Swamp Island Part 20

"We'll send the hospital ambulance after you, Jerry," Salt said by way of farewell. "Better get into some duds."

"I'm not going back there!"

"It's no use trying to make him," said Penny who knew from experience that the reporter could be stubborn. "But do be careful, won't you, Jerry?"

"Sure," he promised. "And thanks to both of you for all your trouble!"

The hour now was well past midnight. Saying goodbye to Jerry, Penny had Salt take her directly home.

Quietly she slipped into the house and upstairs to her own room without disturbing Mrs. Weems.

However, next morning, explanations were in order, and as was to be expected, the housekeeper did not look with approval upon the trip to the swamp.

"Your motives may have been excellent," she told Penny, "but your judgment was very poor. Even with Salt as an escort you shouldn't have gone."

To make amends, Penny stayed close at home that morning, helping with an ironing. At noon when her father came for luncheon, she eagerly plied him with questions about the Danny Deevers case.

"There's nothing new to report," Mr. Parker said. "He's still at large.

The _Star_ has posted a $10,000 reward for his capture."

"Ten thousand!" echoed Penny, her eyes sparkling. "I could use that money!"

Mr. Parker carefully laid down his knife and fork, fixing his daughter with a stern gaze.

"You're to forget Danny Deevers," he directed. "Just to make certain you do, I've arranged with Mr. DeWitt to give you a few days' work at the office. Kindly report at one-thirty this afternoon for your first a.s.signment."

"Oh, Dad! Of all times--I had plans!"

"So I figured," her father replied dryly. "Mr. DeWitt, I trust, will keep you busy until after Danny Deevers has been rounded up by the police."

Penny knew that protests were quite useless, for when her father really set down his foot, he seldom changed his mind. At another time, she would have welcomed an opportunity to work at the _Star_ office, but this day she regarded it as nothing less than punishment.

As her father had predicted, Penny was kept more than busy at the office.

There were telephones to answer, obituaries to write, wire stories to redo, and a mult.i.tude of little writing jobs which kept her chained to a desk.

Penny pounded out page after page of routine copy, her face becoming longer and longer. Whenever the shortwave radio blared, she listened attentively. Never was there any news to suggest that police were even taking an interest in Danny Deevers' escape.

"Oh, they're working hard on the case," Jerry a.s.sured her when she talked it over with him. "You'll hear about it in good time."

"Everyone treats me as if I were a child!" Penny complained. "Just wait!

If ever I get any more information, I'm keeping it under my hat!"

For two long days she worked and suffered in the newspaper office. Then late one afternoon, Mr. DeWitt beckoned her to his desk.

"You act as if you need a little fresh air," he said. "Take a run over to the Immigration Office. See a man named Trotsell. He'll tell you about a boy who entered this country illegally. They're looking for him now."

"I'll hippety-hop all the way!" Penny laughed, glad to escape from the office.

At the Immigration Building, Mr. Trotsell, an official of brisk manner and crisp speech, gave her the facts of the case in rapid-fire order.

"The boy is only sixteen," he said. "His name is Anthony Tienta and he was befriended by G.I.'s in Europe. Early in the war, his parents were killed. Anthony was put in an orphan's asylum by Fascists. He and another lad escaped to the mountains. For six months they lived in a cave on berries and what they could pilfer."

"Interesting," commented Penny, "but what is your connection with the case?"

"I'm coming to that. When G.I.'s entered Italy, Anthony left his mountain hideout to become a guide. He learned English and later joined an American division as a mascot. When the war ended, Anthony sought permission to come to this country and was turned down repeatedly."

"So he stowed aboard a troops.h.i.+p?"

"Yes, we don't know yet how he eluded Immigration officials in New York.

Somehow he slipped into the country. Later he was traced to a farm in Michigan. We were closing in on him, when someone tipped him off and he fled. We know he's somewhere in this state."

"Near here?"

"It's very possible. We thought if a story appeared in the paper, someone who has seen the boy may report to us."

"Do you have a picture of him?"

"Unfortunately, no. He is sixteen, with dark eyes and dark, curly hair.

The lad is athletic and very quick witted. His English is fairly good, heavily sprinkled with G.I. slang."

"I'll write the story for you," Penny promised as she arose to leave.

"The truth is, though, my sympathy is with Anthony."

"So is mine," replied the official. "However, that does not change the law. He entered this country illegally and must be returned to Italy."

Penny left the office and was midway to the newspaper office when she b.u.mped squarely into her friend, Louise Sidell, who had been downtown shopping.

"Oh, Lou!" she exclaimed. "I called you twice but you weren't at home.

Did Bones ever find his way back?"

Louise shook her head. "He never will either. Those men probably kept him on the island. I'm going out there tomorrow."

"To the island?"

"If I can get Trapper Joe to take me. My father says I may offer him twenty-five dollars to help me get Bones back."

"It was entirely my fault, Lou. I'll pay the money."

"You needn't."

"I want to," said Penny firmly. "I've earned a little money the past two days at the newspaper office."

The two girls walked together to the next corner.

"What time are you starting for Trapper Joe's tomorrow?" Penny asked.

"I'd like to leave right after breakfast. Any chance you could take me in your car?"

"I was thinking the same thing," grinned Penny. "It may take a little doing--but yes, I'm sure you can count on me! I'm long overdue for a date myself with Old Man Swamp!"