ddress?"

"It isn't that, Miss Nichols. We'd be glad to provide it if we could.
Unfortunately, we can't."

"I see," Penny returned coldly.

She left the garage and went back to her car. For a time she sat
thinking. She could not make up her mind as to her next move.

While she sat debating, George Brunner came out of the building.
Without noticing Penny, he climbed into his automobile, one of the
latest and most expensive models available, and drove away.

"I wonder where he's going in such a hurry?" Penny asked herself.

She decided that it might be worth her time to follow. Quickly, she
shifted gears and took after him.

Without being aware that anyone was trailing him, the garage manager
weaved from one street to another, gradually traveling toward the
poorer section of the city. Penny had difficulty in keeping him in
sight.

"What a silly thing I am doing," she told herself. "I think I'll sign
off and go home."

However, she could not resist following the car a few more blocks. Her
patience was rewarded. Presently Brunner turned into South Lake Street.

"I'll keep on a little farther," Penny decided. "It may be that
Brunner is perfectly honest and above board, but I have my doubts. I
think he'll bear watching."

She was not greatly surprised when the garage manager halted his car
only a short distance from the tire shop which she and Susan had
visited only a few days previously. Penny drew up to the curbing on
the opposite side of the street.

As Brunner alighted and looked carefully about to see that he was
unobserved, Penny ducked down out of sight, pretending to be fixing
something on the floor of the car.

Straightening up a minute later, she saw that the garage manager was
making his way toward the tire shop.

"Now what does he want there?" she asked herself. "I must say he isn't
keeping very good company."

Brunner entered the shop and Penny settled herself to wait. An hour
passed. It began to grow dark.

"I really should telephone Mrs. Gallup that I'll be late for supper,"
Penny reflected. "Either that or I should give up this silly chase and
go home."

In her heart she did not really think that it was silly. The
conviction had steadily grown in her mind that in some way the garage
owner was involved with Jerry Barrows and others in a questionable
business activity.

Noticing a drug store nearby, she stepped inside to telephone her home.
After several rings, the operat