the Voice, there's no time to lose. Come along, girls, if you're
traveling with me."
CHAPTER
15
_AFTERGLOW_
Penny sprawled on the grass beside the dying embers of the camp fire.
Listlessly, and with very bad aim, she hurled acorns at a brown squirrel
chattering overhead.
"You've been in a bad mood ever since we got back from Crystal Cave,"
Louise observed, coming out of the tent. "But why take it out on that
poor creature?"
Penny raised herself on an elbow. She scowled and did not reply.
Louise moved over to the fire, seating herself on a log beside her chum.
"Oh, brace up," she said, slipping an arm about Penny's shoulders. "In
all my life I've never seen you act so discouraged."
"I feel lower than the worms. Nothing's gone right since we came to
Sunset Beach."
"On the contrary, I can't see that anything has gone so very wrong."
"Wasn't our trip to the Crystal Cave a bust?" Penny demanded.
"Well, it wasn't a success."
Louise smiled wryly at the recollection. With Jerry and the Army men, she
and Penny had spent the afternoon searching various caves along the water
front. Not a trace had been found of the mysterious radio station which
so plagued local authorities. The search had been a long and exhausting
one. In the end, though the others kept on, she and Penny had been
compelled to give up.
"My feet hurt yet from scrambling over the rocks," Penny declared. "I
suppose Jerry and those Army officers will keep searching half the
night."
"And I'll warrant they never do find the station," Louise contributed.
"This is one mystery I wish you had never stumbled into, Penny."
"I'm beginning to feel the same way, Lou. This is supposed to be a
vacation. I'd like to see Dad and Jerry once in awhile."
"So that's what's bothering you!"
"Well, you know Jerry will be here only a few days at most," Penny said
defensively. "I've barely had a chance to say 'hello' to him. Dad's
always down at the hotel too."
"What you crave seems to be male companionship."
Penny tossed a stick of wood on the fire, making the sparks fly. "I could
do with a little," she admitted. "Life is too dull here."
"Dull?" Louise gazed at her chum suspiciously.
"It's no use being surrounded by mystery if one can't get into the thick
of it. So far all the adventure has by-passed us."
"We might stir up a little excitement by looking for that package Mrs.
Deline buried in the sand."
"Not today," Penny said with a sigh. "Too tired. Besides, I told Jerry
about it and he wasn't much impressed."
"So that's the reason for your gloom," Louise remarked wisely. "As a
detective you don't rate."
"Something like that. Jerry met Mrs. Deline at the hotel today and he
thought her a very charming lady."
"Oh!" Louise laughed. "No wonder you're all smashed to bits!"
Penny got up from the grass and began preparations for supper. She peeled
a pan of potatoes and opened a can of corn.
"We need a bucket of water from the spring," she said suggestively. "Want
to help me carry it?"
"I will," Louise agreed without enthusiasm.
The trail led up a steep path to a rocky ledge from which cool spring
water gushed out of a steel pipe. Penny drank deeply and then hung her
tin bucket over the outlet to fill.
"It's starting to get dark," she observed, noticing how shadowy the woods
had grown. "I hope Dad returns to camp soon."
"Someone's coming now," Louise remarked as her keen ears detected the
sound of footsteps on the trail below.
"Probably one of the rangers."
Penny unhooked the water bucket from the pipe, and the girls started down
the trail, carrying it between them. Emerging from among the trees, they
glimpsed a figure below them. A woman in a dark cloak who carried a
picnic hamper, was walking rapidly up the winding trail.
Penny stopped so suddenly that she spilled water on her sandals.
"Lou, that's Mrs. Deline!" she whispered.
"What of it, pet? She's evidently going on a picnic."
"At this time of day? And alone?"
"Well, that part of it does seem a bit odd."
Penny pulled her chum into the bushes beside the path. Crouching low
beside their water bucket, they allowed the woman to pass. Looking
neither to the right nor left, she hastened on up the trail.
"She seems to be in a big hurry," Penny commented, coming out of hiding.
"Now where do you suppose she's going?"
"Probably to the cabin. One of your ranger friends told me about a rustic
place farther up the trail. It was built especially for the enjoyment of
the public."
"But why would Mrs. Deline go there alone?"
"Maybe she intends to meet someone."
"Lou, that's probably what she is going to do!" Penny exclaimed. "Let's
follow her and find out."
"What about supper?"
"Who cares for food?" Penny demanded. "If Dad comes home he can rustle a
little for himself. It's more important that we follow Mrs. Deline."
