CHAPTER 16 _SILK STOCKINGS_
Puzzled by Jack's behavior and his evident reluctance to reveal what hehad learned, Penny and Sally sat down beside him on the dock. At theirurging he said:
"Well, I traced the number through our employment office. The badge wasissued to a worker named Adam Glowershick."
Neither of the girls ever had heard of the name, but Sally, upon studyingthe picture again, was sure she recalled having seen him as a passengeraboard the _River Queen_.
"He's a punch press operator," Jack added.
"And he's the man you thought you knew?" Penny asked curiously.
"Yes. As I told you, I've seen him at the Harpers." Jack acted ill atease.
The girls exchanged a quick glance. But they did not tell Jack of theirrecent adventure.
"Well, why don't we have the fellow arrested?" Sally demanded after amoment of silence. "I'm satisfied he stole the brass lantern. He probablycame aboard for money, and unable to get into the safe, took the trophyfor meanness."
"Or he may be mixed up with the gang of factory brass thieves," Pennysupplied.
"You can't prove a case against a man, because he might have dropped thebadge anytime he happened to be a passenger aboard the ferry," Jack said."It would do no good to have him booked on suspicion."
"Is he a friend of yours?" Sally asked significantly.
"Of course not!"
"Jack is right about it," Penny interposed hastily. "We need moreinformation before we ask police to make an arrest. Any other news,Jack?"
"Nothing startling. But you know that detective your father brought herefrom Riverview?"
"Heiney?"
"Yes, he reported today that Sweeper Joe contacted him again, offering tosell a large quantity of brass. An appointment has been made for thedelivery Friday night. If it proves to be stolen brass, then he's trappedhimself."
"Can they prove it's the same brass?"
"Heiney numbers and records every piece he buys. He should be able toestablish a case."
Knowing that her father had intended to keep the junkman's activities asecret, Penny was disturbed by Jack's talking in public. Evidently he hadgleaned this latest information from his father. She was even moretroubled by his attitude toward Adam Glowershick.
Presently saying goodbye to Sally, she and Jack returned to ShadowIsland. A strange boat was tied up in the berth usually occupied by the_Spindrift_. Since the sailboat was nowhere along the dock, it wasevident that Mr. Gandiss, his wife, and Mr. Parker had gone for an outingon the river.
"We seem to have a visitor," Penny remarked.
Jack said nothing, but intently studied the man who slouched near theboathouse, hat pulled low to shade his eyes from the sun glare.
"Why, isn't that the same fellow whose picture was on the factory badge!"Penny exclaimed. "Adam Glowershick!"
"Careful or he'll hear you," Jack warned, scowling. "I know this man.He's here to see me."
Penny gazed again at the stranger who had dark bushy hair and prominentcheekbones. "If that isn't Glowershick, it's his twin!" she thought, andasked Jack if he had the factory badge with him.
"No, I haven't," he answered irritably. "Furthermore, I wish you wouldcut out such wild speculation. He'll hear you."
Jack brought the boat in. Leaping ashore, he asked Penny to fasten theropes. "I'll be back in a minute," he flung at her as he strode off.
It took time to make the craft secure. When Penny glanced up from herwork, Jack and the stranger had disappeared behind the boathouse.
"Queer how fast Jack ducked out of here," she thought.
More than a little annoyed by the boy's behavior, Penny started up thegravel path to the house. Midway there she heard footsteps, and turning,saw Jack hastening after her.
"Penny--" he began diffidently.
She waited for him to go on.
"I hate to ask this," he said uncomfortably, "but how are you fixed formoney?"
"I have a little. Dad gave me a fairly large sum to spend when we camehere."
"Could you let me have twenty dollars? It would only be a loan for a fewdays. I--I wouldn't ask it, only I need it badly."
"Dad only gave me twenty-five, Jack."
"I'll pay you back in just a few days, Penny. Honest I will."
"I'll help you out of your jam," Penny agreed unwillingly, "but somethingtells me I shouldn't do it. Your parents--"
"Don't say anything to them about it," Jack pleaded. "My father gives mea good allowance, and if he knew I had spent all of it ahead, he'd have afit."
Penny went to her room for the money, returning with four crisp fivedollar bills. She had planned to buy a new dress but now it must wait.
"Thanks," Jack said gratefully, fairly snatching the money from her hand."Oh, yes, another favor--please don't mention to my folks that anyone washere today."
"Who is the man, Jack?"
"Oh, just a fellow I met." The boy started moving away. Penny, however,pursued him down the path.
"Not so fast, Jack. Since I have a financial interest in your affairsnow, it's only fair that I ask a few questions. Did you meet this man atthe Harpers?"
"What if I did?"
"Now you're in debt to him and he's pressing you for money. You don'twant your parents to know."
"Something like that," Jack muttered, avoiding her steady gaze.
