CHAPTER XV
Incriminating Evidence
Penny found her father occupied at his desk in the study. Recountingher experience at the Big Dipper, she offered him the license numberwhich she had copied.
"I don't suppose it will be of any use to you since I failed to get theentire number."
"I may be able to trace the car though I rather doubt it," Mr. Nicholstold her. "At any rate, from what you've seen tonight I feel confidentthat Rap Molberg is shipping another truck load of stolen wheels out oftown. I'll tip off the police to be on the lookout."
Some months previously the detective had installed a private wire whichconnected him directly with the police station. He used it now to talkconfidentially with the police commissioner.
"I must go downtown at once," he informed Penny regretfully aftermaking the call. "Don't wait up for me. I probably won't return untillate."
At midnight Mr. Nichols had not come home. Penny, after dozing forsome hours in the big easy chair, went off to bed. Not until morningat the breakfast table did she learn of the night's activities.
"As usual we failed to make a capture," the detective acknowledgedgloomily. "The police bottled up all the main highways leading fromthe city. All suspicious trucks were searched. We thought certainwe'd catch Molberg with the goods, but he was just a little too smartfor 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 likean amateur. If I don't begin to close in on the Molberg gang soon I'llbe 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 moreclever criminal. A master mind plans out every move that the gangmakes, yet doubtlessly that person has never been under suspicion.Such a man always takes care to keep within the law himself although heengineers 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 afew arrests but the men can't be made to talk. It may be that theyaren't even aware of his identity."
"I don't suppose you've ever been able to get any evidence against thatplace where Susan bought the stolen wheel," Penny ventured.
"No, nothing of value. The owner has a very bad name. No doubt he isreceiving stolen goods, but it is always hard to prove anything."
Penny relapsed into a thoughtful silence which she presently ended bysaying:
"You know, Dad, a peculiar thing happened yesterday. I don't supposeit could have the slightest connection with the case and yet it set meto 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 wasdeceived by his story. But why should he be working for Mr. Brunner?"
"That can be explained easily. I suppose Brunner didn't take thetrouble to check up his record."
"He was threatening the boy," Penny reported, her eyebrows puckeringinto a frown. "I distinctly heard him say: 'You'll do as I tell youor--' 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 withthis boy. Still, there must be a logical explanation. Brunner'sreputation is above reproach, you know."
"I don't think he's so very honest," Penny declared. "After the way heacted about Susan's car I wouldn't trust him an inch."
"Brunner does make glib promises," the detective admitted. "Ingeneral, however, he seems to have operated his business honestly. Hehas made a great deal of money, Penny, and is considered one of BeltonCity'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 hekeeps 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'tcare for it myself. Digging up the black history of influentialcitizens 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 againthan 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 beimpossible to trace the car."
Mr. Nichols again turned to his newspaper and Penny permitted him toread undisturbed. She knew that he regarded her interest in theMolberg case with amusement. He was humoring her in her desire to playat being a detective. But while he listened politely to her questionsand suggestions, he did not really believe that her contributions wereof great value.
"I wish I could show him!" Penny thought determinedly. "Maybe I shalltoo!"
Mr. Nichols, blissfully unaware of what his daughter was thinking, leftthe breakfast table.
"I'll be out of the city all day," he informed. "I may get back latetonight but I can't be sure of it. I guess you'll be well looked afterby Mrs. Gallup."
"And by Joe," Penny added. "Must he always trail me around, Dad? I'mgetting so tired of it."
Mr. Nichols smiled broadly.
"From Joe's daily reports, I suspected he was the one who was growingtired. You seem to have led him a rapid-fire chase. He turned in abill for nearly forty gallons of gasoline last week."
"He must be drinking it then!" Penny retorted. "I'm sure my old carcouldn't have traveled any such distance. But seriously, can't youdischarge him?"
"Not until the case is finished, Penny."
"And when will that be?"
"I wish I knew. If all cases were as annoying as this one, I'd soon beout of business. But we have several new leads. I'm hoping somethingwill develop within the next week."
"I may do a little sleuthing of my own just to hurry matters along,"Penny warned with a laugh.
"Go as far as you like," Mr. Nichols said, undisturbed. "I depend uponJoe to see that you don't get into too hot water."
After her father had left the house, Penny went to the Y.W.C.A. whereshe taught a Friday morning swimming class. By eleven o'clock she wasthrough her work and had the entire day before her.
