“No, he had nothing to do with it.”
“His car was in the vicinity of the plant on the night of the explosion.”
“It was just accident then,” Webb maintained. “He had nothing to do with it.”
“Then you do know the persons involved?”
“If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me,” Webb said sullenly. “Why not go to the Snark and get information first hand if you want it.”
It was evident the man would reveal no more, so the deputy sheriff locked him up. Within a few minutes Professor Bettenridge and his wife were brought in, and although they indignantly demanded release, they too were placed in jail cells.
Mr. Johnson who had accompanied Major Bryan to the sheriff’s office, seemed rather stunned by the events which had transpired. He shook Penny’s hand and could not praise her enough for exposing the professor’s trickery.
“What a fool I was,” he acknowledged. “His smooth talk hypnotized me. Why, I might have paid a large sum of money to him, if it hadn’t been for you. Now I shall prosecute charges vigorously.”
The wealthy man tried to press money upon both Penny and Salt, who smilingly refused to accept it. They assured him that knowing the professor’s trick had failed was ample reward.
By the time Penny, her father and Salt finally reached the Parker home it was nearly midnight. Somewhat to their surprise, Mrs. Weems was still waiting up.