“You’re not aiming to write up anything I’ve told you for the paper?” she asked anxiously.
“Not unless I believe that by doing so I can expose these night riders who have destroyed your barn.”
“Please don’t print anything in the paper,” Mrs. Preston pleaded. “It will only do harm. Those men will turn on John harder than ever.”
Before Mr. Parker could reply, the roof of the storage barn collapsed, sending up a shower of sparks and burning brands. By this time the red glare in the sky had attracted the attention of neighbors, and several men came running into the yard. Realizing that he could not hope to gain additional information from the woman, Mr. Parker began to examine the ground in the vicinity of the barn.
“Looking for hoof tracks?” Penny asked, falling into step beside him.
“I thought we might find some, providing the woman told a straight story.”
“Dad, did you ever hear of an organization such as Mrs. Preston mentioned?” Penny inquired, her gaze on the ground. “I mean around Riverview, of course.”
Mr. Parker shook his head. “I never did, Penny. But if what she says is true, the Star will launch an investigation. We’ll have no night riders in this community, not if it’s in my power to blast them out!”
“Here’s your first clue, Dad!”
Excitedly, Penny pointed to a series of hoof marks plainly visible in the soft earth. The tracks led toward the main road.