As the reporter again took up the chase, she began tolling the bell once more, determined to arouse everyone within a mile of the Temple.
Her energy was rewarded, for in another minute she heard the familiar wail of a siren. A police cruiser swerved alongside the tower, stopping with a lurch.
“What’s the idea of ringing that bell?” demanded an officer, leaping to the ground.
Tersely Penny explained the situation. The two policemen took a short-cut through a vacant lot, circling the cemetery. Darkness swallowed them, but presently there came a muffled command to halt, followed by a revolver shot.
So excited was Penny that she nearly tumbled from the bell tower. Recovering her balance, she sat on the stone ledge, trying to remain calm. Her nerves were jumpy and on edge.
“If only Jerry captures Al Gepper—that’s all I ask!” she breathed.
As the minutes elapsed, it occurred to her that she had not yet searched for the loot which she believed to be hidden in the belfry. With questing fingers she groped beneath the ledge. For a short distance she felt nothing. Then she encountered a long wooden box.
Before she could open it, she heard shouts from the direction of the cemetery. Four men, two of them police officers, were marching Slippery and Pete toward the Temple. As they came nearer she received another pleasant surprise. The two who had aided in the capture were her father and Salt Sommers, a photographer for the Star.
“Dad!” shouted Penny. “Can you get me down from this pigeon roost?”
Mr. Parker, separating from the others, came to the foot of the bell tower.