The Clue Of The Velvet Mask Part 5

Nancy decided not to pursue this line of questioning and asked calmly, "By the way, have you any theory concerning the recent party thefts?"

"I have!" Tombar returned with emphasis. "And I guess you know the person I mean."

Nancy nodded. But more convinced than ever of Linda's innocence, she felt an even stronger urge to help the girl. Tombar plainly intended to have Linda discharged if he could find some pretext.

Nancy left his office and walked across the street. Her dislike of the man was increasing and she wondered what motive he had for casting suspicion on Linda.

Pa.s.sing a drugstore with a soda counter, Nancy went in for a sandwich. To her delight Linda was there too. She slid onto a stool beside her.

After giving her order, she drew Linda into conversation. The girl seemed very despondent, and Nancy could guess the reason.

"It's Mr. Tombar," Linda confessed. "He lectured me again this morning."

"What about?"

"The robbery last night, and the missing black cloak."

"The cloak hasn't been found?"

"Not yet. Mr. Lightner is most annoyed. Oh, everyone's in a frightful mood."

As Nancy stirred her iced tea, she said, "Tell me about Mr. Tombar. What's he like?"

"Vinegar and acid. He's efficient, though. Mr. Lightner depends on him, but Mr. Tombar's a slave driver, always bawling out employees if they're a minute late."

"Is he always on time himself?" Nancy asked.

"Oh yes. But he makes up for it by taking a two-hour lunch nearly every day. He waits until the others get back, then goes off alone."

"Where does he eat?" Nancy asked.

"I don't know," Linda answered. "Maybe out of town. He always takes his car."

Two hours for lunch was a long time for a strict disciplinarian like Tombar! The information interested Nancy, who mulled over it as she ate her sandwich.

"I must go now," Linda said with an anxious glance at the wall clock. "See you later."

Alone, Nancy leisurely finished her lunch. As she left the drugstore, she chanced to look across the street toward the Lightner offices.

Peter Tombar was just coming out, a package in his hand. Nancy saw him walk briskly to a green sedan parked a short distance away. A wild thought came to her. Did he have the torn cloak with him?

Nancy noted that not only the wheels but the fenders were heavily caked with mud. Evidently Tombar had driven recently on unpaved roads in the country. He might be going there now to dispose of the black robe!

Nancy wished she had driven her own car downtown that morning, but the crisp, cool breeze had encouraged her to walk. Just then a taxi rounded the corner. Instantly Nancy hailed the driver and hopped in.

"Follow that green car ahead!" she directed as Tombar pulled out.

"Friend of yours?" The taximan grinned.

"No, just the opposite," Nancy replied.

"Okay, lady. Here goes!"

Nancy feared that Peter Tombar might have seen her action and give the cab a merry chase. Her fears were well-founded. The green sedan raced to the first corner and turned right. Seconds before the taxi reached the intersection, the traffic light turned red! The sedan carrying Peter Tombar and perhaps the missing cloak was far down the side street.

"That old boy's sure stepping on it," the driver declared. "You want me to try keeping him in sight?"

"I certainly do."

"Then sit tight, miss," he directed.

The light changed again and the taxi shot ahead.

"Look back and see if any cops are coming," the driver said.

"Okay," Nancy agreed, thinking perhaps she might need them.

CHAPTER IV.

Confusion

THE Tombar car raced through a stoplight, skidding around a second corner.

"That fellow's a lunatic!" Nancy's taxi driver muttered.

"Take it a little slower," she advised nervously. "It's not worth a smash-up."

As she spoke, they heard the shrill scream of brakes ahead. At a busy intersection, Tombar had sped through another red light. Oncoming traffic had halted barely in time to prevent a collision.

Unmindful, Tombar raced on. Nancy watched as he turned left at the first side street beyond the intersection.

Again the taxi driver was forced to wait for a traffic light to change. When he finally reached the side street, the green sedan had vanished.

"Never mind. It's no use trying to pick up the trail now," Nancy told the driver after they had cruised around two blocks without seeing Tombar's car. "He knew we were following him."

"He sure tried hard to shake us," the taximan agreed.

Nancy told the driver to take her home and tipped him generously for the brief but speedy ride. She was convinced that Peter Tombar did not want her to know where he was going. She decided his movements would bear watching.

The following day Nancy went to the Lightner building and waited outside for Linda until she finished work. Nancy offered the girl a ride home, and during the drive asked her if she knew what Tombar had in the package he had taken away the previous noon. Linda said she had no idea, but that he was always carrying packages of one sort or another.

"In connection with his work?"

"I imagine so," was Linda's vague response.

Nancy inquired whether Lightner Entertainment Company had any big parties scheduled in the near future.