"He was threatening him when we surprised them in the office."
"I know, and it annoyed Brunner because we saw him talking with the boy at all. I am as sure as anything that he'll never give me his real name or address."
"That's why he suggested that you come back later for it," Susan agreed. "When you return he'll have some other excuse."
"I mean to go back and annoy him just the same. Doesn't it strike you as odd that Jerry would be working for him?"
"Well, perhaps a trifle," Susan said thoughtfully. "But it may be that he hired the boy without inquiring too carefully into his past."
"The fact remains that Brunner was threatening him," Penny pointed out. "It didn't appear to me that it was about any casual matter either."
The girls lowered their voices for they had come within earshot of a garageman who was working in the repair shop. Susan's car was nearby. After some difficulty she managed to start it, but the engine knocked as badly as before.
"I suppose there's nothing to do but take the car to another garage," Susan said irritably. "I'll never come here again. I know that."
"Let's go for a swim and drown our troubles," Penny suggested. "The Big Dipper will be open."
Since the day had been sultry, the proposal appealed to Susan. They stopped at their homes only long enough to get their bathing suits, and a few minutes later arrived at the picturesque outdoor pool.