“The men may have been fugitives,” Mr. Parker commented. “But even that isn’t very likely.”
“They spoke of being uneasy about a certain job they had agreed to do,” Penny went on earnestly. “They mentioned a girl and said that a fellow named Dietz would bear watching.”
Mr. Parker leaned forward in his chair. “Dietz?” he questioned. “Are you certain that was the name?”
“Yes, I heard it clearly.”
“I don’t see how there could be any connection,” Mr. Parker mused. “And yet—”
“Where did you hear the name before, Dad?” Penny asked, all eagerness.
“Well, DeWitt has been digging up all the facts he can about James Kippenberg. As it happens, the man once had a business associate named Aaron Dietz who was dismissed because of alleged dishonesty.”
“Then there must be a relationship!” Penny cried. She whirled triumphantly to face the crestfallen reporter. “You see, Mr. Jerry Livingston, my theory wasn’t so crazy after all! Now aren’t you sorry?”
CHAPTER
14
THE STONE TOWER
Louise Sidell was washing the breakfast dishes when Penny walked boldly in at the back door.