at way, if you don't mind," Penny said eagerly.

"Then let's leave it that way. Aside from Mr. Nichols we'll not tell a
soul about our discovery tonight."

A few minutes later the girls took leave of each other. Penny
continued alone toward her own home.

Turning a corner in one of the outlying neighborhood business sections,
she noticed a girl in blue hurrying along the street. Recognizing
Betty Davis, Penny halted her roadster at the curbing.

The girl did not notice for she had paused to stare into the window of
a cafe. A group of young men could be seen within, laughing and
talking.

It was not the type of place frequented by women, and Penny was
astonished when the girl started to open the door. But with her hand
on the knob, Betty Davis seemed to reconsider, for she turned and
walked rapidly away.

Penny drew alongside in her roadster.

"Going my way?" she asked cheerfully. "I'll be glad to give you a
lift."

CHAPTER XI

A Threat

Betty Davis wheeled quickly about. She laughed to cover her confusion.

"Why, Miss Nichols! How you startled me!"

"I didn't mean to do that," Penny smiled. "If you're on your way home,
can't I take you there in my car?"

The girl hesitated, and involuntarily, her eyes wandered toward the
cafe. Then she stepped into the car.

"It's very kind of you to take me home, Miss Nichols. I'm not out
alone this late in the evening as a rule, but something important came
up. I searching for my brother."

"Jimmie?"

"Yes, how did you know?"

"I think your father mentioned his name."

"He didn't say anything about----" Betty broke off, finishing with an
embarrassed laugh: "but then I know he didn't."

"Your father only mentioned that he had a son by that name," Penny
said, eyeing her companion curiously.

"Jimmie is a good boy but he's caused father a great deal of worry,"
Betty added, feeling that some explanation was required. "Lately he's
fallen in with bad companions."

"That is a pity," Penny murmured. "You mentioned that you were looking
for him. Can't I help you?"

"Oh, no," Betty told her hastily, "I don't think I'll bother after all."

Penny permitted the matter to drop but she was not mistaken in
suspecting that the reason her companion had decided to give up the
search was because she already had located her brother at the cafe.

"Won't you come in for a few minutes?" Betty urged when the car stopped
at her door. "Father isn't due hom