"The trucker could have reached Claymore by this time," the inspector responded. "Once in the city you wouldn't have much chance to pick him up. I have the truck license number though. If you'll give me all the facts, I'll make a report to Claymore police."
There was no point in pursuing the thief farther. Accordingly, Penny and Jerry provided the requested information, and then drove to the Davis farm. Regretfully, they told Mrs. Davis of their failure to trace the melon thief.
"I've lost my crop, the truck--everything," she said in a crushed voice.
"What's the use trying anyhow? A body would be smarter to go along with 'em than to try to fight."
"I take it you have a pretty fair idea who it was that came here tonight?" Jerry said shrewdly. "Who are these Hoods?"
"I don't dare tell you," the woman answered fearfully. "You saw what they did tonight. They threw the blame of the Preston fire on Clem. They'll do worse things if I don't keep mum."
"You want to help your husband, don't you?" Penny inquired.
"Of course I do! But I know better than to talk."
"You've been warned?" Jerry pursued the subject.
"Yes, I have. Now don't ask me any more questions. I've told you too much already."
"I just want to know one thing," Jerry said relentlessly. "Did your trouble start because you and your husband refused to join the Holloway Cooperative?"
"Maybe it did," the woman answered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I ain't saying."
It was apparent to Jerry and Penny that they could expect no assistance from Mrs. Davis. Although the events of the night had convinced them that Clem Davis was innocent, others would not share their opinion. They felt that by shielding the guilty parties, Mrs. Davis was adopting a very stupid attitude.
"Come along, Penny," Jerry said with a shrug. "Let's be moving."
Six reluctant orphans were rounded up from the hay loft where a boisterous game of hide and seek was in progress.
"I can jam four into my coupe if you can handle the other two in your car," Jerry remarked to Penny. "If they make you any trouble, just toot the horn twice, and I'll come back and settle with 'em!"
"Oh, we'll get along fine," she smiled. "Come along, boys."
"Here's a souvenir to remember the night by," Jerry said. From the ground he picked up two melons which he handed to the orphans. "Just don't sock the matron with them when you get back to the Home!"
"Jerry, let me see one of those melons!" Penny exclaimed suddenly. "They fell from the truck, didn't they?"
"I guess so," Jerry responded, surprised by her display of interest.
"What about 'em?"
"I'll show you."
Turning on the dash light of the car, Penny held the melon in its warm glow. Slowly, she turned it in her hands.
"There!" she said, pointing to a tiny triangle shaped marking on the cantaloupe. "This may prove a clue which will lead to the capture of the thief!"
"I don't get it," answered Jerry. "What clue?"
"Why, this stamping on the melon!" she replied excitedly. "The Hoods must intend to sell that load of cantaloupes. If they do, we may be able to trace the shipment."
CHAPTER 12 _ADELLE'S DISAPPEARANCE_
Jerry took the melon from Penny's hand to examine it.
"This stamp may be helpful," he said dubiously, "but I doubt it. The Hoods never would be so stupid as to sell melons which could be traced.
No, I think our investigation will have to center close at home."
"You're referring to the Holloway Cooperative, Jerry?"
"That outfit certainly merits an investigation. In the morning I'll jog out to their packing plant and talk to the manager, Hank Holloway."
"What time will you be going, Jerry?"
"About nine o'clock probably."
"Perhaps I'll meet you there," Penny said thoughtfully. "That is, if you don't mind."
"Glad to have you," the reporter responded in a hearty voice.
The two cars soon started for the Riverview Orphans' Home, arriving there without mishap. After unloading the boys entrusted to their care, Jerry and Penny then went to their respective residences.
"I'm glad you came at last," Mrs. Weems remarked as the girl entered the house. "You're to telephone Miss Anderson at the Riverview Orphans'
Home."
"But I just left there," Penny protested. "When did the call come?"
"About fifteen minutes ago."
Wondering what could be amiss, Penny went to the telephone. In a moment she was in communication with Miss Anderson, who assisted the matron of the institution. The young woman's voice betrayed agitation as she disclosed that following the night's outing, an orphan had been discovered missing.
"Oh, goodness!" Penny exclaimed, aghast. "One of those six boys?"
Miss Anderson's reply slightly reassured her.
"No, the missing child is a little girl who was not permitted to attend the party because of a severe cold. You may remember her--Adelle."
"Indeed I do, Miss Anderson. Tell me how I may help."
"We've already organized searching parties," the young woman returned.
"Adelle surely will be found within a few hours. However, if the story gets out it will do the institution no good--particularly at this time when our drive for funds is on."
"I see," Penny murmured, "you would like the news kept out of the _Star_?"
"Can it be arranged?" Miss Anderson asked eagerly. "If you will talk to your father about it we'll be very grateful."