Produced by Al Haines
[Transcriber's note: Extensive research found no evidence
that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
Penny Nichols
Finds a Clue
_By_
JOAN CLARK
The Goldsmith Publishing Company
CHICAGO
COPYRIGHT MCMXXXVI BY
THE GOLDSMITH PUBLISHING COMPANY
MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
CONTENTS
CHAPTER
I. A WARNING
II. INSIDE THE TRUNK
III. AN IMPULSIVE ACT
IV. THE MOLBERG GANG
V. PENNY TURNS SLEUTH
VI. SUSAN'S MISFORTUNE
VII. AN AWKWARD SITUATION
VIII. A REVEALING CLUE
IX. A TRAP
X. THE VANISHING CAR
XI. A THREAT
XII. KIDNAPPED
XIII. THE RAID
XIV. BRUNNER'S EXPLANATION
XV. INCRIMINATING EVIDENCE
XVI. A VALUABLE PHOTOGRAPH
XVII. UNDER THE CANVAS
XVIII. AT THE OLD SAWMILL
XIX. TRAPPED
XX. PENNY'S TRIUMPH
Penny Nichols Finds a Clue
CHAPTER I
A Warning
Penny Nichols flung open the office door of the Nichols Detective
Agency, descending upon a dignified, gray-haired man who was busy at
his desk.
"Dad," she announced, "I've come to report a mysterious disappearance!"
Christopher Nichols dropped the correspondence upon which he was
working and regarded his daughter for a moment, his gray eyes flashing
an indulgent welcome.
"What sort of disappearance?" he inquired cautiously.
Penny laughed as she opened her purse, disclosing an empty coin
container.
"It seems to be my allowance again. Yesterday I had two dollars. Now
the old pocketbook is as bare as Mother Hubbard's cupboard!"
Mr. Nichols' chief interest in life centered about his charming young
daughter and he found it hard at times to keep from pampering her. It
was especially difficult at this very moment as Penny stood there, her
blue eyes twinkling mischievously, her full red lips parted in an
enticing smile, and a few unruly ringlets of curly golden hair framing
her forehead in an artistry both casual and becoming.
"Now that is a most bewildering case," he agreed with mock seriousness.
"I don't suppose that rattle-trap roadster of yours might offer a clue
to the mystery?"
"I'm afraid it does," Penny admitted. "Only this time I indulged in
seat covers instead of spare parts. As a result I'm flat broke. And
I'm to meet Susan Altman at the tennis courts in ten minutes."
Mr. Nichols smiled indulgently as he reached into his pocket for a roll
of bills.
"I'll come to the rescue this time, young lady, but mind, I'm charging
it up to next week's allowance."
"That's fair enough." Carelessly, Penny picked up several papers from
the desk, studying them curiously. "What's this? A new case?"
Her father nodded as he quickly retrieved the documents.
"I've been hired by the Reliance Insurance Company to track down a gang
of auto thieves."
"Sounds interesting."
"Unless I miss my guess it will prove a baffling case. I am afraid we
may have to postpone our vacation trip to the mountains, Penny."
"Can't you arrange to capture the bold, bad men a little ahead of
schedule?" Penny bantered.
"I wish it would prove as simple as that."
"It seems a shame to give up the vacation, because you've worked so
hard lately. You really need a long rest."
"We'll both take it when this case is solved," Mr. Nichols promised.
"Run along now, for I'm particularly busy."
Not in the least offended by the abrupt dismissal, Penny blew her
father an impudent kiss as she went out the door.
Since the death of Mrs. Nichols many years before, Penelope and her
father had lived together in a large white house on Hilburn Street with
only Mrs. Gallup, an elderly housekeeper, to see that the establishment
ran smoothly. It was not surprising that under such an arrangement the
fifteen-year-old girl enjoyed rare freedom. Yet Penny never abused her
privileges and she enjoyed the complete confidence of her father.
Penny owned her own roadster and drove it well. To be sure, the car
was a second-hand model, but one of which she was very proud, for she
had paid for it herself by teaching swimming at the Y.W.C.A.
Automobiles, Penny discovered to her chagrin, had an unpleasant way of
breaking down at odd moments, and for that reason her expense account
usually was far ahead of her allowance. Occasionally, Mr. Nichols came
to her rescue with very acceptable gifts of tires and spare parts.
Reaching the tennis court, Penny parked her car on a near-by street.
She found Susan Altman, her chum, already awaiting her.
"It's almost too hot today for tennis," the dark-haired girl complained
as she took her position at the baseline of the cement court, preparing
to serve the first ball.
For two long hours the girls battled back and forth. Although usually
they were well matched, upon this particular day Susan found herself
unable to cope with her companion's sizzling service and well-placed
drives. Finally, after completely missing a ball which Penny had sent
over the net with bullet-like speed, she threw down her racquet in
disgust.
"I've had enough punishment! That makes the third straight set you've
won."
"It's getting almost too dark to see the ball," Penny said generously.
"Shall we call it an evening and finish off with something to eat?"
