + +"You can't get the truck out without me to help push," she replied, +refusing to retreat. "Come on, we can do it!" + +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. + +"Maybe the brake is on!" Mr. Parker gasped, running around to the cab. +"Yes, it is!" + +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. + +"How about the crated melons?" Penny asked, breathing hard from the +strenuous exertion. + +"Not a chance to save them," Mr. Parker answered. "We were lucky to get +out the truck." + +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. + +"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!" + +"Didn't you have the barn insured?" the editor questioned her. + +"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." + +"What's that?" Mr. Parker demanded, wondering if he had understood the +woman correctly. "You don't mean the fire deliberately was set?" + +"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." + +"Was the man anyone you knew?" Mr. Parker asked, amazed by the +disclosure. "Were you able to see his face?" + +"Hardly," Mrs. Preston returned with a short laugh. "He wore a black +hood. It covered his head and shoulders." + +"A black hood!" Penny exclaimed. "Why, Dad, that sounds like night +riders!" + +"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. + +"It must have been done because John wouldn't join up with them." + +"Join some organization, you mean?" + +"Yes, they kept warning him something like this would happen, but John +wouldn't have anything to do with 'em." + +"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?" + +"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." + +"Are you afraid to tell what you know?" Mr. Parker asked abruptly. + +"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." + +"Anthony Parker, owner of the _Riverview Star_." + +The information was anything but reassuring to the woman. + +"You're not aiming to write up anything I've told you for the paper?" she +asked anxiously. + +"Not unless I believe that by doing so I can expose these night riders +who have destroyed your barn." + +"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." + +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. + +"Looking for hoof tracks?" Penny asked, falling into step beside him. + +"I thought we might find some, providing the woman told a straight +story." + +"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." + +Mr. Parker shook his head. "I never did, Penny. But if what she says is +true, the _Star_ will launch an investigation. We'll have no night riders +in this community, not if it's in my power to blast them out!" + +"Here's your first clue, Dad!" + +Excitedly, Penny pointed to a series of hoof marks plainly visible in the +soft earth. The tracks led toward the main road. + +"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." + +"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." + +"Never mind the comedy," her father retorted gruffly. "This may mean a +big story for the _Star_, not to mention a worthwhile service to the +community." + +"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?" + +"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." + +"Be sure you don't follow the trail backwards," Penny teased. "That would +absolutely ruin your reputation as a detective." + +"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." + +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. + +"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." + +"Aye, aye, captain," Penny laughed, thoroughly enjoying the adventure. + +Soon the car came to the entrance of a narrow, muddy lane, and there Mr. +Parker called a halt. + +"We've come to the end of the trail," he announced. + +"Have the tracks ended?" Penny asked in disappointment as she applied +brakes. + +"Quite the contrary. They turn into this lane." + +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. + +"The man who set the fire must live there!" Penny exclaimed. "What's our +next move, Dad?" + +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. + +"Pull over," Mr. Parker instructed. "And flash the tail light. We don't +want to risk being struck." + +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. + +"That you, Clem Davis?" boomed a loud voice. "Stand where you are, and +don't make any false moves!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 3 + _A BLACK HOOD_ + + +"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." + +Sheriff Daniels put away his revolver and moved into the beam of light. + +"Sorry," he apologized. "Thought you might be Clem Davis, and I wasn't +taking any chances. You're Parker of the _Riverview Star_?" + +"That's right," agreed the editor, "Looking for Clem Davis?" + +"I'm here to question him. I'm investigating a fire which was set at the +Preston place." + +"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?" + +"Our officer received an anonymous telephone call from a woman. She +reported the fire and said that I'd find my man here." + +"Could it have been Mrs. Preston who notified you?" Mr. Parker inquired +thoughtfully. + +"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?" + +"Oh, just prowling," the editor replied, and explained briefly how he and +Penny had chanced to be at the scene of the fire. + +"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." + +"Mind if we accompany you?" inquired Mr. Parker. + +"Come along," the sheriff invited. + +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. + +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. + +"This horse has been ridden hard," the sheriff observed, reaching to +throw a blanket over her. + +"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. + +"A black hood!" Penny shouted in awe. + +Sheriff Daniels took the cloth from the editor, examining it closely but +saying very little. + +"Ever hear of any night riders in this community?" Mr. Parker asked after +a moment, his tone casual. + +"Never did," the sheriff replied emphatically. "And I sure hope such a +story doesn't get started." + +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--" + +"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." + +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. + +"Who's there?" she called in a loud voice. + +"Sheriff Daniels, ma'am," the officer answered. "You needn't be afraid." + +"Who said anything about bein' afraid?" the woman belligerently retorted. + +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. + +"You're Mrs. Davis?" the sheriff inquired, and as she nodded, he asked: +"Clem around here?" + +"No, he ain't," she answered defiantly. "What you wanting him for +anyhow?" + +"Oh, just to ask a few questions. Where is your husband, Mrs. Davis?" + +"He went to town early and ain't been back. What you aimin' to lay onto +him, Sheriff?" + +"If your husband hasn't been here since early evening, who has ridden +this horse?" the sheriff demanded, ignoring the question. + +Mrs. Davis' gaze roved to the stall where the black mare noisily crunched +an ear of corn. + +"Why Sal _has_ 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." + +"Sorry, but I'll have to take a look in the house." + +"Search it from cellar to attic!" the woman said angrily. "You won't find +Clem! What's he wanted for anyway?" + +"The Preston barn was set afire tonight, and your husband is a suspect." + +"Clem never did it! Why, the Prestons are good friends of ours! +Somebody's just tryin' to make a peck o' trouble for us." + +"That may be," the sheriff admitted. "You say Clem hasn't been here +tonight. In that case, who rode the mare?" + +"I don't know anything about it," the woman maintained sullenly. + +"Didn't you hear a horse come into the yard?" + +"I never heard a sound until your car stopped at the entrance to the +lane." + +"I suppose you never saw this before either." The sheriff held up the +black hood which had been found in the barn. + +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." + +"If your husband isn't here, I'll wait until he comes." + +"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." + +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. + +"Obviously, the woman knows a lot more than she's willing to tell," Mr. +Parker remarked, sliding into the car seat beside Penny. + +"Dad, do you think it was Clem who set fire to the Preston barn?" + +"We have no reason to suspect anyone else," returned the editor. "All the +evidence points to his guilt." + +Penny backed the car in the narrow road, heading toward Riverview. + +"That was the point I wanted to make," she said thoughtfully. "Doesn't it +seem to you that the evidence was almost too plain?" + +"What do you mean, Penny?" + +"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." + +"That's so, it was a bit obvious," Mr. Parker admitted. + +"The horse was left in the stable, and the hoof tracks leading to the +Davis place were easy to follow." + +"All true," Mr. Parker nodded. + +"Isn't it possible that someone could have tried to throw the blame on +Clem?" suggested Penny, anxiously awaiting her father's reply. + +"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." + +"It will be interesting to learn if Mr. Daniels makes an arrest. Do you +expect to print anything about it in the paper?" + +"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." + +"If you could gain proof that night riders are operating in this +community, what then?" Penny suggested eagerly. + +"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." + +"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--" + +"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." + +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. + +"Two o'clock," Mr. Parker observed, taking a quick glance at his watch. +"Or would you say three?" + +"There's no argument about it this time, Dad. All the same, I intend to +prove to you that I was right!" + +"How?" her father asked, covering a wide yawn. + +"I don't know," Penny admitted, favoring the grim tower with a dark +scowl. "But just you wait--I'll find a way!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 4 + _A NEW CARETAKER_ + + +"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." + +"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." + +"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." + +"Penny and I did get in a little late last night," Mr. Parker admitted, +winking at his daughter. + +"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!" + +"It was only a few minutes after two," Penny corrected. "I'm sorry +though, that we awakened you." + +"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." + +"You did!" Penny exclaimed with sudden interest. "How many times would +you say it struck at midnight? I mean the Hubell Tower clock." + +"Such a question!" Mrs. Weems protested, thoroughly exasperated. + +"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." + +"The clock struck twelve, of course!" + +"There, you see, Penny," Mr. Parker grinned triumphantly. "Does that +satisfy you?" + +"Mrs. Weems," Penny persisted, "did you actually count the strokes?" + +"Certainly not. Why should I? The clock always strikes twelve, therefore +it must have struck that number last night." + +"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." + +"What are you talking about anyhow?" the housekeeper protested. "It +doesn't make sense to me." + +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. + +"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." + +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. + +"What did you learn?" she inquired eagerly as he hung up the receiver. +"Was Clem Davis arrested last night?" + +"No, it turned out about as we expected. Apparently, Davis knew the +sheriff was looking for him. Anyway, he never returned home." + +Jamming on his hat, Mr. Parker started for the front door. Penny pursued +him to the garage, carrying on a running conversation. + +"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." + +"Davis can't be far away," Mr. Parker responded, getting into the maroon +sedan. "The sheriff will nab him soon." + +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. + +"Hi!" she greeted cheerily. "About ready?" + +"Ready for what?" Penny asked, her face blank. + +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?" + +"Now that you remind me, I have a vague recollection. How many are we to +sell?" + +"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." + +"I'll be with you in two shakes," Penny promised, heading for the house. +"Wait until I tell Mrs. Weems where I am going." + +Returning a moment later with the car ignition keys, she found Louise +staring disconsolately at the empty space in the garage. + +"What became of your new car?" asked her chum. + +"Dad's auto is in the garage for repairs," Penny explained briefly. "I +didn't have the heart to make him walk." + +"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. + +"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." + +"And leaves us stranded," Louise added with a sniff. "Oh, well, let's +go--if we can." + +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. + +"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?" + +"Never mind the slurs. Where do we start our business operations?" + +"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." + +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. + +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. + +"They've gone fast," Louise declared as the morning wore on. "We have +only one left." + +"Don't sell that tag!" Penny said impulsively. "I have it earmarked for a +certain person--Old Seth McGuire." + +"The caretaker at the Hubell Clock Tower?" Louise asked in astonishment. + +"Yes, he always liked children and I think he would be glad to help." + +"But why drive so far?" protested Louise. "I'm sure we could dispose of +it right here, and much quicker." + +"Oh, I have a special reason for going to see Seth," Penny answered +carelessly. "I'll tell you about it on the way there." + +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." + +"What's up now, Penny?" she inquired, as they rattled toward the Hubell +Tower in Leaping Lena. + +"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." + +"Which you must be," retorted Louise. "Who ever heard of such a thing?" + +"What's so crazy about it?" Penny asked with a grimace. "Didn't you ever +hear a clock strike the wrong number?" + +"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." + +"Even a good clock can make a mistake, I guess. Anyway, we'll see what +Seth McGuire has to say about it." + +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. + +"Rather an awkward time to call," she remarked, swinging open the car +door, "but Seth probably won't mind." + +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. + +"I wonder if Mr. McGuire has been well?" Penny commented, knocking on the +tower door. "He always took pride in looking after the yard." + +"At least he seems to be up and around," Louise returned in a low tone. +"I can hear someone moving about inside." + +The girls waited expectantly for the door to open. When there was no +response to their knock, Penny tried again. + +"Who's there?" called a loud and not very friendly voice. + +Penny knew that it was not Old Seth who spoke, for the caretaker's +high-pitched tones were unmistakable. + +"We came to see Mr. McGuire," she called through the panel. + +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. + +"McGuire's not here any more," he informed curtly. "You'll probably find +him at his farm." + +Before the man could close the door, Penny quickly asked if Mr. McGuire +had given up his position as caretaker because of sickness. + +"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." + +"We didn't come to see the clock," persisted Penny. + +"What did bring you here then?" the man demanded gruffly. "You a personal +friend of Seth's?" + +"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?" + +She extended the bit of yellow cardboard, bestowing upon the attendant +one of her most dazzling smiles. + +"No, thanks, Sister," he declined, refusing to take the tag. "You'll have +to peddle your wares somewhere else." + +"Only twenty-five cents." + +"I'm not interested. Now run along and give me a chance to eat my lunch +in peace." + +"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?" + +"Nothing happened to it," the caretaker retorted. "What d'you mean?" + +"At midnight it struck thirteen times instead of twelve." + +"You must have dreamed it!" the man declared. "Say, what are you trying +to do anyhow--start stories so I'll lose