"I can't comprehend it somehow," Louise said with a shudder. "It just
doesn't seem possible. Why, we were guests in Mrs. Lear's home less than
twenty-four hours ago."
"I know," agreed Penny soberly. "I keep hoping that somehow they
escaped."
"If only we could learn the truth."
"There's not a chance to get through now," Penny said slowly. "The
water's gone down a little, but not enough."
"If we had a boat--"
"The current is still so swift we couldn't handle it."
"I suppose not," Louise admitted hopelessly. "When do you suppose the
Relief folks will get here?"
"They should be moving in at any time. And when they come they'll
probably be trailed by a flock of reporters and photographers."
"This flood will be a big story," Louise acknowledged.
"Big? It's one of the greatest news stories of the year! And here I am,
helpless to send out a single word of copy."
"You mean that folks outside of the valley don't know about the flood?"
Louise gasped.
"The news went out, but only as a flash. Before we could give any
details, our only wire connection was lost."
"Then the first reporter to get his news out of the valley will have a
big story?"
"That's the size of it," Penny nodded. "The worst of it is that Dad's
depending upon me."
"But he can't expect you to do the impossible. If there are no wire
connections it's not your fault. Anyhow, as soon as one is set up you'll
be able to send your story."
"Other reporters will be here by that time. Experienced men. Maybe
they'll get the jump on me."
"I'll venture they won't!" Louise said with emphasis. "You've never
failed yet on a story."
"This is more than a story, Lou. It's a great human tragedy. Somehow I
don't feel a bit like a reporter--I just feel bewildered and rather
stunned."
"You're tired and half sick," Louise said. She linked arms with Penny and
guided her away from the long line of refugees.
"Where to?" she asked after they had wandered for some distance.
"I was starting for the telephone company office when I met you."
"Why the telephone office?" Louise asked.
"Well, it's high and dry. I thought that by some chance they might have a
wire connection."
"Then let's go there by all means," urged Louise.
Farther down the debris-clogged street the girls came to the telephone
company offices. The building, one of the newest and tallest in Delta,
had been gutted by the flood. However, the upper floors remained dry and
emergency quarters had been established there. Nearly all employees were
at their posts.
Penny and Louise pushed their way through the throng of refugees that had
taken possession of the lower floor. Climbing the stairs to the telephone
offices they asked to see the manager.
"Mr. Nordwall isn't seeing anyone," they were informed. "He's very busy."
Penny persisted. She explained that her business was urgent and concerned
getting a news story through to Riverview. After a long delay she was
allowed to talk to the manager, a harassed, over-worked man named
Nordwall.
"Please state your case briefly," he said wearily.
Penny explained again that she wished to get a story of the flood through
to her father's paper, and asked what hope there was.
"Not much, I'm afraid," the man replied. "We haven't a single toll line
at present."
"How soon do you expect to get one?"
The manager hesitated, unwilling to commit himself. "By noon we may have
one wire west," he said reluctantly.
Penny asked if she could have first chance at it. Nordwall regretfully
shook his head.
"Relief work must come before news."
"Then there's no way to get my story out?"
"I suggest that you place your call in the usual way," Mr. Nordwall
instructed. "I'll tell our Long Distance Chief Operator to put it ahead
of everything except relief work messages."
Penny obeyed the manager's suggestion. However, she and Louise both knew
that there was slight chance the call would go through in time to do any
good.
"No use waiting around here," Penny said gloomily. "The wire won't even
be set up before noon."
Leaving the telephone building, the girls sloshed back toward the
railroad. Suddenly Louise drew Penny's attention to an airplane flying
low overhead. It flew so close to the ground that they could read "United
Press," on the wings.
"Well, it looks as if the news boys are moving in," Penny observed.
"Probably taking photographs of the flood."
The airplane circled Delta and then vanished eastward. Walking on, the
girls met an armed soldier who passed them without a glance.
"The National Guard," Penny commented. "That means a road is open."
