"Why, we're going to follow that taxi!" Penny splashed through the
flooded gutter toward the waiting cab. "This is a real break for us! With
luck we'll learn the location of The Green Parrot!"
CHAPTER
11
_PURSUIT BY TAXI_
"Keep that green taxi in sight!" Penny instructed her own cab driver as
she and Louise leaped into the rear seat.
"Sure," agreed the taxi man, showing no surprise at the request.
Thrilled, and feeling rather theatrical, Penny and Louise sat on the edge
of their seats. Anxiously they watched the green cab ahead. Weaving in
and out of downtown traffic, it cruised at a slow speed and so, was not
hard to follow.
Louise gazed at the running tape of the taxi meter. "Do you see that
ticker?" she whispered. "I hope you're well fortified with spare change."
"I haven't much money with me. Let's trust that The Green Parrot is
somewhere close."
"More than likely it's miles out in the country," Louise returned
pessimistically.
The green cab presently turned down a narrow, little-traveled street not
many blocks from the river front. As it halted at the curb, Penny's
driver glanced at her for instructions.
"Don't stop," she directed. "Drive on past and pull up around the
corner."
The taxi man did as requested, presenting a bill for one dollar and
eighty cents. To pay the sum, Penny used all of her own money and
borrowed a quarter from her chum.
"That leaves me with just thirty-eight cents," Louise said ruefully. "No
picture show tonight. And how are we to get home?"
"We're not far from a bus line. Come on, we're wasting valuable time."
"Those two words, 'Come on' have involved me in more trouble than all the
rest of the English language," Louise giggled nervously. "What are we to
do now we're here?"
Penny did not answer. Rounding the corner, she saw that the green cab and
its passenger had disappeared. For an instant she was bitterly
disappointed. Then she noticed a creaking sign which swung above a
basement entrance. Although inconspicuous, it bore the picture of a green
parrot.
"That's the place, Lou!" she exclaimed.
"Well, we've learned the address, so let's go home."
"Wonder what it's like inside?"
"Don't you dare start that old curiosity of yours to percolating!" Louise
chided severely. "We're _not_ going in there!"
"Who ever thought of such a thing?" grinned Penny. "Now I wonder what
time it is?"
"About eight-thirty or perhaps a little later. Why?"
"Do you remember that card we found in the leather billfold? The notation
read, 'The Green Parrot, Tuesday at 9:15.'"
"So it did, but the appointment may have been for nine fifteen in the
morning."
"You dope!" laughed Penny. "Louise, we're in wonderful luck finding this
place at just this hour! Why, the man we followed here may be the one who
lost the billfold."
"All of which makes him a saboteur, I suppose?"
"Not necessarily, but don't you think we ought to try to learn more?"
"I knew you'd try to get me into that place," Louise complained. "Well, I
have more sense than to do it. It might not be safe."
"I shouldn't think of venturing in unescorted," Penny assured her. "Why
not telephone my father and ask him to come here right away?"
"Well, that might not be such a bad idea," Louise acknowledged
reluctantly. "But where can we find a phone?"
Passing The Green Parrot, the girls walked on a few doors until they came
to a corner drugstore. Going inside, they closed themselves into a
telephone booth. Borrowing a nickel from Louise, Penny called her home,
but there was no response.
"Mrs. Weems went to a meeting tonight, and I suppose Dad must be away,"
she commented anxiously.
"Then let's give it up."
"I'll try the newspaper office," Penny decided. "If Dad isn't there, I'll
talk to one of the reporters."
Mr. Parker was not to be contacted at the _Star_ plant, nor was Editor
DeWitt available. Penny asked to speak to Jerry Livingston and presently
heard his voice at the other end of the wire. Without wasting words she
told him where she was and what she wanted him to do.
"_The Green Parrot!_" Jerry exclaimed, copying down the address she gave
him. "Say, that's worthwhile information. I'll be with you girls as soon
as I can get there."
"We'll be outside the corner drugstore," Penny told him. "You'll know us
by the way we pace back and forth!"
Within twelve minutes a cab pulled up and Jerry leaped out to greet the
two girls.
"Where is this Parrot place?" he demanded, gazing curiously at the dingy
buildings.
Louise and Penny led him down the street to the basement entrance. Music
could be heard from within, but blinds covered all the windows.
"It must be a cafe," commented Jerry. He turned toward Penny and stared.
"Say, what's the matter with your face?"
"My face?"
"You look as if you're coming down with the black measles!"
"Oh, a taxi splashed me with mud," Penny laughed, sponging at her cheeks
with a handkerchief. "How do I look now?"
"Better. Let's go."
Taking the girls each by an elbow, Jerry guided them down the stone
steps. Confronted with a curving door, he boldly thrust it open.
"Now act as if you belonged here," he warned the girls.
The trio found themselves in a carpeted, luxuriously furnished foyer.
From a large dining room nearby came laughter and music.
As the outside door closed behind the young people, a bell tinkled to
announce their arrival. Almost at once a head waiter appeared in the
archway to the left. He was tall and dark, with a noticeable scar across
one cheek. His shrewd eyes scrutinized them, but he bowed politely
enough.
"A party of three, sir?"
"Right," agreed Jerry.
They followed the waiter into a dimly lighted dining room with more
tables than customers. A four-piece orchestra provided rather dreary
music for dancing. Jerry reluctantly allowed a checkroom girl to capture
his hat.
The head waiter turned the party over to another waiter.
"Table thirteen," he instructed, and spoke rapidly in French.
"Table thirteen," complained Jerry. "Can't you give us something besides
that?"
"Monsieur is superstitious?" The head waiter smiled in a superior way.
"Not superstitious, just cautious."
"As you wish, Monsieur. Table two."
Jerry and the girls were guided to the far end of the room, somewhat
apart from the other diners. A large potted palm obstructed their view.
"I think they've hung the Indian sign on us," Jerry muttered after the
waiter had gone. "See anyone you know, Penny?"
"That man over by the door--the one sitting alone," she indicated in a
whisper. "Louise and I followed him here."
"The one that's wrestling with the lobster?"
"Yes, don't stare at him, Jerry. He's watching us."
The waiter arrived with glasses of water and menu cards. Jerry and the
girls scanned the list in secret consternation. Scarcely an item was
priced at less than a dollar, and even a modest meal would cost a large
sum.
"I'm not very hungry," Louise said helpfully. "I'll take a ham sandwich."
"So will I," added Penny.
"Three hams with plenty of mustard," ordered Jerry breezily.