"You don't say! Well, I am glad to make your acquaintance. Down at the station they think a lot of your father."
"He was on the force many years ago, I believe," Penny said politely.
"That was before my time, but I'm always hearing about him. He's solved some difficult cases that have baffled our best detectives."
Penny made a perfunctory response and the officer turned to his daughter.
"Betty, you shouldn't be out alone so late at night. You must go back home at once."
"If you live nearby I'll be glad to take you in my car," Penny offered.
"I shouldn't like to trouble you," the girl said hastily. "My home is only a few blocks away."
"It will be no trouble at all," Penny insisted, opening the door of her roadster. "Do let me give you a lift."
The girl flashed her father an appealing glance. It was obvious to both Penny and Susan that she was greatly upset about something, yet the officer appeared not to notice. He did not seem to realize that she wished to speak with him privately.
"It's very kind of you to take my daughter home, Miss Nichols," he said quietly. "Don't keep them waiting, Betty."