"And it means that help is here at last!" Louise cried. "Property will be
protected now and some order will be established!"
Penny remained silent.
"Aren't you glad?" Louise demanded, staring at her companion.
"Yes, I'm glad," Penny said slowly. "I truly am. But the opening of the
road means that within a very little while every news service in the
country will have men here."
"And you've lost your chance to send an exclusive story to the _Star_."
"I've let Dad down," Penny admitted. "He depended upon me and I failed
him dismally."
CHAPTER
23
_TOLL LINE TO RIVERVIEW_
Penny and Louise trudged slowly on toward the railroad tracks. They were
too discouraged for much conversation, and avoided speaking of Mrs. Lear
or the Burmasters. Sleepy Hollow had been washed away, but no one could
tell them what had happened to the unfortunate ones caught in the valley.
"It doesn't matter now," Penny said dispiritedly, "but I know who
masqueraded as the Headless Horseman. Joe Quigley."
"The station agent!"
"Yes, he told me about it last night. Of course Mrs. Lear let him use her
horse, and no doubt she encouraged him in the idea."
"They did it to plague the Burmasters?"
"Joe thought he could bring Mr. Burmaster around to his way of thinking
about the Huntley Dam."
"How stupid everyone was," Louise sighed. "If it hadn't been for Mrs.
Burmaster's stubbornness, her husband might have given the money to save
the dam. Then this dreadful disaster would have been prevented."
Penny nodded absently. Her gaze was fixed upon a stout man just ahead who
wore climbing irons on his heavy shoes. She nudged Louise.
"See that fellow?"
"Why, yes. What about him?"
"I'm sure he's a telephone lineman. Probably he's working on the line by
the railroad."
"Probably," Louise agreed, without much interest.
"Come on," Penny urged, quickening pace. "Let's talk to him."
The girls overtook the workman and fell into step. Penny questioned him
and readily learned that he was working close by at the washed-out
railroad bridge.
"We're aiming to shoot a wire across the river," the man volunteered.
"It's going to be one tough little job."
"Mind if we go along?" Penny asked eagerly.
"It's okay with me," the telephone man consented. "Hard walking though."
Flood waters had receded from the railroad right-of-way leaving a long
stretch of twisted rails and slimey road-bed. They waded through the mud,
soon coming to the break where the bridge had swung aside. Debris of
every variety had piled high against the wrecked steel structure. Flood
water boiled through the gap at a furious rate.
"I don't see how they'll ever get a cable across there," Penny commented
dubiously.
"Coast Guardsmen are helping us," the lineman explained. "They'll shoot
it over with a Lyle gun--we hope."
Penny and Louise wandered toward the gap in the roadbed. On both shores,
linemen and cable splicers were hard at work. Coast Guardsmen already had
set up their equipment and all was in readiness to shoot a cable across
the river.
"Okay, let 'er go!" rang out the terse order. "Stand clear!"
A Coast Guardsman raised the Lyle gun. Making certain that the steel wire
would run free, he released the trigger. The weighted cable flashed
through the air in a beautiful arch only to fall short of its goal.
"Not enough allowance for the wind," the guardsman said in disgust.
"We'll need a heavier charge."
The gun was reloaded, and again the wire spun from its spool. Again it
fell short of the far shore by three feet. Undaunted by failure, the men
tried once more. This time the aim was true, and the heavy powder charge
carried rod and cable to its mark.
"They've done it!" Penny cried jubilantly. "Now it shouldn't be long
before we get a wire connection with the outside world!"
Immediately telephone company men seized the flexible cable, anchoring it
solidly. Heavy cables then were drawn across and made fast, permitting a
courageous lineman in a bosun's chair to work high above the turbulent
river.
"If that cable should break, he'd be lost!" Louise said with a shudder.
"It makes me jumpy to watch him."
Fearlessly the man accomplished his task, suspending a temporary
emergency telephone line. Cable splicers promptly carried the ends of the
new cable to terminal boxes.
