“It came to me like a flash! That fellow may have telephoned the Kohl apartment after seeing the car at the theatre. Making sure no one was at home, he then looted the place at his leisure.”
“Wait a minute,” interrupted Jerry. “The Motor Vehicle Department closes at six o’clock. How could your man have obtained Kohl’s name and address from the license number?”
“I never thought about the department being closed,” confessed Penny. “How you do love to shoot shrapnel into my little ideas!”
“At least you have original theories, which is more than I do,” comforted Jerry. “Before we leave, shall we take a look at the alley?”
Penny brightened instantly and accompanied the reporter to the rear of the building. The alley was deserted. Without a light they were unable to examine the ground beneath the Kohl’s apartment window.
Suddenly, both straightened as they heard a sound behind them. The brilliant beam of a flashlight focused on their faces, blinding them.
“Oh, it’s you again,” said a gruff voice.
The beam was lowered, and behind it they saw the policeman.
“You young cubs are a pest,” he said irritably.
Ignoring them, he moved his light over the ground. There were no footprints or other marks visible beneath the window.