The Penny Parker Megapack: 15 Complete Novels (57 page)

“Dad, you must admit that it was a stroke of genius when I bought back that old car,” remarked Penny. “Why, if it hadn’t been for Lena, Al Gepper surely would have escaped.”

“That and the fact you always run your cars on an empty tank,” responded Mr. Parker. “I suppose you foresaw the future when you made your brilliant purchase?”

“Not exactly. It was just a feeling I had—the same sort of hunch which came to me when I found the silken ladder at Kano’s Curio Shop. If I depended upon a mere brain to solve mysteries, why I’d be no better than the police.”

“Your modesty overwhelms me,” chuckled her father. “I’m thankful my other reporters aren’t guided by their instincts. Otherwise I might have a scoop a day.”

“There’s one thing which annoys me,” Penny said, frowning.

“And what is that?”

“Two of Al Gepper’s tricks haven’t been explained. How was he able to raise a table and read a message in a sealed envelope?”

“I was talking to the Chief of Police about that letter trick only this morning, Penny. Magicians often employ it. Wasn’t the message written on a pad of paper before it was placed in the envelope?”

“Yes, it was.”

“Then very likely Gepper read the message from the pad. He could have placed carbon paper beneath the second or third sheets. Possibly he resorted to a thin covering of paraffin wax which would be less noticeable.”

“Now that I recall it, he did glance at the pad! How would you guess he lifted the table?”

“Were his hands held high above it, Penny?”

“Only an inch or two. However, he never touched the table. I was able to see that.”

“Could he have used sharp, steel pins held between his fingers?”

“I doubt it. But I think I know what he may have used! Did you notice two small suction cups which were taken from his pockets by the police?”

“Well, no, I didn’t, Penny.”

“The longer I mull over it, the more I’m convinced he used them to raise the table. They could be held between the fingers and wouldn’t be observed in a darkened room. Dad, if I can get those rubber cups from the police, I’ll have some fun!”

The telephone rang. It was Mrs. Weems calling to ask if Penny were safe. Mr. Parker replied in the affirmative and handed the receiver to his daughter.

“Penny, I just read your story in the paper,” the housekeeper scolded. “You never should have pitted yourself against those dangerous men! I declare, you need someone to watch you every minute.”

“I need you,” said Penny. “And so does Dad. Why not promise to stay with us instead of going away on a trip?”

“Of course, I’ll remain,” came Mrs. Weems’ surprising answer. “I made up my mind to that two days ago. You and your father never could take care of yourselves.”

“What will you do with your inheritance, Mrs. Weems?”

“I hope your father will invest it for me,” replied the housekeeper meekly. “One thing I know. No medium will tell me what to do with it.”

The hour was late. Penny felt relieved when her father locked his desk in preparation for leaving the office.

They walked through the newsroom, down the stairway to the street. A middle-aged man in a brown suit and derby hat alighted from a taxi, pausing as he saw them.

“Mr. Parker!” he called. “May I speak with you?”

The publisher turned, recognizing him. “Mr. Henley!” he exclaimed.

“I have just come from the police station,” the advertiser said in an agitated voice. “I was told that your daughter is responsible for the capture of the men who robbed our home tonight.”

“Yes, Penny managed to have a rather busy evening,” smiled Mr. Parker. “I hope you suffered no loss.”

“Everything was recovered, thanks to your daughter. Miss Parker, I realize I never can properly express my appreciation.”

“I was sorry I couldn’t prevent the burglary,” replied Penny stiffly. “As it turned out, the capture of the crooks was mostly due to luck.”

“You are too modest,” protested Mr. Henley. “I’ve talked with the police, you know. I am truly grateful.”

The man hesitated, evidently wishing to say more, yet scarcely knowing how to shape his words. Penny and her father started to move away.

“Oh, about that contract we were discussing today,” the advertiser said quickly.

“Yes?” Mr. Parker paused.

“I’ve been thinking it over. I acted too hastily in deciding to cancel.”

“Mr. Henley, please do not feel that you are under obligation,” said the publisher quietly. “Even though Penny accidentally did you a favor—”

“It’s not that,” Mr. Henley interrupted. “The
Star
is a good paper.”

“The best in Riverview,” said Penny softly.

“Yes, it is!” Mr. Henley declared with sudden emphasis. “I tell you, Parker, I was irritated because of a trivial mistake in my firm’s copy. I’ve cooled off now. Suppose we talk over the matter tomorrow at lunch.”

“Very well,” agreed Mr. Parker. “The Commodore Hotel at one.”

Bowing to Penny, Mr. Henley retreated into a waiting taxi and drove away.

“How do you like that, Dad?” Penny inquired after a moment’s silence.

“I like it,” answered Mr. Parker. “The
Star
could have limped along without Mr. Henley. But the going would have been tough.”

“He’ll renew the old contract?”

“Oh, yes, and probably give us a better one. Stealing Mr. Henley’s words, I am truly grateful.”

Penny gazed at her father with twinkling eyes.

“Are those idle words, Dad? Or are you willing to back them in a material way?”

“I might,” grinned Mr. Parker. “Present your bill.”

“Well, Dad, I’ve discovered to my sorrow that I can’t support two cars on my present allowance. I need a generous raise.”

“You could get rid of Lena.”

“Why, Dad! After her noble work tonight!”

“No, I suppose not,” sighed Mr. Parker. “You’ve earned an increase, and I may as well grant it.”

“Retroactive to the time I started working on the story,” added Penny. “I figure if you pay back allowance, I’ll be solvent once more!”

“You drive a hard bargain,” chuckled the publisher. “But I’ll agree.”

