CHAPTER VII
An Awkward Situation
"Now just what did she mean by that remark?" Susan demanded of her chumas they saw Betty Davis disappear inside the cottage.
"I'm not a mind reader," Penny returned with a shrug. "The air seemsto be filled with mysteries this evening."
She then told of her experience in shadowing the man whom she hadbelieved to be Rap Molberg. Susan listened in amazement.
"You must have lost your senses, Penny Nichols! If you turn up missingsome morning, it will be easy to guess the reason why!"
"Perhaps it was a foolish thing to do. But I thought if I could learnRap Molberg's hideout it would be a big help to Dad. Investigatorsfrom the agency have been searching days for that man.
"You should leave the job to them then," Susan advised severely.
"I guess I will," Penny said ruefully. "At any rate, I failed at it."
After dropping Susan off at the Altman residence, she drove on to herown home. Mr. Nichols was nervously pacing the living room floor whenPenny entered.
"I'm glad you're here," he said in relief. "Mrs. Gallup told me youhad gone off after receiving a telephone call. I was afraid it mighthave been a frame-up."
"I went to meet Susan. Didn't Mrs. Gallup explain?"
"No, but it doesn't matter now. I shouldn't have worried only thingshave been popping in the city tonight."
"The tire theft gang is at work again?"
"Yes, they made a big haul. When the story gets out, the NicholsDetective Agency isn't going to appear in a very good light."
"You haven't been working long on the case, Dad."
"True, but to date the result of our investigation has beendisappointing. This haul tonight has all the earmarks of Rap Molberg'shand, yet my men can find no trace of him in the city."
Penny could not restrain her news an instant longer. She half expectedthat her father would scold her for the taxicab escapade, but to hersurprise he became mildly excited.
"Can you give me an accurate description of the man, Penny?"
"He was about five and a half feet in height and wore workman'sclothes."
"Undoubtedly, a disguise," the detective interposed.
"His eyes were dark. The expression of his mouth was sullen. Histeeth were uneven."
"Did you notice a scar on his cheek?"
"No."
"The mark isn't really significant, for Rap Molberg would be cleverenough to hide it. Did you observe anything more?"
"He seemed extremely nervous. And the telephone conversation made mesuspicious. Oh, yes, when he drove away I copied down the licensenumber."
"Let me see it," Mr. Nichols said eagerly.
She handed it to him.
"Penny, you've done a fine piece of work," he praised.
"But I let him get away."
"You couldn't help that. This license number may make it possible forus to trace him. I'll telephone police headquarters right now and seeif they know anything about the car."
He sought a telephone in an adjoining room. Penny lingered by hiselbow while he made the call. After talking for some minutes, he hungup the receiver.
"I was afraid we might run into this, Penny. The license number whichyou noted down belongs to a stolen car."
"Then it won't be of any use to you."
"Probably not a great deal. But don't feel disappointed. It wasn'tyour fault that the man got away. He has eluded some very cleverinvestigators."
"I had another queer experience when I went to meet Susan," Pennyrelated. "Did you ever hear of a policeman by the name of JeromeDavis?"
"Yes, why?"
Briefly, Penny told of her meeting with the officer and his daughter.
"I can't comprehend why Betty tried to prevent her father from writingout a report of the theft, Dad. If such information leaked out itmight cost him his position on the force."
"I can readily understand that," Mr. Nichols returned. "Jerome Davisis in a bad spot already."
"Just how do you mean?"
"In the first place, he has never stooped to play politics. Some ofhis superiors dislike him on that account, although until recently theynever questioned his honesty."
"Has anything ever been proven against him?"
"No, but he has been subjected to severe criticism because so many autoaccessory thefts have occurred in his district. The situation giveshis enemies a fine opportunity to shoot at him."
"I suppose that explains why Betty didn't want him to report anothertheft. She was afraid it might cost him his job."
"That might be the reason."
"It won't be fair if they discharge him on account of something hecan't prevent."
"Life isn't always fair, Penny."
"What do you think about Jerome Davis, Dad? Is it your opinion that heis honest?"
"Yes, I think he is." Mr. Nichols abruptly arose. "What you have toldme is very interesting, Penny. I believe I'll call Davis to the houseand have a talk with him. He should be off duty soon."
Telephoning the Davis home, the detective left a message that thepoliceman was to call back at his earliest convenience.
"It's too late to get him here tonight," Mr. Nichols remarked to hisdaughter. "If he does telephone I'll ask him to come to my officeto-morrow."
"Then I won't hear what he has to say," Penny complained.
"I'm afraid you wouldn't anyway, my dear. Mr. Davis would never talkfreely if you were present at the interview."
"I suppose not--if he knew it. But I might hide in the closet."
