"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.
"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."
"I don't see how I was taken in so easily," Penny confessed ruefully. "I couldn't help liking the boy. I hoped he would turn over a new leaf."
Alighting at the Nichols home, she invited her chum to remain for dinner.
"I can't tonight," Susan told her regretfully. "We're having guests."
"I suppose I'll have to eat alone then. No use expecting Dad home."
In this she was mistaken. Entering the house, she discovered Mr. Nichols submerged in his favorite easy chair.
"I didn't look for you home so early, Dad."
"Nor did I expect to make it when I left the house this morning. However, I must return to the office immediately after dinner."
"Is it so very important?" Penny demanded.
"Not exactly, only the evenings seem so long."
"Why don't you go to a moving picture show?"
"I've seen every good one in town. Besides, I'm tired of movies."
"I realize I am being a very poor father," Mr. Nichols acknowledged, reaching over to squeeze her hand. "You might come back to the office with me."
"It will be very dull," her father warned.
Directly after dinner, they motored to Mr. Nichols new office opposite the Brunner garage. Since the detective expected to occupy it only a few weeks at the most, it was equipped with the barest of necessities. There was a battered desk, three chairs and two telephones. Nothing more.
"What in the world do you do here?" Penny questioned.
"Mostly sit and wait," the detective admitted. "I receive reports from some of my men here. During the day I watch the street."
With a wave of his hand he indicated a powerful field glass which lay upon the desk.