"It must be tedious waiting."
"It is, but if we catch the gang our patience will have been rewarded."
"But what of Rap Molberg?" Penny questioned doubtfully. "Surely he must delegate the actual thievery to others."
"I'm not so sure," Mr. Nichols said slowly. "It wouldn't surprise me to learn that Molberg acts upon orders from someone higher up. However that may be, if we capture some of the lesser fry, they can be made to talk."
The detective busied himself at his desk. For a time Penny amused herself by watching pedestrians through the field glass. Growing tired of that, she buried herself in a magazine. It was not very interesting. By nine o'clock she was thoroughly bored.
"I think I'll go home," she announced. "I don't believe anything exciting will happen tonight."
"So that's why you came," her father chided. "And I thought it was because you craved my company!"
"I did, but this bare office is too depressing."
"Then I'll excuse you," Mr. Nichols smiled. "Take a taxi home if you like."
"No, I think I'll walk."