Penny gazed blankly at her father. If the policeman’s information was correct, then they had nearly made a serious blunder.
“Guess we’ve been tricked,” Mr. Parker muttered. “We were told this place operates in the Black Market.”
“That’s a laugh,” responded the policeman. “Who told you that yarn?”
“I can’t divulge my source.”
“Well, you sure were taken for a ride!” the policeman taunted. “Mr. Parker, why not let the police handle the crooks while you look after your newspaper business? You’ve not been yourself since you were in that auto accident.”
Penny and her father resented the implication, but wisely allowed the remark to pass without comment. Decidedly crestfallen, they bade the policeman goodbye and returned to the iceboat.
“We’ve made ourselves ridiculous!” Mr. Parker commented bitterly as they shoved off down river. “Taken in by Sam Burkholder!”
“He probably lied to get rid of us,” agreed Penny. “By this time he’s likely removed every tire from Mattie’s garage!”
Mr. Parker nodded and did not speak again. His failure to learn the identity of the key men associated with Ropes Mollinberg, had been a bitter disappointment.
Penny handled the Icicle effortlessly and without much thought. Faster and faster the little boat traveled, its runners throwing up a powdery dust.