my job?" + +"Why, I never thought of such a thing!" Penny gasped. "I truly believed +that the clock did strike thirteen--" + +"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!" + +"I didn't mean to intimate that you were careless--" Penny began. + +She did not complete the sentence, for Charley Phelps slammed the door in +her face. + + + + + CHAPTER + 5 + _OLD SETH_ + + +"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!" + +"How could I know he was so touchy?" Penny asked in a grieved tone. + +"You did talk as if you thought he had been careless in taking care of +the big clock." + +"I never meant it that way, Lou. Anyway, he could have been more polite." + +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. + +"I guess you're satisfied now that the clock never struck thirteen," +Louise teased as the car fairly leaped forward. + +"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!" + +"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?'" + +"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!" + +"Who?" + +"Why, old Seth McGuire. We'll drive out to his farm and ask him about +it." + +"It's lunch time and I'm hungry," Louise protested. + +"Oh, you can spend the rest of your life eating," Penny overruled her. +"Business before pleasure, you know." + +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. + +"Watch for a sign, 'Sleepy Hollow,'" she instructed. "Mr. McGuire has +given his place a fancy name." + +A moment later Louise, seeing the marker, cried: "There it is! Slow +down!" + +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. + +"Why don't you join a stunt circus?" she said irritably. "You drive like +Demon Dan!" + +"We're here," replied Penny cheerfully. "Nice looking place, isn't it?" + +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. + +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. + +"Mr. McGuire's not here," said Louise. "Just another wild goose chase." + +"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. + +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. + +"Are you Seth McGuire?" Penny shouted to make herself heard above the +noise of running machinery. + +The old man, turning his head, waved them back. + +"Don't come in here now!" he warned. "It's dangerous. Wait until we pour +the bell." + +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. + +"Won't they be burned?" Louise murmured in alarm, moving hastily +backwards. + +"Mr. McGuire seems to know what he's doing," Penny answered, watching +with interest. + +In a moment the steam cleared away, and the old man motioned that the +girls might come inside. + +"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." + +"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?" + +"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." + +"How do you make a bell anyway?" Louise inquired curiously. + +"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." + +"Do you ever have any failures?" Penny asked, seeking to draw him out. + +"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!" + +"Does it take a long while to finish a bell after it's been poured?" +Penny pursued the subject. + +"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." + +"How do you tell about the tone?" Louise questioned in perplexity. + +"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." + +"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?" + +"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." + +"And now you've gone back to your old trade?" + +"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." + +"Mr. Blake?" Penny inquired thoughtfully. "Do you mean Clyde Blake, the +real estate man?" + +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. + +"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." + +"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." + +"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." + +"I suppose he spends most of his time looking after the big clock," Penny +remarked, deliberately leading the old man deeper. + +"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!" + +The conversation had moved in exactly the channel which Penny desired. + +"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." + +"You were correct," the old man assured her. "I was working late here in +the shop and heard it myself." + +"There! You see, Louise!" Penny cried triumphantly, turning to her chum. + +"Mr. McGuire, what would cause the clock to strike wrong?" the other +asked. + +"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." + +"Pardon my ignorance," laughed Penny, "but what in the world is the +striking train?" + +"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." + +"Just as clear as mud," sighed Louise who disliked all mechanical things. +"Does the clock strike wrong every night?" + +"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." + +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. + +"Why didn't you ask him to take one?" Louise asked as she and her chum +climbed into the parked car. + +"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." + +"He must make quite a lot from his bells." + +"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." + +Louise nodded agreement, and then with a quick change of subject, +reminded her chum that they had had no lunch. + +"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?" + +"I'll take anything so long as you pay for it," Louise agreed with a +laugh. + +Driving on to Toni's, the girls lunched there without incident, and then +started for Riverview by a different route. + +"Say, where are you taking me anyway?" Louise demanded suspiciously. +"I've never been on this road before." + +"Only out to the Davis farm," Penny responded with a grin. "We have a +little detective work to do." + +During the bumpy ride, she gave her chum a vivid account of the adventure +she had shared with her father the previous night. + +"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?" + +"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." + +"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 _Riverview Star_." + +Undisturbed by her chum's teasing, Penny parked Leaping Lena at the +entrance to the lane, and the girls walked to the cabin. + +"It doesn't look as if anyone is here," Louise remarked, rapping for the +second time on the oaken door. + +"I'm sure there is," Penny replied in a whisper. "As we came up the lane, +I saw the curtains move." + +Louise knocked a third time, so hard that the door rattled. + +"At any rate, no one is going to answer," she said. "We may as well go." + +"All right," Penny agreed, although it was not her nature to give up so +easily. + +The girls walked down the lane until a clump of bushes screened them from +the cabin. + +"Let's wait here," Penny proposed, halting. "I have a hunch Mrs. Davis is +hiding from us." + +"What's to be gained by waiting?" grumbled Louise. + +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. + +"Now's our chance!" Penny whispered eagerly. "Come on, Louise, we'll cut +off her retreat and she can't avoid meeting us!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 6 + _TALL CORN_ + + +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. + +"Well?" she demanded defiantly. + +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. + +"I don't suppose you recognize me," Penny began diffidently. "My father +and I were here last night with Sheriff Daniels." + +"I remember you very well," the woman retorted. "What do you want?" + +"Why, I should like to buy some melons," Penny replied, the idea only +that instant occurring to her. "Have you any for sale?" + +"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?" + +"About three, I guess." + +"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?" + +"Indeed not," Penny assured her. "I haven't seen him since last night." + +"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." + +"Oh, no! Didn't Mr. Davis return home last night?" + +"Not on your life!" the woman answered grimly. "And he won't be back +either--not while Sheriff Daniels is looking for him." + +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: + +"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." + +"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." + +"Then couldn't he prove it?" + +"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." + +"Does your husband have any enemies?" + +"Sure, he's got plenty of 'em." + +"Then perhaps you can name a person who might have tried to throw blame +on your husband." + +"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." + +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. + +"Here are your melons," Mrs. Davis said nervously, thrusting three large +ones into Penny's hands. "That will be a quarter." + +As the girl paid her, she abruptly turned and hurried toward the house. + +"Just a minute, Mrs. Davis," Penny called. "If you'll only talk to me I +may be able to help your husband." + +The woman heard but paid no heed. Picking up the water bucket, she +entered the cabin, closing the door behind her. + +"Well, we gained three melons, and that's all," Louise shrugged. "What's +our next move?" + +"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." + +"I don't see anyone now," Louise said, staring in the direction her chum +had indicated. "The stalks aren't even moving." + +"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." + +"Or an Indian waiting to scalp us," teased Louise. "Let's go back to the +car." + +Penny shook her head and started toward the corn patch. Reluctantly, +Louise followed, overtaking her at the edge of the field. + +"Sheriff Daniels!" Penny called through cupped hands. + +There was no answer, only a gentle rippling of the corn stalks some +distance from them. + +"Whoever the person is, he's sneaking away," Penny whispered. "Come on, +let's stop him!" + +"Don't be foolish--" Louise protested, but her chum had vanished into the +forest of tall corn. + +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. + +"Penny!" she shouted frantically. + +"Here!" called a voice not far away. + +Tracing the sound, and making repeated calls, Louise finally came face to +face with her chum. + +"Such a commotion as you've been making," chided Penny. "Not a chance to +catch that fellow now!" + +"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." + +"We're at the edge of the field. Follow me and I'll pilot you to safety." + +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. + +"I've had enough detective work for one day," her chum complained. +"Anyway, what do you hope to discover in an old barn?" + +"Maybe I can induce the horse to talk," Penny chuckled. "Sal must know +all the answers, if only she could speak." + +"You'll have to give her the third degree by yourself," Louise decided +with finality. "I shall go to the car." + +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. + +"Sorry to keep you waiting so long, Lou," she apologized as she reached +the car. "See what I found!" + +Penny held up a bright silver object which resembled a locket, save that +it was smaller. + +"What is it?" Louise inquired with interest. + +"A man's watch charm! It has a picture inside too!" + +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. + +"Where did you get it, Penny?" + +"I found it lying on the barn floor, not far from the place where we +picked up the black hood last night." + +"Then it must belong to Clem Davis!" + +"It may," Penny admitted, sliding into the seat beside her chum. "Still, +I don't believe the Davis' have any children." + +"What will you do with the charm? Turn it over to the sheriff?" + +"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." + +"About what, Penny?" + +"She said that her husband had been framed." + +"Then you think this watch charm was left in the barn to throw suspicion +upon Clem Davis!" + +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." + +"In that case, you would have a clue which might solve the case." + +"Exactly," Penny grinned in triumph. "Get ready for a fast ride into +town. I'm going to rush this evidence straight to the _Star_ office and +get Dad's opinion." + + + + + CHAPTER + 7 + _MR. BLAKE'S DONATION_ + + +Not wishing to ride to the _Star_ 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. + +"Just a minute, please," her father requested, waving her into a chair. + +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. + +"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!" + +Mr. Parker examined the charm carefully, gazing at the picture of the +little boy contained within it. + +"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." + +"Has any new evidence come to light, Dad?" + +"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." + +"Where did they get their proof?" + +"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." + +"Then you're intending to make it into a big story?" Penny asked +thoughtfully. + +"I am. An underground, subversive organization, no matter what its +purpose, has no right to an existence. The _Star_ will expose the +leaders, if possible, and break up the group." + +"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." + +"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." + +Abruptly changing the subject, the editor inquired regarding his +daughter's success in selling Camp-Benefit tags. + +"I have only one left," Penny replied, presenting it with a flourish. +"Twenty-five cents, please." + +"The cause is a worthy one. I'll double the amount." Amiably, Mr. Parker +flipped a half dollar across the desk. + +"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." + +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. + +"I suppose that means you want me to evaporate," Penny remarked, gazing +questioningly at her father. + +"No, stay if you like. It's probably nothing of consequence." + +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. + +"Blake probably wants to ask me to do him a personal favor," Mr. Parker +confided in a low tone. "He's a pest!" + +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. + +"Good afternoon, Mr. Parker," he said expansively. "And is this your +charming daughter?" + +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. + +"What may I do for you?" Mr. Parker asked the caller. + +"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." + +"If you wish to make a donation, you should give your money to Mrs. Van +Cleve," the editor cut him short. + +"I much prefer to present my cheque to you," the caller insisted. "Shall +I make it out for a hundred and fifty dollars?" + +"That's a very handsome donation," said Mr. Parker, unable to hide his +surprise. "But why give it to me?" + +Mr. Blake coughed in embarrassment. "I thought you might deem the +offering worthy of a brief mention in your paper." + +"Oh, I see," the editor responded dryly. + +"I don't wish publicity for myself, you understand, but only for the real +estate company which bears my name." + +"I quite understand, Mr. Blake. If we should use your picture--" + +"That will be very acceptable," the real estate man responded, smiling +with satisfaction. "I'll be happy to oblige you by posing." + +Helping himself to a pen, he wrote out the cheque and presented it to the +editor. + +"Penny, how would you like to write the story?" inquired her father. +"You've been helping Miss Norton with the publicity, I believe." + +"I'm rather bogged down with work," Penny demurred. "I think Mrs. Weems +wants me to clean the attic when I get home." + +"Never mind the attic. Please conduct Mr. Blake to the photography room +and ask one of the boys to take his picture." + +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. + +"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. + +"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." + +"He'll probably be caught," Penny replied absently. "But I wonder if he's +the guilty person." + +"What's that?" Mr. Blake demanded, regarding her with shrewd interest. +"You think Davis didn't burn the Preston barn?" + +"I was only speculating upon it." + +"Reflecting your father's opinion, no doubt." + +"No, not anyone's thought but my own." + +"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." + +"Why unfortunate?" Penny asked. + +"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." + +"A very good thing, I should think." + +"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." + +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. + +"Better get a good picture of Blake," she warned him. "He'll be irritated +if you don't." + +"I'll do my best," Salt promised, "but I can't make over a man's face." + +Mr. Blake proved to be a trying subject. Posed on a stool in front of a +screen, he immediately "froze" into a stiff position. + +"Be sure to make it only a head and shoulders picture, if you please," he +ordered Salt. + +"Can't you relax?" the photographer asked wearily. "Unloosen your face. +Think of all those little orphans you're going to make happy." + +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. + +"That'll be all," he announced. + +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." + +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. + +"There, that's more like it," he said. "I caught you just right, Mr. +Blake." + +The real estate man turned swiftly, his eyes blazing anger. + +"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!