"I don't like being a party to anything I fail to understand. Jack, ifyou expect me to keep quiet about this, you'll have to make a promise."
"What is it?"
"That you'll not go to the Harpers' again."
"Okay, I'll promise," Jack agreed promptly. "The truth is, I've hadenough of the place. Now, is the lecture concluded?"
"Quite finished," Penny replied.
With troubled eyes she watched Jack return to the boathouse and hand hermoney to the bushy-haired stranger.
"Maybe that fellow isn't Glowershick," she thought, "but he certainlylooks like the picture. If Jack should be mixed up with those brassthieves--"
Penny deliberately dismissed the idea from her mind. A guest of theGandiss' family, she could not permit herself to distrust Jack. He wasinclined to be wild, irresponsible and at times arrogant, yet she hadnever questioned his basic character. Even though it disturbed her toknow that he had given money to the stranger, she refused to believe thathe was dishonest or that he would betray his father's trust.
If Penny hoped that Jack would offer a complete explanation for hisactions, she was disappointed. After the stranger had gone, hedeliberately avoided her. And that night at dinner, he had very little tosay.
When the meal was finished, Jack roved restlessly about the house, notknowing what to do with himself. "I hope you're planning on staying hometonight," his mother commented. "Lately, you've scarcely spent an eveninghere."
"There's nothing to do on an island," Jack complained. "I thought I mightrun in to town for an hour or so."
He met Penny's gaze and amended hastily: "On second thought, I guess Iwon't. How about an exciting game of chess?"
The evening was dull, heightened only by Mr. Gandiss' discussion of thelatest difficulties at the factory. Another large quantity of brass haddisappeared, he revealed to Mr. Parker.
"Perhaps our detectives will solve the mystery eventually," he declared,"but I'm beginning to lose heart. The firm has lost $60,000 already, andthe thieves become bolder each day. At the start, only a small ringoperated. Now I am convinced at least ten or fifteen employes may be inon the scheme to defraud me."
"The brass must be smuggled past the gateman," Mr. Parker commentedthoughtfully.
"We have three of them," Mr. Gandiss replied. "Several persons have beenturned in, but nothing ever could be proved against any individual whowas searched."
Deeply interested in her father's remark, Penny kept thinking about ClarkClayton, the night-shift gateman, and his apparent friendship withSweeper Joe. Late the n
ext afternoon when she knew he would be on duty,she purposely arrived at the factory just as a large group of employeswas leaving.
Though at his usual post, Clark Clayton did not appear especially alert.As employes filed past him, he paid them no special heed. Several personswho carried bulky packages were not even stopped for inspection.
"Why, a person could carry a ton of brass through that gate and hewouldn't know the difference!" she thought.
Making no attempt to enter the grounds, Penny watched for a while. Thenshe hailed a taxi cab, and told the driver to take her to the river.
They were nearing the docks when the man, glancing back over hisshoulder, said carelessly: "How would you like to buy some genuine silkstockings?"
"How would I like to stake out a claim to part of the moon!" Pennycountered, scarcely knowing how to take the question.
"No, I'm serious," the cab driver went on, slowing the taxi to idlingpace. "I know a woman along the river who has a pretty fair stock ofgenuine silk stockings. Beauties."
"Black market?" Penny asked with disapproval.
"Well, no, I wouldn't call it that," the man argued. "She had a supply ofthese stockings and wants to get rid of them. Nothing wrong in that. Fivedollars a pair."
"Five dollars a pair!" Penny echoed, barely keeping her temper.
"If I took you there, she might let you have them for a dollar less."
Penny opened her lips to tell the black market "runner" what she thoughtof a person who would engage in such illegal business. Then she closedthem again and did a little quick thinking. After all, it might be wiseto learn where the place was and then report to the police.
"Well, I don't know," she said, pretending to hesitate. "I'd like to havea pair of silk stockings, but I haven't much money with me. Where is theplace?"
"Not far from here along the river. I'll drive you there, and if you makea purchase, you needn't pay me any fare."
"All right, that's fair enough. Let's go," Penny agreed.
As they rattled along the street, she carefully memorized the cab'snumber, and took mental notes on the driver's appearance, intending toreport him to police. No doubt he received a generous commission forbringing customers to the establishment, she reasoned.
The cab had not gone far when it began to slacken pace. Peering out,Penny was astonished to see that they were stopping in front of theHarper house, overlooking the river.
"Is this the place?" she gasped, as the driver swung open the door. "I--Idon't believe I want to go in after all. I thought you were taking me toa shop."
"You can't get silk stockings anywhere else in the county," the driversaid. "Not like the kind Ma Harper sells. Just go on in and tell her Ibrought you. She'll treat you right."
Taking Penny by the elbow, he half pulled her from the cab and startedher toward the shabby, unpainted dwelling.