So absorbed was Penny in watching the task that for a time she forgot her
own urgent need of a message wire. But as she observed the men talking
over a test phone, the realization suddenly came to her that a through
wire had been established west from Red Valley.
"Lou, they've done it!" she exclaimed. "The wire connection is made!"
"It does look that way."
"If only I could use that test set to get my news story through to Dad!"
"Fat chance!"
"I'd still be the first to send out the story!" Penny went on excitedly.
"It will do no harm to ask anyhow."
Breaking away from Louise, she sought the lineman of her acquaintance.
Eagerly she broached her request.
"Not a chance to use that line, Sister," he answered impatiently. "Our
'phones are for testing purposes only."
"But this is a very great emergency--"
"Sorry," the lineman brought her up short. "You'll have to put your call
through the regular channels. Regulations."
Baffled by the cold refusal, Penny turned away. Even though she knew the
telephone man had no authority to grant her request, she was none the
less annoyed.
"This is enough to drive one mad!" she complained to Louise. "It may be
hours before the downtown telephone office will offer toll service."
"Well, it does no good to fret about it," her chum shrugged. "There's
nothing you can do."
"I'm not so sure about that," Penny muttered.
Her attention had been drawn to a man in a gray business suit who was
talking earnestly to the fireman of the line gang.
"That's Mr. Nordwall!" she announced.
Again abandoning Louise, she pushed through the throng of spectators.
Touching the man's arm to attract his attention, she said breathlessly:
"Mr. Nordwall, do you remember me?"
He gazed at her without recognition.
"I'm Penny Parker. I want to get a message through to my father."
"Oh, yes, now I remember!" the telephone company manager exclaimed.
"You're trying to send a call through to Riverview."
"Is there any reason why I can't use the phone now--the test instrument?"
"Such a procedure would be very irregular."
"But it would save hours in getting my story through," Penny went on
quickly. "Hundreds of persons are desperately in need of food and
shelter. If the public can be aroused by newspaper publicity, funds will
be subscribed generously. Mr. Nordwall, you must let me send my story!"
"This is a very great emergency," the manager agreed. "I'll see what can
be done."
Penny waited, scarcely daring to hope. However, Mr. Nordwall kept his
word. To the delight of the girls, the call was put through. Within ten
minutes Penny was summoned to the test box.
"You have your connection with Riverview," she was told. "Go ahead."
Penny raised the receiver to her ear. Her hand trembled she was so
nervous and excited. She spoke tensely into the transmitter: "Hello, is
this the _Star_ office?"
"Anthony Parker speaking," said the voice of her father.
"Dad, this is Penny! I have the story for you!"
She heard her father's voice at the other end of the line but it became
so weak she could not distinguish a word. Nor could he understand her.
The connection had failed.
CHAPTER
24
_A BIG STORY_
Penny despaired, fearing that she never could make her father understand
what she had to tell him. Then unexpectedly the wire trouble cleared and
Mr. Parker's voice fairly boomed in her ear.
"Is that you, Penny? Are you all right?"
"Oh, yes, Dad!" she answered eagerly. "And so is Louise! We have the
story for you--couldn't get it out before."
"Thought we never would hear from you again," Mr. Parker said, his voice
vibrant. "Your flash on the flood scooped the country. We're still ahead
of the other newspapers. Shoot me all the facts."
Penny talked rapidly but distinctly. Facts had been imprinted indelibly
on her memory. She had no need to refer to notes except to verify names.
Now and then Mr. Parker interrupted to ask a question. When the story had
been told he said crisply:
"You've done marvelously, Penny! But we'll need more names. Get as
complete a list of the missing as you can."
"I'll try, Dad."
"And pictures. So far all we have are a few airplane shots of the flooded
valley. Can you get ahold of a camera?"
"I doubt it," Penny said dubiously.
"Try anyhow," her father urged. "And keep on the lookout for Salt
Sommers. He's on his way there now with two reporters. They're bringing
in a portable wire photo set."