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 8 + _PUBLICITY BY PENNY_ + + +The real estate man's outburst was so unexpected that Penny and Salt +could only stare at him in astonishment. + +"It's a good full length picture," the photographer argued. "Much better +than those other shots I took." + +"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." + +"Just as you say," Salt shrugged. "We'll use one of the other pictures." + +"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." + +"Why, Mr. Blake!" Penny protested. "I thought you wanted a picture to +accompany the story I am to write." + +"You may write the article, but I'll have no picture. The films must be +destroyed." + +"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. + +"Thank you, young man," he said, bowing. "I am sorry to have taken so +much of your valuable time, and I appreciate your efforts." + +Nodding in Penny's direction, Mr. Blake left the studio, closing the door +behind him. + +"Queer duck," commented Salt. "His picture on the front page would be no +break for our readers!" + +"I can't understand why Mr. Blake became so provoked," Penny said +thoughtfully. "That excuse about his arm seemed a flimsy one." + +"Let's develop the film and see what it looks like," Salt suggested, +starting for the darkroom. "It was just an ordinary shot though." + +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. + +"Nothing unusual about it," he repeated. "Blake's right arm looks a bit +shorter than the left, but we could have blocked that off." + +Salt tossed the damp picture into a wastepaper basket, only to have Penny +promptly rescue it. + +"I wish you would save this," she requested. "Put it in an envelope and +file it away somewhere in the office." + +"What's the big idea, Penny?" + +"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." + +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. + +"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." + +"How could you have refused, Dad?" + +"I couldn't very well. All the same, I have a feeling I'll regret it." + +"Why do you say that?" Penny asked curiously. + +"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." + +"He craves publicity, that's certain." + +"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." + +"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." + +"That so?" the editor asked in surprise. "I hadn't heard about it." + +"Blake gave the position to a special friend of his. Can't you do +something about it, Dad?" + +"I don't know any of the basic facts, Penny. Why should I interfere in a +matter which is none of my affair?" + +"At least let's not give Mr. Blake a big build-up because of his +donation." + +"The story must be written," Mr. Parker said with finality. "I always +keep a bargain, even a bad one." + +"Then you might write the story," Penny proposed mischievously. "I can't +spell such a big word as hypocrite!" + +"Never mind," Mr. Parker reproved. "Just get busy and see that you handle +the article in a way favorable to Blake." + +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. + +"Your story must be a masterpiece," he teased. "It's taken you long +enough to write it." + +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." + +"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." + +"Covering the Preston fire, I suppose." + +"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?" + +"Well, I don't know?" Penny debated. "I've had almost enough of publicity +stories for one day." + +"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." + +"For you to write," she added ruefully. "Just a Sister Friday--that's my +fate in this office." + +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. + +"What's the latest on the Preston case?" Penny inquired, clutching her +hat to keep it from blowing out the window. + +"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." + +"Dad said the sheriff had learned Clem Davis was a member of a secret +organization, probably known as the Black Hoods." + +"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." + +"Then you think he wants to convict Clem Davis whether or not he's +guilty?" + +"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." + +"Do you think there actually is such an organization as the Black Hoods, +Jerry?" + +"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." + +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. + +"What time was that?" Jerry asked, stopping the car at a traffic light. + +"Shortly after twelve o'clock." + +"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." + +"It might have been Clem Davis," Penny suggested. "I'm sure his wife +knows where he is hiding." + +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 _Star_ offices. + +"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." + +"I only wish Dad would officially assign me to the story," she grumbled. +"He never will, though." + +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. + +"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." + +"The project is certain to be possible now," Penny replied. "Mr. Blake's +cheque put the campaign over the top." + +Jerry gave the steering wheel an expert flip, turning the car into the +private road. + +"Don't tell me that old bird actually parted with any money!" + +"Oh, he did, Jerry. He donated a cheque for a hundred and fifty dollars." + +"And no strings attached?" + +"Well, he hinted that he wanted a nice write-up about himself. I was +torturing myself with the story when you interrupted." + +"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." + +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. + +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. + +"Gosh all fish hooks!" Jerry exclaimed in dismay. "I didn't mean to +frighten the kid." + +Jumping from the coupe, he and Penny ran to the child. + +"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." + +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. + +"Come Adelle," she said gently. "We'll go into the house." + +"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." + +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." + + + + + CHAPTER + 9 + _JERRY'S PARTY_ + + +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. + +"Maybe I can send the kid a box of candy or make it up to her in some +way," the reporter remarked. + +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. + +"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." + +"Adelle was different," Penny returned with a smile. "Almost too much +so." + +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. + +"Oh, she is quite herself again," the young woman responded. "The upset +was only a temporary one." + +"Is Adelle easily frightened?" Penny inquired curiously. + +"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." + +"How dreadful!" Penny gasped. + +"Adelle was in the car but escaped with a broken leg," the young woman +resumed. "The incident made a very deep impression upon her." + +"I should think so!" exclaimed Jerry. "How did the accident occur?" + +"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." + +"It seems to me I remember that story," Jerry said thoughtfully. "The +hit-run driver never was caught." + +"No, according to Adelle he stopped, only to drive on again when he saw +that her parents were beyond help." + +"The man must have been heartless!" Penny declared indignantly. "How +could he run away?" + +"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." + +"I take it the child has no property or she wouldn't be at this +institution," Jerry said soberly. + +"Adelle is penniless. Her parents were her only relatives, so she was +brought to us." + +"It's a shame!" Penny declared feelingly. "Wasn't there any clue as to +the identity of the man who caused the fatal accident?" + +"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." + +Having heard the story, Jerry was more than ever annoyed at himself +because he had caused the child needless suffering. + +"Miss Anderson, isn't there something I can do to make amends?" he asked +earnestly. "What would the little girl like? Candy, toys?" + +"It isn't necessary that you give her anything." + +"I want to do it," Jerry insisted. + +"In that case, why not make some small bequest to the institution, or +send something which may be enjoyed by all the children." + +"Jerry, I have an idea!" cried Penny impulsively. "Why not give a party? +Would that be permissible, Miss Anderson?" + +"Indeed, yes. The children love them, and outings away from the +institution are their special delight." + +"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!" + +"The children would enjoy it, I'm sure," Miss Anderson smiled. "Can +transportation be arranged? We have sixty boys and girls." + +"I'll take care of everything," Jerry promised. "Suppose we set tomorrow +afternoon as the date." + +"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." + +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. + +"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?" + +"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." + +Her confidence proved to be ill-founded, for Mr. Kahler, the farmer whom +they accosted, would not consider the proposition. + +"The children will trample the vines, and do a lot of damage," he +declined. "Why don't you try the Wentover place?" + +At the Wentover farm, Jerry and Penny likewise were turned down. + +"No one wants sixty orphans running rampant over his place," the reporter +observed in discouragement. "We may as well give up the idea." + +"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." + +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. + +"I have no time to answer questions!" she announced to Jerry before he +could speak. "Please go away and leave me alone!" + +"Oh, I'm not here in an official capacity this time," the reporter +grinned. "We want to make you a business proposition." + +He then explained what he had in mind. Mrs. Davis listened attentively +but with suspicion. + +"It's likely some trick!" she declared. "I'll have nothing to do with +it!" + +"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." + +"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." + +"We'll pay you well for the privilege," Jerry promised, taking out his +wallet. + +"I don't want your money," the woman answered shortly. "Just see to it +that the youngsters don't tear up the place." + +Neither Penny nor Jerry wished to accept such a favor, but Mrs. Davis +firmly refused to take pay. + +"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." + +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. + +"Nice looking melons," the reporter remarked. "Mrs. Davis should make a +pretty fair profit." + +An elderly workman, who was sorting melons, glanced sideways at Jerry, +grinning in a knowing way. + +"Maybe," he said. + +"What do you mean by that?" Jerry questioned him. + +"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." + +Penny and Jerry watched the sorting work for a few minutes longer and +then returned to the car. + +"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." + +"Oh, I didn't take it that way," Penny responded. "He was only waxing +philosophical." + +The hour was late. Knowing that he might be wanted at the _Star_ office, +Jerry drove rather fast over the bumpy road. + +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. + +"Stop the car, Jerry!" she cried. "There he is again!" + +"Who?" demanded the reporter, slamming on brakes. + +"I think it's the same man who hid in the cornfield!" Penny exclaimed +excitedly. "It must be Clem Davis!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 10 + _IN THE MELON PATCH_ + + +"Which way did the fellow go?" Jerry demanded, bringing the car to a +standstill. + +"Into the woods," Penny answered tersely. + +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. + +"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." + +"I guess you're right," Penny acknowledged regretfully. + +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. + +"Having trouble, sister?" the driver asked. + +Penny slammed down the hood, and scrambled into Leaping Lena. + +"Just give me a little push," she instructed briskly. + +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. + +"Thanks!" Penny shouted, waving farewell to her benefactor. "I'll return +the favor someday." + +"Not with that mess of junk!" the taxi man laughed. + +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. + +Locking the garage doors, Penny entered the house by way of the kitchen. + +"Where's Dad?" she asked the housekeeper, absently helping herself to a +freshly baked cookie. + +"Listen, and I think you can tell," Mrs. Weems answered. + +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. + +"Poor Dad," Penny grinned as she heard a particularly loud exclamation of +wrath. "I'll go down and drip a few consoling words." + +Descending the stairs, she stood watching her father from the doorway of +the recreation room. + +"Hello, Penny," he said, looking over his shoulder. "You may as well make +yourself useful. Hold this board while I nail it in place." + +"All right, but be careful where you pound. Remember, I have only two +hands and I prize them both." + +With Penny holding the board, Mr. Parker nailed it to the underpinning. + +"Well, what do you think of the job?" he asked, standing back to admire +his work. + +"As a carpenter you're a very good editor," Penny answered with +exaggerated politeness. "Aren't walls supposed to come together at the +corners?" + +"I made a little mistake in my calculations. Later on I may build a +corner cupboard to cover up the slight gap." + +"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." + +"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!" + +"Bowman?" Penny inquired in a puzzled tone. + +"That crank who keeps sending me collect messages." + +"Oh, to be sure! I'd forgotten about him." + +"He sent another telegram today," Mr. Parker declared, smiling grimly. "I +suspected it came from him and refused to pay for it." + +"Bravo," Penny approved. "I knew you could get the best of that fellow if +you just put your mind to it." + +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. + +"It's Mr. DeWitt from the office," she informed him. + +Putting aside his hammer, Mr. Parker went upstairs. Soon he returned to +the basement, his manner noticeably subdued. + +"What's the matter, Dad?" Penny inquired curiously. "You look as if you +had just received a stunning blow." + +"DeWitt telephoned to tell me the _Star_ lost an important story today." + +"How did that happen, Dad?" + +"Well, a correspondent wired in the news, but by accident the message +never reached DeWitt's desk." + +Penny regarded her father shrewdly. "Ben Bowman's telegram?" + +"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." + +"So you lost a news story because you refused a bona fide telegram," +Penny said, shaking her head. "Ben Bowman scores again." + +"You see what I'm up against," the editor growled. "I'd give a hundred +dollars to be rid of that pest." + +"You really mean it?" Penny demanded with interest. + +"My peace of mind would be well worth the price." + +"In that case, I may apply my own brain to the task. I could use a +hundred dollars." + +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. + +"What's this?" he demanded sharply. + +"A telegram," explained Mrs. Weems. "It came only a moment ago. I paid +the boy." + +"How much was the message?" the editor asked, his face grim. + +"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." + +"This is just too, too good!" Penny chuckled, thoroughly enjoying the +situation. "Everything so perfectly timed, almost as if it were a play!" + +"I don't understand," Mrs. Weems murmured. "I've done something I +shouldn't--" + +"It was not