Guilt of the Brass Thieves

R JOE

the swinging boom and there was a tiny jagged cut just behind his ear. A glance satisfied t

owing an inclination to slam over again, she q

s. His bewildered gaze rested u

bled, raising

him back. "Lie sti

the boat backwards off the mud bank. He

position. He rubbed his head. Bewilder

id huskily. "We're ha

nny, wiping perspiration fro

t out an

nough. You took a na

an "I told you so" attitude. There had been no excuse for running aground. Sally Bar

words coming with difficulty. "The water wa

aled to her for sympathy. Suddenly, Penny's r

ll get off somehow. If necessary, I

ocks, and rolled up his slacks above his knees. "I g

ow water. Applying his shoulder to the Spindrift's bow, he pushe

t to the shoal. Then inch by i

Penny cried

afely away from the shoal. Wet and pl

rboard is damaged. When we went aground I should have pull

it be r

water for several days. And the race will be h

sympathetically. "Perhaps the c

tom of the Spindrift and by means of a hoist and crane, lifted the boat a few feet out of water. A piece had been b

k fumed. "It will take days to r

of the day he tried to make amends to Penny. They swam together a

t me at anything," Jack said ruefully. "G

" Penny tripped him. "Didn't

ace was a fluke," he added. "The wind was tricky a

's alibis, Penny tur

s daughter might like to visit his steel plant and airplane factor

wn of Osage. Occupying many city blocks, the property included an airplane

as the taxi cab approached the entrance to the main factory. "We operate

s, and from the chimneys of the steel p

rom the furnaces?" Penny asked eagerly

ding if your feet hold o

ith pouchy eyes, halted

e, and then recognized the plant owner. His manner changed in

n. I have some friends with m

gateman invited, swi

fluorescent lights gave the effect of daylight. Overhead carriers were lifting newly b

building," Mr. Gandiss explained proudly. "Miraculously they c

s, pilot and bombardier floors were assembled, he explained. In one room the party paused to w

s," Penny's father praised, much impressed. "I

on falls down in any one department, results could be serious." Mr. Gandiss frowned and added: "N

arts hasn't curtailed p

e loss on a yearly basis will become considerable. The guilty persons mu

m where hundreds of girls in slacks, their hair bound by

trangely, we lose more brass and copper from

explain it?"

ed they are being misled by someone.

d man with a push broom, watched them with deep interest. Known as Joe the Sweeper, though his real name was Joseph J

two years ago, he had an accident that was entirely his own fault. We immediately put him in

im go?" Mr. Pa

us, so we are responsible for looking after him. We would like to pension

hough too far away to hear what was said. With amusing haste, he swept his w

a minute, Mr. Gandiss?" h

tory owner discouraged hi

voice so that it was barely audibl

er and brass from you

ed Mr. Gandiss. He gazed a

kin help you. W

are able to provide information which will lead to the apprehension

girl in this room stick a piece of brass into

as the

. A blond piece

no value," Mr. Gandiss said impatie

e a few nights," Joe supplied hastily. "You'l

ormation pro

a crafty light and he jerke

, "but you can get her name easy enough. S