Penny Nichols Finds a Clue Part 12

The doorbell rang sharply. Mrs. Gallup came from another room to answer it. A moment later she returned to the study where Mr. Nichols and Penny were sitting.

"Mr. Davis to see you," she told the detective.

"Davis? Strange he didn't telephone before coming at such a late hour.

But of course I'll see him."

Reluctantly, Penny arose.

"I suppose I'll have to go."

"No, wait. You really want to hear the interview?"

"I most certainly do."

"You've earned the right," Mr. Nichols smiled. "Sit over there in the high-back wing chair."

Deftly he turned it so that the tall back faced the door. As Penny sat down he placed a book in her hands and advised her to curl her feet up under her as she often did when she read. In such a position, she was completely screened from the gaze of the caller as he entered the room.

No sooner had Penny settled herself comfortably than Mrs. Gallup ushered the officer into the study. She then quietly withdrew.

"Have a chair," Mr. Nichols invited cordially. He offered one which would not reveal Penny's hiding place.

"My daughter told me you had telephoned," Jerome Davis began a trifle uneasily. "I thought I might as well walk on over and see you. I hope I didn't come too late."

"Not at all. I seldom retire before midnight. Davis, I suppose you wonder why I wanted to talk with you."

A grim look had come over the officer's face.

"I judge it's about the stolen wheel and generator. I met your daughter this evening."

"So she told me. However, what I really wanted to talk to you about was the Molberg gang."

The officer offered no response.

"I don't need to tell you that they are at the bottom of this recent outburst of thievery," the detective went on, eyeing his caller shrewdly. "Unless they're captured soon, you'll be in a bad spot, Davis."

"I'm in one now. I've always tried to be honest and do my duty as I saw it. Because of that I'll probably end up without a job."

"Not if you team along with me and help me to capture 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 father. I heard him say that he had been threatened by the Molberg gang."

"Yes, Davis is in an awkward situation. However, he seems to be a man of courage. I can use him."

"I'll be glad when you're through with this case," Penny sighed. "I'm worried sick for fear something may happen to you. All these threats----"

"Forget them," Mr. Nichols advised. "I've received plenty of them before this and I'm still alive."

"But Rap Molberg----"

"Forget him too," the detective smiled. "Unless you do, I'll be sorry I ever told you about the case. Run along to bed now--and pleasant dreams."

"Nightmares to you!" Penny retorted.

She slowly mounted the stairs and disappeared into her own room.

CHAPTER VIII