After the door had closed behind the caller, Penny arose from her chair.
"Did you enjoy the interview?" her father asked, smiling.
"It was vastly exciting! I thought surely I'd be seen."
"Mr. Davis was too engrossed in our talk to be very observing."
"I don't wonder that Betty Davis worries about her father. I heard him say that he had been threatened by the Molberg gang."
"Yes, Davis is in an awkward situation. However, he seems to be a man of courage. I can use him."
"I'll be glad when you're through with this case," Penny sighed. "I'm worried sick for fear something may happen to you. All these threats----"
"Forget them," Mr. Nichols advised. "I've received plenty of them before this and I'm still alive."
"Forget him too," the detective smiled. "Unless you do, I'll be sorry I ever told you about the case. Run along to bed now--and pleasant dreams."
She slowly mounted the stairs and disappeared into her own room.
For the next few days Penny saw very little of her father. He left the house early in the morning and often did not return at night until after she had retired. Meals became something of an ordeal, for either Mr. Nichols buried himself in a newspaper or allowed the conversation to lapse.
"You're as talkative as the sphinx!" Penny accused. "Is the case going badly?"
"Have you found any clue as to the whereabouts of Rap Molberg?"
"You're impossible!" Penny cried furiously. "It's no use trying to learn a thing from you unless you're in exactly the right mood!"
In desperation she sought solace in the companionship of her chum, Susan. They attended a great many moving picture shows and developed an enviable tan by swimming outdoors and playing tennis for hours at a time.
Although Penny was permitted complete freedom, Mr. Nichols had warned her to use caution whenever she left the house at night. On more than one occasion in going downtown or to the home of a friend, she half suspected that she was being followed.
She refrained from mentioning her fear to Mr. Nichols lest he curtail her freedom. But she became more alert and watchful.
One afternoon while Penny was mowing the yard, Susan drove up in her coupé. It was the first time she had used it since the unfortunate night of the theft. She hailed Penny joyously.