Signal in the Dark Part 20

At Newhall, the girls found the sheriff, and rather excitedly, poured out their story. Although the official took a few notes, he seemed somewhat bored by it all.

"You don't know the last name of the man," he recited. "You think he may be employed by Professor Bettenridge, but you are not sure. You believe he may be a thief, but you are not positive of that either."

"One thing I am sure of!" Penny exclaimed. "He pushed me into a ditch. So at least he's guilty of that!"

"Are you willing to sign charges and appear against the man?"

"You mean I would have to come back here later on?"

"Certainly."

Penny's enthusiasm waned. "Maybe I couldn't get here," she said, thinking of her newspaper work. "Oh, well, let it go."

"I'll keep an eye on the man anyhow," the sheriff promised. "Think you have the situation sized up wrong though. We've already investigated Professor Bettenridge. He has fine credentials, and his invention seems to have merit."

"You believe it actually will explode mines?" Penny asked incredulously.

"I saw it done. Fact is, Professor Bettenridge invited me to the first demonstration he gave at the lake."

"What happened?" Louise questioned eagerly.

"A mine was dumped into the lake. Then the professor exploded it with his machine. I didn't understand how it was done, but I saw the flames shoot up when it went off. It was the real thing."

Decidedly let-down, Penny and Louise took leave of the sheriff and drove to Riverview. But as they pa.s.sed through the downtown section, Penny suddenly stopped in front of the Gables Hotel.

"I suppose I'm silly," she acknowledged, "but I still doubt the honesty of Professor Bettenridge. Just for the fun of it, I intend to run in here and learn if those Navy officials are registered."

Leaving her chum in the car, Penny was gone nearly fifteen minutes. When she returned, her face had taken on animation, so Louise knew she had interesting news.

"Just as I thought!" Penny exclaimed, sliding behind the steering wheel.

"Not a Navy officer registered in the hotel, and none expected! So how could Professor Bettenridge have an appointment here tonight? He merely told Mr. Johnson that to impress him."

"It does look that way. Still, it's possible the officers might have registered at another hotel."

"Possible but hardly probable. Lou, I believe Professor Bettenridge is a crook. I wish we could witness that demonstration of his tomorrow night!"

"I'll never be able to go," Louise said regretfully. "I'm playing in a recital--worse luck."

"I might get Salt to ride over with me," Penny thought aloud. "Well, we'll see."

The following morning she took time from her work to seek the photographer. He was in the darkroom, but the door was open. As she stepped inside, he whirled around, his face startled.

"Oh, it's you!" he chuckled in relief.

"Why, Salt!" Penny teased. "You acted as if you thought I might be a holdup man. Why so jumpy?"

"Was I?" the photographer asked, his tone queer.

"You certainly were. Anything wrong?"

"This place was entered again last night," Salt said reluctantly. "I can't figure it out."

"Anything taken?"

"Not a thing so far as I can discover. That's the strange part of it. But the films were disturbed, as if someone had searched through them."

"How did the person get in?"

"Apparently through the skylight. It was ordered locked, but it got hot in here yesterday. One of the boys opened it up, and then forgot to snap the lock."

"Did you search the roof?"

"Yes, we found footprints leading to a hall window of the next building.

That was as far as they could be traced."

"Do you suppose it could be anyone from the adjoining building, Salt?"

"Not necessarily. The person may have entered it from the street. We know he stepped out onto the roof from the hall window rather than from one of the office rooms."

Before returning to the newsroom, Penny told Salt about yesterday's adventure in the country.

"I sure would like a chance to go there with you tonight," he declared promptly. "Maybe we can get my camera back, even if those birds deny having seen it."

The morning pa.s.sed slowly, and Penny found it difficult to keep her mind on her work. Elda, however, no longer bothered her. With more important problems to worry about, Penny was not the least bit wounded by the little slurring remarks the girl made.

At noon she lunched on a sandwich and chocolate at a corner drugstore close to the _Star_ building. With half an hour to spend, she suddenly was struck by an idea.

"Why don't I talk to Jason Cordell, the _Mirror_ editor, about Ben?" she thought. "Perhaps their difficulties are based on misunderstanding."

Crossing the street to the _Mirror_ building, she found Mr. Cordell's office on the third floor. There, a secretary asked her to wait a few minutes.

Apparently an argument was in progress within the inner room, for she heard angry voices. Then a door slammed. Presently, Penny was told that she might go in.

Mr. Cordell sat at his desk, a scowl on his face. He was busy writing and barely glanced up as she entered. Finally he looked straight at her, demanding: "Well?" in a tone which sapped Penny's courage.

She wished she might retreat, but it now was too late.

"I--I am Miss Parker," she stammered. "My father is publisher of the _Star_."

"Oh, yes, yes indeed," the editor now became more friendly, and Penny took heart.

"I came to talk to you about one of your former employes--Ben Bartell."

A mask-like expression came over Mr. Cordell's face. He waited for Penny to continue.

"You discharged Ben, I believe. He's had a very hard time ever since."

"Indeed? Is he a friend of yours?"