CHAPTER 20 A DESPERATE PLIGHT

In the rowboat, Claude Harper slowly patrolled the area, keeping an alert watch for the slightest movement amid the grass. Once as a crane arose from the dense growth into the darkening sky, he focused a flashlight beam on the spot.

“He’s prepared to stay here half the night if necessary,” Penny thought, shivering.

She could think of no means of escape. When it became completely dark, she might be able to swim away without being detected. But long exposure in cold water had weakened her, and she was none too certain of her ability to reach shore.

Her absence at the island surely must have been noticed by this time, she reasoned. Why was not a boat sent in search of her?

“I hope they don’t assume I am staying with Sally for the night,” she worried.

Penny’s thoughts were momentarily distracted as she heard indistinct voices from the direction of the Harper dock. Lights had been turned on in the house and basement.

“Those men are getting rid of the stolen brass,” she reasoned. “If they try to sell it to Heiney, they still may be caught.”

Presently the motorboat moved away from the Harper dock, its engine laboring. The craft was sunk low in the water as if from a heavy load.

The boat did not turn down stream as Penny expected. Instead, it crossed the river at right angles, stopping in mid-stream at the deepest part of the channel. There the engine was cut off.

“Now what?” thought Penny.

Claude Harper likewise seemed puzzled by the action, for he turned to stare, muttering to himself.

Though Penny could not see what the men were doing aboard the boat, she heard a loud splash as something heavy was dropped overboard.

“The fools!” Claude Harper exclaimed. “The fools!”

Another splash and still another followed. Then the boat turned and came toward the grass patch. Claude Harper hailed the men with an angry exclamation.

“You idiots! After all the risk we’ve taken, you dump our profits in the river!”

“Keep your shirt on!” Sweeper Joe retorted. “It was the only thing to do. Glowershick just phoned from town.”

“What’d he have to report?”

“Nothing good. You know that junk shop where we arranged to sell our stuff? Where the owner offered us a higher price than any other place in town?”

“Well?”

“He was a dick, planted there by old man Gandiss himself. They’ve already got wind of who’s in on the deal.”

“Then if we try to sell the brass anywhere else, we’ll be pinched.”

“You’re catching on, Harper.”

“Have you dumped all the stuff in the river?”

“It will take two more trips at least. And there’s the brass lantern to get rid of,” Joe added. “As soon as the job is done, Clark and me are gettin’ out of the city.”

“What are Ma and me gonna do?” Harper whined. “We’ve got property here.”

“That’s up to you,” Joe snapped. “If it wasn’t for the gal you’d be safe enough. Seen anything of her?”

“Nary a sign.”

“She may have slipped away under water. The gal swims like an eel.”

“I don’t think she got away. I been watchin’ like a hawk.”

“She’s sure to spill everything, and she’s seen plenty,” Joe muttered. “Even though the cops don’t find any evidence, they could make it plenty tough for you and the missus.”

“We got to leave town,” Harper admitted. “After takin’ all this risk and bein’ all set to cash in big, it’s a dirty break. It ain’t fair.”

“Squawkin’ won’t do no good,” Joe said shortly. “The question is, what are we goin’ to do about the gal?”

“We got to make sure she won’t carry no tales until we’re safely out of town.”

“Then we’ll have to flush her out of this bird nest,” Joe decided. “There’s a way we can do it.”

The manner in which she was to be caught, soon became apparent to Penny. Systematically, the men began to flatten all of the grass with their paddles and oars. Foot by foot, she retreated. Their strategy was discouragingly clear. The flattened grass no longer offered protection. Soon it all would be level with the water, and she would have no screen.

So cold that her limbs were nearly paralyzed, Penny considered giving herself up. In any case, the outcome would be the same. The only other recourse was to scream for help, and hope that someone along the shore would hear her and investigate.

With only the Harper house close by, the prospect that anyone would come to her aid was practically nil.

Angered at not finding the girl, Harper and his companions swung their paddles viciously. Penny retreated further, still reluctant to abandon freedom.

Then far downstream, she saw the River Queen, recognizing it by the pattern its lights made above the water. The ferry had finished its passenger run, and now apparently was coming upstream to anchor for the night.

As Penny watched the boat, she took new hope. If only she could signal Captain Barker or Sally! Unless the ferry changed course, it was almost certain to pass the grass patch. However, with the water shallow there, it would give the area a wide berth.

“Even if I shouted for help, no one aboard would hear me,” she reasoned. “But I’ll have to try something! I’m finished if I stay here.”

Straight up the river came the Queen. Penny could see a man in the lighted pilot house, but no one was visible on the decks. The ferry was traveling at a rapid speed.

Penny decided to wait no longer. Creeping to the very edge of the grass, she ducked under water, and started to swim. Her strength had gone even more than she realized. Arms and legs were so stiff they barely could press against the water as she stroked. A few feet and she was forced to come to the surface.

“There she is!” shouted Sweeper Joe. Bringing the boat around, he started directly for her.

Penny swam with all the power at her command, stroking deep and fast. Not daring to look back, she could hear the dip of Sweeper Joe’s oars.

Straight toward the deepest part of the channel, she propelled herself. Her crawl strokes were jerky, but they carried her along. And she had calculated well. Aided by the current, she would intercept the path of the oncoming River Queen.

From the water, the ferryboat looked like an immense monster as it steamed majestically up the river. Not wishing to attract attention to himself or his companions, Joe shipped his oars and temporarily gave up the chase. But he remained close by, watching alertly. Should the ferryboat fail to see or pick up Penny, he would be after her upon the instant.

Treading water, the girl shouted for help and waved an arm. Her voice was weak even to her own ears, and could not possibly carry to the pilot house of the Queen. Would her frantic signals be seen? The night was dark, and she was not yet in the arc of the vessel’s lights.

Penny swam a few more strokes, then treaded water again, and signaled frantically. The River Queen did not slacken speed.

“They haven’t seen me!” she thought desperately. “It’s useless.”

Now a new danger presented itself. The Queen had swerved slightly so that Penny was directly in its path. Still she had not been seen. Looming up in gigantic proportions above her, the ferry threatened to run her down.