"Has Dad left town yet?" she inquired of Miss Arrow.
"Yes, I think he has," the secretary informed. "At least he left here nearly an hour ago and said he likely wouldn't return today."
Thinking that possibly Mr. Nichols might have stopped for a few minutes at his temporary office opposite the Brunner garage, Penny went there. She found the room closed though not locked.
"I don't know what to do now," Penny thought, slightly bewildered. "It seems to me I have a valuable clue which should be acted upon at once."
She considered taking Miss Arrow or one of her father's detectives into her confidence, yet hesitated to do so lest she make herself appear ridiculous. After all, she had no real evidence upon which to base her theory. Even though the photograph of Jimmie Davis had given her a start, she could not be certain that she knew anything damaging concerning the boy's past. It would be wise to move cautiously.
"I'll say nothing about the photograph until I've had an opportunity to do a little investigating of my own," she decided. "I may as well start by asking Jerome Davis a few questions."
Penny was familiar with the policeman's regular beat, but before trying to locate him, she went home for her car. It was Mrs. Gallup's afternoon off, so there was no need to explain to the housekeeper where she was going.
"I might leave a note where she'll find it when she returns," Penny thought. "Still, I should be back by supper time."
As Penny backed from the garage, she caught a glimpse of Joe Franey's familiar black coupé parked across the street.
"I'm afraid Dad's gasoline bill will take a big jump upward today," she chuckled.