"Okay," Louise agreed, "only I'm in no mood to walk very far. Remember,
we've had one wild chase today."
Leaving the water bucket behind the bushes, the girls set out in pursuit
of Mrs. Deline. Not without admiration they acknowledged that the widow
was a better trail climber than they. Though the hamper she carried
evidently was heavy, she fairly skimmed up the rough trail. Penny and
Louise fell farther and farther behind.
"She's heading for the cabin all right," Penny puffed. "Of course she
intends to meet someone. Otherwise, she'd have had her picnic on the
beach or some place closer to the hotel."
A clearing opened up through a gap in the trees. Mrs. Deline paused as
she came within view of the rustic log cabin and gazed carefully about.
The girls saw her look at her wrist watch.
"She has an appointment with someone," Penny declared.
Mrs. Deline walked to the door of the cabin and tested it to make certain
that it was unlocked. She did not go inside. Instead, she set down the
hamper and gazed slowly about the clearing. Louise and Penny, at the
fringe of woods, saw her start as she looked directly toward them.
"She's seen us!" Louise gasped.
"We'll have to go out and meet her," Penny decided instantly. "Let's
pretend we just happened to be coming this way. But we'll stick around
and see who she's meeting."
Mrs. Deline stiffened visibly as the girls sauntered out of the woods
toward her.
"Well, this is a surprise meeting you," she said in a tone none too
friendly. "Is your camp located near here?"
"Down the trail a short distance," Penny replied, thoroughly enjoying the
widow's discomfiture. "Having a picnic?"
"Why, yes. I love the outdoors and thought I'd take a hike this
afternoon."
"It's rather late for a picnic," Penny said pointedly.
"It took me longer to get here than I expected."
In an effort to discourage her young annoyers, Mrs. Deline pushed open
the door of the cabin. Before she could pick up the hamper, Penny seized
it.
"Let me," she said quickly. "My how heavy! All this food for one person?"
"Certainly," Mrs. Deline answered. "Who else?"
Penny set the hamper on the table. Deliberately she raised the lid. The
basket was filled with food, enough for a dozen persons, and in the
bottom she saw a folded wool blanket. Beneath the blanket were several
bulky garments which she took to be men's clothing. Before she could see
plainly, Mrs. Deline jerked the lid of the hamper into place.
"Please!" she said with emphasis.
"I was only trying to be helpful," Penny said, pretending to look
injured. "Don't you want Lou and me to dust off the table and spread out
the picnic things?"
"I do not. If you'll excuse me for saying so, I came on this picnic to be
alone. I enjoy solitude."
"But it's getting dark," Penny argued. "We wouldn't think of deserting
you. The cabin has no light."
"I don't mind the dark. Anyway, I brought candles. I really prefer to be
alone."
Thus dismissed, Louise started to leave. Penny lingered, trying to think
of some excuse. Just then, from somewhere in the woods, she heard a
shrill whistle unlike any bird call.
"What was that?" she asked alertly.
"I heard nothing," said Mrs. Deline.
Nevertheless, a moment later the woman sauntered to an open cabin window.
Deliberately she turned her back to the girls, trying to block their
view. Quickly she raised and lowered her handkerchief.
The movement was deftly executed, but swift though it was, Penny saw and
understood. Mrs. Deline had signaled to an unseen person beyond the
fringe of trees!
CHAPTER
16
_SUSPICION_
Penny moved swiftly to the open cabin door, gazing toward the darkening
woods. No one was visible amid the shadows. Yet she was certain that Mrs.
Deline had signaled to someone lurking among the trees.
The widow had turned from the window to unfasten the lid of the picnic
hamper.
"Since you girls are here you may as well stay and share my supper," she
said without warmth. "There's enough food for all."
Louise's chin tilted proudly. The invitation was grudgingly given, and
she meant to decline. Penny forestalled her by saying:
"How nice of you, Mrs. Deline! Of course we'll be delighted to remain."
Mrs. Deline made no reply, though obviously she had not expected an
acceptance. Irritably she laid out the picnic dishes--sandwiches, a
salad, cake, cookies, and fruit--all carefully prepared and cooked at the
hotel kitchen.
"You certainly did bring plenty of food for one person," Penny commented,
helping herself to a chicken sandwich. "Isn't that clothing in the bottom
of the basket?"
"Only a blanket." Mrs. Deline closed the lid firmly. "I thought I might
need it if I should sit on the damp ground."
Hungry as bears, Penny and Louise did not try to curb their healthy,
young appetites. Mrs. Deline, on the other hand, scarcely nibbled at the
food. Several times she arose and paced nervously to the window.
