er full red lips parted in an
enticing smile, and a few unruly ringlets of curly golden hair framing
her forehead in an artistry both casual and becoming.

"Now that is a most bewildering case," he agreed with mock seriousness.
"I don't suppose that rattle-trap roadster of yours might offer a clue
to the mystery?"

"I'm afraid it does," Penny admitted. "Only this time I indulged in
seat covers instead of spare parts. As a result I'm flat broke. And
I'm to meet Susan Altman at the tennis courts in ten minutes."

Mr. Nichols smiled indulgently as he reached into his pocket for a roll
of bills.

"I'll come to the rescue this time, young lady, but mind, I'm charging
it up to next week's allowance."

"That's fair enough." Carelessly, Penny picked up several papers from
the desk, studying them curiously. "What's this? A new case?"

Her father nodded as he quickly retrieved the documents.

"I've been hired by the Reliance Insurance Company to track down a gang
of auto thieves."

"Sounds interesting."

"Unless I miss my guess it will prove a baffling case. I am afraid we
may have to postpone our vacation trip to the mountains, Penny."

"Can't you arrange to capture the bold, bad men a little ahead of
schedule?" Penny bantered.

"I wish it would prove as simple as that."

"It seems a shame to give up the vacation, because you've worked so
hard lately. You really need a long rest."

"We'll both take it when this case is solved," Mr. Nichols promised.
"Run along now, for I'm particularly busy."

Not in the least offended by the abrupt dismissal, Penny blew her
father an impudent kiss as she went out the door.

Since the death of Mrs. Nichols many years before, Penelope and her
father had lived together in a large white house on Hilburn Street with
only Mrs. Gallup, an elderly housekeeper, to see that the establishment
ran smoothly. It was not surprising that under such an arrangement the
fifteen-year-old girl enjoyed rare freedom. Yet Penny never abused her
privileges and she enjoyed the complete confidence of her father.

Penny owned her own roadster and drove it well. To be sure, the car
was a second-hand model, but one of which she was very proud, for she
had paid for it herself by teaching swimming at the Y.W.C.A.
Automobiles, Penny discovered to her chagrin, had an unpleasant way of
breaking down at odd moments, and for that reason her expense account
usually was far ahead of her allowance. Occ