Arm in arm, they started on down the street. Rounding a corner of the
Star
building they abruptly paused before the plate-glass window to watch a long, unbroken sheet of white paper feed through the thundering press. Freshly inked newspapers, cut and folded, slid out one upon the other to be borne away for distribution.

“It’s modern magic, isn’t it, Dad?” Penny said reflectively as the great machine pounded in steady rhythm.

“Yes, Penny,” her father agreed. “And for this edition, at least, you were the master magician!”

THE SECRET PACT

CHAPTER 1

ABOARD THE GOODTIME

A blanket of fog, thick and damp, swirled about the decks of the excursion steamer,
Goodtime
, cautiously plying its course down the river. At intervals, above the steady throb of the ship’s engines, a fog horn sounded its mournful warning to small craft.

“I hope we don’t collide with another boat before we make the dock,” remarked Louise Sidell who stood at the railing with her chum, Penelope Parker.

“That would be a perfect ending for an imperfect day,” returned Penny, fitting her coat collar more snugly about her throat.

“An imperfect day! I call it a miserable one. Rain and fog! Rain and fog! It’s made my hair as straight as the shortest distance between two points.”

“Mine’s as kinky as wool.” Impatiently Penny brushed a ringlet of golden hair from her eyes. “Well, shall we go inside again?”

“No, I’d rather freeze than be a wallflower,” the dark-eyed girl responded gloomily. “We haven’t been asked to dance once this evening.”

“That’s because we came without our own crowd, Lou. Except for that couple yonder, we’re practically the only persons aboard unattached to a group.”

Penny jerked her head in the direction of a young man and girl who slowly paced the deck. Earlier in the evening their peculiar actions had attracted her attention. They kept strictly to themselves, avoiding the salon, the dining room, and all contact with other excursionists.

“I wonder who they are?” mused Louise, turning to stare. “The girl wears a veil as if she were afraid someone might recognize her.”

“Yes, I noticed that, and whenever anyone goes near her, she lowers her head. I wish we could see her face.”

“Let’s wander over that way,” proposed Louise.

Arm in arm, they sauntered toward the couple. The young man saw them coming. He touched his companion’s arm and, turning their backs, they walked away.

“They did that to avoid meeting us!” Louise declared in an excited undertone. “Now why, I wonder?”

The couple had reached the end of the deck. As the young woman turned to glance over her shoulder, a sudden gust of wind caught her hat. Before she could save it, the head-gear was swept dangerously close to the railing.

Not giving the young man an opportunity to act, Penny darted forward. Rescuing the hat, she carried it to the couple.

“Thank you,” the girl mumbled, keeping her head lowered. “Thank you very much.”

Quickly she jammed the felt hat on her head and replaced the veil, but not before Penny had seen her face clearly. The young woman was unusually pretty with large brown eyes and a long, smoothly brushed black bob.

“This is certainly a miserable night,” Penny remarked, hoping to start a conversation.

“Sure is,” replied the young man with discouraging brevity.

He tipped his hat and steered his companion away from the girl.

Ruefully Penny returned to Louise who had been an interested spectator.

“Did you get a good look at the pair?” she asked eagerly.

“Yes, but I’ve never seen either of them before.”

“They wouldn’t talk?”

“No, and the girl lowered her veil as soon as she could.”

“Perhaps she’s a movie actress traveling in disguise.”

“Aboard a river excursion boat? I’m afraid not, Lou.”

“Then maybe she’s a criminal trying to elude the police.”

“I fear the mystery of her identity must remain forever unsolved,” chuckled Penny. “We’ll dock in another five minutes.”

Through the fog could be seen a dim glow of lights along the Riverview wharf. The
Goodtime
, its whistle tooting repeated signals, was proceeding more slowly than ever. Sailors stood ready to make the vessel fast to the dock posts when she touched.

Passengers began to pour from the salon, and Penny and Louise joined the throng. Many persons pushed and jostled each other, trying to obtain a position close to the gangplank.

Suddenly a girl who stood not far from Penny gave an alarmed cry.

“My pocketbook! It’s gone!”

Those near her expressed polite concern and assisted in searching the deck. The missing purse was not found. Before the captain could be notified, the gangplank was lowered, and the passengers began to disembark from the steamer.

The girl, whose pocketbook had been lost, remained by the railing, quite forgotten. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

“Excuse me,” said Penny, addressing her, “is there anything I can do to help?”

Disconsolately, the girl shook her head. She made a most unattractive picture, for her blouse was wrinkled and her skirt was spotted with an ugly coffee stain. Beneath a brown, misshapen roll-brim hat hung a tangle of brown hair.

“Someone stole my pocketbook,” she said listlessly. “I had twelve dollars in it, too.”

“You’re sure you didn’t leave it anywhere?” Louise inquired.

“No, I had it in my hand only a minute ago. I think someone lifted it in the crowd.”

“A pickpocket, no doubt,” Penny agreed. “I’ve been told they frequent these river boats.”

“Nearly everyone has left the steamer now, so I suppose it would do no good to notify the captain,” commented Louise.

She and Penny started to turn away, then paused as they noticed that the girl remained in the same dejected posture.

“You have friends meeting you at the boat?” Penny inquired kindly.

“I haven’t any friends—not in Riverview.”

“None?” Penny asked in surprise. “Don’t you live here?”

“No,” answered the girl. “I’ve been working as a waitress at Flintville, up-river. The job played out last week. Today I took this boat, thinking I might find work in Riverview. Now I’ve lost my purse and I don’t know what to do or where to go.”

“Haven’t you any money?” inquired Penny.

“Not a cent. I—I guess I’ll have to sleep in the park tonight.”

“No, you won’t,” declared Penny. Impulsively, she opened her own purse and, removing a five dollar bill, thrust it into the girl’s hand. “This isn’t much, but it may tide you over until you can find work.”