“Imagine explaining all this to Mother,” Louise murmured once. “Why, it doesn’t even make sense to me.”
The noises of the forest began to annoy the girls. Overhead an owl hooted. Crickets chirped, and at frequent intervals a frog or a small animal would plop into the water.
“Listen, Lou!” Penny presently whispered. “I hear something coming!”
“Maybe it’s a bear,” Louise shivered.
“Silly! There aren’t any bears in this part of the country.”
“How do you know what sort of animals are around here?” Louise countered. “Maybe one escaped from Old Noah’s zoo.”
As the sound grew louder, the girls crouched low amid the brush. Through the trees they saw the gleam of a flashlight and distinguished the figure of an approaching man.
“It’s probably my father!” Louise whispered, and started forward.
Penny jerked her back. “Bill hasn’t had time to get to Riverview yet! This may be the big pay off!”
“A saboteur?”
Penny nodded, her gaze on the approaching figure. The man was tall and muscular and walked with a cat-like tread. He came directly to the motorboat, muttering under his breath as he examined the half empty fuel tank.
Straightening, he turned so that he faced the girls. For a fleeting instant Penny thought that he was Burt Ottman, and then she recognized her mistake. The man was the one who had rented Sara Ottman’s boat—the head waiter of The Green Parrot.
CHAPTER 20
A SHACK IN THE WOODS
Fearing detection, Louise and Penny remained motionless as the man stared in their direction. He did not see them, and after puttering about the boat for a few minutes, started off through the woods.
“Now what shall we do?” Louise whispered anxiously.
“Let’s follow and find out where he goes,” proposed Penny, stealing from her hiding place.
None too eager for the adventure, Louise nevertheless kept close beside her chum as they followed the stranger. Instead of returning to the main river, he chose a trail which led deeper into the woods. Coming soon to the ark which loomed dark and mysterious against a background of trees, he paused for a moment to gaze at it. Then he veered away from the well-trampled path, keeping on through the dense thickets.
“Don’t you think we should turn back?” Louise whispered anxiously. “There’s no guessing where we’ll end up. We easily could get lost.”
Penny was plagued by the same worry, but she bantered: “Why, Lou, your Scout leader would blush with shame to hear you say that! The woods stretch for only a few miles. We always can find our way out.”
“What if our folks come searching for us while we’re wandering around?”
“I try not to think of such unpleasant situations,”Penny responded cheerfully. “You may be sure we’ll have to do some tall explaining. But if this fellow we’re tailing should prove to be a saboteur, everything will be lovely.”
“That’s not the word I’d use,” Louise muttered.
The girls had fallen many yards behind the head waiter. Failing to see the flash of his light, they quickened their pace and for a minute or two feared they had lost him. But as they paused in perplexity, they again saw a gleam of light off to the right.
“Let’s do less talking and more watching,” Penny said, hastening on. “If we’re not careful we’ll lose that fellow.”
Taking care to make no noise in the underbrush, the girls soon approached fairly close to the waiter. Apparently he knew his way through the woods, for not once did he hesitate. Occasionally he glanced overhead at dark clouds which were scudding across the sky. Reaching a small clearing, he paused to look at a watch which he held close to his flashlight beam.
“What time do you suppose it is?” Louise whispered to her chum.
“Not very late. Probably about nine o’clock.”
Because the waiter had paused, the girls remained motionless behind a giant oak. They saw the stranger switch off his light and gaze carefully about the clearing. In particular his attention centered upon a little shack, though no light showed there.
“Whose cabin is it?” whispered Louise. “Do you know?”
“I’m not sure,” returned Penny. “I think it was built several years ago by an artist who lived there while he painted the ravine and river. But he moved out last winter.”
The cabin was a curious structure, picturesquely situated beneath the low-spreading branches of an ancient tree. No windows were visible at the front, but a raised structure on the flat roof gave evidence of a large skylight.
After gazing at the shack for several minutes, the waiter raised fingers to his lips and whistled twice. To the surprise of the girls, an answering signal came from within the dark cabin.
A moment later, the front door opened, and an old man stepped outside.
“That you, Jard?” he called softly.
Without replying, the waiter left the shelter of trees to cross the clearing.
“Had any trouble?” he asked the old man.
“Everything’s been going okay. I’ll be glad to pull out o’ here though.”
The waiter made a reply which the girls could not hear. Entering the cabin, the men closed the door behind them.
“Who was that old man the waiter met?” Louise asked curiously. “Did you know him, Penny?”
“I couldn’t see his face. He stood in the shadow of the door. His voice sounded familiar though.”
“I thought so, too. What do you suppose those men are up to anyway?”
“Nothing good,” Penny responded grimly.
The girls huddled together at the edge of the clearing, uncertain what to do. If a light had been put on inside the shack it did not show from where they stood.
“Why not go for the police?” Louise proposed hopefully.
“I have a hunch those men may not stay here long. By the time we could bring help, the place might be deserted. Besides, we haven’t a scrap of real evidence against them.”
“How about the stolen motorboat?”
“We’re not even sure about that, Lou. Sara and her brother both have disappeared. Accusing a man falsely is a very serious offense.”
