Part 4 (1/2)

”And yet you expect me to find him a job?” Mr. Nichols demanded gruffly. ”If he ever shows up--which he won't--I'll turn him over to the authorities.”

”Oh, Dad, you wouldn't, not after I gave my promise that you'd help him!”

”Why should I a.s.sist you in thwarting justice?” Mr. Nichols questioned severely. Penny could not see that his eyes were twinkling. ”Are you trying to ruin my reputation as a detective?”

”I didn't mean to do anything that might embarra.s.s you, only I couldn't bear the thought of turning the boy over to the police. He was so young.”

”I was only teasing,” Mr. Nichols told her kindly. ”If the boy does come to my office I'll have a talk with him.”

”But you don't really think he'll come?”

”I have no way of knowing, Penny. I must admit I'll be rather surprised if he appears.”

Penny relapsed into moody silence as she walked toward the house with Mr. Nichols and her chum. She had begun to regret her hasty action.

”I left your roadster at a downtown garage,” Mr. Nichols commented, switching to a different subject. ”I notified the police that the wheels had been stolen but I did not have time to see the insurance company. I can attend to it in the morning unless you care to do it yourself.”

”I may as well,” Penny agreed listlessly.

She was feeling very gloomy indeed. Although her father had refrained from blaming her, she knew that he was amused if not annoyed at her behavior. Above all else, she coveted his admiration.

”Cheer up,” he said lightly as the three entered the house. ”What if you did make a slight blunder? All detectives must learn by experience.”

”A fine detective I'd make!” Penny sniffed. ”I fail at the very first test. I'm just soft hearted I guess.”

”Part of the blame should fall on me,” Susan declared. ”Jerry Barrows didn't seem in the least like a criminal, Mr. Nichols. I was impressed with his story too.”

”I feel sure he must have been a very persuasive talker,” the detective smiled. ”However, I don't consider that either of you committed any great crime in permitting the boy to escape so I shouldn't worry about it now that the deed is done.”

Mr. Nichols regarded the incident as closed, but Mrs. Gallup had heard enough of the conversation to surmise a little of what had happened.

In response to her questions, the girls were forced to relate the entire story.

”Penelope Nichols, I never thought you'd do such a silly, foolhardy thing!” the housekeeper said severely. She felt it her privilege to be outspoken for she regarded the girl almost as a daughter. ”Why, that young criminal might have killed you! And to think you let him get away without even making an effort to call the police!”

”I'm sorry about it now, Mrs. Gallup, but I thought I was acting for the best. Please, let's not talk about it any more this evening.”

The subject had grown very painful to both Susan and Penny. They interested themselves in backgammon and as soon as they could do so gracefully, went to their bedroom.

”I'll never hear the last of it unless that boy shows up at father's office tomorrow,” Penny groaned as she tumbled into bed. ”I feel positively ill over the affair.”

At breakfast the next morning she was her usual cheerful self. She even dared to hope that Jerry Barrows would keep his promise.

”You'll be at your office all morning, won't you, Dad?” she questioned anxiously.

”All morning,” he repeated, smiling quizzically at her over his newspaper. ”If your young friend calls upon me I'll telephone you.”

Directly after breakfast Susan insisted that she must return home as her mother would be expecting her.

”I'll walk along with you,” Penny offered. ”I promised Father I'd stop at the insurance office this morning.”