The Clock Strikes Thirteen

  CHAPTER 15 _TRACING BEN BOWMAN_

  "Penny, let's postpone this animated discussion until morning," Mr.Parker said wearily, reaching to switch out the bridge lamp.

  "Then you don't agree with me that the caretaker of the Tower may havesome connection with the Hoods, Dad?" she asked in an injured tone.

  "I certainly do not," he answered firmly. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'mgoing to bed."

  Decidedly crestfallen, Penny followed her father upstairs. For severalminutes she stood by the window of her room, gazing toward the HubellTower whose lights could be dimly seen across the city. Then, with ashrug, she too dismissed the subject from her mind and gave herself toslumber.

  Mr. Parker had gone to the office by the time Penny arose the nextmorning. Finding a discarded newspaper by his plate, she eagerly scannedit for an account of the midnight fire. To her disappointment, only abrief item appeared on the front page. The story merely said that thebarn of John Hancock, truck farmer, had been destroyed by a blaze ofunknown origin. In the right hand column was another news item to theeffect that Sheriff Daniels had made no progress in tracing the missingClem Davis.

  Tossing aside the paper, Penny helped with the breakfast dishes. Asgently as possible she broke the news to Mrs. Weems that she might makeanother trip to Claymore.

  "Why bother to remain home even for meals?" the housekeeper saidseverely. "I declare, I don't know what your father is thinking about toallow you such liberties! When I was a girl--"

  "It was considered very daring to go for a buggy ride without achaperon," Penny completed mischievously. "Now, I'm very sorry about lastnight. Louise and I didn't intend to remain out so late."

  "It was after one o'clock when you came in," Mrs. Weems replied, hervoice stern. "You know I don't approve of such hours for a girl of yourage."

  "I promise it won't happen again. Please let me go to Claymore though.I'm expected to buy playground equipment for the Riverview Orphans' newcamp."

  Exerting all her charm, Penny explained the necessity for the trip.Finally convincing Mrs. Weems that the excuse had not been "thought up"on the spur of the moment, she was granted the requested permission.

  Penny's next move was to induce Louise Sidell to accompany her on theexcursion. Both girls laid siege to Mrs. Sidell who somewhat dubiouslysaid that her daughter might go, providing she would be home bynightfall.

  Recalling her father's instructions, Penny called at the RiverviewOrphans' Home to talk with the matron. There she obtained a list ofplayground equipment to be purchased, with suggested prices for eachitem.

  As the girls were leaving the institution they met Miss Anderson andpaused to inquire about Adelle.

  "The child seems to be nervous and unhappy," the young woman told them."Especially so since she ran away. We sincerely hope she will presentlybecome adjusted."

  Penny asked if there was any prospect the little girl would be adopted.

  "Not very soon," Miss Anderson answered regretfully. "In fact, her nameis not on the list of eligibles. We never allow a child to leave the Homeuntil we feel that he or she is capable of adapting himself to newconditions."

  The drive to Claymore was an enjoyable one, and by eleven o'clock, thegirls had purchased many of the items on their list. To the amusement ofthe department store salesman, they insisted upon testing teeter-totters,swings, and even the slides.

  "All this equipment is for the Riverview Orphans' Home--not forourselves," Penny explained. "The committee will pay for it."

  "Very well, we'll send the merchandise just as soon as a cheque isreceived," the salesman promised, giving her an itemized bill.

  Feeling very well satisfied with their purchases, Penny and Louisewandered into another department of the store. The delightful aroma offood drew them to a lunch counter, and from there they went to the mainfloor.

  The store was very crowded. As Penny was inspecting a pair of gloves on acounter, a man pushed past her, and ran toward the nearest exit. Insurprise she turned around, unintentionally blocking the way of a storedetective. Shoving past her, he pursued the first man only to lose him inthe milling crowd near the front door.

  "That fellow must have been a shoplifter!" Penny remarked to Louise. "Ithink he got away too!"

  The unexpected commotion had drawn the interest of many shoppers.Mingling with the crowd, the girls heard a woman tell a companion thatthe man who had escaped was wanted for attempting to pass a forgedcheque.

  A moment later, the store detective came striding down the aisle. Pausingat the jewelry counter he spoke to the floorman, confirming the report.

  "Well, the fellow escaped! He tried to pass a bum cheque for fiftydollars."

  "What name did he use?" the floorman inquired.

  "Ben Bowman. It will be something else next time."

  Penny had heard the words. Startled by the name, she moved hastily to thedetective's side.

  "Excuse me," she addressed him, "did I understand you to say that a manby the name of Ben Bowman forged a cheque?"

  "That's correct, Miss," the detective answered, staring at her curiously."Know anything about the man?"

  "I think I may. Would it be possible for me to see the cheque?"

  The detective removed it from a vest pocket, offering the signature forinspection. One glance satisfied Penny that the cheque had been signed bythe same man who had been sending her father "crank" messages.

  "At home I have a telegram which I'm sure bears this identicalsignature!" she revealed. "I've never seen the man though--except as heran through the store."

  The store detective questioned Penny at length about her knowledge ofBowman. Realizing that a description of the man might be of great valueto her, he showed her a small card which bore a mounted photograph.

  "This is Ben Bowman," he assured her. "He's an expert forger, and usesany number of names. Think you can remember the face?"

  "I'll try to," Penny replied. "He doesn't seem to have any distinguishingfeatures though."

  "His angular jaw is rather noticeable," the detective pointed out. "Browneyes are set fairly close together. He's about six feet two and dresseswell."

  Penny was highly elated to have gained a description of Bowman, andespecially pleased that the man had been traced to Claymore. The factthat he was a known forger, encouraged her to hope that police soon wouldapprehend him.

  "That one hundred dollars Dad offered for Bowman's capture is as good asmine already," she boasted gleefully to Louise as they left the store."All I need to do is wait."

  "No doubt you'll collect," Louise admitted grudgingly. "I never metanyone with your brand of luck."

  "I feel especially lucky today too," Penny said with a gay laugh. "Tellyou what! Let's make another tour of the vegetable markets."

  "It will make us late in getting home. The time is sure to be wastedtoo."

  "Oh, come along," Penny urged, seizing her by the arm. "I promise to haveyou in Riverview no later than three o'clock."

  In driving into Claymore that morning the girls had noticed a largeoutdoor market near the outskirts of the city. Returning to it, Pennyparked the car, and with her chum wandered about the sales area.

  "A nice fat chicken?" a farm woman asked persuasively, holding up anuninviting specimen. "Fresh eggs?"

  "We're looking for melons," Penny replied.

  "Mr. Breldway has some nice cantaloupes," the woman returned. "He got atruck load of 'em in from Riverview just the other day."

  Locating Mr. Breldway's place of business, Louise and Penny began toinspect the melons offered for sale. Almost at once they came upon abasket of cantaloupes which bore a blurred stamp.

  "Louise, these look like the Davis crop!" Penny cried excitedly."Wouldn't you say someone deliberately had blocked out the old marking?"

  "It does appear that way."

  "Maybe we can find just one melon with the original stamp!"

  Penny dug into the baske
t with both hands, tossing up cantaloupes forLouise to place on the ground. Their activities immediately drew theattention and displeasure of Mr. Breldway.

  "If you're looking for a good melon let me help you," he said, hurryingtoward them.

  Penny straightened, holding up a cantaloupe for him to see.

  "I don't need any help," she said distinctly. "I've found the melon Iwant. It bears the Davis stamp."