Sweeper Joe and Clark Clayton paddled off, heading for the pier at the Harpers'. The other man remained in his rowboat, unquestionably detailed to keep watch of the gra.s.s patch and prevent the girl's escape.

To amuse himself, he began to call out to her, though he could not see her or know where she was.

"You think you're a clever one!" he taunted. "But you jest wait! We'll get you out o' there, and when we do, you ain't goin' to like it!"

Lest a movement of the gra.s.s or a splash betray her, Penny remained perfectly still. Shadows deepened on the river for night was fast coming on. Her muscles became stiff and cramped. The wind chilled her to the very bone, and the water which at first had not seemed unbearably cold, made her teeth chatter and dance. Each minute became an hour as the torture increased.

"I'll have to do something," she thought desperately. "I can't endure this much longer."

CHAPTER 20 _A DESPERATE PLIGHT_

In the rowboat, Claude Harper slowly patrolled the area, keeping an alert watch for the slightest movement amid the gra.s.s. 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 sh.o.r.e.

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 a.s.sume 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 bas.e.m.e.nt.

"Those men are getting rid of the stolen bra.s.s," 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 gra.s.s 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 d.i.c.k, 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 bra.s.s 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 bra.s.s 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 gra.s.s with their paddles and oars. Foot by foot, she retreated. Their strategy was discouragingly clear. The flattened gra.s.s 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 sh.o.r.e 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 pa.s.senger run, and now apparently was coming upstream to anchor for the night.