Penny Nichols Finds a Clue Part 37

"I think everything will come out right," Penny told her encouragingly.

"If there's any news I'll let you know the first thing in the morning."

As the car drove away, Mrs. Gallup rushed out of the house to embrace the girl.

"Penny, what has happened?" she cried. "Your clothes are dirty and mussed. You're a sight!"

"I don't doubt it," Penny laughed. "I've had a wild night."

"I didn't get home until an hour ago," Mrs. Gallup explained. "When I found you weren't here I was frantic. I was afraid you might have been kidnapped again."

"Rap Molberg won't trouble me after this, Mrs. Gallup. He's spending the night in jail."

She then gave a glowing account of the capture at the Somm Center sawmill. The details left the housekeeper dumbfounded.

"Penny Nichols, it's plain to see you're going to take after your father," she sighed. "One detective in the family is bad enough."

"It was the most exciting experience of my life!" Penny declared, her eyes gleaming. "I suppose I shall never have another like it."

In such a prediction, she was entirely mistaken. Without the power to look into the future she could not know that an adventure of far different character, though even more thrilling, awaited her. _The Mystery of the Lost Key_, the second volume in the Penny Nichols series, relates her escapades at Raven Ridge.

Events had moved with such rapidity that until Mrs. Gallup brought a tray of steaming food from the kitchen and set it before her, Penny had not realized how very hungry she was. She had just finished the supper when Mr. Nichols came home.

"What news?" Penny asked eagerly.

"Brunner and Molberg are both behind bars where they belong," her father reported. "Brunner is trying to raise bail and may get out by morning."

"Oh, then he may escape the law after all."

"No danger of that, Penny. He'll be watched from the instant he leaves the jail and kept in sight until he appears for trial."

"Do you think he will be convicted?"

"I feel sure of it. If you testify against him he hasn't a chance.

Will you mind going to court?"

"I'd love it!" Penny returned instantly. "Nothing would give me greater satisfaction than to serve as a witness against both of those men."

"Brunner was the real brains behind the gang," Mr. Nichols went on.

"He had everyone fooled, including myself. You did a fine piece of work to-night, my dear."

Penny flushed at the praise.

"If it hadn't been for your arrival at the critical moment, all my information would have been worthless. I guess I was very foolhardy."

"Perhaps you were, a trifle," the detective smiled. "But an investigator must take certain chances. Not that I'd want you to do the same thing again," he added hastily.

"You didn't tell me what the police did about Jimmie Davis," Penny reminded him. "I hope he wasn't sent to jail too."

"No, he's been placed in the custody of his father for a year. If he straightens up and doesn't violate his parole, nothing more will ever be said regarding his part in the affair."

"Oh, I'm so glad! I knew you'd arrange it that way."

"It wasn't entirely due to my efforts," the detective insisted. "The boy really isn't bad at heart. The way he came to your rescue proved that."

"This will mean so much to Betty and her father," Penny declared happily. Her face clouded. "I suppose nothing can save Mr. Davis'

position on the force?"

"Quite the contrary," Mr. Nichols smiled. "It is already arranged that he shall keep his job."

"But the newspaper publicity?"

"There will be none. At least, not regarding Mr. Davis and his son."

It was long after midnight when Penny went to bed. She was so tired and worn that she did not awaken until Mrs. Gallup rapped several times upon her door.

"What time is it?" Penny inquired drowsily.

"Nearly noon," the housekeeper reported. "I shouldn't have awakened you, only the telephone has been ringing all morning and the yard is cluttered with newspaper men."

"I'll be right down," Penny laughed, springing out of bed.

It was a new experience for her to find herself occupying the limelight. She enjoyed talking with the reporters but took care to reveal nothing which involved either Mr. Davis or his son. The morning papers played up the story of the capture, and Penny's photograph, dug up from the morgue, appeared upon the front page.

She was studying it with mingled feelings of pleasure and disappointment when Susan Altman burst in upon her.

"Congratulations!" she beamed. "I see by the morning paper that you are famous!"

"Did you ever see such a horrible picture?" Penny complained. "It's three years old at least. Why, I look positively juvenile. Where the editor found it I don't know."

"You should worry about such a trifle as that!" Susan scoffed. "Tell me the entire story."

"There's nothing to report except what's in the paper," Penny replied.

Although she longed to relate the part which Jimmie had played, she wisely refrained from mentioning his name. If he were to have his opportunity to begin life anew, the past must be forgotten.

For days Penny found herself besieged by friends and acquaintances who were eager to learn all the details of her adventure. When she walked downtown she was gazed upon with awe and admiration.

At the trial of Rap Molberg and George Brunner, she appeared as the state's star witness. The garage owner, well fortified with dishonestly acquired money, had employed one of the best criminal lawyers in the state to defend him. Penny was put through a severe test when she took the stand, but although nervous, she answered all questions calmly and clearly. Her testimony was largely responsible for the conviction of both Rap Molberg and Brunner. The two were ordered confined to the state penitentiary for a long term of years.

Mr. Nichols was jubilant at the result of the trial.

"This definitely clears up the case," he declared. "And I think it calls for a big celebration."

The victory event took the form of a gala dinner at Belton City's leading hotel. Penny invited Susan and many of her high school friends. In addition, policemen, detectives and all persons who had aided in the capture of the thieves, were present.

"We will have no speeches," Mr. Nichols had promised. "Only good food and plenty of fun."

Penny therefore was surprised when her father, who occupied the chair at the head of the table, arose and faced the expectant group.