Penny Nichols Finds a Clue Part 20

"He has been taken to a private home."

"Then tell me how to get there."

"It won't be necessary. A taxi has already been sent for you. It should be there by this time."

"I'll be waiting," Penny promised.

She hung up the receiver and turned to the housekeeper who was hovering anxiously at her elbow.

"Dad's been hurt," she said tersely to hide her emotion. "I don't know how badly for I couldn't learn the details. I must go to him at once."

"Oh, you poor thing," Mrs. Gallup swept the trembling girl into her arms.

They clung to one another for an instant, then Penny resolutely brushed away her tears.

"It probably isn't as bad as we fear," she said hopefully.

Catching up her pocketbook from the table, she hurried out upon the porch to wait for the taxicab.

CHAPTER XII

Kidnapped

As a dark colored cab stopped in front of the Nichols residence, Penny ran to the curbing before the driver could alight.

"You were sent here to take me to my father?" she asked.

"Yes, Miss."

The driver kept his head lowered so that Penny could not see his face clearly, but she was too troubled to notice anything wrong.

"Is Father badly hurt?" she questioned anxiously.

"I can't tell you, Miss. I was only told to come here for you."

The driver opened the door, and Penny stepped into the car. They sped away.

Presently Penny noticed that the taxi man seemed to be avoiding the main streets of the city. She thought little of it until she chanced to catch a glimpse of the driver's face in the mirror. She had never viewed such a hardened countenance. The man appeared to be watching her every move. It gave her a sudden chill.

"Where is my father?" she questioned abruptly.

"At a house out in the country," the driver returned gruffly.

"I didn't even know that he had left the city," Penny said suspiciously. "Tell me, how was he injured?"

"I don't know any of the details. You'll have to wait until you get there."

Penny leaned back against the cus.h.i.+ons, to all appearances, rea.s.sured.

Actually, she was terrified. The conviction was steadily growing in her mind that she had been the victim of treachery. She was almost certain that she was being kidnapped. How decidedly stupid she had been to walk into such a trap!

Penny felt actually sick as she considered the possible consequence of falling into the hands of the Molberg gang. It was not for herself that she feared but for her father. She knew him well enough to realize that he would sacrifice everything to be a.s.sured of her safety.

"If I let on that I suspect something is wrong it will only put the driver on his guard," she thought. "My best chance is to act innocent and watch for an opportunity to jump out of the car."

Already they were speeding along a dark, country road. On either side, the highway was lined with tall maples and oak trees. Houses were few and far between.

Penny tried to make careful mental note of the route they were taking from the city. It was difficult to distinguish objects for they were traveling rapidly.

As they turned into a b.u.mpy, winding narrow road which led up a steep hill, Penny's uneasiness increased. From the manner in which the driver surveyed the roadside, she guessed that the wild ride was nearly ended.

"It's now or never," she told herself grimly.

The car had slowed down for the hill. Watching her chance, Penny made a sudden dive for the door. It was locked.

She located the catch, but not until the driver had managed to halt the car. With an enraged snarl he caught her roughly by the arm just as she flung open the door.

Penny wriggled from his grasp and started to run down the road.

"Stop or I'll shoot!" the driver shouted furiously.

Penny paid no heed. She raced as fast as she could go down the hill.

The driver, an agile man despite his heavy build, took up the pursuit.

Penny could hear his feet pounding on the hard road behind her. He was gaining.

Her breath began to come with increasing difficulty. She could run no faster.

At the foot of the hill Penny noticed an automobile without headlights.

She was sure it had not been parked there a few minutes earlier when the cab had pa.s.sed. Had some of Rap Molberg's men followed the taxi?

In that event, she was running straight into another trap.

Penny had no choice but to continue toward the waiting automobile. But as three men sprang from behind it with drawn revolvers, her heart sank within her. Her brave attempt at escape must end in failure.

A stone lay in the road. Penny did not see it. She stumbled, and, completely exhausted, fell face downward into the dirt.

"Stay where you are!" a cool voice ordered. "Don't move!"

She remained as she was, p.r.o.ne upon the ground. A revolver barked.

There was a flash of fire dangerously close by. An answering bullet from the opposite direction whizzed over her head.

The three men moved cautiously up the hill. They had their quarry covered.

"Drop your gun!" came the sharp order.

The taxi driver mutely obeyed. As handcuffs were snapped over his wrists, Penny hurried forward to view her rescuers. One of the men she instantly recognized as a detective employed by her father; the other two she had never before seen.