Later in Mr. Parker’s study, she and Mrs. Weems examined every letter written in response to the reward offer. Not even one of them offered the slightest promise.
“I’ll turn everything over to the police,” Penny said with a sigh. “Maybe they’ll find a clue I’ve not considered important.”
Both she and Mrs. Weems were feeling the effects of such a long period of strain. Meals had been irregular, appetites poor. Penny in particular had lost so much weight that she looked thin and sallow. Yet somehow she managed to keep up her strength and to face each day with hope.
“Mrs. Weems,” she said the next morning at breakfast, “if you’ll advance me some money, I’m going on another taxi jaunt today.”
“Not to the Harrison place.”
“No, out to Mattie Williams’ garage. I’m convinced that place is dealing in stolen tires. If only I can reconstruct the evidence which disappeared in Dad’s portfolio, I may get a clue that will lead to him.”
Without protest, Mrs. Weems gave Penny the money. Secretly she thought that the girl would do much better to turn all of her information over to the police. However, she realized that Penny needed activity to keep her from brooding, so she wisely did not discourage her.
“Don’t get into any trouble,” she warned anxiously.
“No danger of that, Mrs. Weems. I’ve not enough pep for it these days.”
Engaging the same cabman who had served her so well the previous night, Penny motored to the Williams’ garage. She had made no plans and scarcely knew what she would say when she entered the place. As she debated, the big doors of the building opened, and a tow car drove away with Mattie at the wheel.