“There’s nothing more to be done,” Carl Oaks responded with a shrug. “The Coast Guard boat will come along after awhile. I’m not going to worry about it—not me! I’m done with this lousy job, and you can tell your father so.”
“My father can bear the shock, I think,” Penny answered coldly.
Thoroughly disgusted at the indifferent attitude of the watchman, she ran out on deck. Looking down over the side, she saw Louise waiting anxiously in the dinghy.
“Oh, there you are!” her chum cried. “I thought you never were coming!”
Penny explained that she had found Carl Oaks lying bound and gagged inside the deck house. As the old watchman himself came up behind her, she could say nothing about his indifferent attitude.
“I wondered how you got out to this barge,” Oaks commented, gazing down at the dinghy. “You can take me to shore with you.”
“Isn’t it your duty to remain here until relieved?” Penny asked.
“I resigned, takin’ effect last night at midnight,” Oaks grinned. “I’ve had enough of Riverview. I’m getting out of this town.”
Penny faced the watchman with flashing eyes.
“My father obtained this job for you, Mr. Oaks. You’ll show very little gratitude if you run off just because you’re in trouble again.”