“Listen!” commanded Salt. “A plane!”
Distinctly they both could hear the roar of a motor to the eastward.
“That’s an unidentified ship,” Salt declared, reaching for another telephone. Taking down the receiver he said tersely: “Army Flash,” and went on to report the position of the passing airplane.
Penny had gone to the doorway. She could see the wing lights of the passing ship. As she watched, the lights descended in a steep glide.
“Salt!” she called. “The plane is landing!”
The photographer darted to the platform to see for himself. “You’re right!” he exclaimed. “It’s coming down at the Deming estate!”
“Mr. Deming is due home tonight from the East,” Penny added. “That must be his plane.”
Salt went inside to complete his report to headquarters. As he rejoined Penny, they saw a man trudging along the road toward the tower.
“My relief,” said the photographer. “I’m free to go.”
Gathering up his belongings, he followed Penny to the waiting taxicab. There a brief conference was held. The girls were in favor of searching for the yellow taxi, but Salt pointed out that the chance of finding it was a slim one. He proposed that they return to the mansion and try to force information from Mrs. Botts.