Making her way to the business section of the city, she did a littleshopping at one of the department stores. As she was buying a pair ofgloves, she heard her name spoken. Turning, she found Betty Davisstanding beside her.
"I saw you from across the aisle," the girl smiled. "I was juststarting home." She hesitated, then said hurriedly: "I don't supposeyou'd care to take luncheon with me?"
"Why, I'd love it," Penny responded instantly.
"I'm not much of a cook," Betty confessed modestly, "but I can alwaysscare up a sandwich or so."
Penny welcomed an opportunity to visit the Davis home again for despiteBetty's peculiar actions, she felt that the girl really liked her. Asthey boarded a street car, it occurred to her that she had been invitedfor a particular purpose. The girl grew increasingly ill at ease.Conversation became difficult although Penny made a special effort tobe agreeable.
Not until luncheon had been served and the dishes washed, did Bettybring up the matter which had been troubling her.
"I'm worried about Father," she confessed. "T
he truth is, he's indanger of losing his position and through no fault of his own."
Penny remained silent and the girl went on with increasingembarrassment.
"I don't know how to say it--you've been so kind to me. But I waswondering--do you think Mr. Nichols might be induced to intercede inbehalf of my father?"
"I'll speak to him about it," Penny promised, "but I think perhaps itwould be better if your father talked with him personally----"
"Oh, no," Betty said hastily, "he'd never do that! You see, he doesn'tknow that I have said anything to you. I'm sure he wouldn't like it."
"I see," Penny responded quietly. "I'll talk with Father, but I amafraid it will do no good."
Betty's shoulders slumped, although she tried to smile bravely.
"I shouldn't have made the request. Please forget it."
"No, I mean to talk to Father about it," Penny insisted.
"It's very kind of you. I'd never have mentioned the matter at allonly I realize my father will never turn a hand to defend himselfagainst unjust accusations."
The conversation shifted to less personal subjects. As Penny arose toleave a half hour later she spoke casually of Betty's brother and wassurprised to notice a strained expression pass over the girl's face.
"You were going to show me his picture the other day when I was here,"she reminded Betty.
"Oh, yes, so I was," the other agreed but with out enthusiasm. "Jimmieis very good looking. I guess I told you he was a football player atWaltham High last year."
"I'd like to meet him," Penny remarked.
"Jimmie isn't home very much of the time," Betty returned hastily.
"But at least I can see his picture," Penny said, watching the girlclosely.
"Why, yes," Betty stammered, ill at ease. "I'll get it."
She went into an adjoining room and did not return for some minutes.She did not bring the photograph. Avoiding Penny's gaze, she saidapologetically:
"I can't seem to find it anywhere. I must have misplaced the photo."
"It doesn't matter," Penny returned politely.
She had guessed instantly that Betty had made no real effort to findthe photograph. For some reason the girl no longer wished her to seeit.
After chatting for a short while longer, Penny took her leave.
"Now I wonder why Betty was so reluctant to have me see the picture,"she reflected as she walked slowly toward the street car line. "I'mmore interested in it now than I was before."
It occurred to Penny that if only she could find a copy of the previousyear's Waltham High School annual, Jimmie Davis' picture was almostcertain to appear in it.
"Margery Barclay's brother attended that school," she recalled. "Imight be able to get an annual from him. It won't be out of my way tostop at their house on my way home."
When she called at the Barclay residence, Mrs. Barclay answered thedoor. Upon learning that neither Margery nor her brother were at home,Penny mentioned the purpose of her call.
"Why, yes, we have one of the annuals," Mrs. Barclay told her. "I amsure you are very welcome to have it for a few days. I'll find it foryou."
She went to the bookcase and after searching through several shelvesfound a thick, dusty volume which she gave to Penny.
"I'll bring it back tomorrow, Mrs. Barclay."
"Keep it as long as you like. No one ever looks at it any more."
Penny thanked Mrs. Barclay, and tucking the book under her arm, walkedslowly toward the street car line. While she stood at the cornerwaiting, she turned a few of the pages.
"After I get home I'll go through the annual systematically," shedecided.
A street car stopped at the corner and she boarded it. Seating herselfnear the rear, she again interested herself in the book. Although shefound many photographs of football stars, she did not immediatelylocate the one for which she searched.
Then she turned a page and a face stood out. Beneath it, a captiongave the name of Jimmie Davis and a list of his scholasticalachievements. Penny stared at the picture in disbelief.
"No wonder Betty acted as she did!" she told herself excitedly. "Now Iunderstand perfectly why she didn't want me to see the photograph!"