Penny Nichols Finds a Clue Part 18

The story hinted that Belton City police had been unable to cope with the situation and that local insurance companies long hara.s.sed by an organized gang, had turned the case over to private detectives.

Above the latter statement someone had written the name of Christopher Nichols in pencil.

Penny carefully folded the newspaper, replacing it upon the chair exactly as she had found it.

"Let's get away from here before we're caught," she urged. "I suspect we're in a Molberg hideout."

"Nothing would please me better than to leave this place," Susan retorted grimly. "Just lead me to an exit."

"I think the tunnel probably will take us out. Come on, let's see."

Returning to the roadster the dark pa.s.sage seemed forbiddingly dangerous. Carefully examining the concrete floor, Penny discovered tire patterns in the dirt. Other cars had used the tunnel.

With the engine at idling speed, they drove into it. The tunnel led downward at such a steep angle that soon Penny was forced to use her brakes to keep from going too fast.

"Where will this thing end?" Susan asked.

Even as she spoke they reached level ground. An ordinary double garage door barred the way. Susan sprang out to open it.

"Why, we're in an empty garage," she announced as she swung back the door.

Penny drove the roadster through and waited until Susan had closed the door behind her. Through a plategla.s.s window the girls could now see the street. But it took them some time to locate another unlocked door which permitted them to escape.

Once safely out of the building, they pulled up at the side of the road to take note of their surroundings. At first they could not imagine where they were.

"Why, this must be Arlington Avenue," Penny decided. "We're several hundred feet lower than we were when we left that dead-end street on the hilltop!"

"What a clever means for a crook to escape a police chase!"

"Yes, isn't it? I'm almost certain the place has been used by the Molberg gang."

"Then we can't get away from here too quick," Susan declared nervously.

Penny laughed.

"We're safe enough now. Besides, I imagine this escape is never used except in an emergency--probably only when the police are hot on the trail."

Susan glanced at her watch.

"It's after ten o'clock and I promised mother I'd be back at nine."

"I'll take you straight home," Penny promised. "I don't suppose I need to mention it, but I think we shouldn't tell anyone about what we discovered tonight. At least not until the police have been notified."

"Of course not," Susan agreed instantly. "Why don't you have your father make the report for us?"

"I'd like to handle it that way, if you don't mind," Penny said eagerly.

"Then let's leave it that way. Aside from Mr. Nichols we'll not tell a soul about our discovery tonight."

A few minutes later the girls took leave of each other. Penny continued alone toward her own home.

Turning a corner in one of the outlying neighborhood business sections, she noticed a girl in blue hurrying along the street. Recognizing Betty Davis, Penny halted her roadster at the curbing.

The girl did not notice for she had paused to stare into the window of a cafe. A group of young men could be seen within, laughing and talking.

It was not the type of place frequented by women, and Penny was astonished when the girl started to open the door. But with her hand on the k.n.o.b, Betty Davis seemed to reconsider, for she turned and walked rapidly away.

Penny drew alongside in her roadster.

"Going my way?" she asked cheerfully. "I'll be glad to give you a lift."

CHAPTER XI

A Threat

Betty Davis wheeled quickly about. She laughed to cover her confusion.

"Why, Miss Nichols! How you startled me!"

"I didn't mean to do that," Penny smiled. "If you're on your way home, can't I take you there in my car?"

The girl hesitated, and involuntarily, her eyes wandered toward the cafe. Then she stepped into the car.

"It's very kind of you to take me home, Miss Nichols. I'm not out alone this late in the evening as a rule, but something important came up. I searching for my brother."

"Jimmie?"

"Yes, how did you know?"

"I think your father mentioned his name."

"He didn't say anything about----" Betty broke off, finishing with an embarra.s.sed laugh: "but then I know he didn't."

"Your father only mentioned that he had a son by that name," Penny said, eyeing her companion curiously.

"Jimmie is a good boy but he's caused father a great deal of worry,"

Betty added, feeling that some explanation was required. "Lately he's fallen in with bad companions."

"That is a pity," Penny murmured. "You mentioned that you were looking for him. Can't I help you?"

"Oh, no," Betty told her hastily, "I don't think I'll bother after all."

Penny permitted the matter to drop but she was not mistaken in suspecting that the reason her companion had decided to give up the search was because she already had located her brother at the cafe.

"Won't you come in for a few minutes?" Betty urged when the car stopped at her door. "Father isn't due home until late tonight and I'm all alone."