your fault," Mr. Parker assured her. "In the future, however, +refuse to accept any collect message." + +As her father did not open the telegram, Penny seized upon it. + +"This is from a man who calls himself Isaac Fulterton," she disclosed, +glancing at the bottom of the typed page. + +"Merely one of Ben Bowman's many names," Mr. Parker sighed. + +"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.'" + +"How dreadful!" Mrs. Weems exclaimed, genuinely shocked. + +"Penny, if you insist upon reading another line, I shall leave the +table," Mr. Parker snapped. "I've had quite enough of Ben Bowman." + +"I'm sorry, Dad," Penny apologized, slipping the message into her pocket. +"I can appreciate that this doesn't seem very funny to you." + +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. + +"Dad," she said suddenly. "I have an idea how Ben Bowman might be +trailed!" + +"Never mind telling me," her father answered. "I prefer not to hear his +name mentioned." + +"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!" + +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. + +"In that way I'd at least have Ben Bowman's signature," she reflected. +"While it wouldn't be much, it represents a start." + +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. + +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. + +"Pick all you like from the vines," Penny called, "but don't touch any of +the crated ones." + +In the yard not far from the storage barn stood a truck loaded with +melons which were ready for the market. + +"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." + +"What happened to them?" Penny asked, surprised by the remark. + +"Don't you ever read the _Star_?" + +"I didn't today. Too busy. Tell me about the Doolittles, Jerry." + +"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." + +"Can't he get damages?" + +"Doolittle didn't learn who was responsible." + +"Was it an accident or done deliberately?" Penny asked thoughtfully. + +"Sheriff Daniels thinks it was an accident. I'm inclined to believe the +Black Hoods may have had something to do with it." + +"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." + +"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." + +"And you believe the Hoods may be connected with the Cooperative?" + +"I wouldn't go so far as to say that," Jerry replied hastily. "Fact is, +the Holloway Cooperative always has had a good reputation." + +"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." + +"Same here," agreed Jerry. "Another thing, I keep mulling over what that +melon sorter said yesterday." + +"You mean his hint that something might happen to Mrs. Davis' crop?" + +"Yeah. Maybe he knew more than he let on." + +"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?" + +"That's what he says. I wonder about that too." + +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. + +"Just the right size for a hand grenade," he remarked. "Watch!" + +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. + +"Jerry, you shouldn't do that," Penny chided. "Mrs. Davis won't like it." + +"Okay, I'll be good," the reporter promised. "The temptation was just too +strong to resist." + +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. + +"Do let the boys stay awhile longer," Penny pleaded. "Jerry and I will +bring them back in a few minutes." + +"Very well," the matron consented. "But don't allow them to eat so many +melons that they will be sick." + +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. + +"Hey, you little hoodlums!" Jerry shouted. "Cut it out or you'll go back +to the Home pronto!" + +"Says who?" mocked one saucy little fellow in a piping voice. + +"Quiet everyone!" commanded Penny suddenly. "Listen!" + +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. + + + + + CHAPTER + 11 + _PENNY'S CLUE_ + + +"The nightshirt riders!" Jerry exclaimed. "Duck down, everyone!" + +Penny and the six lads from the Riverview Home crouched low, watching the +approach of the two riders. + +"One of those men may be Clem Davis, but I doubt it!" muttered Jerry. +"They're here to destroy the crated cantaloupes!" + +"Jerry, we can't let them get away with it!" Penny exclaimed. "Why not +pelt them with melons when they get closer?" + +"Okay," he agreed grimly, "we'll give 'em a spoiled cantaloupe blitz. +Gather your ammunition, gang, and get ready!" + +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. + +Unaware of the barrage awaiting them, the two hooded men rode into the +yard. + +"Now!" Jerry gave the signal. "Let 'em have it!" + +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. + +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. + +"Give it to him!" Jerry shouted, observing that the fallen man was +unhurt. + +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. + +"He's going to drive off!" Penny cried. "Let's stop him!" + +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. + +Just then, Mrs. Davis came running from the cabin. + +"My melons!" she screamed. "They've taken my melons! Oh, I was afraid +something like this would happen!" + +"Maybe I can overtake that fellow," Jerry called to her. "Ride herd on +these kids until I get back!" + +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. + +"Which way did the truck go?" Jerry demanded. "I was so excited I forgot +to notice." + +"It turned right. No sign of it now, though." + +"The fellow is running without lights to make it harder for us to follow +him." + +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. + +"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." + +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. + +"You're right, Penny! He turned off at that side road!" Jerry exclaimed, +backing the coupe around. "We'll get him yet!" + +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. + +"We're gaining fast," Jerry said in satisfaction. "It won't be long now." + +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. + +"Gracious! What now?" Penny exclaimed. + +"A flat," Jerry answered tersely. "Just our luck." + +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. + +"We'll probably lose that fellow now," he said irritably. + +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. + +"We may as well turn back," he said, tossing tools into the back of the +car. "How about it?" + +"Oh, let's keep on a little farther," Penny pleaded. "If we drive fast we +might still overtake him." + +Without much hope, they resumed the pursuit. Tires whined a protest as +they swung around sharp corners, and the motor began to heat. + +"This old bus can't take it any more," Jerry declared, slackening speed +again. "No sense in ruining the car." + +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. + +"Let's not turn back yet," she pleaded. "We still have a chance." + +"Okay," Jerry consented, "but don't forget we have six orphans waiting +for us at the Davis place." + +The car went on for another eight miles. Then came a welcome stretch of +pavement. + +"We must be getting near the state line," Jerry remarked. "Yeah, there it +is." + +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. + +As Jerry drew up, a man came from the little building. + +"Carrying any shrubs, plants or fruit?" he began but the reporter cut him +short. + +"We're following a stolen truck!" he exclaimed. "Has a red truck loaded +with cantaloupes gone through here tonight?" + +"I checked one about fifteen minutes ago." + +"Fifteen minutes!" Jerry groaned. "That finishes us." + +"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." + +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. + +"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." + +"I take it you have a pretty fair idea who it was that came here +tonight?" Jerry said shrewdly. "Who are these Hoods?" + +"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." + +"You want to help your husband, don't you?" Penny inquired. + +"Of course I do! But I know better than to talk." + +"You've been warned?" Jerry pursued the subject. + +"Yes, I have. Now don't ask me any more questions. I've told you too much +already." + +"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?" + +"Maybe it did," the woman answered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I +ain't saying." + +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. + +"Come along, Penny," Jerry said with a shrug. "Let's be moving." + +Six reluctant orphans were rounded up from the hay loft where a +boisterous game of hide and seek was in progress. + +"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!" + +"Oh, we'll get along fine," she smiled. "Come along, boys." + +"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!" + +"Jerry, let me see one of those melons!" Penny exclaimed suddenly. "They +fell from the truck, didn't they?" + +"I guess so," Jerry responded, surprised by her display of interest. +"What about 'em?" + +"I'll show you." + +Turning on the dash light of the car, Penny held the melon in its warm +glow. Slowly, she turned it in her hands. + +"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!" + +"I don't get it," answered Jerry. "What clue?" + +"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." + + + + + CHAPTER + 12 + _ADELLE'S DISAPPEARANCE_ + + +Jerry took the melon from Penny's hand to examine it. + +"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." + +"You're referring to the Holloway Cooperative, Jerry?" + +"That outfit certainly merits an investigation. In the morning I'll jog +out to their packing plant and talk to the manager, Hank Holloway." + +"What time will you be going, Jerry?" + +"About nine o'clock probably." + +"Perhaps I'll meet you there," Penny said thoughtfully. "That is, if you +don't mind." + +"Glad to have you," the reporter responded in a hearty voice. + +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. + +"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." + +"But I just left there," Penny protested. "When did the call come?" + +"About fifteen minutes ago." + +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. + +"Oh, goodness!" Penny exclaimed, aghast. "One of those six boys?" + +Miss Anderson's reply slightly reassured her. + +"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." + +"Indeed I do, Miss Anderson. Tell me how I may help." + +"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." + +"I see," Penny murmured, "you would like the news kept out of the +_Star_?" + +"Can it be arranged?" Miss Anderson asked eagerly. "If you will talk to +your father about it we'll be very grateful." + +"I'll ask him not to print the story," Penny promised, none too pleased +by the request. "I do hope Adelle is found soon." + +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. + +"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." + +"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." + +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: + +"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." + +"Oh, thanks, Dad!" she cried gratefully, wrapping her arms about his +neck. "You're just grand!" + +"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." + +"No!" Penny exclaimed. "How did that happen?" + +"He hinted to Mrs. Van Cleve that he would like to serve. Naturally, +after his handsome donation, she couldn't refuse." + +"Why do you suppose Mr. Blake has taken such a sudden interest in the +Home?" + +"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." + +"Well, you're on the board too," Penny declared, undisturbed. "If he +starts any monkey business you can put a quick stop to it." + +"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." + +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. + +"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." + +"Is there any chance she could have been kidnaped?" Penny asked +thoughtfully. + +"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." + +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. + +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. + +"Sorry to be late," he apologized. "I was held up at the office." + +Knowing that her father would have told Jerry about Adelle's +disappearance, Penny inquired regarding the latest news. + +"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." + +Penny walked beside Jerry to the entrance of the cooperative plant. + +"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." + +"I'm not indifferent," Jerry denied. "In a way I feel responsible for +that kid. But what can we do?" + +"Nothing, I guess," acknowledged Penny unwillingly. "Miss Anderson said +they had enough searchers." + +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. + +"Hank Holloway around here?" Jerry asked one of the workers. + +"Over there," the girl responded, pointing to a burly, red-faced man who +stood at the opposite end of the room. + +Jerry and Penny approached the manager of the cooperative. + +"Good morning," the man said gruffly, gazing at them critically. "What +can I do for you?" + +"We're from the _Star_," Jerry informed. "Do you mind answering a few +questions?" + +"I'm pretty busy," Hank Holloway responded, frowning. "What do you want +to know?" + +"There's a rumor going the rounds that this cooperative has been forcing +farmers to market their melons through your organization." + +"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." + +"How do you account for the depredation that's been going on around here +lately? Who would you say is behind it?" + +"What d'you mean, depredation?" Hank Holloway demanded. + +"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." + +"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." + +"That hardly seems reasonable," Jerry said dryly. + +"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." + +"Why, I thought their cantaloupes were particularly fine ones!" Penny +protested. + +"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." + +With a curt nod, he turned away. + +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. + +"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." + +"What did you really think of him, Jerry?" + +"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." + +Having been assigned to cover a board meeting, Jerry hurriedly said +goodbye to Penny. Left to herself, she drove slowly toward Riverview. + +"Since I am so near Seth McGuire's place, I may as well stop for a minute +or two," she thought impulsively. + +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. + +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. + +"Who is it?" she shouted. + +"Help! Let me out!" came the plaintive cry from inside the shop. + +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. + +"It's Adelle!" she gasped. "How in the world did she get locked in Mr. +McGuire's shop?" + + + + + CHAPTER + 13 + _AN EXTRA STROKE_ + + +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. + +"Good morning," he greeted her pleasantly. + +"Oh, Mr. McGuire!" Penny exclaimed. "Did you know there is a child locked +inside your shop?" + +"A child!" the old man exclaimed, coming quickly down the steps. "Why +bless me! How can that be?" + +"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." + +"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!" + +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. + +"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." + +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. + +"I'm hungry," she sobbed. "It was cold in there, and a big rat kept +running around. Why did you lock me inside?" + +"Why, bless you," Mr. McGuire murmured, "I never dreamed anyone was +inside the shop! How did you get in there?" + +"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." + +"You never should have run away from the Home," Penny reproved. "Why did +you do it?" + +"Because I don't like it there," the child answered defiantly. "I'll +never be adopted like the other children." + +"Why, how silly!" Penny answered. "Of course someone will adopt you." + +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." + +"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." + +Adelle drew away, and as if seeking protection, crowded close beside Mr. +McGuire. + +"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." + +Penny gazed despairingly at the old bell maker. With a chuckle, he took +the child by the hand and led her toward the cottage. + +"We'll have lunch and talk things over," he proposed. "How will that be?" + +"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." + +"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." + +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. + +"I'll