"Then you plan to send flood pictures direct from here to Riverview?"
"That's the set up," Mr. Parker replied. "If you can get the pictures and
have them waiting, we'll beat every other paper in the country!"
"I'll do my best," Penny promised. "But it's a hard assignment."
She talked a moment longer before abandoning the test 'phone to one of
the linemen. Seeking Louise, she repeated the conversation.
"But how can we get a camera?" her chum asked hopelessly. "Delta's stores
are under water--most of them at least."
Though the situation seemed impossible, the girls tramped from one
debris-clogged street to another. After an hour's search they came upon a
man who was snapping pictures with a box camera. Questioned by Penny, he
agreed to part with it for twenty dollars.
"I haven't that many cents," Penny admitted. "But my father is owner of
the _Riverview Star_. I'll guarantee that you'll receive your money
later."
"How do I know I'll ever see you again?"
"You don't," said Penny. "You'll just have to trust me."
"You look honest," the man agreed after a pause. "I'll take a chance."
He gave Penny the camera, together with three rolls of film. The girls
carefully wrote down his name and address.
"Now to get our pictures," Penny said, as she and Louise started on once
more. "We'll take a few of the streets. Then I want to get some
human-interest shots."
"How about the railroad station?" Louise suggested. "A great many of the
refugees are being cared for there."
Penny nodded assent. Hastening toward the depot, they paused several
times to snap pictures they thought were especially suitable for
newspaper reproduction.
Along the railroad right-of-way crews of men were hard at work, but it
was evident that it would be days before train service could be resumed.
Penny and Louise went into the crowded waiting room of the depot. Joe
Quigley had locked himself into the inner office, but even there he was
surrounded by a group of argumentative young men.
"Reporters!" Penny observed alertly. "I knew it wouldn't take them long
to get here!"
The newspaper men were bombarding Quigley with questions, demanding to
know when and how they could send out their newspaper copy.
"I can't help you, boys," he said regretfully. "It will be two hours at
least before we have wire service. Better try the telephone company."
Just then one of the newsmen spied Penny and her camera. Immediately he
hailed her. The other reporters flocked about the two girls, offering to
buy any of the films at fancy prices.
"Sorry," Penny declined. "My pictures are earmarked for the _Riverview
Star_."
"What? Didn't you hear?" one of the men bantered. "Their wire photo car
broke down just this side of Hobostein. The _Star_ won't move in here
before night. By then your pictures will be old stuff."
"Better sell to us," urged another.
Penny shook her head. She wasn't sure whether or not the men were joking.
In any case she meant to hold her pictures until her father released
them.
Between Hobostein and Delta there was only one highway over which a car
could pass. The arrival of newspaper men led Penny to believe that this
road now was open.
"Dad told me to keep a sharp watch for Salt Sommers," she said to Louise.
"Let's post ourselves by the road where we can see incoming cars."
"What about the pictures we planned to take here?"
"I do want to snap one or two," Penny admitted. "It's embarrassing
though, just to walk up to a group and ask to take a picture."
As the girls debated, the door swung open. Into the already over-crowded
room stumbled a new group of refugees.
Suddenly Penny's gaze fastened upon a haggard woman who looked grotesque
in a man's overcoat many sizes too large for her. The face was
half-buried in the high collar, and she could not see it plainly. Then
the woman turned, and Penny recognized her.
"Mrs. Burmaster!" she cried.
The woman stared at the two girls with leaden eyes. She did not seem to
recognize them.
"Oh, we're so glad you're safe!" Penny cried, rushing to her. "Your
husband?"
Mrs. Burmaster's lips moved, but no sound came. She seemed stunned by
what she had gone through.
"Do you know what happened to Mrs. Lear?" Penny asked anxiously. "Have
you heard?"
Even then Mrs. Burmaster did not speak. But a strange light came into her
eyes.
