Ghost Beyond the Gate Part 17

"Why, where did you get that letter?" cried Mrs. Weems.

"Found it in the mailbox." Penny's hand trembled as she ripped open the flap.

A sheet of writing paper, high quality and slightly perfumed, slid from the envelope. The message was terse and bore no signature at the end. It read:

"Offer a suitable reward and information will be provided as to the whereabouts of your father. Make your offer known in the _Star_."

CHAPTER 11 _BY A CEMETERY WALL_

Penny and Mrs. Weems reread the anonymous message many times, a.n.a.lyzing every word.

"Plainly this note was written by a woman of some means for the paper is fine quality," Penny commented. "She must have sneaked up on the porch about an hour ago."

"Call the police at once," urged Mrs. Weems. "They'll tell us what we should do."

"Whoever left the note may be watching the house."

"We must risk that, Penny. I'll call the station myself."

While Mrs. Weems busied herself at the telephone, Penny switched off the living-room light. She could see no one loitering anywhere near the house. Slipping on her coat, she went outside to inspect the footprints left on the porch. Only a few remained uncovered by snow. There was no way to tell in which direction the writer of the anonymous message had gone.

Mrs. Weems had completed her telephone call by the time Penny reentered the house.

"Two detectives will be here in a few minutes," she revealed. "You keep watch for them while I run upstairs and get into something more suitable than a lounging robe."

Within ten minutes a car drew up in front of the house. Penny already was acquainted with Detectives d.i.c.k Brandon and George Fuller, and had great confidence in their judgment. Anxiously she and Mrs. Weems waited while the men scanned the anonymous message.

"This might be only a crank note," commented Brandon. "Someone who's read of Mr. Parker's disappearance, and hopes to pick up a little cash."

"Then you don't think it came from the tire-theft gang?" Penny asked.

"Not likely. A professional kidnaper never would have sent a note like this. The handwriting hasn't even been disguised."

"Will it be possible to trace the person?"

"It should be if we have a little luck." Detective Brandon pocketed the letter. "Now this is what you must do, Miss Parker. Offer a reward--say five thousand dollars--for information about your father."

"I'll get the story in every edition of the _Star_ tomorrow. And then what am I to do?"

"You'll likely hear from the writer of this anonymous message, either by letter or telephone. If you contact the woman, arrange a meeting. Then notify us immediately."

The discussion went on. When at length the two detectives left, Penny and Mrs. Weems were hopeful that within another twenty-four hours they might know Mr. Parker's fate.

In the morning, after only five hours of sleep, Penny was back at her desk. Her first act was to dictate the story offering a five-thousand-dollar reward for information about her father. Not even to Salt Sommers did she confide that she had received an anonymous message.

"Everything's going well here at the plant," he a.s.sured her. "Harley Schirr hasn't so much as stuck his nose through the door."

"I hope we're through with him," replied Penny soberly. "However, I don't feel that we are. By the way, no telegram has come from Jerry?"

"No message yet. Guess he didn't get your wire."

Throughout the morning, Penny worked tirelessly at her desk. Although her father's office now was vacant, she did not take possession. Even when she occasionally entered to get papers from the file, it gave her a queer, tight feeling. Her father's old neck-scarf still hung on the clothes tree. The rubbers he hated to wear stood heel to heel against the wall.

"Dad is alive and well," she told herself whenever her courage faltered.

"By tomorrow he'll be back. I know he will."

At noon Salt brought Penny a sandwich which she ate without leaving her desk. As she struggled with the last mouthful, the telephone rang.

"Is this Miss Parker?" inquired a woman's voice.

Penny gripped the receiver tightly. Her pulse began to pound. Although she had no real reason for thinking so, she suddenly knew that she was in contact with the mysterious writer of the anonymous message.

"Yes," she replied, keeping her voice calm.

"You offered a reward in your paper today. Five thousand dollars for information about Mr. Parker."

"True. Can you tell me anything about his disappearance?"

"I can if you're willing to pay the money."

"I'll be glad to do it."

"And no questions asked?"

"No questions," Penny promised. "If you actually can provide information that will help me find my father, I'll be happy to give you the money."

There was a long silence. Fearful lest the woman had lost her nerve and was about to hang up, Penny said anxiously:

"Where shall I meet you? Will you come to my home?"

"That's too risky."

"Then where shall I meet you?"

"Tonight at eight. You know the cemetery out on Baldiff Road?"

"Baldiff Road?" Penny repeated doubtfully.

"You'll find it on a county map," the woman instructed. "Meet me at the cemetery wall promptly at eight. And don't bring anyone with you. Just the money. I'll guarantee to tell you where you can find your father."

The receiver clicked.

Greatly excited, Penny made a futile attempt to trace the telephone call.

Failing, she set off for the police station to talk to Detectives Fuller and Brandon.