bring her there within an hour," she promised. "Just as soon as she +has had her lunch." + +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. + +"This is almost as nice as it was at our home," she remarked. "I mean my +real home, when Daddy and Mother were alive." + +"You'll have a nice place again when you are adopted," Penny assured her +kindly. + +"I'd like to stay here," Adelle said, looking thoughtfully at the old +man. "Would your wife let me?" + +"Why, bless you, I haven't a wife," he answered in embarrassment. "I'm a +bachelor." + +"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." + +"Well, now I've often thought I would like a nice little girl," he +replied, smiling. + +"Then you can have me!" Adelle cried, jumping up from her chair. "You can +tell the Home I won't be back!" + +"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--" + +"Oh, I won't eat much," Adelle promised. "Please keep me, Mr. McGuire." + +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. + +"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." + +"Won't you keep thinking about it?" Adelle pleaded. "Anytime you want me, +I'll come right away." + +"Yes, I'll think about it," Mr. McGuire promised soberly. "I really +will." + +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. + +"On your way home, Lou?" she inquired. + +"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." + +"Then why not go to Claymore?" Penny proposed suddenly. + +"I would if I could get there." + +"I'll take you," Penny offered. "I need to go to Claymore on special +business, and I'd like to have someone ride along." + +"Well, I don't know," Louise replied dubiously. "I doubt Leaping Lena +would stand such a long trip." + +"Oh, I'll take the other car." + +"In that case the answer is 'yes,'" Louise replied instantly. + +Penny drove directly home to exchange cars and tell Mrs. Weems where she +was going. + +"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." + +"If you drive after night, be very careful," the housekeeper responded +uneasily. "There are so many accidents these days." + +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. + +"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?" + +"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." + +"You jump around from one thing to another so fast I can't keep track of +your enterprises," Louise sighed. + +"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!" + +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. + +"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." + +"Providing the man ever comes to Riverview," Louise said skeptically. "It +seems like a forlorn hope to me." + +Before leaving the office, Penny inquired of the clerk who had handled +the message if a description of Ben Bowman could be provided. + +"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." + +"Not much to go on," Penny said regretfully. "Thanks anyhow." + +"Where now?" Louise asked in a weary voice as they finally left the +telegraph office. "Shall we buy tickets to the play?" + +"Not yet," said Penny. "I'd like to wander around the market district a +bit." + +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. + +"I'm getting tired of pawing vegetables!" Louise presently complained. +"When do we eat?" + +"All right, we may as well call it a day," Penny replied reluctantly. + +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. + +"Penny, do you realize what all this is costing us?" Louise began to +worry belatedly. + +"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!" + +"You're nothing if not optimistic," Louise said pityingly. + +The play was an excellent one and when the curtain fell at eleven, +neither girl begrudged the money paid for tickets. + +"It's been a grand day," Louise sighed contentedly as they left the +theatre. "Let's get home now as quickly as we can." + +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. + +"The witching hour of midnight," Louise remarked. "Do you still think +that mechanical creature has supernatural powers?" + +"Quiet!" Penny commanded, idling the car as the big clock began to +strike. "I'm going to count the strokes." + +"I'll do it too, just so you can't pull a fast one on me. That's two +now." + +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. + +"Why, it did strike thirteen!" she gasped. "Or perhaps I became mixed +up!" + +"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!" + +"It did seem to have a slightly different tone. I wonder why?" + +"Someone may have struck the bell an extra tap!" Penny answered with +conviction. "Louise, don't you see! It must be a signal!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 14 + _THROUGH THE WINDOW_ + + +"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!" + +Lowering the car window, Penny peered curiously up at the tower which was +shrouded in fog and mist. + +"Lou, there's someone up there in the cupola! It may be Charley Phelps!" + +"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." + +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. + +"Who was that man?" Penny demanded suspiciously. + +"I'm afraid I neglected to inquire," Louise retorted. "So careless of +me!" + +"Whoever he was, he intended to enter the tower! When he saw us here, he +became nervous and drove away!" + +"Oh, Penny, you're the limit." + +"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!" + +"A board of directors confab perhaps?" teased Louise. + +"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!" + +"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?" + +"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?" + +"Well, it's your car," Louise replied with a shrug. "I'm powerless in +your hands." + +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. + +"I never felt more silly in my life," Louise complained. "What are we +supposed to do now?" + +"Windows were made to look through," Penny responded coolly. "Let's see +what Charley Phelps is doing inside the tower." + +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. + +"Well, what do you see, Sherlock?" Louise demanded impatiently. + +"Nothing." + +"How perfectly amazing!" Louise taunted mischievously. "What do you make +of it?" + +"Charley Phelps seems to be reading a newspaper." + +"Baffling! It must have some deep, dark significance." + +With a sigh, Penny stepped down from the rock. "Want to look?" she +invited. + +"I do not!" + +"Then I guess we may as well go home," Penny said reluctantly. + +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. + +"Charley has some visitors," she reported in a whisper. "Four men I never +saw before. I wish I could hear what they are saying." + +"Why not smash the window, or saw a hole through the wall?" Louise +proposed sarcastically. + +Penny stepped from the rock, offering the place to her chum. + +"Do look inside," she urged. "Maybe you'll recognize those men. It's +really important." + +Louise unwillingly did as requested, but after a moment moved away from +the window. + +"I never saw any of them either," she said. "They must be friends of +Charley Phelps." + +"It's a special meeting," Penny insisted. "I suspect other men may come +along within a few minutes." + +"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!" + +"Oh, all right, I'll go," Penny grumbled. "It seems a pity though, just +when we might have learned something important." + +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. + +"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." + +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. + +"Hold it! Hold it!" Penny greeted him before he could speak. "I know it's +late, but I can explain everything." + +"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." + +"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!" + +"Which in your estimation explains everything?" + +"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." + +"Tommyrot!" + +"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?" + +"Never," replied Mr. Parker. "And if I were you I shouldn't go around +making such wild suggestions. You _might_ find yourself involved in +serious trouble." + +"You're the only one to whom I've confided my theory, Dad. In fact, it +only this minute occurred to me." + +"So I thought, Penny. If I were you I would forget the Hubell clock. Why +not devote yourself to something worthwhile?" + +"For instance?" + +"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." + +"Do you think I could do it?" Penny asked dubiously. + +"Why not? You can learn from the matron of the Home what is needed, and +then make your selection." + +"I'll be glad to do it, Dad. When is the camp to open?" + +"The actual date hasn't been set, but it will be soon. That is, unless a +serious disagreement arises about the camp site." + +"A disagreement?" Penny inquired curiously. + +"Yes, Mr. Blake is trying to influence the board to buy a track of land +which he controls." + +"At a very high price?" + +"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." + +"Then why does the board consider it?" + +"Mr. Blake gave a very generous donation, you remember. I figured at the +time he would expect something in return." + +"He'll profit by the sale?" + +"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." + +"Will the board listen to you, Dad?" + +"I rather doubt it. My objections weren't especially vigorous. Either +property will be satisfactory, and Blake's price is a trifle more +attractive." + +With a yawn, Mr. Parker arose and locked the front door. + +"It's after one," he said. "Let's get to bed." + +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. + +"That was the night editor of the _Star_," he explained briefly. + +"Has a big story broken, Dad?" + +"Another storage barn was burned to the ground about ten minutes ago. The +night editor called to ask how I wanted the story handled." + +"Then the depredation was done by the Hoods!" + +"It looks that way." + +Penny came slowly down the stairway to face her father. + +"Dad, if the fire was set only a few minutes ago, doesn't that support my +theory?" + +"Which theory? You have so many." + +"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!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 15 + _TRACING BEN BOWMAN_ + + +"Penny, let's postpone this animated discussion until morning," Mr. +Parker said wearily, reaching to switch out the bridge lamp. + +"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. + +"I certainly do not," he answered firmly. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm +going to bed." + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"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--" + +"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." + +"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." + +"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." + +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. + +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. + +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. + +As the girls were leaving the institution they met Miss Anderson and +paused to inquire about Adelle. + +"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." + +Penny asked if there was any prospect the little girl would be adopted. + +"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." + +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. + +"All this equipment is for the Riverview Orphans' Home--not for +ourselves," Penny explained. "The committee will pay for it." + +"Very well, we'll send the merchandise just as soon as a cheque is +received," the salesman promised, giving her an itemized bill. + +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. + +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. + +"That fellow must have been a shoplifter!" Penny remarked to Louise. "I +think he got away too!" + +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. + +A moment later, the store detective came striding down the aisle. Pausing +at the jewelry counter he spoke to the floorman, confirming the report. + +"Well, the fellow escaped! He tried to pass a bum cheque for fifty +dollars." + +"What name did he use?" the floorman inquired. + +"Ben Bowman. It will be something else next time." + +Penny had heard the words. Startled by the name, she moved hastily to the +detective's side. + +"Excuse me," she addressed him, "did I understand you to say that a man +by the name of Ben Bowman forged a cheque?" + +"That's correct, Miss," the detective answered, staring at her curiously. +"Know anything about the man?" + +"I think I may. Would it be possible for me to see the cheque?" + +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. + +"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." + +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. + +"This is Ben Bowman," he assured her. "He's an expert forger, and uses +any number of names. Think you can remember the face?" + +"I'll try to," Penny replied. "He doesn't seem to have any distinguishing +features though." + +"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." + +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. + +"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." + +"No doubt you'll collect," Louise admitted grudgingly. "I never met +anyone with your brand of luck." + +"I feel especially lucky today too," Penny said with a gay laugh. "Tell +you what! Let's make another tour of the vegetable markets." + +"It will make us late in getting home. The time is sure to be wasted +too." + +"Oh, come along," Penny urged, seizing her by the arm. "I promise to have +you in Riverview no later than three o'clock." + +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. + +"A nice fat chicken?" a farm woman asked persuasively, holding up an +uninviting specimen. "Fresh eggs?" + +"We're looking for melons," Penny replied. + +"Mr. Breldway has some nice cantaloupes," the woman returned. "He got a +truck load of 'em in from Riverview just the other day." + +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. + +"Louise, these look like the Davis crop!" Penny cried excitedly. +"Wouldn't you say someone deliberately had blocked out the old marking?" + +"It does appear that way." + +"Maybe we can find just one melon with the original stamp!" + +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. + +"If you're looking for a good melon let me help you," he said, hurrying +toward them. + +Penny straightened, holding up a cantaloupe for him to see. + +"I don't need any help," she said distinctly. "I've found the melon I +want. It bears the Davis stamp." + + + + + CHAPTER + 16 + _A FAMILIAR NAME_ + + +"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?" + +"I'm not interested in the melon--only in the stamp," Penny replied. "Do +you realize that you may be liable to arrest?" + +"What d'you mean, liable to arrest?" the man demanded. "I'm an honest +dealer and I have a license." + +"Look at these melons." Penny held up one which bore the blurred stamp. +"The trade name has been altered." + +The dealer took the cantaloupe from her, examining it briefly. She then +offered him the single melon bearing the Davis stamp. + +"Well, what about it?" he asked. + +"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." + +"You're trying to say that I sell stolen melons!" + +"I'm not making any direct accusations," Penny replied evenly. "No doubt +you can explain where you got the melons." + +"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." + +"Is Mr. Toby a regular dealer?" + +"I buy from him now and then, when his prices are right. I never bothered +to ask any questions." + +"Where does the man live?" + +"I can't tell you that. He's a large, heavy-set fellow with brown hair +and eyes." + +The description was too meagre to be of value to Penny. + +"Does Mr. Toby drive a red truck?" she inquired thoughtfully. + +"He did this last time." + +"It was a red truck which was stolen from the Davis farm," Penny said +quietly. "I'm sure these melons came from there too." + +"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." + +"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." + +"What d'you mean, cooperate?" the dealer inquired suspiciously. + +"Only this. Will you see John Toby again?" + +"That's hard to tell. He said he might bring in another load of melons +within the next few days." + +"When you receive the next shipment, will you notify me?" + +"Yes, I'm willing to do that," the dealer promised. "If Toby is crooked, +I want to know it