NIGHT PROWLER
When Penny, her father, and the Gandiss family returned late that afternoon to Shadow Island, a strange motorboat was tied up at the dock. On the veranda a man sat waiting. Although his face appeared familiar, Penny did not recognize him.
Her father, however, spoke his name instantly. "Heiney Growski! Anything to report?"
Penny remembered then that he was the detective who had been placed in charge of the junk shop near the Gandiss factory.
The man arose, laying aside a newspaper he had been reading to pass the time. "I've learned a little," he replied to Mr. Parker's question. "Shall we talk here?"
"Go ahead," encouraged Mr. Gandiss carelessly. "This is my son, Jack, and our guest, Penny Parker. They know of the situation at the factory, and can be trusted not to talk."
Though seemingly reluctant to make a report in the presence of the two youngsters, the detective nevertheless obeyed instructions.
"Since opening up the shop, I've been approached twice by a man from the factory," he began.
"That sweeper, called Joe?" interposed Mr. Parker.
"Yes, the first time he merely came into the place, looked around a bit, and finally asked me what I paid for brass."
"You didn't appear too interested?" Mr. Parker inquired.
"No, I gave him a price just a little above the market."
"How did it strike him?"
"He didn't have much to say, but I could tell he was interested."
"Did he offer you any brass?"
"No, he hinted he might be able to get me a considerable quantity of it later on."
"Feeling you out."
"Yes, I figure he'll be back. That's why I came here for instructions. If he shows up with the brass, shall I have him arrested?"
Mr. Parker waited for the factory owner to answer the question.
"Make a record of every transaction," Mr. Gandiss said. "Encourage the man to talk, and he may reveal the names of others mixed up in the thefts. But make no arrests until we have more information."
"Very good, sir," the detective returned. "Unless the man is very crafty, I believe we may be able to trap him within a few weeks."
After Heiney had gone, Jack and Penny went down to the dock together to retie the Spindrift. The wind had shifted, and with the water level rising, the boat was bumping against its mooring post.
"By the way, Jack," said Penny as she unfastened one of the ropes to make it shorter, "I forgot to congratulate you upon winning the race this afternoon."
"Skip it," he replied grimly.
Penny glanced at him, wondering if her ears had deceived her.
"Why, I thought you were crazy-wild to win," she commented.
"Not that way." Jack kept his face averted as he tied a neat clove hitch. "I guess I made myself look like a heel, didn't I?"
For the first time Penny really felt sorry for the boy. Resisting a temptation to rub salt in his wounds, she said kindly:
"Well, I suppose you felt justified in asking for the trophy."
"I wish I hadn't done that, Penny. It's just that Sally gets me sometimes. She's so blamed cocky!"
"And she feels the same way about you. On the whole, though, I wonder if Sally has had a square deal?"
Jack straightened, staring at the Spindrift which tugged impatiently at her shortened ropes. Waves were beginning to lap over the dock boards.
"You mean about the factory?" he asked in a subdued voice.
Penny nodded.
"I never did think Sally was a thief," Jack said slowly. "Judging from Heiney Growski's report, someone may have planted the brass in her locker. Probably that fellow Joe, the Sweeper."
"Don't you feel she should be cleared?"
"How can we do anything without proof? This fellow Joe isn't convicted yet. Besides, he's only one of a gang. Sally could be involved, though I doubt it."
"You're not really convinced then?" Penny gazed at him curiously.
"Yes, I am," Jack answered after a slight hesitation. "Sally's innocent. I know that."
