Saboteurs on the River Part 11

"Jerry told me police picked up a handkerchief bearing the initial 'O.'"

"That could stand for Ottman!"

"Likewise Oscar or Oliver or Oxenstiern," Penny added, frowning. "I'll admit though, it doesn't look too bright for Sara's brother."

Having satisfied their curiosity regarding the locality, the girls started on toward the bridge. Before they had gone a dozen feet, Penny's eye was caught by an object lying half-buried in the mud. She picked it up gingerly and dangling it in front of Louise was amazed to discover that it was a man's leather billfold.

"Anything inside?" inquired Louise with interest.

Penny opened the flap and explored the various divisions of the money container. To her disappointment it held nothing save one small card upon which had been scribbled a few words.

"'The Green Parrot--'" she read aloud. "'Tuesday at 9:15.' Now what does that mean?"

Beneath the notation appeared another: "The American Protective Society."

"I guess it doesn't mean much of anything," commented Louise, digging at the mud which had collected on her shoes. "Probably an appointment card."

"You don't suppose this billfold was dropped by the saboteur?" Penny asked thoughtfully. "It's very near the place where he crawled out of the river."

"Wouldn't the police have picked it up if they had considered it of any importance?"

"I doubt they ever saw it, Lou. The billfold was half buried in mud. I'd never have seen it myself if I hadn't almost stepped on it."

"Why not turn it over to the police?"

"Guess I will," Penny decided, replacing the card in the billfold and wrapping them both in her handkerchief. "Did you ever hear of the American Protective Society, Lou?"

"Never did. Nor 'The Green Parrot' either--whatever that is."

"I think The Green Parrot is a cafe or a night club with none too good a reputation," Penny said thoughtfully. "I'm sure I've heard Dad say it's a gambling place."

Without further adventure, the girls resumed their trek and soon reached a bus line. Upon arriving home, Penny's first act was to consult the telephone directory. She could find neither The Green Parrot nor the American Protective Society listed.

"Mrs. Weems, did you ever hear of a place called The Green Parrot?" she questioned the housekeeper.

"Isn't that a restaurant the police closed down a few months ago?"

replied Mrs. Weems. "Now why should you be bothering your head about The Green Parrot?"

Penny showed her the billfold and explained where she had found it.

"Dear me," sighed the housekeeper. "How you can get into so many affairs of this kind is a wonder to me. I'm sure it worries your father too."

"Not Dad," laughed Penny. "Since I dug up that big story for him about the old _Wis.h.i.+ng Well_, he's been reconciled to my career of news gathering."

"Wis.h.i.+ng wells and saboteurs are two entirely different matters," the housekeeper returned firmly. "I do hope you turn this billfold over to police and forget about suspicious characters."

"I'm only worried about one," rejoined Penny. "It bothers me because I involved Burt Ottman in such a mess. I'm not so sure he's guilty."

"And again, the police probably know exactly what they are about,"

replied Mrs. Weems. "Now please take that billfold to the authorities and let them do the worrying."

Thus urged, Penny carried the money container to the local police station. Unable to talk to any of the detectives connected with the dynamiting case, she left the billfold with a desk sergeant. As she turned to leave, after answering his many questions, she posed one of her own.

"Oh, by the way, did you ever hear of a place called The Green Parrot?"

"Sure," the sergeant responded. "It's a night club. Used to be located on Granger Street, but our boys made it too hot for 'em, so they moved to another place."

"Where is it now?"

"Couldn't tell you," answered the sergeant. "You'll have to talk to one of the detectives, Jim Adams or Bill Benson."

Having no real excuse for seeking the information, Penny decided to abandon the quest. For want of an occupation, she sauntered on toward the _Star_ office. Pausing in front of the big plate gla.s.s window, she idly watched a workman who was oiling one of the great rotary presses.

"Oh, here you are!" exclaimed a voice from behind her.

Whirling around, Penny saw that her father had just come through the revolving doors at the main entrance to the building.

"h.e.l.lo, Dad," she greeted him eagerly. "What's new in the dynamiting case?"

"Nothing so far as I know," he replied, rather indifferently. "Burt Ottman's been released on bail."

"Mr. DeWitt put up the money?"

"Yes, he did," Mr. Parker said, frowning. "I advised him against it, but DeWitt feels a duty to the boy. Were you looking for me, Penny?"

"Well, not in particular."

"I'm on my way to a bank meeting," Mr. Parker said, turning away. "Oh, yes, I arranged a job for that watchman complication of yours, Carl Oaks."

"You did? Oh, grand! What sort of work is it?"

"Can't take time to tell you now," Mr. Parker said hurriedly, hailing a pa.s.sing taxi cab. "If you want all the details, ask Jerry Livingston. He took care of the matter for me, and can give you the information."

CHAPTER 9 _A JOB FOR MR. OAKS_

Eager to learn what had been done to help Carl Oaks, Penny took an elevator to the news room of the _Star_. Jerry Livingston's desk was deserted, so she paused at the slot of the big circular copy desk to ask Editor DeWitt if the reporter were anywhere in the building.

"I just sent him to cover a fire," Mr. DeWitt replied, glancing up from copy he was correcting. "He ought to be back any minute. You know how Jerry covers a fire."

"I certainly do. He rides the big engine to the scene, just whiffs at the smoke, and races back with a column report!"

Penny hesitated. She very much wished to say something to the editor about the dynamiting case, yet was reluctant to bring up the subject.

"Mr. DeWitt, I'm sorry about Burt Ottman," she began awkwardly. "I hope you don't think that I tried to throw suspicion on him by telling police----"