"No, nothing of value. The owner has a very bad name. No doubt he is receiving stolen goods, but it is always hard to prove anything."
Penny relapsed into a thoughtful silence which she presently ended by saying:
"You know, Dad, a peculiar thing happened yesterday. I don't suppose it could have the slightest connection with the case and yet it set me to thinking."
"What was that?" Mr. Nichols asked smilingly.
"I saw George Brunner talking with Jerry Barrows in his office."
"That young protégé of yours?"
"He isn't any longer," Penny retorted. "I realize now that I was deceived by his story. But why should he be working for Mr. Brunner?"
"That can be explained easily. I suppose Brunner didn't take the trouble to check up his record."
"He was threatening the boy," Penny reported, her eyebrows puckering into a frown. "I distinctly heard him say: 'You'll do as I tell you or—' Then he saw me and broke off."
"You're certain that was what he said?"