Voice from the Cave

OF TH

open the flap. The beds had been torn apart. Her purse, hidden ben

a thief!" she

rection he had taken. She could hear no s

lf. "No use chasing him. I never

A preliminary check revealed that besides the pocketbook,

Penny congratulated herself. "It was a good le

supply of groceries had been ransacked. Bread

ted. "Probably some shiftless person w

cases. As she finished the task, she heard footsteps outside. Fearful that the thi

" she exclaimed, rushing out to

ha

e had frightened away

wning. "I didn't suppose there was

ad. He wore dirty, mussed clothing and

ld a f

g to me. And he ran

ntering the tent to check over his belongings. "Pro

know who the f

glad Louise is coming tomorrow. I certainly don't

stay with me?" Penny

nning on being

Mrs. D

ou're imp

er today? I looked

o for a little walk. No

y said loftily. "Personally, I consider he

nough of

grimly, "but never sa

xpect to be busy the next few days helping local authori

O

sent here to aid in the work. My

ny said contritely. "

n't stop to think," Mr. Parker lectured

bother you about

. "I realize you've had an unpleasant time of it so far

r surprise you

smiled. "However, I promise you that what's

dropped, she gathered that he was expecting a visitor within a day or so. That rather disappointed her, f

at camp for a few minutes, Mr. Parker repo

ondered. "Don't know of anyone in the area answering such

however, the same ranger returned to camp, bringing the missing pocketbook. It

d the purse?" Penn

Trail not fa

s dropped o

ail for a quarter of mile, then lost

mmented Mr. Parker thoughtfully. "Perhaps he

to go, he did assure Penny again that every

park we'll get him," he declare

of steak and potatoes that Penny prepared failed to sufficiently warm the two tenters.

s a few drops splashed against the windshield.

the weather improves I'd not blame her one bit if

newspaper by the light in the car, grumbling because the news was so old. Presently he switched on the ra

night, or the station has changed to another time.

tor of that secret station is an e

possib

ell me all

dmit I came here hoping to help State authorities

es have y

rker laughed. "I'll tell you every

f!" Penny hinted. Abruptly swinging open the ca

night the rain had ceased and a hot morning sun soon dried out the drenched canvas. M

ised as she sat down on a camp stool beside him. "

dropped two plump fried eggs on his daughter's plate and took t

shall we start f

offee and then answered: "Afraid I w

ise will be e

r. Parker corrected. "I have an i

ed to see Mrs. Deline. Recalling that she had made her father a promise,

onsented. "Just go e

the camp put in order. By eleven o'clock

e," Mr. Parker i

a quarter away. There was little travel on the winding highway which curled along the be

her time and enjoyed the ocean scenery. The tide was coming in and gulls

ine figure hastening toward the lighthouse on Crag Point. The woman wore a

certainly going to the lighthouse! I wonder if that

Deline was too far away to observe the automobile. Intent only upon her own affai

the fun!" ch

e visitor. He called something to the woman that Penny could not he

Deline away. Instead, he greeted her with a hearty handshake as if they were old friends