Returning to their own automobile, they drove rapidly toward the Nichols home.
CHAPTER XV
Incriminating Evidence
Penny found her father occupied at his desk in the study. Recounting her experience at the Big Dipper, she offered him the license number which she had copied.
"I don't suppose it will be of any use to you since I failed to get the entire number."
"I may be able to trace the car though I rather doubt it," Mr. Nichols told her. "At any rate, from what you've seen tonight I feel confident that Rap Molberg is shipping another truck load of stolen wheels out of town. I'll tip off the police to be on the lookout."
Some months previously the detective had installed a private wire which connected him directly with the police station. He used it now to talk confidentially with the police commissioner.
"I must go downtown at once," he informed Penny regretfully after making the call. "Don't wait up for me. I probably won't return until late."
At midnight Mr. Nichols had not come home. Penny, after dozing for some hours in the big easy chair, went off to bed. Not until morning at the breakfast table did she learn of the night's activities.