Part 20 (1/2)
”You didn't learn anything, did you?” Penny inquired as they drove on again.
”Not very much. Government men never will talk. But they did admit they were here trying to locate James Kippenberg.”
”Then they think he is in the locality.”
”They had an idea he would show up at his daughter's wedding. But it didn't turn out that way.”
”Did you say anything to them about Grant Atherwald's disappearance?”
”Yes, but they wouldn't discuss it. They said they had nothing to do with the case.”
Penny lapsed into reflective silence as the car went on toward Andover.
Mentally she sorted over the evidence which she had gathered that day, trying to fit it into a definite pattern.
”Jerry,” she said at last.
”Yes?”
”You'll probably laugh at this, but I have a theory about Grant Atherwald's disappearance.”
”Go ahead, spill it.”
”Yesterday when Salt and I were waiting at the drawbridge we saw a motorboat cruise down the river. It was driven by a burly looking fellow who paid no heed when we tried to hail him.”
”You're not suggesting that the man may have had something to do with Atherwald's disappearance?” Jerry questioned, mildly amused.
”I knew you would laugh.”
”Your theory sounds pretty far-fetched to me, I'll admit. It happens there are any number of burly, tough looking boatmen on the Kobalt. You can't arrest a man for a crime just because of his appearance.”
”All the same, there is supporting evidence. Mrs. Latch told me that Atherwald's note had been handed to her by a boy who in turn received it from someone in a boat.”
”Boats are rather common too. Your theory is interesting, but that's all I can say for it.”
”All right,” said Penny. ”I was about to tell you another idea of mine.
Now I won't do it.”
No amount of coaxing could induce her to reveal her thought, and the remainder of the drive to Andover was made in silence. It was well after five-thirty when the car finally drew up in front of the City Club.
Penny was not surprised to find the doors locked and no sign of Louise or Miss Frome.
”I thought they would go home without me,” she said to Jerry. ”I only wanted to make certain.”
For many miles the road led through pleasant countryside and then swung back toward the Kobalt river. The sun had dropped below the horizon by the time the automobile sped through the town of Claxton.
”Thirty miles still to go,” Jerry sighed. ”I'm getting hungry.”