Swamp Island Part 3

"If it weren't for Bones, I'd never set foot near this place again! Oh, I hope he finds his way home."

The girls had reached Penny's car, parked just off the sideroad. A clock on the dashboard warned them it was after five o'clock.

"Jeepers!" Penny exclaimed, snapping on the ignition. "I'll have to step on it to get dressed in time for the banquet! And I still have the tables to decorate!"

A fast drive over the b.u.mpy sideroad brought the girls to the main paved highway. Much later, as they neared Riverview, Penny absently switched on the shortwave radio.

A number of routine police calls came through. Then the girls were startled to hear the dispatcher at headquarters say:

"Attention all scout cars! Be on the alert for escaped convict, Danny Deevers alias Spike Devons. Five-feet nine, blue eyes, brown hair. Last seen in state prison uniform. Believed heading for Riverview."

"Danny Deevers!" Penny whispered, and quickly turned the volume control.

"I repeat," boomed the dispatcher's voice. "Be on lookout for Danny Deevers, a dangerous escaped criminal. Believed heading this way."

CHAPTER 3 _UNFINISHED BUSINESS_

"Did you hear that?" Penny demanded of her chum as the police dispatcher went off the air. "Danny Deevers has escaped!"

The name rang no bell in Louise's memory.

"And who is Danny Deevers?" she inquired. "Anyone you know?"

"Not exactly. But Jerry Livingston has good reason to remember him."

"Jerry Livingston? That reporter you like so well?"

A quick grin brought confession from Penny. "Jerry is only one of my friends," she said. "But it's a known fact he's better looking and smarter than all the other _Star_ reporters put together."

"It's a fact known to _you_," teased her chum. "Well, what about this escaped convict, Danny Deevers?"

Penny stopped for a red light. As it changed to green she replied:

"Don't you recall a series of stories Jerry wrote in our paper nearly a year ago? They exposed shortages which developed at the Third Federal Loan Bank. Jerry dug up a lot of evidence, and the result was, thefts were pinned on Danny Deevers. He was convicted and sent to the penitentiary for twenty years."

"Oh, yes, now I remember."

"At the time of his conviction, Deevers threatened if ever he went free, he would get even with Jerry."

"And now he's on the loose!"

"Not only that, but heading for Riverview, according to the police."

"You don't think he'd dare try to carry out his threat?"

Penny frowned and swerved to avoid hitting a cat which scuttled across the highway.

"Who knows, Lou? The police evidently are hot on Deevers' trail, but if they don't get him, he may try to seek revenge. It's odd he turns up today--and those men talking in the swamp--"

Louise's eyes opened wide. "Penny, you don't think Danny Deevers could have taken refuge in the swamp!"

"It's possible. Wouldn't it be a good hideout?"

"Only for a very courageous person," Louise s.h.i.+vered. "At night, all sorts of wild animals must prowl about. And one easily could be bitten by a poisonous snake and could die before help came."

"I'm not saying Danny Deevers was on the island today, Lou. But it's a thought. Maybe I'll pa.s.s it on to the police."

Penny fell into thoughtful silence as she reflected upon the strange s.n.a.t.c.h of conversation she had overheard between the two men in the underbrush. Had the bearded stranger really been Ezekiel Hawkins, and if so, with whom had he talked? The chance that the second man might have been Danny Deevers seemed slim, but it was a possibility.

When the car finally reached Riverview, Penny dropped Louise at the Sidell home and drove on to her own residence.

As she entered her own house, Mrs. Weems, the Parker family housekeeper, met the girl in the living room archway.

"Oh, Penny, where have you been!" she exclaimed. "Your father has telephoned twice. He's waiting for you now at the newspaper office."

"Do telephone him I'm practically on my way," Penny pleaded. "I'll grab a bath, dress, and be out of here in two shakes."

Midway up the stairs, the girl already had stripped off her sports s.h.i.+rt.

"I'll call your father," Mrs. Weems agreed, "but please, after this, pay more heed to time. You know how much the success of tonight's newspaper convention means to your father."

Penny's mumbled reply was blotted out by the slam of the bathroom door.

The shower began to run full blast.

With a sigh, Mrs. Weems went to telephone Mr. Parker at the _Riverview Star_ office.

For several years now, the housekeeper had efficiently supervised the motherless Parker home. She loved Penny, an only child, as her own, but there were times when she felt the girl was allowed too much freedom by an indulgent father.

Penny's active, alert mind was a never-ending source of amazement to Mrs.

Weems. She had not entirely approved when Mr. Parker allowed the girl to spend her summers working as a reporter on the newspaper he owned.

Nevertheless, the housekeeper had been very proud because Penny had proved her ability. Not only had the girl written many fine stories which brought recognition, but also she had demonstrated a true "nose for news."

One of Penny's first lessons learned on the _Star_ was that a deadline must always be met. Knowing now that she dared not be late, she hurriedly brushed her hair and wriggled into a long, full-skirted evening dress.

Almost before Mrs. Weems had completed the telephone call, she was downstairs again searching frantically for a beaded bag and gloves.

"Here they are, on the table," the housekeeper said. "Your father said he would wait just fifteen minutes."

"That's all I need, if the lights are green," Penny flung over her shoulder, as she ran to the parked car. "See you later, Mrs. Weems!"

Leaving an exhausted housekeeper behind, the girl made a quick trip to the downtown newspaper office.

As she reached the building, newsboys were on the streets crying the first edition, just off the press.