CHAPTER 20 _CLEM DAVIS' DISCLOSURE_
After Clem Davis had disappeared into the woods, Penny wasted no moretime in the vicinity. Jumping into her car, she drove home in a daze ofexcitement, to tell her father the amazing story.
"Meeting that man was wonderful luck!" she assured him exultantly. "Why,if only he reveals what he knows, we will get an exclusive story for the_Star_! We'll expose the Hoods and put an end to the organization!"
"As easy as that?" laughed Mr. Parker. "Seriously though, I think we areon the verge of cracking the story. In going over the books of the CountyCooperative, Jerry has discovered any number of discrepancies."
"I've always thought that Hank Holloway might be connected with theHoods, Dad! I believe he was the night rider who made off with Mrs.Davis' melons."
"Any idea who the other members of the outfit may be?"
"Not yet, but I expect to find out when I meet Clem Davis tomorrow."
"I'll go with you," Mr. Parker declared. "Maybe I should take SheriffDaniels along too."
"Oh, Dad," Penny protested indignantly. "I promised to help Clem, notturn him over to an officer. I am afraid that unless I go alone, he'llnot even show himself."
"Perhaps it would be best for you to go by yourself," the editoradmitted. "Learn what you can from Davis, and make an appointment for himto see me."
Another matter weighed heavily on Penny's mind. In her encounter withClyde Blake that morning, she had acted in a high-handed manner, andsooner or later her father must hear about the cheque episode.
"Dad, I have a confession to make," she began awkwardly. "When I reachedthe camp this morning I found that Mr. Blake had induced the boardmembers to buy the property--"
"Never mind," Mr. Parker interrupted. "I've already heard the details ofyour disgraceful actions from Mrs. Van Cleve."
"I'm thoroughly ashamed of myself," Penny said contritely. "I tore up thecheque on the spur of the moment."
"It was a foolish, rather dramatic thing to do. However, I mustacknowledge the result was highly pleasing to everyone save Clyde Blake."
"What does he have to say, Dad?"
"He claims that he acted in good faith for Benjamin Bowman. Likewise,that he had no suspicion the title was faulty."
"Naturally he would take such an attitude."
"I've asked Blake to produce Ben Bowman," Mr. Parker resumed. "Unless hecan do so and prove that the property actually is owned by him, the dealis off."
"Do you think Blake will bring the man to Riverview?"
"I doubt it very much," the editor answered. "I suspect he'll bluff, andfinally let the deal go by default. It will be an easy way out for him."
"Blake always seems to escape his misdeeds. I wish we could find BenBowman ourselves, and bring the two men together. That would beinteresting!"
"Finding Ben Bowman would serve many useful purposes," Mr. Parker saidgrimly. "But now that I would actually welcome a communication from him,he no longer pesters me!"
Eagerly Penny awaited the hour appointed for her meeting with Clem Davis.Knowing that the man did not obtain enough to eat, she spent considerabletime the next afternoon preparing a lunch basket of substantial food.Taking it with her, she waited at the camp site for nearly a half hour.Finally, just as she began to think that the man had failed her, heappeared.
"I've brought you some hot coffee," Penny said, taking the plug from athermos bottle. "A little food too."
"Say, that's swell!" the man murmured gratefully. "My wife slips me ahandout whenever she can, but lately the house has been watched soclosely, she can't get away."
Seating himself at the picnic table, Clem Davis drained the cup of coffeein a few swallows, and greedily devoured a sandwich.
"Now what do you want to know?" he asked gruffly.
Mr. Parker had told Penny exactly what questions to ask. She began withthe most important one.
"Mr. Davis, tell me, who is the head man of the Hoods?"
"I don't know myself," he answered promptly. "At the meetings, the Masteralways wore a robe and a black hood. None of the members ever werepermitted to see his face."
"You have no idea who the man may be?"
Clem Davis shook his head as he bit into another sandwich. "I doubt thereare more than one or two members of the order who know his identity. HankHolloway might, or maybe Charley Phelps."
"Is Phelps a member?" Penny asked quickly.
"One of the chief ones. Most of the meetings are held at his place."
"You don't mean at the Hubell Tower?"
Penny's pulse had stepped up to a faster pace, for the information was ofthe greatest value. Furthermore, it thrilled her that her own theoryregarding Charley Phelps was receiving support.
"Sure, the Hoods meet at the Tower about once a month," Clem Davisdisclosed. "Usually they get together on the thirteenth, but sometimesthey have extra sessions. When special meetings are held, a green lightburns on the tower, or the clock strikes thirteen times just atmidnight."
"I thought so!" Penny exclaimed, highly elated. "Tell me, why did youdecide to break your connection with the Hoods?"
"I joined the organization before I knew what I was letting myself infor. When they made plans to burn the Preston barn, I wanted to quit. TheHoods threatened me, and to get even, planted evidence that made it lookas if I had set the fire."
Penny was inclined to believe that Clem Davis had told a straight storyfor it coincided with her own theories. Always it had seemed to her thatevidence pointing to his guilt had been entirely too plain. Tocorroborate her conclusions, she had brought from home the watch fobfound at the Davis stable, hoping that he might identify it.
"That's not mine," he said promptly when she showed the article to him."I never saw it before."
Penny opened the tiny case, displaying the child's picture. However, theman had no idea who the little boy might be.
"Mr. Davis," she said quietly, replacing the watch fob in her pocket. "Ibelieve in your innocence, and I want to help you. I am sure I can,providing you are willing to cooperate."
"I've already told you about everything I know."
"You've given me splendid information," Penny praised. "What I want youto do is to talk with my father. He'll probably ask you to repeat yourstory to the Grand Jury."
"I'd be a fool to do that," Clem Davis responded. "I can't prove any ofmy statements. The Preston fire would be pinned on me, and the Hoodsmight try to harm my wife. Why, they ran off with a truck load of ourmelons the other night."
"I know. But unless someone has the courage to speak out against theHoods they'll become bolder and do even more harm. Supposing you werepromised absolute protection. Then would you go before the Grand Jury?"
"Nothing would give me more pleasure. But who can guarantee I'll not bemade to pay?"
"I think my father can," Penny assured him. "Will you meet him heretomorrow night at this same hour?"
"Okay," the man agreed, getting up from the table. "You seem to be on thelevel."
"I'll bring more food tomorrow," Penny said as an extra inducement. "Youmust have had a hard time since you've been hiding out in the woods."
"Oh, it's not so bad once you get used to it," the man shrugged. "I'vegot a pretty good place to sleep now."
"Inside a building?" Penny asked curiously.
"An automobile," the man grinned. "Someone abandoned it in the swamp andI've taken possession."
"An old one, I suppose."
"Not so old," Clem Davis answered. "Funny thing, it's a 1941 Deluxe modelwith good upholstery. The only thing I can see wrong with it is that thefront grill and fenders have been smashed."
"The car isn't by chance a gray one?"
"Yes, it is," the man admitted. "How did you guess?"
"I didn't guess," Penny returned soberly. "I have a suspicion that car isthe one which killed two people about a year ago. Mr. Davis, you musttake me to it at once!"
br />