"Yes, it's located in the downtown theater district. The bulk of the auto accessory thefts have taken place in this relatively small area. From the window of my new office I secure a bird's eye view of all that goes on in nearby streets."
"Surely you don't expect to catch the thieves in the act of stealing automobile wheels!" Penny marveled.
"It will be the surest way of gaining a conviction. If a professional crook isn't captured at the scene of his crime, he usually is clever enough to cover his tracks completely. An amateur is seldom so skillful in obliterating clues."
"May I visit this new office of yours?" Penny asked.
"Yes, if you use discretion and don't come too often. I have taken the office under an assumed name—John Bradford. I shouldn't care to have my real name known for awhile."
"I'll be very discreet if I come," Penny promised.
Her father turned to leave.
"It must be dull for you here alone at night," he said apologetically. "Why don't you take Susan to a picture show?"
"I think I'll do that," Penny agreed.
After Mr. Nichols had left the house, she telephoned Susan. Mrs. Altman answered the call, informing her that her daughter was spending the evening at the home of an aunt.