"Tell me," Penny urged. "Please."
Her words seemed to penetrate the befogged mind of the dazed woman. Mrs.
Burmaster's lips moved slightly. Penny bent closer to hear.
"Mrs. Lear is dead," the woman whispered. "She was drowned when she saved
me."
CHAPTER
25
_MISSION ACCOMPLISHED_
The information shocked Penny.
"Mrs. Lear--dead," she repeated. "Oh, I was hoping that somehow she
escaped."
"She would have if it hadn't been for me," Mrs. Burmaster said dully.
"Ten minutes before the dam gave way, a telephone warning was sent out.
Mrs. Lear thought my husband and I might not have heard it. She rode her
horse to Sleepy Hollow, intending to warn us."
"And then what happened?"
"Just as Mrs. Lear reached our place, the wall of water came roaring down
the valley. We all ran out of the house, hoping to reach the hills. We
did get to higher ground but we saw we couldn't make it. Mrs. Lear made
my husband and me climb into a tree. Before she could follow us, the
water came."
"Mrs. Lear was swept away?"
"Yes, we saw her struggling and then the water carried her beyond sight."
Mrs. Burmaster covered her face. "Oh, it was horrible! And to think that
it was all my fault!"
"Where is your husband now?" Penny inquired kindly.
"Outside, I think," Mrs. Burmaster murmured. "We were brought here
together in a boat."
Penny and Louise went outdoors and after a brief search found Mr.
Burmaster. His clothing was caked with mud, his face was unshaven and he
looked years older.
To his wife's story he could add little. "This has been a dreadful
shock," he told Penny. "Now that it's too late I realize what a stubborn
fool I was. My wife and I are responsible for Mrs. Lear's death."
"No, no, you mustn't say that," Penny tried to comfort him. "It was
impossible for anyone to predict what would happen."
"Sleepy Hollow is gone--completely washed away," Mr. Burmaster went on
bitterly. "The estate cost me a fortune."
"But you can rebuild."
"I never shall. My wife never could be happy in Red Valley. Now that this
terrible thing has occurred, it would be intolerable to remain. I've been
thinking matters over. I've decided to deed all the land I bought back to
the valley folk. It's the least I can do to right a great wrong."
"It would be very generous of you," said Penny, her eyes shining.
The girls talked with Mr. Burmaster for a little while and then started
toward US highway 20, intending to watch incoming cars. Ambulances, army
and supply trucks now were flowing into Delta in a steady stream.
However, midway there, they spied a car coming toward them which bore
"_Riverview Star_" on its windshield.
"There's Salt now!" Penny cried, signaling frantically.
The car stopped with a jerk. The _Star_ photographer sat behind the
wheel, while beside him were two men from the paper's news department.
"Well, well," Salt greeted the girls jovially. He swung open the car
door. "If it isn't Penny, the child wonder! Meet Roy Daniels and Joe
Wiley."
Acknowledging the introduction, Penny and Louise squeezed into the front
seat of the sedan. Driving on, Salt plied them with questions. Penny told
him how rival newsmen had tried to buy her camera pictures.
"Good for you, hanging onto them!" Salt approved warmly. "Our car never
did break down. By the way, where can we set up our portable wire photo
equipment?"
"There's only one possibility. The telephone company. Right now they have
the only wire service in Delta."
Penny directed Salt through the few streets that were clear of debris to
the telephone building. There the portable wire photo equipment quickly
was set up. Penny's camera pictures were developed, and though some of
the shots were over-exposed there were four good enough to send over the
network.
"Mr. Nordwall has six toll lines out of Delta now," Salt told the girls
jubilantly. "He's letting us have one of them."
Carefully the photographer tested the controls of the wire photo machine.
He listened briefly to the hum of the motor. Satisfied that everything
was running properly, he attached one of the freshly printed pictures to
the transmitting cylinder.
"Okay," he signaled to Mr. Nordwall. "Give us a toll to the _Riverview
Star_."