myself." + +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. + +"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." + +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. + +"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?" + +"Not the slightest," Penny confessed. "The description would fit Hank +Holloway, or for that matter, any one of a dozen men I know." + +The girls arrived in Riverview by mid-afternoon after an uneventful trip. +Penny dropped Louise at the Sidell home and then went to the _Star_ +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. + +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." + +"What's this?" she asked aloud. "Is Dad buying property?" + +"Oh, no," the secretary replied, glancing up from her typewriter. "That +is the deed and abstract for the Orphans' Camp site." + +"I wonder which property it is?" + +"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." + +Penny unfolded one of the lengthy documents, shaking her head as she +scanned the legal terms. + +"I don't see how Dad makes anything of this," she said. "Such a mess of +words and names!" + +"I imagine Mr. Parker intends to turn it over to his lawyer," the +secretary smiled. + +The editor entered the office at that moment, and Penny directed her next +question to him. + +"Dad, is it all settled that the camp board will purchase Mr. Blake's +land?" + +"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." + +"Why did she do that, Dad?" + +"Well, Blake convinced her he had another buyer for the property. It's +the old story. Competition stimulates interest." + +"Do the papers seem to be all right?" + +"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." + +"Who actually owns the property, Dad?" + +"It's there on the abstract," he answered. "Why not look it up for +yourself?" + +"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--'" + +"What was that name?" Mr. Parker demanded sharply. + +"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!" + +"Are you making up that name?" Mr. Parker asked skeptically. + +Penny thrust the abstract into his hand. "Here, read it for yourself, +Dad. Bowman seems to be the present owner of the land." + +Mr. Parker rapidly scanned the document. + +"The land is held by a Benjamin Bowman," he admitted, frowning. "A +strange coincidence." + +"I never heard of a Bowman family living near Riverview," Penny remarked, +reaching for a telephone book. "Did you?" + +"No, but Bowman is a fairly common name." + +Turning to the "B" section Penny went through the telephone list. + +"There's only one Bowman here," she said, penciling a circle around the +name. "A Mrs. Maud Bowman." + +"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." + +"Mr. Blake seemed rather eager to dispose of the land, didn't he?" + +"His price was a bit low, which surprised me," Mr. Parker said, thinking +aloud. "Probably everything can be explained satisfactorily." + +"Then why not ask Mr. Blake to do it?" Penny proposed. "He should be able +to tell you something about his client." + +"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." + + + + + CHAPTER + 17 + _FALSE RECORDS_ + + +Mr. Blake, suave, completely at ease, sat opposite Mr. Parker and Penny +in the editor's private office. + +"I came as soon as I could after receiving your telephone message, Mr. +Parker," he said pleasantly. "Now what seems to be the trouble?" + +"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." + +"Quite true. I am acting as his agent." + +"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." + +"Very unlikely, I think," Mr. Blake shrugged. "My client does not reside +in Riverview." + +"Nor does the man I have in mind." + +"Can you tell us what he looks like?" Penny interposed eagerly. + +"I am very sorry, but I can't," Mr. Blake returned. "I've never met Mr. +Bowman." + +"Yet you act as his agent?" Mr. Parker inquired in astonishment. + +"All our dealings have been by mail or telephone." + +"I see," the editor commented reflectively. "Well, at least you can +provide me with the man's address." + +"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." + +"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?" + +"Oh, that won't be required. He's already made out the sales documents, +and also given me a power of attorney." + +"Mr. Bowman seems to think of everything," Mr. Parker remarked grimly. "I +was hoping for the pleasure of meeting him." + +"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?" + +"I have no serious objections to it." + +"Then why allow your personal feelings to interfere with the deal?" + +"I have no intention of doing so," Mr. Parker answered. + +"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." + +"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." + +"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." + +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. + +"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." + +"Blake has been rushing things through at such a furious rate," Penny +nodded. "Another thing, Ben Bowman is a well-known forger." + +"What makes you think that?" the editor asked alertly. "Any real +information?" + +Penny revealed everything she had learned that day at Claymore. Mr. +Parker listened attentively, making few comments until she had finished. + +"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." + +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. + +"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." + +"Then apparently we jumped too hasty to conclusions," Penny remarked in +disappointment. + +"I'm not so sure. Mr. Adams tells me that the ownership of the property +is a very muddled affair." + +"Muddled?" + +"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." + +"What does Mr. Adams think about that, Dad?" + +"He advises that the records be inspected very carefully. It will take +weeks though, for they are quite involved." + +"I suppose that will hold up the opening of the camp." + +"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." + +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. + +"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." + +"We can't possibly delay the dedication another week," added another +feminine member of the board. "The summer is nearly over now." + +"At least postpone making the final payment until after I have had +another report from my lawyers," Mr. Parker pleaded. + +"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." + +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 _Star_, playground equipment and floored tents were set +up on the camp site, and the actual dedication program was announced. + +"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!" + +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. + +"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." + +"I've had no report as yet," Mr. Parker answered. "My lawyers tell me +they never delved into a more involved case." + +"What does Mr. Blake think about the investigation?" + +"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." + +"How long will it be before you'll have a final report, Dad?" + +"I don't know," he admitted. "I expected to get it long before this." + +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. + +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. + +"Well, I'll see you at the camp grounds, Dad," she said lightly. + +"I don't know what to do about the dedication," responded Mr. Parker in a +sober tone. "By rights there should be none." + +Penny stared at him. + +"I've just heard from my lawyers," Mr. Parker explained. + +"Then, there is a flaw in the title as you suspected!" + +"Decidedly. It's a very mixed-up mess, and as yet we're not sure what it +may mean." + +"Tell me about it, Dad," Penny pleaded, sliding back into her chair. + +"Benjamin Bowman--whoever he may be--doesn't own the camp property." + +"Then in whose name is it?" + +"The property doesn't belong to anyone." + +"Why, how ridiculous!" Penny exclaimed. "Doesn't every piece of land in +the world belong to someone?" + +"Actually the heirs of Rosanna and Joseph Schulta own this particular +property. But there are no heirs." + +"What you say doesn't make sense to me, Dad." + +"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." + +"But I thought the property had changed hands many times in recent +years!" + +"Only theoretically. All those records have been falsified." + +"By whom, Dad? Ben Bowman?" + +"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." + +"Then he deliberately tried to cheat the Camp Fund board!" + +"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." + +"What will you do, Dad?" Penny inquired, deeply distressed. "The +dedication is scheduled to start within an hour." + +"I don't see how it can be postponed," Mr. Parker said soberly. "It will +have to go on according to schedule." + +"Afterwards you'll ask for Blake's arrest?" + +"There's no real evidence against him." + +"No evidence!" + +"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." + +"There's one person who might be able to implicate him!" Penny exclaimed. +"Ben Bowman!" + +"Bowman should have it in his power to clear up some of the mystery," Mr. +Parker agreed. "But how are we to find him?" + +"I don't know," Penny admitted. "It looks rather hopeless unless the +police just present him to us wrapped in pink ribbon." + +The clock struck nine. Daring not to linger any longer, Penny hastily +bade her father goodbye and left the house. + +Driving to the camp site with Louise Sidell, she told her chum of the +latest complications. + +"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." + +"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." + +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. + +Penny gazed from one person to another, slowly comprehending the scene. + +"You're not buying this property!" she exclaimed in protest. + +Mrs. Van Cleve's reply stunned her. + +"It seemed unreasonable to keep Mr. Blake waiting," the woman said +quietly. "The transaction has just been completed." + + + + + CHAPTER + 18 + _ADELLE'S ACCUSATION_ + + +"Oh, Mrs. Van Cleve! You've been cheated!" + +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. + +"My dear, what do you mean?" inquired Mrs. Van Cleve, troubled by the +unexpected accusation. + +"Any money paid for this land will be lost! My father has just learned--" + +"I resent such loose talk!" Mr. Blake broke in irritably. "Mr. Bowman, +whom I represent, has taken a substantial loss on the property." + +"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!" + +"This isn't true?" Mrs. Van Cleve asked the real estate man. + +"Certainly not! You may be sure that if there is the slightest flaw in +the title, I shall return your cheque." + +"Perhaps, considering the uncertainty, it might be wise to postpone +payment until I have talked again with Mr. Parker," Mrs. Van Cleve said +diffidently. + +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." + +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. + +"There!" she announced, a trifle stunned by her own act. + +"Penelope, you shouldn't have done that," Mrs. Van Cleve reproved, but +she smiled faintly. + +"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." + +"Well, under the circumstance, it might be better to wait," the club +woman demurred. "I really shouldn't have acted without consulting Mr. +Parker." + +"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." + +Penny's broad grin made it clear that she thought the loss would not be a +great one. + +"Furthermore, I shall ask that my recent donation be returned," Mr. Blake +resumed severely. "I shall withdraw this property for sale--" + +"_You_ will withdraw it!" Penny caught him up. "I thought you merely were +acting as the agent for Benjamin Bowman!" + +"I mean I shall make such a suggestion to him," the real estate man +amended. + +Penny waited anxiously for Mrs. Van Cleve's decision. To her relief, the +society woman seemed annoyed by the attitude Mr. Blake had taken. + +"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." + +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. + +"Haven't you caused enough trouble?" she demanded disapprovingly. "Such a +mess as everything is in now!" + +"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." + +"There will be no dedication. What will everyone think?" + +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. + +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. + +"It seems a pity," Louise remarked again. + +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. + +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. + +"Everything seems to have turned out rather well," Louise remarked in +relief. "Mr. Blake may not be such a bad sort after all." + +"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." + +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. + +"The new camp director seems very efficient," Louise remarked, her gaze +upon a young man who supervised the children. + +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. + +Immediately there was a great clamor from the children, for everyone +wanted to take the first ride. + +"Only six may go," the director said, and called off the names. + +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. + +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. + +"The breeze is quite uncertain today," Penny remarked anxiously. "I hope +that young man knows what he is about." + +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. + +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. + +"It's going over!" Louise screamed. + +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. + +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. + +"Adelle!" the camp director gasped. "Get her!" + +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. + +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. + +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. + +"Wait!" Penny shouted, wading through the shallow water. + +The man heard, but paid no heed. He entered the forest and was lost to +view. + +"That was Clem Davis!" Penny thought tensely. "I'm sure of it!" + +Before she could reach Adelle, other persons had gathered around the +child. Clyde Blake pushed through the crowd. + +"What is this?" he inquired. "What has happened?" + +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. + +"You are the one!" she whispered shakily. "You're the man whose car +killed my Mother and Daddy!