"It's growing dark and I should return to the hotel," she said the
instant the girls had finished eating. "I'll not bother to repack the
lunch basket."
"Oh, we'll help you pick up everything," Penny offered.
"Please don't bother. I'll merely pay the hotel for the basket."
Penny was convinced that Mrs. Deline deliberately intended to leave the
hamper behind. Despite the deep inroads she and Louise had made,
considerable food remained. It occurred to her that the widow hoped to
leave what remained so that the person hiding in the woods might come to
the cabin for it after the party had gone.
"I can't be bothered with a heavy basket," Mrs. Deline said impatiently.
"We'll just leave it on the table."
"Oh, the rangers wouldn't like to have us leave food here," Penny
protested. "It will only take a minute to clean up everything."
Disregarding Mrs. Deline's order, she began to repack the remains of the
lunch.
"But I don't wish to carry the basket all the way to the hotel!"
"Louise and I will help you."
Tossing her head, Mrs. Deline walked out of the cabin, allowing the door
to slam behind her. Louise and Penny finished packing the lunch and
hastened down the trail in pursuit.
"Maybe we shouldn't cross her so," Louise whispered uneasily. "I think
she intended to meet someone here!"
"I'm sure of it," agreed Penny. "We spiked her little plan. I have an
idea who she intended to meet too!"
"Who?"
Penny could not answer, for by this time she and Louise were practically
at Mrs. Deline's heels. The widow was walking as fast as she could.
"You'll have to keep the basket," she told the girls irritably. "I'm sure
I'll never carry it back to the hotel."
All the way to the Parker camp Mrs. Deline ignored Penny and Louise. And
as they bade her goodbye, she barely responded.
"Can't we drive you down to the hotel in the car?" Penny offered, feeling
slightly ashamed of her actions.
"Thank you, no," the widow answered icily. "You've done quite enough for
one day." She vanished down the darkening road.
After Mrs. Deline was beyond view, the girls retraced their way to the
spring for the water bucket. As they approached, they thought for a
moment that they heard retreating footsteps. The realization that they
were alone in the woods, made them a bit nervous. Hurriedly they
recovered the bucket and carried it to camp.
"Now tell me what you think, Penny!" Louise commanded when they were
inside the tent.
"Why, it's clear as crystal." Penny struck a match to the wick of the
gasoline lantern and hung it on a hook of the tent pole. "Mrs. Deline
went to the cabin intending to meet someone. She carried extra food, a
blanket, and if I'm not mistaken, clothing for a man."
"You thought she signaled from the window?"
"I'm sure she did, Lou. She warned the person, whoever he was, not to
approach. She hoped by leaving the basket behind to get it into his hands
after we'd gone."
"You thwarted her in that."
"We did together," Penny chuckled. Her face suddenly became sober.
"Lou--"
"Yes?"
"It just occurred to me! Maybe the man she intended to meet was the same
fellow who stole food from our camp."
"That's possible. But why should Mrs. Deline be interested in a common
tramp?"
"How do we know that fellow was a tramp?" Penny speculated. "Jerry told
us about a young soldier that had escaped from a Canadian prison camp.
Mrs. Deline may be trying to help him by supplying food and heavy
clothing!"
"As usual, Penny, aren't you leaping to hasty conclusions?"
"Maybe I am, but everything fits in beautifully. I've thought from the
first that Mrs. Deline was nothing less than a spy or an international
crook."
"You've aired that theory before," Louise said, stretching out on the
cot. "Wonder when your father will get here?"
"I wish he would come," Penny replied, glancing anxiously toward the
road. "At least I have one consolation."
"What's that?"
"I know he's not with Mrs. Deline. Oh, Lou, think how horrible it would
be to have a spy for a stepmother!"
"It would be something different anyhow," Louise chuckled. "Want to
listen to the radio awhile?"
"Okay," Penny agreed, "maybe we can tune in that outlaw station. It's
about time for the regular nightly broadcast."
Closing themselves into the car, the girls tried without success to get
the outlaw shortwave station. Tuning instead to a dance orchestra, they
discussed the day's happenings and made elaborate plans for the morrow.
"I'm really going to work," Penny announced grimly. "No Mrs. Deline ever
will outwit me! Our first job must be to find that package she buried in
the sand."
"And what of the person hiding in the woods?"
"The rangers ought to take over that part." Penny peered out through the
car window at the dark woods which hemmed in the camp. "Somehow," she
admitted, "I don't like the idea of being here at night. I'm not exactly
afraid, but--"
"Listen!" Louise ordered sharply, "Someone's coming!"
