Hastening along the shadowy street, Penny noticed the large electric sign on top of the Gables Hotel.
Impulsively, she stopped at the hotel.
“That Navy official Professor Bettenridge spoke of may have arrived,” she thought. “Just to make certain, I’ll inquire again.”
CHAPTER
15
THE DEMONSTRATION
Penny was due to meet Salt Sommers in ten minutes, but if she were late, she knew he would not leave without her.
Entering the crowded hotel, she waited her turn at the desk and then inquired if any Navy officers had registered.
“Not to my knowledge,” the clerk replied, consulting the register. “No, we’ve not had a Navy man in for at least a week.”
“Any Army officers?”
“The last was a sergeant who checked out two weeks ago. Most of our guests rent on a monthly basis. We have only a few rooms for transient guests.”
“Can you tell me if a Professor Bettenridge has called here in the last few days?”