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 19 + _TRAILING A FUGITIVE_ + + +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. + +"There, there, my poor child," he said soothingly. "You are quite upset, +and for good reason." + +"Don't touch me," Adelle shivered, cringing away. "You're mean and +cruel!" + +By this time, Miss Anderson and other officials of the Riverview Home had +reached the scene. Somewhat sternly they tried to silence the child. + +"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." + +"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?" + +"Why, that is very kind of you, I am sure," Miss Anderson said +gratefully. + +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. + +"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." + +"I don't want to go now!" Penny protested. "Did you notice that man who +pulled Adelle from the water?" + +"He looked like a tramp. I wonder what made him run away?" + +"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." + +"Never mind all that now," Louise said, forcing Penny toward the car. +"You must go home and change your wet clothes." + +"But I want to find Clem Davis and talk with him!" + +"That will have to wait. You're going home!" Taking her chum firmly by +the arm, Louise pushed her into the car. + +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. + +"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!" + +"Oh, Penny, you're so hopelessly prejudiced against the man," her chum +replied. + +"Maybe I am, but Adelle is the only person who can identify the hit-run +motorist." + +"Even so, you know she probably is not a reliable witness." + +"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." + +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. + +"They're doing just fine," Miss Anderson assured her. "That is, all +except Adelle. The child is very upset." + +"Has she said anything more about Mr. Blake?" Penny inquired. + +"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." + +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. + +"Mr. McGuire sent me this," she said, holding it up for Penny to see. +"I've named her Imogene." + +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. + +"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." + +"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." + +"It wasn't that car," the child answered. "He must have another one." + +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. + +"Even if he doesn't drive a gray car, that proves nothing," she mused. +"He easily could have changed it during the past year." + +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. + +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. + +"That's the same man who pulled Adelle from the water!" she thought +alertly. + +Leaping from the car, Penny ran toward him. + +Hearing footsteps, the man turned and saw her. Almost in panic he started +for the woods. + +"Wait!" Penny shouted. "I won't turn you over to the police! Please +wait!" + +The man hesitated, and then apparently deciding that he had nothing to +fear from a girl, paused. + +"I want to thank you for saving Adelle," Penny said breathlessly. "Why +did you run away?" + +"Well, I don't know," the man answered, avoiding her gaze. "I never liked +crowds." + +Penny decided to risk a direct accusation. "You are Clem Davis," she +said, eyeing him steadily. + +"That's a laugh," the man retorted, starting to edge away. "My name is +Thomas Ryan." + +"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." + +"How could you help me?" + +"By exposing the men who framed you. I never believed that you set fire +to the Preston barn." + +"I never did." + +"Please tell me about it," Penny urged, seating herself at one of the +picnic benches. + +"Who are you anyhow?" the man asked suspiciously. "Why are you so willing +to help me, as you say?" + +"I'm Penelope Parker, and my father publishes the _Star_." + +"Oh, I see, you're after a story!" + +"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." + +"I could tell plenty if I was a mind to do it. No one would believe me +though." + +"I will, Mr. Davis." + +"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." + +"What connection did you have with the Hoods? Were you a member of the +organization?" + +"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." + +"Suppose you tell me all about it. What is the real purpose of the +organization?" + +"Well, right now the Hoods are trying to force every truck farmer in this +district to join the County Cooperative." + +"Then Hank Holloway must be the ring leader!" Penny exclaimed, startled +by the information. + +"No, he's not at the head of the Hoods," Clem Davis corrected. + +"Who is the man?" Penny questioned eagerly. + +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. + +"They're coming this way," Clem Davis said uneasily. "I can't risk being +seen." + +Abruptly, he started toward the sheltering trees. + +"Wait!" Penny pleaded, pursuing him. "You haven't told me half enough. +Please wait!" + +"I'm not going to risk arrest," the man returned over his shoulder. + +"At least meet me here again!" + +"Okay, I'll do that," Clem Davis agreed. + +"Tomorrow night just at dusk," Penny said quickly. "And please don't fail +me. I promise. I'll help you." + + + + + CHAPTER + 20 + _CLEM DAVIS' DISCLOSURE_ + + +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. + +"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 +_Star_! We'll expose the Hoods and put an end to the organization!" + +"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." + +"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." + +"Any idea who the other members of the outfit may be?" + +"Not yet, but I expect to find out when I meet Clem Davis tomorrow." + +"I'll go with you," Mr. Parker declared. "Maybe I should take Sheriff +Daniels along too." + +"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." + +"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." + +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. + +"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--" + +"Never mind," Mr. Parker interrupted. "I've already heard the details of +your disgraceful actions from Mrs. Van Cleve." + +"I'm thoroughly ashamed of myself," Penny said contritely. "I tore up the +cheque on the spur of the moment." + +"It was a foolish, rather dramatic thing to do. However, I must +acknowledge the result was highly pleasing to everyone save Clyde Blake." + +"What does he have to say, Dad?" + +"He claims that he acted in good faith for Benjamin Bowman. Likewise, +that he had no suspicion the title was faulty." + +"Naturally he would take such an attitude." + +"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." + +"Do you think Blake will bring the man to Riverview?" + +"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." + +"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!" + +"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!" + +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. + +"I've brought you some hot coffee," Penny said, taking the plug from a +thermos bottle. "A little food too." + +"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." + +Seating himself at the picnic table, Clem Davis drained the cup of coffee +in a few swallows, and greedily devoured a sandwich. + +"Now what do you want to know?" he asked gruffly. + +Mr. Parker had told Penny exactly what questions to ask. She began with +the most important one. + +"Mr. Davis, tell me, who is the head man of the Hoods?" + +"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." + +"You have no idea who the man may be?" + +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." + +"Is Phelps a member?" Penny asked quickly. + +"One of the chief ones. Most of the meetings are held at his place." + +"You don't mean at the Hubell Tower?" + +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. + +"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." + +"I thought so!" Penny exclaimed, highly elated. "Tell me, why did you +decide to break your connection with the Hoods?" + +"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." + +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. + +"That's not mine," he said promptly when she showed the article to him. +"I never saw it before." + +Penny opened the tiny case, displaying the child's picture. However, the +man had no idea who the little boy might be. + +"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." + +"I've already told you about everything I know." + +"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." + +"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." + +"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?" + +"Nothing would give me more pleasure. But who can guarantee I'll not be +made to pay?" + +"I think my father can," Penny assured him. "Will you meet him here +tomorrow night at this same hour?" + +"Okay," the man agreed, getting up from the table. "You seem to be on the +level." + +"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." + +"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." + +"Inside a building?" Penny asked curiously. + +"An automobile," the man grinned. "Someone abandoned it in the swamp and +I've taken possession." + +"An old one, I suppose." + +"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." + +"The car isn't by chance a gray one?" + +"Yes, it is," the man admitted. "How did you guess?" + +"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!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 21 + _A BROKEN PROMISE_ + + +"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." + +"Would it require long to get there?" Penny asked thoughtfully. + +"A half hour at least. With night coming on you wouldn't be able to see a +thing." + +"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." + +"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." + +Raising his hand in a semi salute, the man started into the woods. + +"Don't forget to meet Dad and me tomorrow night," Penny called after him. +"We'll be waiting here about this same time." + +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. + +"You weren't able to learn the name of the head man?" Mr. Parker +questioned. + +"No, Clem didn't know it himself. He says the Master never shows himself +to anyone, but always appears in mask." + +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. + +"We must move cautiously on this story," he said aloud. "Should we make +false accusations against innocent persons, the _Star_ would face +disastrous lawsuits." + +"You're not going to withhold the information from the public?" Penny +demanded in disappointment. + +"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 _Star_ would only +serve as a tip-off to him." + +"You're right, of course," Penny agreed after a moment of silence. + +"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?" + +"That's what Clem Davis told me." + +"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." + +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. + +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. + +"What time did Davis promise to meet you?" Mr. Parker asked impatiently. + +"He should be here now," Penny returned. "I can't imagine why he's late." + +Another half hour elapsed, and still the fugitive did not appear. Mr. +Parker paced restlessly beside the picnic table, becoming increasingly +impatient. + +"He's probably waiting until after dark," Penny declared optimistically. + +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. + +"Well, I've had enough of this!" he announced at last. "The man isn't +coming." + +"Oh, Dad, let's wait just a little longer," Penny coaxed. "I'm sure he +meant to keep his promise." + +"Perhaps he did, although I'm inclined to think otherwise. At any rate, I +am going home!" + +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. + +"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." + +"We may learn something on the night of the thirteenth," Penny said +hopefully. + +"Possibly, but I'm beginning to wonder if everything Davis told you may +not have been for the purpose of deception." + +"He seemed sincere. I can't believe he deliberately lied to me." + +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 _Star_ of a spectacular scoop. + +"Never mind," Mr. Parker said to comfort her. "It wasn't your fault. +We'll find another way to get our information." + +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. + +"Dad, stop the car!" she cried, seizing his arm. "There he is now!" + +"Clem Davis?" Mr. Parker demanded, swerving the automobile toward a +vacant space near the sidewalk. + +"No! No! Ben Bowman! I'm sure it is he!" + +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. + +"What nonsense is this?" Mr. Parker inquired impatiently. "Why do you +think the fellow is Bowman?" + +"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!" + +Switching off the car ignition, Mr. Parker stepped to the curb. + +"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--" + +"Come on," Penny urged, seizing his hand. "We can talk about it later." + +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. + +"I'm sure it's Ben Bowman," Penny said again. "Why not go inside and ask +him if that's his name?" + +"I shall. But I'm warning you again, if you've made one of your little +mistakes--" + +"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." + +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. + +"Get this off right away," he instructed. "Send it collect." + +The clerk examined the message, having difficulty in reading the writing. + +"This night letter is to be sent to Anthony Parker?" she inquired. + +"That's right," the man agreed. + +Mr. Parker waited for no more. Touching the man on the arm, he said +distinctly: + +"I'll save you the trouble of sending that message. I am Anthony Parker." + +The man whirled around, his face plainly showing consternation. + +"You are Ben Bowman I assume," Mr. Parker said coolly. "I've long looked +forward to meeting you." + +"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." + +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. + +"I don't care how you sign your name," he retorted. "You are Ben Bowman. +We have a few matters to talk over." + +The man gazed uncertainly at Mr. Parker. He started to speak, then +changed his mind. Turning, he made a sudden break for the exit. + +"Stop him!" Mr. Parker shouted. "Don't let him get away!" + +Penny stood close to the door. As the man rushed toward her, she shot a +bolt into place. + +"Not quite so fast, Mr. Bowman," she said, smiling. "We really must have +a chat with you." + + + + + CHAPTER + 22 + _THE MAN IN GRAY_ + + +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. + +"All right, my name is Ben Bowman," he acknowledged, shrugging. "So +what?" + +"You're the man who has been sending me collect messages for the past +three months!" Mr. Parker accused. + +"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!" + +"But not at my expense. Another thing, I want to know what connection +you've had with Clyde Blake." + +"Never heard of him." + +"Then you don't own property in this city?" + +"Nor anywhere else. Now if you're through giving me the third degree, +I'll move on." + +"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." + +"Really, this is too much!" Ben Bowman exclaimed angrily. "Unless you +permit me to pass, I shall protest to the police." + +"I see an officer just across the street," Mr. Parker declared. "Penny, +will you call him over?" + +"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." + +"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." + +"What do you want to know about him?" + +"Is he acting as your real estate agent?" + +"Certainly not." + +"You do know the man?" + +"I've done a little work for him." + +"Didn't he pay you to allow him to use your name on a deed?" + +"He gave me twenty-five dollars to make out some papers for him. I only +copied what he told me to write." + +"That's all I want to know," Mr. Parker said grimly. "Penny, call the +policeman!" + +"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!" + +"I make no deals with men of your stamp!" Mr. Parker retorted. + +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. + +"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." + +"You're entirely welcome," Mr. Parker grinned. "I never took greater +pleasure in acknowledging a debt." + +"What's your next move, Dad? Will you expose Clyde Blake in tomorrow's +_Star_?" + +"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." + +"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!" + +"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." + +"But why wait? We could call that gathering ourselves!" + +"Just how?" + +"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!" + +"You're completely crazy!" accused Mr. Parker. "Just how would you +arrange to have the clock strike thirteen?" + +"I'll take care of that part, Dad. All I'll need is a hammer." + +"To use on the caretaker, Charley Phelps, I suppose," Mr. Parker remarked +ironically. + +"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." + +"What you propose is absolutely impossible," the editor declared. "Even +so, I'll admit that I find your idea rather fascinating." + +"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." + +"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." + +"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!" + +"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?" + +"Why worry about that?" grinned Penny. "You have influence." + +Mr. Parker sat for several minutes lost in thought. + +"You know, I've ALWAYS been lucky," Penny coaxed. "I feel a double dose +of it coming on tonight!" + +"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!" + +"Then let's go!" laughed Penny. + +At the _Star_ 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. + +"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." + +"We're with you, chief!" declared Salt Sommers, tossing a pack of +photographic supplies over his shoulder. + +"Sure, what are we waiting for?" chimed in Jerry. + +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. + +"Charley Phelps is alone in the Tower," he assured the editor. "We +shouldn't have any trouble handling him." + +"Okay, then let's do the job," Mr. Parker returned. "Remember, if we muff +it, we'll do our explaining to a judge." + +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. + +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. + +"Say, what--" he began but did not finish. + +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. + +"Nice work, boys," Mr. Parker praised. + +"Listen!" whispered Penny, who had followed the men into the Tower. + +The clock had begun to strike the