CHAPTER 21 _A BROKEN PROMISE_
"You want me to take you to the abandoned car now?" Clem Davis echoed insurprise. "It's located deep in the swamp, just off a side road."
"Would it require long to get there?" Penny asked thoughtfully.
"A half hour at least. With night coming on you wouldn't be able to see athing."
"It is getting dark," Penny admitted regretfully. "Everything considered,I guess it would be better to wait until tomorrow. But in the meantime, Iwish you would search the car carefully. Get the engine number--anythingwhich might help to identify the owner."
"The engine number has been filed off," Clem answered. "I'll give the cara good going over though to see what I can learn. Thanks for the food."
Raising his hand in a semi salute, the man started into the woods.
"Don't forget to meet Dad and me tomorrow night," Penny called after him."We'll be waiting here about this same time."
The interview with the fugitive had more than fulfilled Penny'sexpectations. Driving straight home, she made a full report of the talkto her father. Breathlessly, she revealed that the Hoods held monthlymeetings at the Hubell Tower, and that both Hank Holloway and CharleyPhelps were members of the order.
"You weren't able to learn the name of the head man?" Mr. Parkerquestioned.
"No, Clem didn't know it himself. He says the Master never shows himselfto anyone, but always appears in mask."
Mr. Parker began to pace the floor, a habit of his when under mentalstress. The information Penny had acquired was of utmost importance. Hebelieved it to be authentic, but he dared not overlook the possibilitythat Clem Davis had deliberately lied.
"We must move cautiously on this story," he said aloud. "Should we makefalse accusations against innocent persons, the _Star_ would facedisastrous lawsuits."
"You're not going to withhold the information from the public?" Pennydemanded in disappointment.
"For the present, I must. The thing for us to do is to try to learn theidentity of the head man. Any news published in the _Star_ would onlyserve as a tip-off to him."
"You're right, of course," Penny agreed after a moment of silence.
"Now that we have such a splendid start, it should be easy to gainadditional information," the editor resumed. "You say the meetingsusually are held on the thirteenth of the month?"
"That's what Clem Davis told me."
"Then we'll arrange to have the Tower watched on that night. In themeantime, I'll see Davis and learn what I can from him. Jerry is workingon the County Cooperative angle of the story, and should have someinteresting facts soon."
Penny knew that her father was adopting a wise policy, but she could nothelp feeling slightly disappointed. Always eager for action, she hadhoped that Clem Davis' disclosures would lead to the immediate arrest ofboth Hank Holloway and Charley Phelps. However, she brightened at thethought that at least additional revelations might follow her father'smeeting with the fugitive.
The following night, shortly after six-thirty, Penny and Mr. Parkerpresented themselves at the Orphans' Camp site. They had brought a basketof food, coffee, and a generous supply of cigarettes.
"What time did Davis promise to meet you?" Mr. Parker asked impatiently.
"He should be here now," Penny returned. "I can't imagine why he's late."
Another half hour elapsed, and still the fugitive did not appear. Mr.Parker paced restlessly beside the picnic table, becoming increasinglyimpatient.
"He's probably waiting until after dark," Penny declared optimistically.
Another hour elapsed. The shadows deepened and a chill wind blew from theriver. Hungry mosquitoes kept Mr. Parker more than occupied as he soughtto protect himself.
"Well, I've had enough of this!" he announced at last. "The man isn'tcoming."
"Oh, Dad, let's wait just a little longer," Penny coaxed. "I'm sure hemeant to keep his promise."
"Perhaps he did, although I'm inclined to think otherwise. At any rate, Iam going home!"
Penny had no choice but to follow her father to the car. She could notunderstand Clem Davis' failure to appear unless he had feared that hewould be placed under arrest. While it was quite possible that the manmight come to the picnic grounds the following night, she was afraid shewould never see him again.
"I half expected this to happen," Mr. Parker remarked as he drove towardRiverview. "Unless we can get Davis to swear to his story, we haven't ascrap of real evidence against the Hoods."
"We may learn something on the night of the thirteenth," Penny saidhopefully.
"Possibly, but I'm beginning to wonder if everything Davis told you maynot have been for the purpose of deception."
"He seemed sincere. I can't believe he deliberately lied to me."
Submerged in gloom, Penny had little to say during the swift ride intoRiverview. She could not blame her father for feeling annoyed, becausethe trip had cost him two hours of valuable time. Clem Davis' failure toappear undoubtedly might deprive the _Star_ of a spectacular scoop.
"Never mind," Mr. Parker said to comfort her. "It wasn't your fault.We'll find another way to get our information."
The car proceeded slowly through the downtown section of Riverview.Turning her head to read an electric sign, Penny's attention was drawn toa man in a gray suit who was walking close to the curb.
"Dad, stop the car!" she cried, seizing his arm. "There he is now!"
"Clem Davis?" Mr. Parker demanded, swerving the automobile toward avacant space near the sidewalk.
"No! No! Ben Bowman! I'm sure it is he!"
Springing from the car, Penny glanced up the street. She had alightedjust in time to see the man in gray enter a telegraph office.
"What nonsense is this?" Mr. Parker inquired impatiently. "Why do youthink the fellow is Bowman?"
"I'm sure he's the same man I saw at Claymore. The one who tried to passa forged cheque! Oh, please Dad, we can't let him get away!"
Switching off the car ignition, Mr. Parker stepped to the curb.
"If it should prove to be Ben Bowman, nothing would please me better thanto nab him," he announced grimly. "But if you've made a mistake--"
"Come on," Penny urged, seizing his hand. "We can talk about it later."
Through the huge plate glass window of the telegraph office, the man ingray could be seen standing at one of the counters. His back was to thestreet and he appeared to be writing a message.
"I'm sure it's Ben Bowman," Penny said again. "Why not go inside and askhim if that's his name?"
"I shall. But I'm warning you again, if you've made one of your littlemistakes--"
"Go ahead, faint heart!" Penny chuckled, giving him a tiny push. "I'llstay here by the door ready to stop him if he gets by you."
With no appearance of haste, Mr. Parker sauntered into the telegraphoffice. Deliberately taking a place at the counter close beside the manin gray, he pretended to write a message. Actually, he studied hiscompanion, and attempted to read the lengthy telegram which the other hadcomposed. Before he could do so, the man handed the paper to a girlclerk.
"Get this off right away," he instructed. "Send it collect."
The clerk examined the message, having difficulty in reading the writing.
"This night letter is to be sent to Anthony Parker?" she inquired.
"That's right," the man agreed.
Mr. Parker waited for no more. Touching the man on the arm, he saiddistinctly:
"I'll save you the trouble of sending that message. I am Anthony Parker."
The man whirled around, his face plainly showing consternation.
"You are Ben Bowman I assume," Mr. Parker said coolly. "I've long lookedforward to meeting you."
"You've got me mixed up with someone else," the man mumbled, edging away."My name's Clark Edgewater. See, I signed it to this telegram."
As proof of his contention, he pointed to the lengthy communication
whichlay on the counter. One glance satisfied Mr. Parker that it was another"crank" message.
"I don't care how you sign your name," he retorted. "You are Ben Bowman.We have a few matters to talk over."
The man gazed uncertainly at Mr. Parker. He started to speak, thenchanged his mind. Turning, he made a sudden break for the exit.
"Stop him!" Mr. Parker shouted. "Don't let him get away!"
Penny stood close to the door. As the man rushed toward her, she shot abolt into place.
"Not quite so fast, Mr. Bowman," she said, smiling. "We really must havea chat with you."