“I half expected this to happen,” Mr. Parker remarked as he drove toward Riverview. “Unless we can get Davis to swear to his story, we haven’t a scrap of real evidence against the Hoods.”
“We may learn something on the night of the thirteenth,” Penny said hopefully.
“Possibly, but I’m beginning to wonder if everything Davis told you may not have been for the purpose of deception.”
“He seemed sincere. I can’t believe he deliberately lied to me.”
Submerged in gloom, Penny had little to say during the swift ride into Riverview. She could not blame her father for feeling annoyed, because the trip had cost him two hours of valuable time. Clem Davis’ failure to appear undoubtedly might deprive the Star of a spectacular scoop.
“Never mind,” Mr. Parker said to comfort her. “It wasn’t your fault. We’ll find another way to get our information.”
The car proceeded slowly through the downtown section of Riverview. Turning her head to read an electric sign, Penny’s attention was drawn to a man in a gray suit who was walking close to the curb.
“Dad, stop the car!” she cried, seizing his arm. “There he is now!”
“Clem Davis?” Mr. Parker demanded, swerving the automobile toward a vacant space near the sidewalk.
“No! No! Ben Bowman! I’m sure it is he!”