ntil he was out of the store, then dropped a
nickle in the slot. She called the number which her father had given
her. There was no response at the other end of the line.

"I suppose he's left the office," she thought frantically. "Oh, I
can't let that man get away."

She rushed from the drug store and reached the street just in time to
see the workman disappear around a corner.

"I wonder if I dare attempt to shadow him?" Penny debated.

She was a little afraid, yet the streets in the immediate vicinity of
the theater were well lighted, and it did not seem too dangerous.

Turning the corner, she caught sight of the man far ahead. He was
walking rapidly. She too quickened her step, but took care not to
approach close enough to arouse his suspicion.

Presently the man paused beside a fine looking automobile which had
been parked at the curbing. As he glanced sharply up and down the
street, Penny pretended to be looking into the window of a jewelry
store. Actually, she was watching the man's reflection in the glass.

She saw him step into the car, take a key from his pocket and turn on
the ignition. As he drove away, Penny quickly noted down the license
number.

She glanced hopefully up the street but there was no policeman within
sight. A taxi cab driver noticing her agitated expression, cruised
close to the curb. Penny hailed him.

"Follow that green car ahead," she directed tersely, climbing in.
"Don't let it get out of your sight."

At the first corner they were held up by a light which was changing
from caution yellow to red. Risking arrest, the taxi driver crashed it.

The green car ahead had picked up speed. It weaved in and out of
traffic in a dangerous manner, driven by a man who was both skillful
and reckless.

The pursuit led into the hilly, crooked streets upon which the older
section of Belton City had been built. As they raced down first one
narrow street and then another, turning corners at a breathless speed,
Penny suspected that the man had become aware that he was being
followed. Her driver had increasing difficulty in keeping him in sight.

"The right hand turn!" Penny cried as the taxi-man hesitated at an
intersection.

They tore down a dark, twisting street at a break-neck speed. Suddenly
the driver slammed on his brakes. The thoroughfare had come to an
abrupt end.

"It's a dead-end," the taximan said in disgust, turning the cab around.
"He couldn't have come this wa