Penny Nichols Finds a Clue Part 27

Returning to their own automobile, they drove rapidly toward the Nichols home.

CHAPTER XV

Incriminating Evidence

Penny found her father occupied at his desk in the study. Recounting her experience at the Big Dipper, she offered him the license number which she had copied.

"I don't suppose it will be of any use to you since I failed to get the entire number."

"I may be able to trace the car though I rather doubt it," Mr. Nichols told her. "At any rate, from what you've seen tonight I feel confident that Rap Molberg is shipping another truck load of stolen wheels out of town. I'll tip off the police to be on the lookout."

Some months previously the detective had installed a private wire which connected him directly with the police station. He used it now to talk confidentially with the police commissioner.

"I must go downtown at once," he informed Penny regretfully after making the call. "Don't wait up for me. I probably won't return until late."

At midnight Mr. Nichols had not come home. Penny, after dozing for some hours in the big easy chair, went off to bed. Not until morning at the breakfast table did she learn of the night's activities.

"As usual we failed to make a capture," the detective acknowledged gloomily. "The police bottled up all the main highways leading from the city. All suspicious trucks were searched. We thought certain we'd catch Molberg with the goods, but he was just a little too smart for us again."

"Were many wheels stolen last night?" Penny inquired curiously.

"A good truck load at least. This case has begun to make me look like an amateur. If I don't begin to close in on the Molberg gang soon I'll be the laughing stock of the city."

"You'll solve the case," Penny smiled confidently.

"I'm not so sure of that. You see, while Molberg is a daring crook, the evidence indicates that he is merely a go-between for a far more clever criminal. A master mind plans out every move that the gang makes, yet doubtlessly that person has never been under suspicion.

Such a man always takes care to keep within the law himself although he engineers the most daring crimes by means of his henchmen."

"And of course they take all the risk."

"Yes, if his gang is broken up, he merely organizes another."

"Have you no clue as to where this so called 'master mind' may be?"

"None whatsoever. He has kept his hand well hidden. We have made a few arrests but the men can't be made to talk. It may be that they aren't even aware of his ident.i.ty."

"I don't suppose you've ever been able to get any evidence against that place where Susan bought the stolen wheel," Penny ventured.

"No, nothing of value. The owner has a very bad name. No doubt he is receiving stolen goods, but it is always hard to prove anything."

Penny relapsed into a thoughtful silence which she presently ended by saying:

"You know, Dad, a peculiar thing happened yesterday. I don't suppose it could have the slightest connection with the case and yet it set me to thinking."

"What was that?" Mr. Nichols asked smilingly.

"I saw George Brunner talking with Jerry Barrows in his office."

"That young protege of yours?"

"He isn't any longer," Penny retorted. "I realize now that I was deceived by his story. But why should he be working for Mr. Brunner?"

"That can be explained easily. I suppose Brunner didn't take the trouble to check up his record."

"He was threatening the boy," Penny reported, her eyebrows puckering into a frown. "I distinctly heard him say: 'You'll do as I tell you or--' Then he saw me and broke off."

"You're certain that was what he said?"

"Of course I am! You don't think I imagined it, I hope!"

"No," Mr. Nichols laughed, "but one's ears often distort conversation.

It does seem a little odd that Brunner should have any connection with this boy. Still, there must be a logical explanation. Brunner's reputation is above reproach, you know."

"I don't think he's so very honest," Penny declared. "After the way he acted about Susan's car I wouldn't trust him an inch."

"Brunner does make glib promises," the detective admitted. "In general, however, he seems to have operated his business honestly. He has made a great deal of money, Penny, and is considered one of Belton City's leading citizens."

"I don't see where he makes all his money," Penny complained.

"Whenever you go into his garage it's usually deserted, although he keeps a horde of discourteous workmen."

"Brunner hasn't been doing so well of late," Mr. Nichols agreed.

"I think he'd bear watching," Penny said darkly.

"I'll turn the task over to you," Mr. Nichols chuckled. "I shouldn't care for it myself. Digging up the black history of influential citizens isn't the most profitable occupation in the world."

Realizing that she was being teased, Penny dropped the subject.

However, no sooner had her father buried himself in his newspaper again than she thought of another question which she could not resist asking.

"What did you learn about that license number I gave you last night, Dad?"

"It was issued in this county. Without the complete number it will be impossible to trace the car."

Mr. Nichols again turned to his newspaper and Penny permitted him to read undisturbed. She knew that he regarded her interest in the Molberg case with amus.e.m.e.nt. He was humoring her in her desire to play at being a detective. But while he listened politely to her questions and suggestions, he did not really believe that her contributions were of great value.

"I wish I could show him!" Penny thought determinedly. "Maybe I shall too!"

Mr. Nichols, blissfully unaware of what his daughter was thinking, left the breakfast table.

"I'll be out of the city all day," he informed. "I may get back late tonight but I can't be sure of it. I guess you'll be well looked after by Mrs. Gallup."

"And by Joe," Penny added. "Must he always trail me around, Dad? I'm getting so tired of it."

Mr. Nichols smiled broadly.

"From Joe's daily reports, I suspected he was the one who was growing tired. You seem to have led him a rapid-fire chase. He turned in a bill for nearly forty gallons of gasoline last week."