For some twenty-five minutes the girls cruised around the block, hoping to sight Jerry Barrows again. Although they kept close watch of the alleys he did not reappear.
"Did you notice anything peculiar about that boy's appearance?" Penny inquired as they turned toward home.
"No, why?"
"He was dressed much better than on that night when we caught him in our garage. He doesn't look as if he had ever had much hard luck."
"I imagine his entire story was a lie," Susan declared. "He didn't keep his promise to call at your father's office, and now he runs like a coward when we try to talk with him."
"I don't see how I was taken in so easily," Penny confessed ruefully. "I couldn't help liking the boy. I hoped he would turn over a new leaf."
Alighting at the Nichols home, she invited her chum to remain for dinner.
"I can't tonight," Susan told her regretfully. "We're having guests."
"I suppose I'll have to eat alone then. No use expecting Dad home."
In this she was mistaken. Entering the house, she discovered Mr. Nichols submerged in his favorite easy chair.