Part 14 (2/2)

Penny had slumped in her seat. Suddenly, she straightened, her eyes riveted upon a pedestrian who was crossing the street in front of the coupe.

”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 and ran.

CHAPTER IX

A Trap

”Wait! I want to talk with you!” Penny called.

The boy paid no heed. As she ran after him he darted into the nearest alley.

Provoked, Penny hastened back to the car where Susan was waiting.

”Let's try to catch him,” she proposed, springing in beside her chum.

Susan turned the coupe in the narrow street and drove into the alley.

They could see the boy only a short distance ahead.

”We'll overtake him,” Penny cried jubilantly.

Aware that he was being pursued, the boy ran faster. Then noticing an opening between two buildings, he squeezed through it and was lost to view.

Penny tried to follow afoot but soon gave it up. She returned to the coupe disheartened.

”He eluded us this time, Sue. I suppose that boy thought I meant to have him arrested. Actually, I only wanted to question him.”

For some twenty-five minutes the girls cruised around the block, hoping to sight Jerry Barrows again. Although they kept close watch of the alleys he did not reappear.

”Did you notice anything peculiar about that boy's appearance?” Penny inquired as they turned toward home.

”No, why?”

”He was dressed much better than on that night when we caught him in our garage. He doesn't look as if he had ever had much hard luck.”

”I imagine his entire story was a lie,” Susan declared. ”He didn't keep his promise to call at your father's office, and now he runs like a coward when we try to talk with him.”

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