Prodding in the muddy pile in the bottom of the dredge net, Penny uttered a little scream of joy. “The brass lantern is here, Jack! What wonderful luck!”
Seizing the slime-covered object, she washed it in the river. “Let’s take it straight to Sally at the hospital!” she urged.
Because the lantern would be important evidence in the case against Glowershick, police aboard the dredge were unwilling for it to be removed. However, the young people carried the news to Sally.
“Oh, I’m so glad the lantern has been recovered!” she cried happily. “Jack, you’ll win it in the race Friday.”
Jack and Penny exchanged a quick, stricken glance. Temporarily, they had forgotten the race and all it meant to Sally. With her hands bandaged from painful burns, she never would be able to compete.
“We’ll postpone the race,” Jack said gruffly. “It would be no competition if we held it without you.”
“Nonsense,” replied Sally. “It will be weeks before I can use my hands well, so it would be stupid to postpone the race that long. Fortunately, the doctor says I may leave the hospital tomorrow, and I’ll not be scarred.”
“If you can’t race, I won’t either,” declared Jack stubbornly.
“Jack, you must!” Agitated, Sally raised herself on an elbow. “I’d feel dreadful if you didn’t compete. The race has meant everything to you.”
“Not any more. Winning doesn’t seem important now. I’ll not sail in the race unless the Cat’s Paw is entered, and that’s final!”