"The suitcase really doesn't matter," Rhoda interrupted again. "You see, the sapphire--"

Jerry, Mr. Parker and Penny were not listening. Already they were running to the press car. The publisher started the engine with a roar, and the automobile raced off to make a quick turn and speed toward the city.

Disregarding the icy road, Mr. Parker drove at high speed. Once the car skidded dangerously and barely missed a ditch.

Soon they approached the outskirts of the city. Penny watched the riverfront intently. She was the first to glimpse the familiar long, black automobile parked close to the dock where Rhoda had hidden her suitcase.

"There's Highland's car!" she cried. "He and Winkey must be here!

Probably they're under the dock now! Highland is armed, Dad."

"Then our best bet is to try to keep the men in sight until police catch up with us," Mr. Parker said, pulling up beside the other car. "We're unarmed and can put up no fight."

"If those birds are under the dock on the ice, they're taking their lives in hand," observed Jerry quietly. "All day, the river's been on the verge of breaking up. When she goes, it will be with a bang!"

Penny opened the car door and leaped out. "I can't see anyone down there," she said anxiously. "Do you suppose they abandoned the car after getting the suitcase?"

Fearful that they had arrived too late, the trio ran down a boardwalk to the docks.

Suddenly, Mr. Parker caught Penny by the arm, restraining her.

"There they are!" he whispered. "See! Just coming out from under the dock!"

Two men, easily recognized as Jay Highland and Winkey, climbed from beneath the long dock. The hunchback was burdened with a suitcase.

"What will we do?" Penny whispered. "We can't let them escape with the sapphire!"

"Listen!" commanded Jerry. "I have a hunch we won't need to do anything except wait!"

Even as he spoke, a loud crack not unlike the report of a gun, sounded along the riverfront. The ice was breaking up!

Jay Highland and his companion, well aware of their danger, began to run.

Frantically, they sought a place at which to climb up over the high docks. But too late. Already the river ice was clearing away. A great crack appeared directly in front of the two men.

In panic, they started the other way, only to see water on all sides.

Then the block on which they stood, began to drift slowly off.

"Help!" shouted Winkey hoa.r.s.ely. "Help!"

In panic, the hunchback turned his eyes sh.o.r.eward. Seeing Penny, her father and Jerry on the planking above, he realized that only arrest faced him if he were rescued. Fear gave way to blind rage.

"You'll never get the sapphire!" he shouted. "I'll see it in the bottom of the river first!"

Raising the case high over his head, he hurled it into the churning water. The next instant the ice beneath his feet gave way, and both he and his master plunged into the river!

CHAPTER 25 _THE STAR SAPPHIRE_

In a moment, the two men reappeared above the surface of the water, struggling frantically for grips on the floating cakes of ice.

Coiled around a dock post lay an old rope which had not been taken in for the winter. Jerry and Mr. Parker quickly obtained it and tossed it squarely between the two men.

Both grasped it and were pulled slowly toward sh.o.r.e.

Just then a police car drove up at high speed, parking close by.

"Salt's telephone call went through!" Penny cried, signaling to the officers who piled out of the car. "The police arrived just when we need them!"

The shivering pair had no opportunity to attempt escape. As they were pulled out of the water, officers placed them under arrest.

"All right! You've got us!" snarled Winkey. "But you'll never find the suitcase! It's at the bottom of the river!"

"Quiet!" Jay Highland warned him. "Anything you say will be used against us!"

Gazing gloomily at the churning water where the suitcase had been lost, Penny asked if the river might not be dragged after the ice had gone out.

"We'll mark the place," an officer promised. "Don't count on the case being found though. The current is fast here. Objects could be carried a long distance."

Sullen and silent, the two prisoners were removed to the police car.

After consulting with Mr. Parker, officers agreed to take Highland and Winkey to the monastery enroute to the lockup. By confronting them with their victims, it was hoped Winkey at least, might make damaging statements.

Penny, Jerry, and Mr. Parker followed close behind as the police car sped to the monastery. Other policemen had arrived there, summoned by Salt.

The front door had been broken in, and a search was being made of the building.

Spying Salt at the gate, Penny ran to ask if Mr. Ayling, Mr. Merkill, and Rhoda's grandmother had been released.

"Rhoda's inside now, showing the officers the different rooms," the photographer explained. "Why don't you go on in?"

"Guess I will," Penny agreed, starting up the driveway. "I certainly hate to tell her the bad news though. The sapphire has been lost in the river!

It was in her suitcase."

Jerry and Mr. Parker overtook the girl as she entered the monastery.

Hearing voices in Mr. Highland's study, they all went there.

A fire had been rebuilt in the grate, and cult members, released from their rooms, were being herded into the chamber. Mrs. Hawthorne, looking very ill, lay on a couch, covered by coats. Beside her, Rhoda hovered anxiously.

Seeing Penny, the girl crossed the room to whisper: "Grandmother is very sick, but Captain Duveen of the police force says she will pull through all right. We've sent for an ambulance to take her to the hospital."

"Have Mr. Ayling and Mr. Merkill been freed yet?"

"Police are down in the crypt now. Did you catch Winkey and that cruel Jay Highland?"

"We did," Penny replied, "but the story is too long to tell now. I'm afraid though, I have bad news."

"How do you mean?"

"The sapphire is gone. Winkey hurled your suitcase into the river."