They could hear the bell ringing inside the house. Penny ran to answer
it. As she took down the receiver, she was greeted by a masculine
voice. But it was not the detective who had telephoned.

"Is this Miss Nichols?" she was asked.

"Yes," Penny returned quietly, aware from the other's tone that she
must prepare herself for bad news.

"Don't be alarmed, Miss Nichols, but your father has been hurt."

"Oh! Badly?"

"We're not sure yet. He is still unconscious. Can you come at once?"

"Yes, yes, of course! Which hospital?"

"He has been taken to a private home."

"Then tell me how to get there."

"It won't be necessary. A taxi has already been sent for you. It
should be there by this time."

"I'll be waiting," Penny promised.

She hung up the receiver and turned to the housekeeper who was hovering
anxiously at her elbow.

"Dad's been hurt," she said tersely to hide her emotion. "I don't know
how badly for I couldn't learn the details. I must go to him at once."

"Oh, you poor thing," Mrs. Gallup swept the trembling girl into her
arms.

They clung to one another for an instant, then Penny resolutely brushed
away her tears.

"It probably isn't as bad as we fear," she said hopefully.

Catching up her pocketbook from the table, she hurried out upon the
porch to wait for the taxicab.

CHAPTER XII

Kidnapped

As a dark colored cab stopped in front of the Nichols residence, Penny
ran to the curbing before the driver could alight.

"You were sent here to take me to my father?" she asked.

"Yes, Miss."

The driver kept his head lowered so that Penny could not see his face
clearly, but she was too troubled to notice anything wrong.

"Is Father badly hurt?" she questioned anxiously.

"I can't tell you, Miss. I was only told to come here for you."

The driver opened the door, and Penny stepped into the car. They sped
away.

Presently Penny noticed that the taxi man seemed to be avoiding the
main streets of the city. She thought little of it until she chanced
to catch a glimpse of the driver's face in the mirror. She had never
viewed such a hardened countenance. The man appeared to be watching
her every move. It gave her a sudden chill.

"Where is my father?" she questioned abruptly.

"At a house out in the country," the driver returned gruffly.

"I didn't even know that he had left the city," Penny said
suspiciously. "Tell me, how was he injured?"

"I don't know any of