"That would be a trifle too theatrical for my taste, Penny."
The doorbell rang sharply. Mrs. Gallup came from another room toanswer it. A moment later she returned to the study where Mr. Nicholsand Penny were sitting.
"Mr. Davis to see you," she told the detective.
"Davis? Strange he didn't telephone before coming at such a late hour.But of course I'll see him."
Reluctantly, Penny arose.
"I suppose I'll have to go."
"No, wait. You really want to hear the interview?"
"I most certainly do."
"You've earned the right," Mr. Nichols smiled. "Sit over there in thehigh-back wing chair."
Deftly he turned it so that the tall back faced the door. As Penny satdown he placed a book in her hands and advised her to curl her feet upunder her as she often did when she read. In such a position, she wascompletely screened from the gaze of the caller as he entered the room.
No sooner had Penny settled herself comfortably than Mrs. Gallupushered the officer into the study. She then quietly withdrew.
"Have a chair," Mr. Nichols invited cordially. He offered one whichwould not reveal Penny's hiding place.
"My daughter told me you had telephoned," Jerome Davis began a trifleuneasily. "I thought I might as well walk on over and see you. I hopeI didn't come too late."
"Not at all. I seldom retire before midnight. Davis, I suppose youwonder why I wanted to talk with you."
A grim look had come over the officer's face.
"I judge it's about the stolen wheel and generator. I met yourdaughter this evening."
"So she told me. However, what I really wanted to talk to you aboutwas the Molberg gang."
The officer offered no response.
"I don't need to tell you that they are at the bottom of this recentoutburst of thievery," the detective went on, eyeing his callershrewdly. "Unless they're captured soon, you'll be in a bad spot,Davis."
"I'm in one now. I've always tried to be honest and do my duty as Isaw it. Because of that I'll probably end up without a job."
"Not if you team along with me and help me to capture this gang. I'llsay frankly that since I took this case for the insurance company, Ihaven't had much cooperation from the police."
"I'll be glad to help you all I can, Mr. Nichols. But I must actcautiously."
"You mean for fear of antagonizing your superiors?"
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"Yes, that's the chief reason," Jerome Davis admitted hesitatingly.
"Have you another?" Mr. Nichols probed.
"It's this way," the officer informed, growing confidential. "Thecommissioner seems to think that I've sold out to Rap Molberg. Atleast he appears to suspect that I serve as a stool pigeon for thegang, and tip them off as to the best time to pull a job. I've beendemoted twice. A self-respecting man would have resigned long ago."
"Unless he wanted to prove the truth," Mr. Nichols suggested softly.
"That's it," the officer agreed. "I mean to hang on until I'm firedfrom the force. I've been unlucky because so many jobs have beenpulled in my district. I'm working on the case when I'm off duty andone of these days I may get a break."
"You spoke of working cautiously. Are you afraid to have yoursuperiors know what you are about?"
"Not exactly. You see, Mr. Nichols, lately I've been running down afew tips regarding the whereabouts of Rap Molberg. Some of hishenchmen have given me a polite warning to mind my own affairs. Theirthreats have terrified my daughter, and my son, Jimmie."
"Then you don't feel that you can push the search?" the detectiveinquired pointedly.
"I intend to go on just as I have," Jerome Davis maintained firmly. "Iexpect to do everything in my power to capture Rap Molberg!"
"Good!" Mr. Nichols exclaimed. "I am satisfied that you are the sortof man I can use. If you will work secretly with my investigators, Iam confident we shall produce results."
"I'll be glad to cooperate in every way I can," the officer promised.
They shook hands to seal the agreement. Jerome Davis turned to leave.
"Thank you for coming here tonight," the detective said as he escortedthe officer to the door. "You will receive instructions from me withina short while. A day or two at the latest."
After the door had closed behind the caller, Penny arose from her chair.
"Did you enjoy the interview?" her father asked, smiling.
"It was vastly exciting! I thought surely I'd be seen."
"Mr. Davis was too engrossed in our talk to be very observing."
"I don't wonder that Betty Davis worries about her father. I heard himsay that he had been threatened by the Molberg gang."
"Yes, Davis is in an awkward situation. However, he seems to be a manof courage. I can use him."
"I'll be glad when you're through with this case," Penny sighed. "I'mworried sick for fear something may happen to you. All thesethreats----"
"Forget them," Mr. Nichols advised. "I've received plenty of thembefore this and I'm still alive."
"But Rap Molberg----"
"Forget him too," the detective smiled. "Unless you do, I'll be sorryI ever told you about the case. Run along to bed now--and pleasantdreams."
"Nightmares to you!" Penny retorted.
She slowly mounted the stairs and disappeared into her own room.