Part 19 (1/2)
”Lou, if we could get up there, we might be able to see what is going on!”
”And get caught too!”
”Not if we're careful. We can climb that tree which brushes against it, and perhaps see from there.”
”What if we should be caught?”
”We'll decide that part when the time comes,” Penny chuckled. ”This should be fun.”
Circling the shack, they climbed into the low-hanging boughs of a giant, scraggly maple tree. Inch by inch lest they make a sound which would betray them, they climbed out on the heavy branches.
”Penny, we're taking an awful chance,” her chum murmured nervously. ”If that man should look up--”
”He won't,” Penny whispered confidently. ”He's too busy with whatever he's doing.”
Lying flat on the branch, she could look directly through the gla.s.s. In the room below she saw at least four large, oval-shaped mines without detonators, made of steel.
Evidently the man had finished whatever work had brought him to the shack, for he laid aside a tool, and then went out the door, carefully locking it behind him again.
”We were too late,” Penny whispered in disgust after the man was a safe distance down the beach. ”I wish I knew why he came here! One thing is certain, he's mixed up with Professor Bettenridge on this secret ray invention.”
”Do you still believe the man is the one who was pushed off the _Snark_?”
”Yes, I do, and that part we can learn!” Realizing that much valuable time was being wasted, Penny slid down from the tree, snagging a stocking in the process. She helped Louise to reach the ground.
”What's the plan now?” her chum asked.
”Webb evidently is returning either to Professor Bettenridge's shack or to town. Let's overtake him and I'll ask a few questions. After helping fish him out of the river, I certainly have the right.”
The man walked directly toward the shack which contained the secret ray apparatus, but when he drew close, paused and whistled twice as if in signal. No response came from within the cabin. Seemingly the man expected none, for he turned and selected a trail which led toward the road.
At that moment, the shack door opened. Professor Bettenridge, his wife, and Mr. Johnson came out together, chatting pleasantly. Without paying the slightest heed to Webb, they walked toward the farmhouse.
”What do you make of all that?” Louise asked in perplexity.
”I'm not sure,” Penny admitted. ”But I have a suspicion the professor doesn't want Mr. Johnson to know Webb is here today. He might insist on a test of the secret ray machine.”
”Why all the mystery? Professor Bettenridge certainly can't expect to sell the invention unless he can give a successful demonstration.”
”I suspect that may be the point, Lou. Things aren't properly set for a successful test today. Tomorrow night may be a different story.”
”But if the machine is as good as the professor claims, it should explode mines as well one time as another.”
”It should,” Penny agreed, ”but whether or not it does, is a horse of a different color. My guess is that the professor is a fraud, and that Webb helps him in his scheme.”
The man believed to be Webb walked so rapidly that the girls realized they would lose sight of him unless they hastened on. Cutting across a field, they were able to get ahead of him.
”Yes, it's Webb,” Penny whispered as they waited for the man to approach.