“Mystery?”
“Lou’s joking,” Penny said quickly. She gave her chum a hard look which was not lost upon Mr. Emory.
“Why, Penny!” Louise refused to be silenced. “Only a few minutes ago you were telling me about a radio broadcast said to come from a cave!”
“That was just my idea,” Penny said, confused. She jumped hastily to her feet. “We really should be going, Lou.”
“Oh, don’t hurry away.” Mr. Emory offered Louise another sandwich. “Speaking of mysterious radio stations, I’ve heard of one that is said to be located in a cave somewhere along these shores. Fact is, I’ve searched for it.”
“You have?” Penny asked, sinking back into the sand. “Any luck?”
“None. But I did manage to kill quite a few afternoons. I take it that your father came to Sunset Beach to help the authorities search for the station. Right?”
“Why, whatever made you think that?” Penny asked, instantly on guard. “Do you know my father?”
“I regret I haven’t the honor. I chanced to overhear a conversation at the hotel.”
“Oh,” Penny murmured. She was certain that the information could have leaked out in only one way. Her father had told Mrs. Deline, who in turn had spread the news about the hotel.