Straightening up a minute later, she saw that the garage manager was making his way toward the tire shop.
"Now what does he want there?" she asked herself. "I must say he isn't keeping very good company."
Brunner entered the shop and Penny settled herself to wait. An hour passed. It began to grow dark.
"I really should telephone Mrs. Gallup that I'll be late for supper," Penny reflected. "Either that or I should give up this silly chase and go home."
In her heart she did not really think that it was silly. The conviction had steadily grown in her mind that in some way the garage owner was involved with Jerry Barrows and others in a questionable business activity.
Noticing a drug store nearby, she stepped inside to telephone her home. After several rings, the operator informed her that no one answered.
"Mrs. Gallup must have been detained," Penny thought. "I'll not need to hurry home now."
As she was leaving the drug store, the door of the tire shop on the opposite side of the street opened and George Brunner emerged. Penny hastily dodged back into the doorway to avoid being seen.
Brunner walked directly to his car, preparing to depart. Before he could start the motor, the owner of the shop came running after him. It was the same man who had spoken so harshly to Penny upon her previous visit.
The two men conversed in low tones for several minutes, but as they became more excited, their voices grew louder.