Penny Nichols Finds a Clue Part 33

"That's your final decision?"

"It is."

Without warning, Brunner's fist shot out. He struck the boy squarely under the chin. Jerry Barrows' knees crumpled beneath him and he sagged to the floor.

Brunner turned to the others who stood watching.

"Anyone here who feels the same way?"

No one spoke.

"Then back to your work!" Brunner commanded. "Clear the building of every sc.r.a.p of evidence."

Penny was horrified at the scene she had witnessed. Jerry Barrows lay so motionless upon the floor that she was afraid he had been seriously injured. She longed to go to his aid, yet dared not make a move lest she betray her presence.

"If only I could get word to the police or to Father!" she thought tensely. "By the time I drive back to Belton City for help it will be too late."

The telephone! If she could but reach the antechamber it might be possible to notify the authorities.

Watching her chance, she tiptoed across the open s.p.a.ce to the little room. The men were so occupied with their work that they did not glance in her direction. No sound betrayed her.

Penny reached the chamber in safety, and quietly closed the door. It was dark inside and at first she could not locate the telephone. But after groping about, she found it on the wall.

"I'll try Father's office," she decided. "There's just a chance that he may have returned."

Her hand trembled as she took down the receiver. She was fully aware of the risk she was taking in attempting the telephone call.

m.u.f.fling her voice and speaking very low, she gave the number of her father's office to the operator. There was a long wait. She could hear a rhythmical buzz on the wire. The bell was ringing but no one answered.

"I must try the police," Penny thought.

Just then she heard a click at the other end of the line. A receiver had been taken from its hook.

"h.e.l.lo, Christopher Nichols speaking," acknowledged the familiar voice of her father.

In her excitement, Penny began an almost incoherent outpouring of what she had witnessed.

"You say you've seen the tire thieves at work?" Mr. Nichols demanded.

"Yes, bring the police, and they can be trapped with the evidence! But hurry or it will be too late!"

"Where are you now, Penny?" her father questioned tensely.

"At the old sawmill. Take the road----"

A slight sound directly behind caused Penny to turn her head. Rap Molberg stood in the doorway!

CHAPTER XIX

Trapped

Before Penny could utter a sound, the man sprang toward her. A grimy hand was clapped roughly against her mouth and the telephone receiver jerked from her hand.

"Well, if it isn't the little Nichols girl!" the man leered, shoving her away from the 'phone. "Trying to bring the police down on us, were you?"

Penny could make no retort. Instead she savagely bit his hand.

With a cry of rage and pain, Molberg jerked it away. Penny sprang for the door.

The man leaped after her, catching her by the shoulder. He pressed her back against the wall. "No more of your little tricks," he warned.

From his pocket he drew forth a stout cord. Although Penny struggled, she could not prevent him from tying her hands behind her back. He took out a large handkerchief.

"Not a gag!" Penny pleaded.

"I suppose you'd like to make another telephone call," the man said sarcastically. "I'm going to fix you so you won't make any more trouble tonight!"

The handkerchief was tied tightly across her mouth and her feet were securely trussed. Then Molberg placed her with her back against the wall and left her alone.

Almost immediately he returned with Brunner. The two had brought a light.

"This is luck!" the garage manager declared, his eyes sparkling. "With Christopher Nichols' daughter in our hands I guess that snooper won't make us any more trouble. Did she get through to the police, do you think?"

"I doubt it. She had just begun to talk on the 'phone when I caught her," Rap informed.

"We'll take no chance anyway. We're getting out of here as quickly as we can."

The two men went away, taking the light with them. Penny was left alone in the dark. She twisted and turned but could not succeed in loosening her bonds. The gag became uncomfortable.

"What a mess I've made of things now," she told herself in disgust.

"Here I am a prisoner, and there isn't a chance Dad or the police will get to me in time. If only I could have explained where I was before Rap Molberg caught me!"

Penny tried not to think of the possible fate which awaited her.

Brunner would never permit her to go free. She had gleaned too much valuable information and would prove a damaging witness against him.

She knew now that he alone directed the activities of the so-called Molberg gang. Brunner was the arch criminal, the "master mind" which had baffled police and private investigators. Rap Molberg, although a dangerous crook, merely carried out his chief's orders.

"Brunner fooled everyone with his posing as a substantial citizen,"

Penny mused. "All the time he was using his business as a front to hide his unlawful activities."

Outside, in the main part of the sawmill, she could hear men working feverishly. In a few minutes the big truck would depart with all the evidence which could not be destroyed. Penny wondered if she would be left tied up in the little room or taken along.

Again she struggled to free herself but only succeeded in drawing the knots tighter. The gag was so tight across her mouth that she could utter no sound. Spent from her effort to escape, she leaned back against the wall.

Presently her eyes riveted upon the closed door. Was it imagination or had it opened a tiny crack? Distinctly, she could notice a widening streak of light.

She waited expectantly. Noiselessly, the door swung back on its hinges. At first Penny could not see who it was that had come in. But as he moved toward her, she recognized Jerry Barrows.