Swamp Island Part 5

"You ought to have a bodyguard," DeWitt insisted seriously. "Danny Deevers is n.o.body's playboy. He may mean business. Reporters are hard to get these days. We can't risk having you b.u.mped off."

"Oh, this telegram is pure bluff," Jerry replied, scrambling up the yellow sheet and hurling it into a tall metal sc.r.a.p can. "I'll not be nursemaided by any bodyguard, and that's final!"

"Okay," DeWitt gave in, "but if you get b.u.mped off, don't come crying to me!"

Jerry took a long drink at the fountain and then said thoughtfully: "You know, I have a hunch about Danny."

"Spill it," invited DeWitt.

"He didn't come back here to get even with me for those articles I wrote--or at least it's a secondary purpose."

"Then why did he head for Riverview?"

"I have an idea he may have come back to get $50,000."

"The money he stole from the Third Federal Bank?"

"Sure. The money disappeared, and when Danny took the rap, he refused to tell where he had hidden it. I'll bet the money is in a safe place somewhere in Riverview."

"You may be right at that," DeWitt agreed. "Anyway, it's a good story.

Better write a couple pages before you go over to the theater--let that other stuff go."

Jerry nodded and with a quick glance at the clock, sat down at his typewriter.

"Ready, Penny?" called Salt, picking up his camera and heading for the door.

"In a minute."

Penny hesitated and then walked over to Jerry's desk.

"Jerry, you'll be careful, won't you?" she asked anxiously.

"Oh, sure," he agreed. "If I see Danny first, I'll start running."

"Do be serious, Jerry! You know, there's a chance Danny may be hiding in the swamp."

The carriage of Jerry's typewriter stopped with a jerk. He now gave Penny his full attention.

"What's that about Danny being in the swamp?"

"I didn't say he is for sure, but today when Louise and I were out there, we heard a very strange conversation."

Penny swiftly related everything that had occurred on the tiny island near the swamp entrance. She also described the bearded stranger who had ordered her away.

"That couldn't have been Danny," Jerry decided. "Not unless he's disguised his appearance."

"There was another man," Penny reminded him. "Louise and I never saw his face."

"Well, the swamp angle is worth investigating," the reporter a.s.sured her.

"Personally, I doubt Danny would ever try living in the swamp--he's a city, slum-bred man--but I'll tell the police about it."

"Do be careful," Penny urged again, turning away.

Salt was waiting in the press car when she reached the street. Quickly transferring the flowers from her own automobile to his, she climbed in beside him.

"The Hillcrest?" he inquired, s.h.i.+fting gears.

"Yes, I'll decorate the tables. Then we'll drive to the theater."

With a complete disregard for speed laws, safety stops, and red lights, Salt toured the ten blocks to the hotel in record time. Pulling up at the entrance, he said:

"While you're in there, I'll amble across the street. Want to do a little inquiring at the Western Union office."

"About the telegram Danny Deevers sent Jerry?"

"Figured we might find from where it was sent."

"I should have thought of that myself! Do see what you can learn, Salt.

It won't take me long to fix those tables."

Penny disappeared into the hotel but was back in fifteen minutes. A moment later, Salt sauntered across the street from the Western Union office.

"Learn anything?" Penny asked.

"A little. The manager told me a boy picked up the message from a rooming house on Clayton street. That's all they know about it."

"Did you get the address?"

"Sure--1497 Clayton Street--an apartment building. The clue may be a dud one though. Danny wouldn't likely be dumb enough to leave a wide open trail."

"All the same, oughtn't we to check into it?"

"We?"

"Naturally I'm included," grinned Penny. "By the way, aren't we near Clayton street now?"

"It's only a couple of blocks away."

"Then what's delaying us?"

"My conscience for one thing," Salt said, climbing into the car beside Penny. "Your father's expecting us at the theater. I'm supposed to take pictures of the visiting big-boys."

"We'll get there in time. This may be our only chance to trace Danny."

"You're a glutton for adventure," Salt said dubiously, studying his wrist.w.a.tch. "Me--I'm not so sure."

"Danny probably won't be hiding out at the rooming house," Penny argued.

"But someone may be able to tell us where he went."