CHAPTER
21
A BROKEN PROMISE
“You want me to take you to the abandoned car now?” Clem Davis echoed in surprise. “It’s located deep in the swamp, just off a side road.”
“Would it require long to get there?” Penny asked thoughtfully.
“A half hour at least. With night coming on you wouldn’t be able to see a thing.”
“It is getting dark,” Penny admitted regretfully. “Everything considered, I guess it would be better to wait until tomorrow. But in the meantime, I wish you would search the car carefully. Get the engine number—anything which might help to identify the owner.”
“The engine number has been filed off,” Clem answered. “I’ll give the car a good going over though to see what I can learn. Thanks for the food.”
Raising his hand in a semi salute, the man started into the woods.
“Don’t forget to meet Dad and me tomorrow night,” Penny called after him. “We’ll be waiting here about this same time.”
The interview with the fugitive had more than fulfilled Penny’s expectations. Driving straight home, she made a full report of the talk to her father. Breathlessly, she revealed that the Hoods held monthly meetings at the Hubell Tower, and that both Hank Holloway and Charley Phelps were members of the order.
“You weren’t able to learn the name of the head man?” Mr. Parker questioned.