by Joan Clark
CHAPTER VIII
A Revealing Clue
For the next few days Penny saw very little of her father. He left thehouse early in the morning and often did not return at night untilafter she had retired. Meals became something of an ordeal, for eitherMr. Nichols buried himself in a newspaper or allowed the conversationto lapse.
"You're as talkative as the sphinx!" Penny accused. "Is the case goingbadly?"
"Not to my knowledge."
"Is it going well then?"
"Not especially."
"Have you found any clue as to the whereabouts of Rap Molberg?"
"Not yet."
"You're impossible!" Penny cried furiously. "It's no use trying tolearn a thing from you unless you're in exactly the right mood!"
In desperation she sought solace in the companionship of her chum,Susan. They attended a great many moving picture shows and developedan enviable tan by swimming outdoors and playing tennis for hours at atime.
Although Penny was permitted complete freedom, Mr. Nichols had warnedher to use caution whenever she left the house at night. On more thanone occasion in going downtown or to the home of a friend, she halfsuspected that she was being followed.
She refrained from mentioning her fear to Mr. Nichols lest he curtailher freedom. But she became more alert and watchful.
One afternoon while Penny was mowing the yard, Susan drove up in hercoupe. It was the first time she had used it since the unfortunatenight of the theft. She hailed Penny joyously.
"The old bus is traveling again! It has a new generator and a fine newwheel!"
Penny inspected the new purchases.
"See anything wrong with the wheel?" Susan demanded.
"Not a thing. Why?"
"I bought it for about half the regular price. I was a little afraid Imight have been gipped."
Penny examined the spare wheel more critically. "It looks exactly likethe one Dad bought me some time ago for nine ninety-eight. In fact,I'd think it was the same tire--the one that was stolen from me--if Ididn't know better."
"I only paid four dollars," Susan informed proudly. "Wasn't it abargain?"
"It looks like it. Where did you buy the tire?"
"Oh, at a little place on South Lake Street. I don't remember thename."
"South Lake isn't such a good location," Penny said thoughtfully, "I'veheard Father say that a great many disreputable firms operate there. Iknow once he traced stolen furniture to a dealer on that street."
"I hope I didn't buy a stolen wheel," Susan declared. "Was that whatyou had in mind, Penny?"
"I thought of it right off. But I haven't any reason for saying it.For all I know, your tire may be a legitimate bargain."
"I wish there was some way of finding out for certain," Susan saidanxiously.
"Let's look for the serial number. The wheel should have one."
Penny moved closer to inspect the new purchase.
"The number is here all right," she acknowledged.
"Then the tire wasn't stolen," Susan said in relief.
Penny shook her head. "I'm not so sure of that, Sue. It looks to meas if these numbers have been changed. Wait a minute!"
She darted into the house, returning with her father's magnifyingglass. Using it to study the figures upon the wheel, the girls couldplainly see that the numbers had been altered.
"To think I'd buy a stolen wheel!" Susan exclaimed indignantly. "I'mgoing right back and tell that dealer a thing or two!"
"You can't very well do that. We would be in no position to proveanything."
"I suppose you're right," Susan admitted.
"I'd like to see the establishment where you bought the tire," Pennysaid after a moment's pause. "Could you point it out to me?"
"Yes, I'll take you there now if you like."
Penny rolled the lawn mower into the garage and climbed into the coupebeside her chum.
"How do you like your car by this time?" she inquired as they drovetoward South Lake Street.
"Not so well. It starts hard and has a funny sound in the engine. Ina few days I mean to take it back to the Brunner garage for a completeoverhaul."
South Lake Street was located in the poorer section of Belton City.The neighborhood was noted for its second-hand stores and it was saidthat sooner or later stolen merchandise found its way into the crowdedlittle shops which lined the narrow thoroughfare. Often wares werepiled upon the sidewalks to attract an unwary buyer. Stoves, cheaptables, and all manner of hardware rubbed elbows with clever brassjugs, imported vases and Oriental rugs.
Presently, Susan halted her car in front of a tire shop which waslocated at the outskirts of "second hand" row.
"This is the place," she announced.
The owner of the shop, a short, squat little man with beady black eyes,stood at the window. He eyed the girls sharply.
"Shall we go in?" Susan asked.
"Let's, but we mustn't act as if we suspect anything."
Assuming a casual attitude, they sauntered into the shop. The dealerrecognized Susan instantly. On her first visit he had been a trifletoo cordial, but now he regarded her shrewdly.
"Something?" he inquired.
"My friend wishes to buy a new wheel," Susan informed. "She'd like tosee one like I bought yesterday."
Again the dealer cast a sharp glance at Penny.
"Haven't I seen you in here before?" he asked.
Penny shook her head. "No, this is the first time I ever came intoyour store."
"I've seen you somewhere," the man muttered. "Now, I know! You'reChristopher Nichols' daughter!" He pronounced the name of thedetective with a slight sneer.
"Yes, I am," Penny acknowledged reluctantly. "But I'm sure I've neverseen you before."
"That's quite likely."
"Then how did you know me?"
"That's my business," the dealer retorted shortly. "I am sorry, but Ican't do business with you. Good day."
Penny stood her ground.
"Haven't you any tires for sale?"
"Not for you, I haven't. You're a snooper just like your father! Getout of here!"
Penny would have carried the argument further, but Susan tugged at hersleeve. They hastily left the shop. As they drove away, they saw thedealer standing at the plate glass window, watching.
"Such a horrible man!" Susan gasped. "I was actually afraid of him.What made him act like that?"
"I think he must have guessed why we came," Penny told her. "As asleuth I seem to be a walking advertisement of my calling!"
"He recognized you the minute you stepped into the store. Didn't thatstrike you as queer?"
"Yes, it did, Susan. I'm almost certain that man is dealing in stolentires. He's probably afraid of the law. It's to his advantage torecognize plain clothesmen and persons who might cause him trouble, Iimagine I've been seen with my father."
"I should think the police could arrest him."
"It isn't as easy as one might believe, Susan. If a fence is caughtwith stolen merchandise he claims to have purchased it in good faith.Actually he has taken it off the hands of some thief. An arrest ishard to make."
"Then there's nothing we can do?"
"I don't know. I'll ask Father when he comes home tonight."
"I think a fence is even more contemptible than a thief," Susan saidscornfully. "I'd give anything if I hadn't bought that tire."
"I'm glad you did," Penny smiled, "for the clue we gained may proveuseful to Father."
The girls were relieved when they reached the end of South Lake andturned into a more pleasant street. Driving toward their homes theyrelapsed into a long silence, each absorbed in her own thoughts. Therewere occasions when the two friends talked frantically for hours.There were other times when they would speak scarcely a word, yet enjoyperfect understanding.
Penny had slumped in her seat. Suddenly, she straightened, her eyesriveted upon a pedestrian who was crossing the street in front of thecoupe.
"Susan, isn't that Jerry Barrows?" she demanded excitedly.
The car swerved wildly as Susan turned to look.
"It is!" she exclaimed.
"Stop the car," Penny pleaded. "I want to talk with him."
Susan brought the coupe to a halt at the curbing. Penny sprang out.
"Jerry Barrows!" she called.
The boy wheeled and saw her. He hesitated an instant, then turned andran.