pture this gang. I'll
say frankly that since I took this case for the insurance company, I
haven't had much cooperation from the police."

"I'll be glad to help you all I can, Mr. Nichols. But I must act
cautiously."

"You mean for fear of antagonizing your superiors?"

"Yes, that's the chief reason," Jerome Davis admitted hesitatingly.

"Have you another?" Mr. Nichols probed.

"It's this way," the officer informed, growing confidential. "The
commissioner seems to think that I've sold out to Rap Molberg. At
least he appears to suspect that I serve as a stool pigeon for the
gang, and tip them off as to the best time to pull a job. I've been
demoted twice. A self-respecting man would have resigned long ago."

"Unless he wanted to prove the truth," Mr. Nichols suggested softly.

"That's it," the officer agreed. "I mean to hang on until I'm fired
from the force. I've been unlucky because so many jobs have been
pulled in my district. I'm working on the case when I'm off duty and
one of these days I may get a break."

"You spoke of working cautiously. Are you afraid to have your
superiors know what you are about?"

"Not exactly. You see, Mr. Nichols, lately I've been running down a
few tips regarding the whereabouts of Rap Molberg. Some of his
henchmen have given me a polite warning to mind my own affairs. Their
threats have terrified my daughter, and my son, Jimmie."

"Then you don't feel that you can push the search?" the detective
inquired pointedly.

"I intend to go on just as I have," Jerome Davis maintained firmly. "I
expect to do everything in my power to capture Rap Molberg!"

"Good!" Mr. Nichols exclaimed. "I am satisfied that you are the sort
of man I can use. If you will work secretly with my investigators, I
am confident we shall produce results."

"I'll be glad to cooperate in every way I can," the officer promised.

They shook hands to seal the agreement. Jerome Davis turned to leave.

"Thank you for coming here tonight," the detective said as he escorted
the officer to the door. "You will receive instructions from me within
a short while. A day or two at the latest."

After the door had closed behind the caller, Penny arose from her chair.

"Did you enjoy the interview?" her father asked, smiling.

"It was vastly exciting! I thought surely I'd be seen."

"Mr. Davis was too engrossed in our talk to be very observing."

"I don't wonder that Betty Davis worries about her