“Then what are we to do?” Louise asked despairingly. “Just stand here and wait until they come outside?”
“That’s all we can do—unless—”
“Unless what?” Louise demanded uneasily as Penny interrupted herself.
“Lou, I have a corking idea! See how those tree limbs arch over the roof of the shack? Why, that old maple is built to our order!”
“I don’t follow you.”
“You will in a minute if you’re a good climber!” chuckled Penny. “We can get up that tree and onto the roof. Even if it shouldn’t have a skylight we can see through, at least we can hear what’s being said.”
“Let’s just wait here.”
“And learn nothing,” Penny said impatiently. “How do you expect ever to be a G woman if you don’t start practicing now?”
“I’m going to be a nurse when I grow up. Climbing trees won’t help me at that.”
“Then wait here until I get back,” Penny said, starting across the clearing.
As she had known, her chum could not bear to be left alone in the dark woods. Louise hastened after her and together they crept to the base of the scraggly old maple.
The branches were so low that Penny pulled herself into them without difficulty. She then helped Louise scramble up beside her. They clung together a moment, listening to make certain that no sound had betrayed them.
“So far, so good,” Penny whispered jubilantly. “Now to get onto the roof. And it does have a skylight!”
“We’ll probably tumble through it,” Louise muttered.
A dim light, which came from a candle, burned inside the shack. Nevertheless, from their perch on the overhanging limb, the girls were unable to see what was happening below. Penny decided to lower herself to the roof.
“Put on y
our velvet shoes,” she warned as she swung lightly down from the lower branch. “The slightest noise and we’re finished.”
Dropping on the flat roof, she waited a moment, listening. Satisfied that the men inside the shack had not heard her, she motioned for Louise to follow. Her chum however, held back, shaking her head vigorously.
Abandoning the attempt to get Louise onto the roof, Penny crept toward the skylight. Lying full length, she pressed her face against the thick glass.
In the barren room below a candle burned on a table. The head waiter whom Penny first had seen at The Green Parrot sat with his legs resting on the fender of a pot-bellied stove. Opposite him was the older man whose face she could not immediately see.
“I tell you, I’m getting worried,” she heard the old fellow say. “When the Coast Guards took me off that coal barge they gave me the third degree. I can’t risk having anything hung on me.”
Penny pressed her face closer to the glass. Her pulse pounded. She was certain she knew the identity of the old man.
“I wish he’d turn his head,” she thought. “Then I’d be sure.”
As if in response to the unspoken desire, the old man shifted in his chair. The light of the candle flickered on his face, and Penny saw it clearly for the first time.
“Carl Oaks!” she whispered. “And to think that I ever helped him!”
CHAPTER 21
THROUGH THE SKYLIGHT
Greatly excited to learn that the old watchman and the waiter of The Green Parrot were fellow conspirators, Penny strained to catch their words. She heard the waiter reply:
“You’ve done good work, Oaks. All you have to do now is sit tight for a few more hours. We’ll give you a five hundred dollar bonus if the job comes off right.”
“That won’t do me any good if I end up in jail.”
“Nothing will go wrong. Everything has been planned to the last detail.”
“I’m already in bad with the police,” the old watchman whined. “I wouldn’t have gone in with you if I’d known just what I was doing.”
“You got your money for the Thompson bridge job, didn’t you?”
“A hundred dollars.”
“It was more than you earned,” the other replied irritably. “All you had to do was let me get away after I dynamited the bridge. You blamed near shot off my head!”
“I had to make it look as if I was doin’ my duty. Those girls were watching me.”
“That Parker pest came snooping around at The Parrot,” the waiter said, letting the tilted chair legs thud on the floor. “Brought a reporter with her too. I got rid of ’em in short order.”
“She didn’t act very friendly when she found me bound and gagged aboard the coal barge,” Carl Oaks resumed. “I think she may have suspected that it was a put up job. That’s why I want to get out o’ town while the getting is good.”
“You can leave after tonight. We blast the Seventh Street bridge at one o’clock.”
“And what about this prisoner I’ve been nursemaiding?”
“We’ll plant enough evidence around the bridge to cinch his guilt with the police. Then we’ll dump him in Chicago where he’ll be picked up.”
“He’s apt to remember what happened and spill the whole story.”
“Even if he does, the police won’t believe him,” the waiter said. “They’ll figure he’s only trying to get out from under. Anyway, we’ll be in another part of the country by then.”
“What time will you pick me up here?” the watchman asked.
“Ten minutes till one. The automobile will arrive right on the tick, so synchronize your watch.”
The two men compared timepieces, and then the waiter arose.
“Let’s look at the prisoner,” he said. “Is he still out cold?”
“He was the last time I looked at him. Hasn’t moved since he was brought here, except once to ask for water.”
The watchman went across the room to a closet and opened the door. A man lay on the floor, his hands and feet loosely bound. No cloth covered his face. Peering down from above, Penny was able to discern his features, and it gave her a distinct shock as she recognized him.
The waiter prodded the prisoner with his foot. The man who was bound, groaned and muttered, but made no other sign of consciousness.
