the details. You'll have to wait until you get
there."

Penny leaned back against the cushions, to all appearances, reassured.
Actually, she was terrified. The conviction was steadily growing in
her mind that she had been the victim of treachery. She was almost
certain that she was being kidnapped. How decidedly stupid she had
been to walk into such a trap!

Penny felt actually sick as she considered the possible consequence of
falling into the hands of the Molberg gang. It was not for herself
that she feared but for her father. She knew him well enough to
realize that he would sacrifice everything to be assured of her safety.

"If I let on that I suspect something is wrong it will only put the
driver on his guard," she thought. "My best chance is to act innocent
and watch for an opportunity to jump out of the car."

Already they were speeding along a dark, country road. On either side,
the highway was lined with tall maples and oak trees. Houses were few
and far between.

Penny tried to make careful mental note of the route they were taking
from the city. It was difficult to distinguish objects for they were
traveling rapidly.

As they turned into a bumpy, winding narrow road which led up a steep
hill, Penny's uneasiness increased. From the manner in which the
driver surveyed the roadside, she guessed that the wild ride was nearly
ended.

"It's now or never," she told herself grimly.

The car had slowed down for the hill. Watching her chance, Penny made
a sudden dive for the door. It was locked.

She located the catch, but not until the driver had managed to halt the
car. With an enraged snarl he caught her roughly by the arm just as
she flung open the door.

Penny wriggled from his grasp and started to run down the road.

"Stop or I'll shoot!" the driver shouted furiously.

Penny paid no heed. She raced as fast as she could go down the hill.

The driver, an agile man despite his heavy build, took up the pursuit.
Penny could hear his feet pounding on the hard road behind her. He was
gaining.

Her breath began to come with increasing difficulty. She could run no
faster.

At the foot of the hill Penny noticed an automobile without headlights.
She was sure it had not been parked there a few minutes earlier when
the cab had passed. Had some of Rap Molberg's men followed the taxi?
In that event, she was running straight into another trap.

Penny had no choice but to continue toward th