The instant her bonds had been cut, she sprang to her feet. They moved noiselessly to the door. Jimmie opened it a crack, then closed it hastily. Penny could hear footsteps.
"It's Brunner!" the boy whispered. "I think he suspects."
They braced themselves against the door. The knob turned slowly. Then a man's weight was hurled against the panel.
"Open that door!" Brunner shouted furiously, "Open or I'll break it down."
There was no escape from the room for it was without windows. Penny and her companion held the door as long as they could, but when Rap Molberg had come in response to his chief's call, the result was inevitable. A panel splintered and then the door gave way.
Penny and her companion retreated against the wall.
"So you thought you'd help her escape!" Brunner sneered, confronting the boy. "I thought I'd find you here. But you'll pay for your treachery, Jimmie Davis!"
He turned to Molberg, tersely ordering him to tie the arms of the prisoners.
As the man caught her by the wrist, Penny struggled furiously. Jimmie was too battered from his recent encounter to put up a fight. He recognized the futility of struggling against impossible odds.
"What shall we do with 'em now?" Molberg asked gruffly when he had succeeded in overpowering Penny. "This girl is a little wildcat if there ever was one!"