“He’ll not bother you tonight, Oaks,” he said. “One of the boys can help you lift him into the car.”
“I don’t like this business,” the watchman complained again. “What if his skull should be fractured?”
“He’ll be okay by tomorrow,” the waiter answered indifferently. “Heflanz gave him a little too much with the blackjack.”
Penny waited to hear no more. Creeping cautiously away from the skylight, she returned to her chum who remained perched precariously on the overhanging tree branch.
“Learn anything?” Louise demanded in a whisper.
“Did I? Lou, that old man is Carl Oaks! He and our waiter friend have a prisoner inside the cabin.”
“A prisoner! My gracious! Then they must be saboteurs!”
“They’re planning to blow up the Seventh Street Bridge at one o’clock,” Penny went on tersely. “And they aim to blame it all on Burt Ottman!”
“He’s not one of the outfit then?”
“Seemingly not. They have him trussed up inside a closet. Lou, you’ve got to hot-foot it to town and bring the police!”
“Come with me,” Louise pleaded, frightened at the mere thought of going through the dark woods alone.
“One of us ought to stay and keep watch. I’ll go if you’re willing to remain.”
“No, I’ll go,” Louise decided.
With nervous haste she started to descend the tree. Midway down, her hand loosened its hold, and she slipped several feet. Although she uttered no cry, she did make considerable noise. Penny, still on the roof of the shack, heard Carl Oaks exclaim:
“What was that? I hear someone outside!”
Realizing that her chum was certain to be seen, Penny called to her: “Run, Lou! As fast as you can!”
Her own position now had become untenable. It was too late to regain the tree branch. Darting to the roof edge, she swung herself down with her hands and dropped six feet to the ground.
The door of the cabin swung open. Penny had leaped from the rear side of the building, and so was not immediately seen. The two men started after Louise who in panic had run toward the woods.
To divert attention from her hard pressed chum, Penny gave a wild Indian whoop. Startled, the men stopped, and turned around. Carl Oaks at once took after her, while the waiter resumed pursuit of Louise.
Penny did not find it hard to keep well ahead of the watchman. Darting into the woods, she circled, hoping to rejoin her chum. She knew that Louise was not very fleet of foot, and once confused, might never find her way out of the forest.
By frequently pausing to listen to the crackle of underbrush, Penny was able to follow the flight of her chum. Instead of running toward the river, Louise seemed to be circling back in the direction of the shack.
“She’ll get us both into trouble now,” thought Penny anxiously.
A moment later, Louise, puffing and gasping, came running past. Penny joined her, grasping her hand to help her over the rough places.
“That man’s right behind!” Louise panted. “Are we almost to the river?”
Penny did not discourage her by revealing that she had been running in the wrong direction. The chance of escape now was a slim one. Louise was nearly out of breath, while the man who pursued them, steadily gained.
“The ark!” Penny cried, guiding her chum. “We’ll be safe there!”
Unmindful of thorns which tore at their clothing, the girls raced on. Although Carl Oaks had been left far behind, the other man was not to be outdistanced. He kept so close that Louise and Penny had no opportunity to hide or attempt to throw him off the trail.
“Go on, Penny,” Louise gasped, slackening speed. “I can’t make it
.”
“Yes, you can!” Penny fairly pulled her along. “We’re almost there. See!”
The ark loomed up ahead. Encouraged by the sight, Louise gathered her strength and kept doggedly on. They reached the bank of the stream and gave way to despair. The ark was dark and the gangplank which usually connected it with shore, was nowhere in evidence.
“Noah! Noah!” called Louise wildly.
Only the parrot answered, crackling saucily from a porthole: “Hello, Noah, you old soak! Where are you, Noah?”
Breathless and bewildered, the girls did not know what to do. Before they could turn and run on, the man who so ruthlessly pursued them, dashed out from among the trees.
“Oh, here you are,” he said, and moonlight gleamed on the revolver he held in his hand. “A very pretty race, my dears, but shall we call this the finish line?”
CHAPTER 22
A SEARCHING PARTY
“Now we’ll have no more nonsense,” said the man who held the revolver. “Stand over there against the tree.”
Penny and Louise were so frightened that they trembled violently.
“You’ll not be harmed if you do exactly as you’re told,” the waiter assured them.
“Why not let us go home?” Penny ventured, recovering her courage.
“Not tonight, my dear.” The man smiled grimly. “Unfortunately, you have learned too much regarding my affairs.”
“Then what are you going to do with us?” Penny demanded.
Apparently, the waiter did not himself know. While he guarded the girls, he cast a quick glance toward the ark. Just then running footsteps were heard in the woods, and someone whistled twice. The waiter answered the signal. A moment later, Carl Oaks, quite winded, came into view.
“So you got ’em, eh?” he demanded with pleasure.
“The question is what to do with them.”
“I don’t want ’em at the shack,” the old watchman complained. “When young Ottman comes around I may have my hands full with him.”
“This ark should serve my purpose,” the waiter muttered. “The old coot that lives here has gone off somewhere. Oaks, get aboard and look around.”
“There’s no way to cross to it,” the watchman said helplessly.
The Penny Parker Megapack: 15 Complete Novels Page 92
