CHAPTER 7 _MARK OF THE IRON HOOK_
"What do you think of it?" Penny asked as the officer studied the marksin silence.
"I'd say they were made by something which hooked over the ledge," thepoliceman replied. "Possibly a ladder with curving irons."
Jerry gazed down over the window ledge into the dark alley.
"No ordinary ladder could reach this high," he commented. "Raising anextension would be quite a problem, too."
The Kohl maid timidly approached the window, gazing at the two deepgashes with interest. Asked by the policeman if she ever had noticed thembefore, she shook her head.
"Oh, no, sir. They must have been made tonight. I know they weren't therethis afternoon when I dusted the window sills."
"Incredible as it seems, the thief came through this window," decided thepoliceman. "How he did it is for the detectives at Central Station tofigure out."
Explaining that the rooms must not be disturbed until IdentificationBureau men had made complete fingerprint records, the officer lockedPenny, Jerry and the maid outside the suite. He then went to a nearbyapartment to telephone his report.
"Maybe this is an ordinary burglary, but it doesn't look that way to me,"remarked Jerry as he and Penny went down the stairway.
"In any case, the story should be front page copy. Anything the Kohls dois news in Riverview."
"How high would you estimate the loss?"
"Oh, I couldn't guess, Jerry. Thousands of dollars."
Passing groups of tenants who cluttered the hallway excitedly discussingthe burglary, they evaded questioners and reached the street.
"Jerry," said Penny suddenly, "I didn't mention this to the policemanbecause he seemed to resent my opinions. But it occurred to me that I mayhave seen the man who robbed the Kohls--or at least had something to dowith it."
"How could you have seen him, Penny? We were together when the Kohl maidyelled for help."
"Earlier than that. It was while I was at the theatre."
Half expecting that Jerry would laugh, Penny told how she had observedthe man in gray note down the license number of the Kohl limousine.
"It came to me like a flash! That fellow may have telephoned the Kohlapartment after seeing the car at the theatre. Making sure no one was athome, he then looted the place at his leisure."
"Wait a minute," interrupted Jerry. "The Motor Vehicle Department closesat six o'clock. How could your man have obtained Kohl's name and addressfrom the license number?"
"I never thought about the department being closed," confessed Penny."How you do love to shoot shrapnel into my little ideas!"
"At least you have original theories, which is more than I do," comfortedJerry. "Before we leave, shall we take a look at the alley?"
Penny brightened instantly and accompanied the reporter to the rear ofthe building. The alley was deserted. Without a light they were unable toexamine the ground beneath the Kohl's apartment window.
Suddenly, both straightened as they heard a sound behind them. Thebrilliant beam of a flashlight focused on their faces, blinding them.
"Oh, it's you again," said a gruff voice.
The beam was lowered, and behind it they saw the policeman.
"You young cubs are a pest," he said irritably.
Ignoring them, he moved his light over the ground. There were nofootprints or other marks visible beneath the window.
"If a ladder had stood here it would show," remarked Jerry. "The thiefmust have used some other means of getting into the building."
While the policeman was inspecting the ground, the janitor stepped from arear basement door, joining the group.
"Officer, I have some more information for you," he volunteered.
"What is it?"
"I was talking with my wife. She says that about two hours ago shenoticed a man walking through the alley. He carried a suitcase, and keptlooking at the upstairs windows."
"No ladder?"
"Only a suitcase."
"I'll have the detectives talk with your wife," the policeman promised."They'll be here any minute now."
Penny and Jerry lingered until the two men arrived, bringing aphotographer with them. No new evidence being made available, it seemed awaste of time to remain longer.
"Don't bother to take me home," Penny insisted. "Dash straight to theoffice and write your story. The other papers won't have a word about therobbery until the police report is made."
"I don't like to abandon you."
"Don't be silly, Jerry. It's only a few blocks farther."
Thus urged, the reporter bade Penny good-bye. As she hastened on alone,it began to rain and the air turned colder. To save her clothing, she ranthe last block, reaching the porch quite breathless.
The house was dark, the front door locked. Penny let herself in with akey, switched on the lights, and after getting a snack from therefrigerator, started upstairs.
