SALLY'S HELPER
Several days of inactivity followed for Penny at Shadow Island. For the most part, Jack was friendly and tried to provide entertainment. However, he was away much of the time, supervising the work of repairing and getting the Spindrift into condition for the coming trophy race.
Sally Barker's name seldom was mentioned in the Gandiss household, though it was known that the girl intended to enter the competition regardless of her disgrace at the factory. Once Penny asked Jack point-blank what he thought of the entire matter.
"Just what I always did," he answered briefly. "Sally never took anything from the factory. It wouldn't be in keeping with her character."
"Then why isn't she cleared?"
"Father did take the matter up with the personnel department, but he doesn't want to go over the manager's head. The brass was found in her locker and quite a few employes learned about it."
"The brass was planted!"
"Probably," agreed Jack. "But it's none of my affair. Sally wasn't a very good factory worker and the personnel director thought he had to make an example of someone--"
"So Sally became the goat! I call it unfair. Did the thefts cease after she left?"
"They're worse than ever."
"Then obviously Sally had nothing to do with it!"
"Not just one person is involved. The brass is being taken by an organized ring of employes."
"I suppose it's none of my affair, but in justice I think Sally should be cleared. I don't know the girl well, but I like her."
"You may as well hear the whole story," Jack said uncomfortably. "Father wrote her a letter, inviting her to come in for an interview. She paid no attention."
"Perhaps she didn't get the letter."
"She got it all right. I met her on the street yesterday, and when I tried to talk to her, she threatened to heave a can of varnish in my face! Furthermore, she gave me to understand she intends to defeat me soundly in the race tomorrow."
"I'll be there to watch," grinned Penny. "The contest should be interesting."
While Jack was out on the river practicing for the approaching competition, Penny accompanied her father to the mainland to mail letters and make a few purchases Mrs. Gandiss had requested. In returning to the waterfront, they wandered down a street within view of the Gandiss factory.
Penny's attention was drawn to a man who came out of an alley at the rear of the plant and stood staring at a tiny junk shop which was situated directly opposite the Gandiss factory.
"There's Joe the Sweeper," she observed aloud. And then an instant later added: "That's queer!"
"What is?" inquired her father.
"Why, that junk shop! I've been down this street several times, but I never noticed it there before. I would have sworn that the building was empty."
Mr. Parker gave her a quick, amused look. "It was until yesterday," he informed.
"You seem to know all about it!" Penny suddenly became suspicious. "What are you keeping from me?"
Mr. Parker did not reply, for he was watching the man who had emerged from the alley. Joe seemed to debate for awhile, then crossed the street and entered the junk shop.
"Good!" exclaimed Mr. Parker. "Our bait seems to be working."
"What are you talking about?" Penny demanded in exasperation. "Will you kindly explain?"
"You recall Mr. Gandiss asked me to help him solve the mystery of those brass thefts at the plant."
"Why, yes, but I didn't know you had begun to do anything about it."
"Our plan may not succeed. However, we're trying out a little idea of mine."
"Does it have anything to do with that junk shop?"
"Yes, the place was opened yesterday by Heiney Growski."
Penny's blue eyes opened wide for she knew the man well. A prominent detective in Riverview, he had won distinction by solving a number of difficult cases.