Penny snapped off the radio. Tensely, the girls watched the road. The
next instant they relaxed, for it was Mr. Parker who trudged wearily up
the slope. Seeing Penny and Louise in the car, he came over to apologize
for being so late.
"I've been with Jerry for the past two hours," he explained. "Time went
faster than I realized."
"Any news?" Penny asked eagerly.
"Not about the radio station if that's what you mean. The fellow got away
with his portable outfit slick as a whistle."
"The authorities have no idea who the man is, Dad?"
"Not the slightest. So far they've not been able to break the code he
uses either. But in time they'll get him."
Having gleaned what information they could from Mr. Parker, the girls
related their own adventure. As they fully expected, he made light of the
episode at the cabin.
"Why should Mrs. Deline expect to meet anyone there?" he argued. "Penny,
I'm afraid you don't understand her and misinterpret her actions."
"I don't understand her, that's certain."
"As to a man loitering about the camp," Mr. Parker resumed, "I've been
worried about that ever since food was stolen. As I must be gone so much
of the time, why wouldn't it be better for us to move to the hotel?"
Penny stiffened for an argument, and then suddenly changed her mind.
"All right, Dad," she astonished him by saying, "as far as I'm concerned,
we can move tomorrow. I've had enough of the lonesome life."
"Why, that's fine!" Mr. Parker said heartily. "Splendid!"
After he had moved on, to sit for awhile by the dying embers of the fire,
Louise remarked to Penny that explanations were in order.
"How come you're ready to desert the rough and rugged life?" she
demanded. "At first you were dead set against moving into the hotel."
Penny carefully raised the car window so that her father would not
overhear.
"I believe in fighting the Enemy on his own territory," she explained
elaborately. "Mrs. Deline will bear watching. I intend to devote all my
waking hours to the cause."
"So Jerry has nothing to do with it?"
"Jerry?"
"You wouldn't want to move to the hotel so you'd see more of him?"
"What an idea!" Penny scoffed. "Whoever thought of such a thing!"
"You did or I'm no mind reader."
"Well, it may have crossed my mind," Penny acknowledged with a giggle.
"In fact, I can see quite a few advantages to hotel life. With luck we'll
yet make something of this vacation!"
CHAPTER
17
_VISITORS NOT PERMITTED_
Penny stood before the mirror in the hotel room and struggled to coax a
little curl into her damp hair. She and Louise had spent two hours
splashing in the surf that morning. The salt water had tightened their
skins and produced discouraging results with their tresses.
"This place does have it over a forest camp," Penny said, gazing about
the comfortably furnished room she shared with Louise. Her father's room
was three doors down the hall. "A shower bath, no meals to cook, no
dishes to wash, and the sea at one's elbow."
"I like it better," replied Louise. She had curled up kitten fashion on
the bed and was making deep inroads into a box of chocolates. "So far
though, we've not done much fancy sleuthing."
"We've only been here a few hours. Where do you suppose Mrs. Deline keeps
herself?"
"In her room no doubt. Why do you worry about her so much, Penny?"
Penny twisted a few ringlets over her finger and abandoned the project as
hopeless. "Lou, you know all the prize answers without asking me," she
said. "I've told you a dozen times why I distrust that woman."
"Doesn't it all simmer down to one thing? You're jealous as a green-eyed
cat!"
"Maybe I do dislike her," Penny grinned. "On second thought, I'm sure of
it! But facts are facts and have nothing to do with my personal feelings.
In the first place, didn't she get Dad to bring her with us to Sunset
Beach?"
"But what does that prove? She has no car of her own and the trains are
so crowded."
"I think she knew that Dad was coming here to try to dig up a story about
the outlaw radio station," Penny went on, unruffled. "She's probably
pumped him of information."
"Your father knows how to look after himself."
"That's what _he_ thinks!" Penny muttered. "I wouldn't place any wagers
on it myself. Why, he's been as blind as a bat."
"I'm afraid you see enough for two or three people," Louise chuckled.
"I told you, didn't I, how that vampire tried to steal our car while we
were on our way here?"
"Two or three times, darling."
"Well, it would bear repeating. I think she intended to meet someone that
night--perhaps the same person who was hiding in the woods!"
Louise, methodically eating chocolates, mulled over the possibility.
"Jerry told us that an escaped flier from a Canadian prison camp may be
hiding somewhere near here," Penny resumed, wandering to the window.
"Perhaps Mrs. Deline is trying to help him!"
"You have a new theory every minute," Louise yawned. "Why not think up
one and stick to it?"