From her father's room issued loud snores. However, Mrs. Weems' doorstood open, and as Penny glanced in she was surprised to see that the bedhad not been disturbed.
"Mrs. Weems must still be at the Hodges'," she thought. "Perhaps I shouldgo after her. She'll have a long walk in this rain."
Penny went to a window and looked out. The downpour showed no sighs ofslackening. With a sigh she found her raincoat and started for thegarage.
During her absence, Mr. Parker had towed Leaping Lena to a vacant lotadjoining the property. The maroon car awaited her beneath shelter, andshe drove it through dark streets to the Hodges' modest home.
Lights glowed cheerily from the lower floor windows. In response toPenny's knock, a bent old man, his hands gnarled by hard labor, openedthe door.
"Is it Penelope?" he asked, squinting at her through the rain. "Come in!Come in!"
"Good evening, Mr. Hodges. Is Mrs. Weems still here?"
"Yes, I am, Penny," called the housekeeper. "Goodness, what time is itanyway?"
"Nearly midnight."
Penny shook water from her coat and stepped into the spic and span livingroom. An unshaded electric light disclosed a rug too bright, wallpapertoo glaring, furniture stiff and old fashioned. Yet one felt at oncewelcome, for the seamstress and her husband were simple, friendly people.
"Have a chair, Penelope," invited Mrs. Hodges. She was short like herhusband, with graying hair and an untroubled countenance.
"Thank you, but I can't stay," replied Penny. "I came to drive Mrs. Weemshome."
"I had no idea it was so late," the housekeeper said, getting to herfeet. "Mrs. Hodges and I have been planning my traveling outfit."
"I'll try to have the dresses for you within the next two weeks,"promised the seamstress. "Your good fortune makes me very happy, Maud.Isn't the news of her inheritance wonderful, Penelope?"
"Oh, yes, yes, of course," stammered Penny. "Only I hope Mrs. Weems isn'tleaving us within two weeks. What's this about a traveling outfit?"
"I've always wanted fine clothing," said Mrs. Weems dreamily. "Mrs.Hodges is making me a suit, three silk dresses, a tissue velvet eveninggown--"
"An evening gown!" Penny gasped. "Where will you wear it?"
"I'll find places."
"Maybe she aims to catch a husband while she's galavantin' around outthere in Californy," contributed Mr. Hodges with a sly wink.
"The very idea!" laughed Mrs. Weems, yet with no displeasure.
Penny sagged into the nearest rocking chair. The conversation was pacedtoo fast for her.
"Evening gowns--husbands--California," she murmured weakly. "Wait untilDad hears about this."
"Mr. Hodges was only joking," declared Mrs. Weems, reaching for her hat."I wouldn't marry the best man on earth. But I definitely am going westthis summer."
"I envy you, Maud," said the seamstress, her eyes shining. "Pa and I wantto go out there and buy a little orange grove someday. But with taxeswhat they are, we can't seem to save a penny."
Mrs. Weems squeezed her friend's hand.
"I wish I could take you along, Jenny," she said. "All these years you'vesewed your poor fingers almost to the bone. You deserve an easier life."
"Oh, Pa and I don't complain," the seamstress answered brightly. "Andthings are going to look up."
"Sure they are," agreed Mr. Hodges. "I'll get a job any day now."
Penny, who was watching the seamstress' face was amazed to see itsuddenly transformed. Losing her usual calm, Mrs. Hodges exclaimed:
"Pa! It just this minute came to me! Maud getting her inheritance isanother psychic sign!"
Penny rocked violently and even Mrs. Weems looked startled.
"I don't know what you mean, Jenny," she said.
"We said we wouldn't tell anybody, Ma," protested Mr. Hodges mildly.
"Mrs. Weems is my best friend, and Penelope won't tell. Will you,Penelope?"
"Not what I don't know," replied Penny in bewilderment. "How can Mrs.Weems' inheritance have anything to do with a psychic sign?"
"You may as well tell 'em," grinned Mr. Hodges, "If you keep the newsmuch longer you'll bust."
"The strangest thing happened three nights ago," Mrs. Hodges began, hervoice quivering with excitement. "But wait! First I'll show you theletter!"