Hoofbeats on the Turnpike

L

elf in perplexity. "I didn't hear him steal away. H

want-ad department, she hastily returned there. To

re. If you find him, ask for his

exit to the street. Breathlessly she asked the elevato

ith a long

ane. Which wa

tell yo

him?" Penny dem

as talking to himself like he was a bit cracked in th

it," Penn

at hand throngs of persons poured from the various offices. Amid the bustling

ully. "He gave me the newspaper clipping just to stir

r information leading to the capture of a Headless Horseman! Why, it sounded fantastic. But the adv

od an empty desk. For many years that desk had been occupied by Jerry Livingston, crack reporter, now absent on military

ped out their stories. She nodded to Mr. DeWitt, the city editor, waved

e greeted him ch

w

to smile fondly at his one and only child. He was a tall, lean

olstered chair in fron

"the answer is no! Not one cent until your

of money-at least not such a trivial amount as exchanges hands on my

undred

it myself," Penny a

may I

enny grinned mischievously. "It seems that

Mr. Parker began to show irritation. "Pe

ld fellow who looked like Rip Van Winkle gave it to me. Then he di

isement at a glance. "Bunk

y hotly. "It was printed

blished it or where.

rtain Witch Doll?" teased Penny. "I started off on what looked like a foolish chase, bu

ou'll ever l

ing the jibe. "There's a big story in this

me assign you the task of trac

talking my

ration. "The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow! That story was wri

oftily. "I remember one of the characters was Ichabod Crane. He

e tapped the newspaper clipping. "And so is this

Carefully she folded it into her purse. "Dad, I'm convinced Sleepy Hollo

say Bur

ers the reward. He signe

ld be John Burmaster, the millionaire? Probably not. But I recall that a man by

"You see the story does have substa

you find

cate. I can trace him through the Hob

ms to decide. Now scram out

y, giving him a big hug. "Now about fina

airy kiss, she pranc

red chum sat listlessly on the porch reading a book, but she jumped to her feet as she saw her fr

" she deman

to launch forth into a grand and glorious adventure. Ho

ts me," chuckled Louise. "W

wer your questions. Our first problem

isolated little locality less than a day's journey from Riverview. Penny was further encouraged to learn that the valley she

on't run into any mystery," Louise said phil

ad said it was up to

ways glance. "That seems li

Pack your suitcase, Lou. We'll start

s as she entered her own home a few minutes later. She found Mrs. Wee

eems remonstrated as the girl reached for one of the fr

oor, she drew them up beneath her and balanced like an acrobat. Forthwith she launched into a glowing

" she protested. "Headless Horsemen, my word! I'm afraid

arge of the household. However, the task of raising Penny had been almost too much for the patient woman. Though s

ain early tomorrow," said Penny briskly. "We'll

r father sai

it was up

Then the matter is settled.

"Please don't ruin all our plans

. Weems, unmoved. "I see no reason why I shoul

get a dandy story

uth is that you crave adventure and excitement. It's a t

d to play he

ilies have gone on for generation after generation. The place must fairly swim

nterest. As Penny very well knew, collecting a

ny went on, pressing home the advantage she had g

are as transpa

will le

. "I've learned to my sorrow that in

t of the kitche

morrow morning for Red Valley. And if I don't earn that five