Part 1 (1/2)

Penny Nichols Finds a Clue.

by Joan Clark.

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 flas.h.i.+ng 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 doc.u.ments.

”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.