Guilt of the Brass Thieves

RASS

eck. With a change in the wind direction, the air had become sud

hug of a laboring motorboat was heard for an instant, then died away. It

he cried a

ome three sharp bl

k, tossing a lock of wet hair out of h

e picked up!" Penny

rather drown than accept help fro

, "this is no time for false pride. We're in a p

ed Jack, completely squelched. "I sure a

Queen. Suddenly she distinguished its high decks and was dismayed to see th

his arms. Realizing the danger of being run

ot seemingly unaware of the little boat l

Jack shouted hoarsely

Penny struggled to her feet, preparing to jump overboard. But instead, she heard a serie

akly on the seat. Then he straightened up again int

ng to be picked

so that the current would swing th

up a lowered ladder onto the River Queen's slippery deck. A few curious pas

n Barker, owner of the ferry. He was a short, stubby, red-faced man,

boy admitted briefly. "

g orders for the motorboat to be taken in tow. "It wa

oilskin hat and coat, one easily might have mistaken her for a boy. Impatiently she brushed aside a s

ed, enjoying the boy's discomfiture. "Imag

he retorted grimly. "Just

ack, Sally studied Penn

you?" she

," Penny explained, volunteering their names. "We wer

gory details here," Jack br

all wet," correcte

Barker instructed with high good humor. "I'll

t the island?" Jack inquired

" the captain promised. "No time now. We ha

companionway and down the stairs to the pri

ined briefly. "Pop and I make the run every hou

e of her father's warm sweaters to put on over his sodden garments, offered Pe

to an adjoining cabin where she could change her clothes.

." Penny wriggled o

or the trophy race too!" Sally's dark eyes danced and she added

in partition of the cabin. "Why, that old sa

at Penny. In a whisper she explained: "I always get a kick out of tormenting J

Penny. "It sounds interesting-

hing warm to drink before we dock at Osage. Here, give me those wet cl

ptain's daughter conducted the party

n. "And what will you have to go with it?

f mustard," laughed Penny, enj

offee," said Jack stiffl

steaming hot coffee, revived the drooping spirits of the t

oom was poorly furnished, with an ancient red carpet and wicker chairs. Passengers were absor

l it shone like gold. Sam Barker, whose father before him had sailed a river boat, w

ody was hexagonal in shape, its panes of glass protected by bars of metal. A two-part

d. "For many years it was kept in the Country Club as a curio. Then two seasons a

contributed. He pointed to his name and

ing," Sally added with a grin. "The race next we

lly, why must you be so stubborn about hanging it here on the

ed Sally, her tone warning him he had gon

"is that you can't vouch for the honest

e lantern being stolen," Sally retorte

es

racing committee agreed to that. The lante

n it back, and I don't want to see it do a

rtly. "I accept full responsibi

the ferry was approaching shore. As those aboard began to gather up

id to Penny and Mr. Parker. "I'v