CHAPTER 20 _A DESPERATE PLIGHT_
In the rowboat, Claude Harper slowly patrolled the area, keeping an alertwatch for the slightest movement amid the grass. Once as a crane arosefrom the dense growth into the darkening sky, he focused a flashlightbeam on the spot.
"He's prepared to stay here half the night if necessary," Penny thought,shivering.
She could think of no means of escape. When it became completely dark,she might be able to swim away without being detected. But long exposurein cold water had weakened her, and she was none too certain of herability to reach shore.
Her absence at the island surely must have been noticed by this time, shereasoned. Why was not a boat sent in search of her?
"I hope they don't assume I am staying with Sally for the night," sheworried.
Penny's thoughts were momentarily distracted as she heard indistinctvoices from the direction of the Harper dock. Lights had been turned onin the house and basement.
"Those men are getting rid of the stolen brass," she reasoned. "If theytry to sell it to Heiney, they still may be caught."
Presently the motorboat moved away from the Harper dock, its enginelaboring. The craft was sunk low in the water as if from a heavy load.
The boat did not turn down stream as Penny expected. Instead, it crossedthe river at right angles, stopping in mid-stream at the deepest part ofthe channel. There the engine was cut off.
"Now what?" thought Penny.
Claude Harper likewise seemed puzzled by the action, for he turned tostare, muttering to himself.
Though Penny could not see what the men were doing aboard the boat, sheheard a loud splash as something heavy was dropped overboard.
"The fools!" Claude Harper exclaimed. "The fools!"
Another splash and still another followed. Then the boat turned and cametoward the grass patch. Claude Harper hailed the men with an angryexclamation.
"You idiots! After all the risk we've taken, you dump our profits in theriver!"
"Keep your shirt on!" Sweeper Joe retorted. "It was the only thing to do.Glowershick just phoned from town."
"What'd he have to report?"
"Nothing good. You know that junk shop where we arranged to sell ourstuff? Where the owner offered us a higher price than any other place intown?"
"Well?"
"He was a dick, planted there by old man Gandiss himself. They've alreadygot wind of who's in on the deal."
"Then if we try to sell the brass anywhere else, we'll be pinched."
"You're catching on, Harper."
"Have you dumped all the stuff in the river?"
"It will take two more trips at least. And there's the brass lantern toget rid of," Joe added. "As soon as the job is done, Clark and me aregettin' out of the city."
"What are Ma and me gonna do?" Harper whined. "We've got property here."
"That's up to you," Joe snapped. "If it wasn't for the gal you'd be safeenough. Seen anything of her?"
"Nary a sign."
"She may have slipped away under water. The gal swims like an eel."
"I don't think she got away. I been watchin' like a hawk."
"She's sure to spill everything, and she's seen plenty," Joe muttered."Even though the cops don't find any evidence, they could make it plentytough for you and the missus."
"We got to leave town," Harper admitted. "After takin' all this risk andbein' all set to cash in big, it's a dirty break. It ain't fair."
"Squawkin' won't do no good," Joe said shortly. "The question is, whatare we goin' to do about the gal?"
"We got to make sure she won't carry no tales until we're safely out oftown."
"Then we'll have to flush her out of this bird nest," Joe decided."There's a way we can do it."
The manner in which she was to be caught, soon became apparent to Penny.Systematically, the men began to flatten all of the grass with theirpaddles and oars. Foot by foot, she retreated. Their strategy wasdiscouragingly clear. The flattened grass no longer offered protection.Soon it all would be level with the water, and she would have no screen.
So cold that her limbs were nearly paralyzed, Penny considered givingherself up. In any case, the outcome would be the same. The only otherrecourse was to scream for help, and hope that someone along the shorewould hear her and investigate.
With only the Harper house close by, the prospect that anyone would cometo her aid was practically nil.
Angered at not finding the girl, Harper and his companions swung theirpaddles viciously. Penny retreated further, still reluctant to abandonfreedom.
Then far downstream, she saw the _River Queen_, recognizing it by thepattern its lights made above the water. The ferry had finished itspassenger run, and now apparently was coming upstream to anchor for thenight.
As Penny watched the boat, she took new hope. If only she could signalCaptain Barker or Sally! Unless the ferry changed course, it was almostcertain to pass the grass patch. However, with the water shallow there,it would give the area a wide berth.
"Even if I shouted for help, no one aboard would hear me," she reasoned."But I'll have to try something! I'm finished if I stay here."
Straight up the river came the _Queen_. Penny could see a man in thelighted pilot house, but no one was visible on the decks. The ferry wastraveling at a rapid speed.
Penny decided to wait no longer. Creeping to the very edge of the grass,she ducked under water, and started to swim. Her strength had gone evenmore than she realized. Arms and legs were so stiff they barely couldpress against the water as she stroked. A few feet and she was forced tocome to the surface.
"There she is!" shouted Sweeper Joe. Bringing the boat around, he starteddirectly for her.
Penny swam with all the power at her command, stroking deep and fast. Notdaring to look back, she could hear the dip of Sweeper Joe's oars.
Straight toward the deepest part of the channel, she propelled herself.Her crawl strokes were jerky, but they carried her along. And she hadcalculated well. Aided by the current, she would intercept the path ofthe oncoming _River Queen_.
From the water, the ferryboat looked like an immense monster as itsteamed majestically up the river. Not wishing to attract attention tohimself or his companions, Joe shipped his oars and temporarily gave upthe chase. But he remained close by, watching alertly. Should theferryboat fail to see or pick up Penny, he would be after her upon theinstant.
Treading water, the girl shouted for help and waved an arm. Her voice wasweak even to her own ears, and could not possibly carry to the pilothouse of the _Queen_. Would her frantic signals be seen? The night wasdark, and she was not yet in the arc of the vessel's lights.
Penny swam a few more strokes, then treaded water again, and signaledfrantically. The _River Queen_ did not slacken speed.
"They haven't seen me!" she thought desperately. "It's useless."
Now a new danger presented itself. The _Queen_ had swerved slightly sothat Penny was directly in its path. Still she had not been seen. Loomingup in gigantic proportions above her, the ferry threatened to run herdown.