hour of midnight. + +"Get up there quickly and do your stuff!" her father commanded. "You've +not much time!" + +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. + +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. + +"It must be eleven," she thought, running up the remaining steps. "The +next stroke will be the last." + +Penny reached the great bell just as the clapper struck against the +metal. The sound was deafening. + +"Now!" she thought excitedly. "This is the moment, and I dare not fail!" + +Balancing herself precariously, Penny raised a hammer high above her +head. With all her strength she brought it down hard against the bell. + + + + + CHAPTER + 23 + _A TRAP SET_ + + +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. + +"That was swell!" a low voice said in her ear. "A perfect thirteenth +stroke!" + +Turning around, Penny saw that Jerry Livingston had followed her into the +belfry. + +"Did it really sound all right?" she inquired anxiously. + +"It was good enough to fool anyone. But the question is, will it bring +the Hoods here?" + +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. + +"How about the lights?" Salt Sommers asked. + +"Leave them on. Shove that sound apparatus under the daybed. Now I guess +everything's set. Upstairs, everyone." + +Mr. Parker, Salt, and the two reporters, joined Penny and Jerry on the +iron stairway. + +"We may have a long vigil," the editor warned. "In fact, this whole +scheme is likely to turn out a bust." + +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. + +"See anyone?" she whispered, scanning the street below. + +"No sign of anyone yet." + +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. + +"Who is he?" Jerry whispered. "Can you tell?" + +"I'm not sure," Penny said uncertainly. "It may be Hank Holloway." + +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. + +"Charley!" those on the iron stairway heard him call. "Where are you?" + +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. + +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. + +"Where's Charley?" inquired one of the men. + +"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." + +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. + +"There's something mighty queer about this meeting," Hank Holloway +growled. "Where is the Master? And what's become of Charley?" + +From the machinery room in which the caretaker had been imprisoned came a +slight thumping sound. + +"What was that?" Hank demanded suspiciously. + +"I didn't hear anything," answered one of the other men. "Maybe it was +someone at the door." + +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. + +"Who's there?" Hank called sharply. + +"Quiet, you fool!" was the harsh response. + +A man wearing a dark robe and a black hood which completely hid his face, +brushed past Holloway, and entered the Tower living room. + +"Close the door!" he ordered. + +Holloway hastened to obey. An expectant and rather tense silence had +fallen upon the men gathered in the room. + +"Now what is the meaning of this?" the Master demanded, facing the group. +"Who called this meeting?" + +"Why, didn't you?" Holloway asked blankly. + +"I did not." + +"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--" + +"Charley not here!" the Master exclaimed. + +"He must have stepped out somewhere. The lights were on, and the door +partly open." + +"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." + +"Now you're talking!" Holloway nodded. "Anthony Parker of the _Star_ is +on the warpath again. One of his reporters has been prying into the books +of the County Cooperative." + +"He'll learn nothing from that source, I trust." + +"Not enough to do any harm." + +"You act as though you had a grievance, Holloway. Any complaints?" + +"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." + +"What do you mean by that, Holloway?" + +"This night riding business is getting risky. Why, if Clem Davis should +talk--" + +"We're not through with him yet." + +"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." + +"Anything else?" + +"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." + +"That settles it!" the masked man said with finality. "We're through." + +"How do you mean?" Holloway asked. + +"We're breaking up the organization--now--tonight." + +"There's no call to do that." + +"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." + +"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." + +"There will be no investigation." + +"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." + +"Sure," chimed in another. "Remove your mask, and let's have a look. We +think we have your number but we ain't positive." + +"You never will be," the masked man returned coolly, backing toward the +door. "And now, goodnight." + +"Oh, no, you don't!" Holloway cried, trying to head him off. + +"Stand back!" ordered the Master harshly. + +From beneath his robe he whipped a revolver. + +"All right," Holloway sneered. "I never argue when I'm looking into a +muzzle." + +Before the Master could retreat, there was another disturbance from +inside the machinery room. Unmistakably, the door rattled. + +"Someone is in there!" Holloway exclaimed. + +Startled, the Master postponed his flight. Still holding the revolver, he +tried to open the door, but found it locked. + +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. + +"Let's take 'em, Chief!" whispered Jerry, who was eager for action. "Now +is our only chance." + +"All set!" Mr. Parker gave the signal. + +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. + +Penny started down the stairway, but Mr. Parker pushed her back. + +"Stay where you are!" he ordered as he too joined the fray. + +Penny huddled against the wall, watching fearfully. 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. + +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. + +"The Master!" she thought, chills racing down her spine. "He's trying to +get away, and I've got to stop him!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 24 + _TIMELY HELP_ + + +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. + +"Out of my way!" the man cried, giving her a hard push. + +Penny clung tightly and struggled to reach the hood which covered his +face. + +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. + +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. + +"He'll be killed!" Penny thought. + +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. + +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. + +"I know him!" she thought. "Even with his mask on, I'm sure I can't be +wrong!" + +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. + +"Which way did the fellow go?" the editor demanded, running to the door. + +"Along the hedge toward the street!" Penny directed. + +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. + +"He can't be far away," Penny maintained. "Anyway, I know his identity!" + +"You saw his face?" + +"No, but as he ran across the yard I noticed that one arm was much +shorter than the other." + +"Clyde Blake!" + +"That's what I think. Maybe we can catch him at his home!" + +"If Blake is our man, we'll get him!" Mr. Parker said tersely. "We may +need help though." + +Reentering the Tower building, he telephoned police headquarters, asking +that a patrol wagon be sent for Hank Holloway, Charley Phelps, and the +other prisoners. + +"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." + +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. + +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. + +"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." + +"Never mind that now," he returned indifferently. "We're out for a big +story, and we're going to get it too!" + +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. + +"We'll not wait for the police," Mr. Parker said, starting up the walk. + +His knock at the door went unanswered. Even when the editor pounded with +his fist, no one came to admit him. + +"Someone is inside," Penny declared, peering up at the lighted window. +"It must be Blake." + +Mr. Parker tried the door and finding it unlocked, stepped boldly into +the living room. + +"Blake!" he shouted. + +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. + +"Who is there?" he called. + +"Anthony Parker from the _Star_. I want to talk with you." + +Slowly Clyde Blake descended the stairway. His gait was stiff and +deliberate. + +"You seem to have injured your leg," Mr. Parker said significantly. + +"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?" + +"You know why I am here!" Mr. Parker retorted, reaching to switch on a +living room light. + +"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. + +"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." + +"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." + +"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." + +"So you've notified the police?" + +"I have." + +"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." + +"Your politeness quite overpowers me," the editor said sarcastically, as +he obeyed. + +"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." + +"This will get you nowhere, Blake." + +"Do as I say!" + +Mr. Parker went to the telephone, stalling for time by pretending that he +did not know the police station number. + +"Garfield 4508," Blake supplied. "Say exactly what I tell you or you'll +taste one of my little bullets!" + +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. + +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. + +Dropping the telephone, Mr. Parker snatched up the weapon and covered +Blake. + +"All right, it's your turn to reach," he said. + +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. + +"Clem Davis!" Penny exclaimed. + +"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." + +"You're willing to testify to that?" Mr. Parker asked. + +"Yes," Clem Davis nodded, "I've been thinking things over. I'm ready to +give myself up and tell what I know." + +"You'll have a very difficult time of it proving your absurd charges," +Blake said scathingly. + +"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." + +Blake sagged into a chair, for the first time looking shaken. + +"I'll make a deal with you, Parker," he began, but the editor cut him +short. + +"You'll face the music! No, Blake, you can't squeeze out of it this +time." + +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. + +"Here's your man," Mr. Parker said as the policemen tramped into the +living room. + +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. + +"I am being persecuted," he whined as he was led away. "This is all a +trick to build up circulation for the _Star_. If there is such an +organization as the Black Hoods, Clem Davis is the man who heads it!" + +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. + +"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." + +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. + +"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." + +"Can't you tell where you were at the time of the fire?" Mr. Parker asked +the man. + +"I was at a place called Toni's." + +"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." + +"We saw a man leave there shortly after midnight," Mr. Parker agreed. + +"You wouldn't swear he was Clem Davis?" the sheriff asked. + +"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." + +"All of which proves nothing unless you can show that Clem Davis actually +was at Toni's after midnight." + +"Could the owner of the place identify you?" Penny thoughtfully inquired. + +"I doubt it," Davis answered. "It might be worth a try, though." + +"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?" + +"Yes, I did." + +"How many strokes were there?" + +"Thirteen," Davis answered without hesitation. "I counted them and +figured the Hoods were having one of their get-togethers." + +"What is this?" the sheriff demanded in bewilderment. + +"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." + +"What are you getting at?" + +"Just this. The Hubell clock can't be heard at the Preston farm." + +"True." + +"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." + +"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." + +"That's fair enough," declared Mr. Parker. + +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. + +"Oh, I almost forgot," he said, taking a rectangular metal object from +beneath his baggy coat. "Here's something for you." + +"A rusty automobile license plate!" Penny exclaimed, staring at it. + +"Found it in the swamp not far from that abandoned car I told you about." + +"Then it must have been thrown away by the driver of the hit-skip car!" + +"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!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 25 + _SPECIAL EDITION_ + + +Lights blazed on every floor of the _Riverview Star_ 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. + +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. + +"My contribution on the Hubell Clock angle," she said with a flourish. + +Mr. Parker rapidly scanned the story, making a number of corrections with +a blue pencil. + +"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." + +"Well, don't you think it's a good idea?" + +"The old man will get his job back--I'll see to that," Mr. Parker +promised. "But the front page of the _Star_ is not the place to express +wishful thinking. We'll reserve it for news if you don't mind." + +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. + +"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." + +"What makes you think Seth will adopt the orphan?" Mr. Parker asked +curiously. + +"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?" + +"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." + +The door of the office swung back and City Editor DeWitt hurried into the +room. + +"Everything set?" Mr. Parker inquired. + +"We need a picture of Clyde Blake. There's nothing in the morgue." + +"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." + +"Just what we need!" DeWitt approved. "I'll rush it right out. Except for +the picture, the front page is all made up." + +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. + +"I've got all the dope!" he announced. + +"You learned who drove the hit-run car?" Penny demanded eagerly. + +"The license was issued in Clyde Blake's name!" + +"Then Adelle's identification at the picnic was correct!" Penny +exclaimed. + +"Write your story, Jerry, but make it brief," Mr. Parker said tersely. +"We'll make over the front page." + +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. + +"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." + +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. + +"There go the presses!" Mr. Parker declared, ceasing his restless pacing. + +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. + +"There's not much here about Ben Bowman," she commented after a moment. +"What do you think will happen to him, Dad?" + +"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." + +"I'm worried about the orphans' camp. So much money has been spent +clearing the land and setting up equipment." + +"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." + +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. + +"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." + +Both Penny and her father were tired for it was very late. With the +_Star_ 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: + +"How about a steak at Toni's, Dad?" + +"Oh, I don't feel like eating at this late hour," Mr. Parker declined. + +"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." + +"It is quite a shiner," the editor agreed, gazing at his reflection in +the car mirror. "But the story was well worth the cost." + +"Thanks to whom?" Penny asked mischievously. + +"If I say thanks to you, Penny, you will be expecting an increase in your +allowance or something of the sort." + +"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!" + +"So I do," Mr. Parker conceded with a laugh. "That also will be worth the +price." + + + + + * * * * * + + + + +Transcriber's note: + + +Typographical errors were corrected without comment. + +Replaced the list of books in the series by the complete list, as in + the final book, _The Cry at Midnight_. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CLOCK STRIKES THIRTEEN*** + + +******* This file should be named 34403.txt or 34403.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/4/4/0/34403 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +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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