Part 7 (1/2)

Now and then, from the audience of newspapermen out front, came an occasional ripple of laughter or clapping of hands as they applauded a speaker.

”Sounds pretty dull,” thought Penny. ”Guess it's lucky Dad cooked up the shooting stunt. If everything goes off right, it should liven things up a bit.”

Wandering on down a hall, she came to one of the dressing rooms. Stacked against the outside wall were hundreds of freshly printed newspapers ready for distribution.

Penny flipped one from the pile and read the headline: ”REPORTER SHOT IN ARGUMENT WITH ELECTRICIAN!”

Beneath the banner followed a story of the staged stunt to take place. So convincingly was it written, Penny had to think twice to realize not a word was true. Other columns of the paper contained regular wire news stories and telephoto pictures. Much of the front page also was given over to an account of the convention itself.

”This will make a nice souvenir edition,” Penny thought. ”Wonder where Jerry is? The stunt will be ruined if he doesn't get here.”

Salt came down the corridor, loaded heavily with his camera, a tripod, a reflector, and other photographic equipment.

”Jerry here yet?” he inquired.

”I haven't seen him. It's getting late too.”

”He'll be here,” Salt said confidently. ”Wonder where I'd better leave this revolver?”

Setting the photographic equipment on the floor, he took the revolver from his coat pocket, offering it to Penny.

”Don't give it to me,” she protested.

”Put it in the dressing room,” he advised. ”I can't keep it, because I've got to go out front and shoot some pictures.”

”Is the revolver loaded?” Penny asked, taking it unwillingly.

”Sure, with blanks. It's ready for the stunt.”

Penny carried the weapon into the dressing room and deposited it on one of the tables. When she returned to the corridor, Salt had gathered up his equipment and was starting away.

However, before he could leave, an outside door slammed. Jim, the doorman, burst in upon them.

”Young feller, is that your car parked in the alley?”

”Yeah!” exclaimed Salt, startled. ”Don't tell me the cops are handing me a ticket!”

”Some feller's out there, riflin' through your things!”

Salt dropped his camera and equipment, racing for the door. Penny was close behind.

Reaching the alley, they were just in time to see a man in a dark suit ducking around the corner of the building.

”Hey, you!” shouted Salt angrily.

The man turned slightly and vanished from view.

”Wasn't that the same fellow who was in the auto accident?” Penny demanded.

”Looked like him! Wonder if he got away with anything?”