“No, Clem didn’t know it himself. He says the Master never shows himself to anyone, but always appears in mask.”
Mr. Parker began to pace the floor, a habit of his when under mental stress. The information Penny had acquired was of utmost importance. He believed it to be authentic, but he dared not overlook the possibility that Clem Davis had deliberately lied.
“We must move cautiously on this story,” he said aloud. “Should we make false accusations against innocent persons, the Star would face disastrous lawsuits.”
“You’re not going to withhold the information from the public?” Penny demanded in disappointment.
“For the present, I must. The thing for us to do is to try to learn the identity of the head man. Any news published in the Star would only serve as a tip-off to him.”
“You’re right, of course,” Penny agreed after a moment of silence.
“Now that we have such a splendid start, it should be easy to gain additional information,” the editor resumed. “You say the meetings usually are held on the thirteenth of the month?”
“That’s what Clem Davis told me.”
“Then we’ll arrange to have the Tower watched on that night. In the meantime, I’ll see Davis and learn what I can from him. Jerry is working on the County Cooperative angle of the story, and should have some interesting facts soon.”
Penny knew that her father was adopting a wise policy, but she could not help feeling slightly disappointed. Always eager for action, she had hoped that Clem Davis’ disclosures would lead to the immediate arrest of both Hank Holloway and Charley Phelps. However, she brightened at the thought that at least additional revelations might follow her father’s meeting with the fugitive.