The officer turned to Penny. “As for those undeveloped plates, can you get them right away?”
“I think so,” Penny returned. While Captain Bricker helped Ben up the companionway, she ran ahead to find her father and Salt and tell them of the latest developments.
The two were waiting in the press car. But when Mr. Parker learned how significant the pictures of the Conway Plant explosion might prove to be, he surprised Penny by declining to turn them over immediately to the police.
“We may want those plates for the Star,” he declared. “If the police once get their hands on them, it might be a job to get them back again in time to be of any use to us.”
“But Jason Cordell’s arrest may depend upon them,” Penny protested.
“We’ll have the plates developed, and let police see them,” Mr. Parker decided. “But the plates must remain in our hands. Come on, let’s go!”
At a nod from the publisher, Salt started the press car, and without being instructed, headed for the Star building.
“How long will it take you to develop those plates?” Mr. Parker asked the photographer.
“Ten minutes.”
“Good!” approved the publisher. “If they reveal anything, we’ll telephone the police station at once.”