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."