Signal in the Dark Part 14

"Why, I don't remember--Jason Cordell, I suppose."

"That's just the point!" Penny cried. "Cordell hated him because Ben gained damaging evidence against him! Then to protect himself, Cordell told lies about Ben and got all of Riverview's publishers to blacklist him!"

"What gave you that idea, Penny?"

"I talked to Ben tonight."

"It strikes me he filled you with hot air," the newspaper owner commented dryly. "Penny, you must learn not to believe everything you hear."

"Then you'll not consider hiring Ben?"

"Afraid not," her father declined. "I've no special liking for Jason Cordell, who always impressed me as a stubborn, unscrupulous fellow, but I certainly can't employ Ben without more evidence in his favor than you have presented."

"There is more," said Penny, "but I'm too tired to tell you tonight."

She went wearily to bed, and though she slept hard, still felt tired when the alarm went off the next morning. Hastening through breakfast, she rode with her father to the office, and en route related to him how Ben had rescued the stranger from the river.

"Commendable," nodded her father, "but it still doesn't prove he isn't a trouble maker."

"Oh, Dad, I think you're being unfair to him."

"And I think you have been unduly influenced," Mr. Parker returned.

"However, I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll have Mr. DeWitt investigate the young man. If his findings are good, we'll give him another chance."

"Oh, Dad! That's grand!" Penny cried, squeezing his arm.

At the office, Penny found a letter tucked behind the roller of her typewriter. Although addressed to her, it had been sent to the _Star_.

Instantly she knew the reason, for it was from Jerry Livingston, who had worked for the paper many years.

Eagerly, she ripped open the envelope and read the message. Jerry, in an Army camp in the west, expected to pilot a big bomber to Hawaii within the next few weeks. "Best regards to the newspaper gang," he concluded.

"Any news from Jerry?" inquired Mr. DeWitt, who had recognized the handwriting.

Penny gave him the letter to read.

"Let's tack it on the bulletin board," the editor suggested. "Jerry has a lot of friends here."

Penny allowed him to keep the letter and thought no more of it. Soon she became absorbed in the morning's work. There were obituaries to write as usual, but now and then Mr. DeWitt gave her a more interesting task.

Seemingly he had forgotten about her unfortunate experience at the fire.

But Penny had not forgotten. It troubled her that Salt's camera remained missing. When he came to the desk to drop a handful of finished pictures, she asked him what he had learned.

"Haven't been able to trace the car yet," he answered. "But we'll locate it eventually. Don't worry about it, Penny."

The morning wore on. She saw Elda Hunt read Jerry's letter on the bulletin board, and later giggle and laugh as she talked with other girls in the office.

"That little witch said something uncomplimentary about me!" Penny thought. "If I weren't the publisher's daughter, I certainly would tangle with her! Maybe I will yet!"

At twelve o'clock, she put on her hat, intending to go to lunch. As she turned toward the wooden barrier gate, she saw that the receptionist was talking to a male visitor.

"I don't know the name of the girl," she heard him say distinctly, "but she saved my life. I know she works on the _Star_ and I want to thank her."

He turned then and saw her. "Why, she looks like the one my wife described!" he exclaimed.

"Mr. McClusky!" Penny greeted him, extending her hand. "I'm so glad you're up and around today. How do you feel?"

"Fine!" he boomed in a voice which carried to every desk in the room.

"Thanks to you. Aren't you the girl who saved my life?"

"I asked the police to take you to the _Yarmouth_ if that's what you mean," Penny said self-consciously. "As for saving your life--"

"You certainly did, and the doc will say the same thing. Another ten minutes and I'd have been too far gone to have pulled out of it. Now I'll be okay--at least unless I have another attack of bends."

"I'm very glad you're feeling better," Penny said, edging away. She was painfully conscious that all of the reporters were listening to the conversation. All noise in the office had ceased.

"If there's anything I can do for you, just let me know!" the diver offered heartily.

"Sometime when I need a good waterfront story, I may call on you," Penny said jokingly.

"If I can give you a tip on anything, I sure will," he promised. "I know every inch of the river, and most of the folks that live along 'er."

"Have you heard of a boat called the _Snark_?" Penny asked impulsively.

McClusky's expression changed. He lowered his voice. "Sure, I know the _Snark_," he nodded soberly. "And here's a little tip. If you want a story--a good hot one with plenty o' trouble hooked up to it, then just go hunting around her berth. Maybe sometime I can help you."

With a friendly nod, he was gone.

CHAPTER 10 _COUNTRY SKIES_

No more was said to Penny about her unfortunate experience at the Conway Steel Plant explosion, but she considered herself responsible for Salt's lost camera. Although the plates no longer would have picture value from the newspaper standpoint, she thought that they might provide a clue to the ident.i.ty of the man who had escaped by automobile.

Police had been unsuccessful in apprehending any of the persons responsible for the explosion, and the story had died out of the newspapers.

After working for a week at the _Star_, Penny was tired in body and worn in mind. However, she was beginning to enjoy the routine. To receive her first hard-earned pay check gave her a real thrill of pleasure.

Louise Sidell, a school girl friend who lived near the Parker home, asked Penny how she planned to spend the money.

"I think I'll have the check framed," Penny laughed.

She and Louise were sitting on the front steps of the Parker home, watching a chattering squirrel on the lawn. It was a warm, sunny day with scarcely a cloud coasting around in the azure sky.

"Wish we could have a picnic or go to the country," Louise commented wistfully.

"Why not?" Penny asked, getting up. "I intended to drive to the waterfront this morning and see how Ben Bartell is making out. Then we could go out into the country from there."