Having notified the police, Mr. Parker felt that his duty was done, but not Penny.
“Dad, can’t we go there too?” she pleaded. “Ben is in trouble and we may be able to help him.”
“I don’t see what we could do, Penny. Besides, you know how I feel about Ben.”
“And you’re dead wrong. You’ve done him a dreadful injustice. Tonight may prove it.”
Mr. Parker wavered, then suddenly gave in. “All right, get your heavy coat,” he instructed. “It will be cold along the waterfront.”
Penny raced for the warm garment and joined her father and Salt as they were backing the press car out of the driveway.
“The Snark is tied up at Pier 23,” Penny directed. “Straight down this street and turn at Jackson.”
The car reached the docks, parking alongside a dark warehouse. There was no sign of the police. A short distance away, the Snark with only dim deck lights showing, and no one in view, tugged at her heavy ropes.
“We’ll wait for the police,” Mr. Parker decided.
Within five minutes, two cars glided noiselessly up to the pier and a dozen men in uniform leaped out. Captain Bricker, in charge of the squad, strode to the Snark and called loudly: “Ahoy, there!”