They crossed over to Eby's Cafe, a favorite haunt of Belton City's
younger set. The booths were quite deserted.
"Everyone seems to have gone away for the summer," Susan mourned as she
pondered over the menu. "I suppose you'll be leaving soon too, Penny."
"No chance of it, I'm afraid. Dad has become involved in a new case
which may keep us in town indefinitely."
"I wish my father were a detective," Susan commented a trifle
enviously. "It's too bad about the vacation of course, but your life
is exciting at least."
It seemed to her that Penny always led an unhampered, adventurous
existence. At any rate, the girl was well acquainted with interesting
happenings at the Belton City police court and had more than a nodding
acquaintance with fascinating personages of the city.
"I've never had any real adventures," Penny declared gloomily.
"Unfortunately, Dad is a little secretive about his sleuthing
activities. I'd give anything to know about this latest case----"
Her voice trailed off for the two girls had heard a shrill warning
whistle which they instantly recognized as the fire siren. Although
they had not even begun their suppers they rushed to the plateglass
window to watch the red engine clatter by.
"Why, it's turning down our street!" Susan exclaimed. "Oh, I hope our
house isn't afire!"
"Let's jump in my car and follow," Penny proposed.
They hurriedly left the cafe. Penny had parked her roadster just out
of sight around the corner. But as they viewed the car, they both
stopped short in amazement.
"The rear wheel is gone!" Susan gasped. "Surely that can't be your
roadster, Penny!"
It had grown quite dark outside and for an instant both girls believed
they had made a mistake in identifying the car. Yet one glance at the
license number assured them that they had made no error. A daring
thief had jacked up the rear axle, stealing an almost new wheel which
Penny's father had purchased for her only the previous week. An
inspection disclosed that the spare wheel also had been taken.
"I never heard of such an outrage!" Penny stormed. "Why, we couldn't
have been in that cafe fifteen minutes! The theft was accomplished
almost under our eyes!"
"I hope the loss is covered by insurance," Susan said anxiously.
"I don't know whether it is or not. Dad looks after everything like
that. Oh, dear, unless I can get in touch with him, we're practically
stranded here."
Although the girls were only a short distance from Mr. Nichols' office
they were nearly a mile from their homes. The roadster had been parked
several blocks from a street car line.
"We won't be able to learn about the fire either," Susan worried. "I
wonder if it could have been at our house?"
"It isn't likely, but let's telephone and make certain."
Even as she spoke they heard the fire engine returning from its recent
run.
"It couldn't have been much of a fire," Susan commented in relief. "At
least it's out now."
"I'll see if I can get in touch with Dad," Penny offered.
She was relieved to find Mr. Nichols still at his office. After
listening to an excited account of all that had befallen, he promised
to come over immediately and take charge of the stripped roadster.
Ten minutes later he drove up in his sedan.
"This isn't as unfortunate as it appears," he told the downcast Penny.
"The loss is completely covered by insurance. Besides, I have a dark
suspicion that this little job was handled by the same gang of men I am
after. I may glean a few valuable clues."
After making a brief inspection of the car Mr. Nichols turned his own
sedan over to Penny, directing her to take it home while he attended to
the stripped roadster and reported to the police.
Susan had promised to spend the night at the Nichols home, so the girls
drove directly toward the house on Hilburn Street. Despite Mr.
Nichols' matter-of-fact attitude regarding the theft, they considered
it an event of major importance. They were so absorbed in an animated
discussion of the affair that they were taken completely by surprise
when a policeman held up his hand for Penny to stop.
"Now what have I done?" she murmured in alarm, bringing the sedan to a
sudden halt at the curbing. "I hope I haven't crashed a light."
The officer stepped up to the car window.
"Aren't you Miss Nichols?" he questioned.
"Why, yes, I am." Penny was slightly relieved at his tone.
"I recognized your car and knew you lived in the neighborhood. I
thought I'd give you a friendly warning."
"A warning? I don't understand."
"We're on the lookout for a crook who vanished somewhere in this
vicinity," the officer explained. "In fact, he ran through the hedge
which borders your place."
"Did you search the grounds?" Penny asked with interest.
"Yes, but he made his get-away. I just thought I'd tip you off to be
careful."
"We'll be on the lookout," Penny promised. "Thanks for telling us."
The officer moved aside and she drove on again.
"I've had almost enough excitement for one evening without encountering
a desperado," Susan declared with a little shiver as they approached
the Nichols residence. "I wonder why they're after the man?"
"He's probably a jail breaker," Penny returned carelessly.
Susan studied her chum admiringly.
"You're the most casual person I ever knew, Penelope Nichols. Didn't
that warning give you the creeps?"
"To tell you the truth I didn't think much about it. The man would be
miles from here by this time."
Nevertheless, as she turned the car into the gravel driveway, Penny's
keen gaze swept the dark grounds.
Susan likewise surveyed the yard anxiously. Suddenly she uttered a low
cry, nervously clutching her companion's arm.
"I saw a shadow just then!" she whispered tensely. "I do believe
someone is hiding in the lilac bushes!"