Penny did not answer for at that moment she observed Jerry Livingston
leaving the veranda of the hotel.
"Come on, Lou!" she cried, jerking her chum off the bed. "I want to see
Jerry before he escapes!"
"Talk about Mrs. Deline pursuing your defenseless father!" Louise
protested as she was pulled down the hall to the elevator. "Her tactics
at least are more subtle than yours!"
"This is different," Penny retorted shamelessly. "Jerry and I are old
friends."
Swinging through the revolving doors of the hotel, the girls raced after
Jerry. Breathless from running, they finally overtook him far down the
boardwalk.
"Why, hello," he greeted them with a broad smile. "I hear you've moved
into the hotel."
"Lock, stock and barrel," Penny laughed. "We want to be in the thick of
things. Any news about the radio station?"
"Nothing I can report, I'm on my way now to Intercept Headquarters."
"Did you see Dad this morning?"
"Only for a few minutes. He's doing a little special work for me."
"At least I'm glad it's for you and not Mrs. Deline," Penny said stiffly.
"Jerry, there are some things you should know about that woman."
"Suppose you unburden your heart," Jerry invited, seating himself on a
sand dune. "I have about ten minutes to listen."
"Don't encourage her," sighed Louise. "She's slightly cracked on the
subject, you know."
"Nevertheless, Penny has ideas at times," Jerry paid her tribute.
"Shoot!"
Talking like a whirlwind, Penny delved deeply into the subject of Mrs.
Deline. She repeated how the widow had buried a package in the sand, but
it was not until the episode of the cabin was described that Jerry really
seemed interested.
"Penny, at first I didn't take your Mrs. Deline talk very seriously," he
admitted. "Perhaps you have something after all!"
"I'm sure of it, Jerry!"
"Have you reported to the park rangers?"
"Dad may have seen them, I'm not sure. We left camp in a big rush."
"Then I'll take care of that, Penny. We'll have the park searched again
and try to find that fellow!"
"Then you do believe he's the escaped flier!" Penny exclaimed.
"Probably not," was Jerry's discouraging reply. "Nevertheless, we can't
afford to overlook any possibility."
"What about the package in the sand?"
"You remember where it was buried?"
"Approximately."
"I'll not have time to go with you now," Jerry said, looking at his wrist
watch.
"Louise and I haven't much to do this morning. We'll be glad to search."
"Go ahead," Jerry urged. "If you fail then I can take over. The important
thing is not to tip off your hand. Don't let anyone suspect what you're
about."
Penny and Louise nodded soberly. They felt rather important to have been
assigned a definite task.
"Report to me as soon as you find that package," Jerry urged as he
started on. "It may contain something of vital importance. It may not.
We'll withhold judgment until we have the facts."
Left to themselves, the girls lost not a moment in hastening to the
section of beach where Mrs. Deline had been seen to bury the package.
"Now just where was it?" Penny asked, gazing about the deserted dunes.
"What became of our marker?"
"We left a stick to show the exact spot."
"Not a sign of it now. What wretched luck!"
Though the girls knew the general locality where the package had been
buried, all of the dunes looked discouragingly alike. Not a footprint
remained to guide them.
"I'll bet a cent Mrs. Deline came back here and removed that stick!"
Penny declared. "Maybe she dug up the package too!"
"Anyone could have taken the stick. Why do you think she did it?"
"Because she watched us digging for the package. Well, let's look for it
anyhow."
With none too much enthusiasm, the girls set to work. The tide was much
lower than upon their last visit and the shoreline did not look the same.
Nor could they agree within forty feet of the right place to dig.
"You try one dune, and I'll work on another," Penny offered as a
compromise.
An hour of unavailing work found the pair too discouraged to keep on
digging.
"If this is the right place, Mrs. Deline or someone has removed the
package," Penny declared, sinking back on her heels.
"We may as well give up," Louise added wearily.
Penny slid down the dune and emptied sand from her shoes.
"There should be an easy way to beat Mrs. Deline at her own little game,"
she remarked thoughtfully. "For instance, why does she always wear that
jade green charm?"
"Because she likes it I'd imagine."
"But wouldn't you think she'd take it off at night?"
"Perhaps she does, Penny."
"Not the night I was with her. I distinctly gained the impression that
there was something about it she was afraid I'd see."
"A message contained inside?"
"That's been my theory from the first, Lou. Now if only we could lay our
hands on the charm--"
"Finding the package would be a lot easier. We can't waylay the woman and
take the jade elephant by force. Or can we?"