Signal in the Dark Part 19

"Lou, if we could get up there, we might be able to see what is going on!"

"And get caught too!"

"Not if we're careful. We can climb that tree which brushes against it, and perhaps see from there."

"What if we should be caught?"

"We'll decide that part when the time comes," Penny chuckled. "This should be fun."

Circling the shack, they climbed into the low-hanging boughs of a giant, scraggly maple tree. Inch by inch lest they make a sound which would betray them, they climbed out on the heavy branches.

"Penny, we're taking an awful chance," her chum murmured nervously. "If that man should look up--"

"He won't," Penny whispered confidently. "He's too busy with whatever he's doing."

Lying flat on the branch, she could look directly through the gla.s.s. In the room below she saw at least four large, oval-shaped mines without detonators, made of steel.

Evidently the man had finished whatever work had brought him to the shack, for he laid aside a tool, and then went out the door, carefully locking it behind him again.

"We were too late," Penny whispered in disgust after the man was a safe distance down the beach. "I wish I knew why he came here! One thing is certain, he's mixed up with Professor Bettenridge on this secret ray invention."

"Do you still believe the man is the one who was pushed off the _Snark_?"

"Yes, I do, and that part we can learn!" Realizing that much valuable time was being wasted, Penny slid down from the tree, snagging a stocking in the process. She helped Louise to reach the ground.

"What's the plan now?" her chum asked.

"Webb evidently is returning either to Professor Bettenridge's shack or to town. Let's overtake him and I'll ask a few questions. After helping fish him out of the river, I certainly have the right."

The man walked directly toward the shack which contained the secret ray apparatus, but when he drew close, paused and whistled twice as if in signal. No response came from within the cabin. Seemingly the man expected none, for he turned and selected a trail which led toward the road.

At that moment, the shack door opened. Professor Bettenridge, his wife, and Mr. Johnson came out together, chatting pleasantly. Without paying the slightest heed to Webb, they walked toward the farmhouse.

"What do you make of all that?" Louise asked in perplexity.

"I'm not sure," Penny admitted. "But I have a suspicion the professor doesn't want Mr. Johnson to know Webb is here today. He might insist on a test of the secret ray machine."

"Why all the mystery? Professor Bettenridge certainly can't expect to sell the invention unless he can give a successful demonstration."

"I suspect that may be the point, Lou. Things aren't properly set for a successful test today. Tomorrow night may be a different story."

"But if the machine is as good as the professor claims, it should explode mines as well one time as another."

"It should," Penny agreed, "but whether or not it does, is a horse of a different color. My guess is that the professor is a fraud, and that Webb helps him in his scheme."

The man believed to be Webb walked so rapidly that the girls realized they would lose sight of him unless they hastened on. Cutting across a field, they were able to get ahead of him.

"Yes, it's Webb," Penny whispered as they waited for the man to approach.

"I'm certain."

Not until he was quite close did the man see the girls. Momentarily startled at recognizing Penny, he ignored her, and would have pa.s.sed without a word.

"Webb!" she exclaimed. "Don't you remember me?"

The man halted, gazing at her with ice-cold, unfriendly eyes.

"Webb ain't my name," he said gruffly. "I never saw you before."

"You may not remember. I helped pull you out of the river after you had fallen from the deck of the _Snark_."

"Are you coo-coo?" the man demanded. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"I think you do," Penny said, losing patience. "You stayed with Ben Bartell at his shack by the river. For saving your life, you repaid him by stealing his watch!"

"Say, young lady, better be careful what you're sayin'!" the man snapped.

"No one can accuse me of being a thief!"

"I want Ben's watch."

The man started on down the road, but Louise and Penny stood their ground, blocking his way.

"I want the watch!" Penny repeated firmly. "If you won't give it up, I'll report you to the police."

"Oh, you will, eh?" The man whirled toward her, his face convulsed with anger. "You'll get no watch from me, but here's something to teach you to mind your own business!"

With a cruel laugh, he pushed her so hard that she sprawled backwards into the ditch.

CHAPTER 13 _BEHIND OFFICE DOORS_

"Are you hurt, Penny?" Rushing to her chum, Louise helped her out of the ditch where she had fallen.

"No!" Angrily, Penny brushed dust from her slacks. "But I'm as mad as a hornet! If that man thinks he can push me around--"

Already Webb was well down the road, walking at a leisurely but arrogant pace.

"Forget it, forget it," Louise soothed. "We'd get no place picking a quarrel with a man like that. Anyway, you more or less accused him of thievery."

"And a thief is exactly what he is!" Penny retorted. "There isn't a doubt in my mind that he's the one who stole Ben's watch!"

"Then the thing for us to do is report him to the police. We'll get nowhere talking to him ourselves."

"We'll stop in town--I think the place is called Newhall--and notify the sheriff," Penny decided. "I certainly shall ask for the man's arrest."

Returning to the car, she turned it around, and they drove toward the town, less than a half mile away. Soon they approached Webb who was walking at the side of the pavement. Deliberately, he ignored them as they pa.s.sed.