"If you want or could use me. I'm a long way from an expert, but I do know a little about sailboats. We have one in Riverview. However, I never competed in a race."

"I'd be tickled pink to have you!"

"Then it's settled."

"But what about the Gandiss family? You are their guest."

"That part is a bit awkward," Penny admitted. "But they are all good sports. I'm sure no one will hold it against me."

"After I was discharged from the factory?"

"That really wasn't Mr. Gandiss' doing, Sally. The plant is so large he scarcely knows what goes on in some departments. You were discharged by the personnel manager."

"I realize that."

"Didn't Mr. Gandiss write you a letter asking you to come in for a personal interview?"

"Yes, he did," Sally acknowledged reluctantly. "I was angry and I tore it up."

"Then you shouldn't blame Mr. Gandiss."

"I'm not blaming him, Penny. I like Mr. Gandiss very much. In fact, I like him so well I never could bear to accept favors from him."

"Not even to clear your name?"

Sally washed her hands at the river's edge, and rolled down the legs of her overalls. "The person who put that bra.s.s in my locker hasn't been caught?" she inquired softly.

"Not to my knowledge."

"Then all Mr. Gandiss could do would be to offer me another chance,"

Sally said bitterly. "I'll never work in the factory on that basis. If I am cleared completely, then I am willing to go back."

"Mr. Gandiss is trying to solve the mystery of those thefts," Penny declared. "I know that to be a fact. Have you any idea who the guilty parties might be?"

Sally straightened up, digging at paint which had lodged beneath her fingernails. She did not answer.

"You do have a clue!" Penny cried.

"Maybe." Sally smiled mysteriously.

"Tell me what it is."

"No, I intend to work by myself until I'm sure that I'm on the right track. I've not even told Pop."

"Does it have anything to do with Sweeper Joe?"

Sally's expression became blank. "I don't know much about him," she dismissed the subject. "My information concerns a certain house upriver.

But don't ask me to tell you more."

Hastily she gathered up paint cans and brush, turning to leave. "Are you really serious about racing with me tomorrow?" she demanded.

"Of course!"

"Then you're elected first mate of the _Cat's Paw_! Meet me at the yacht club dock at six in the morning for a trial workout. The preliminary race is at two."

"I'll be there without fail."

"And bring a little luck with you," Sally added with a grin. "We may need it to defeat the _Spindrift_."

CHAPTER 10 _OVERTURNED_

When Penny reached the dock next morning she found that Sally had preceded her by many hours. The varnished wood of the _Cat's Paw_ shone in the sunlight. Below the waterline, the boat was as smooth and slippery as gla.s.s.

"Isn't she beautiful?" Sally asked proudly, squeezing water from a sponge she had been using. "The rigging has been overhauled, and Pop came through at the last minute with a new jib sail. Every rope has been changed too."

"It looks grand," Penny praised. "You must have worked like a galley slave getting everything ready for the race."

"I have, but I want to win. This race means everything to me."

"Are you sure you want me to sail with you?" Penny asked dubiously.

"After all, I am not an expert. I might handicap you."

"Nonsense! There's no one I would rather have--that is, if you still want to do it. Was Jack angry when you told him?"

Penny confessed that she had not spoken to any of the Gandiss family of her intention to take part in the race. "But it will be all right," she added. "Jack really isn't such a bad sport when you get to know him. I only hope we win!"

"Oh, we'll come in among the leading five--that's certain," Sally said carelessly. "This is only a preliminary race today. The five winning boats will compete next week in the finals."

"If you lose today must you give up the trophy?"

"Not until after the final race." Sally laughed goodnaturedly. "But don't put such ideas in my head. We can't lose! I'm grimly determined that Jack mustn't beat me!"

"I do believe the race is a personal feud between you two! Why does it mean so much to defeat him?"

Sally stepped nimbly aboard the scrubbed deck, stowing away the sponge under one of the seats. "Jack and I always have been rivals," she admitted. "We went to grade school together. He used to make fun of me because I lived on a ferryboat."

"Jack was only a kid then."

"I know. But we always were in each other's hair. We competed in everything--debates, literary compet.i.tions, sports. Jack usually defeated me too. In sailing, due to Pop's coaching, I may have a slight edge over him."

"Do you really dislike Jack?"

"Why, no." Sally's tone indicated she never had given the matter previous thought. "If he weren't around to fight with, I suppose I'd miss him terribly."

Penny sat down on the dock to lace up a pair of soft-soled tennis shoes.