“They were friends who came for Mr. Parker.”
“Your friends?”
“Well, no, I found the names and addresses in Mr. Parker’s brief case. They were men in the tire business.”
This latest scrap of information fairly stunned Penny. As she well knew, her father’s portfolio contained only evidence pertaining to the tire-theft case.
“Who were the men?” she demanded.
“One was named Kurt Mollinberg—Ropes Mollinberg his friend called him. I forget the other.”
“Ropes Mollinberg!” exclaimed Salt Sommers who had listened quietly to the story. “Why, he’s one of the lowest rats in this town! Connected with the numbers racket and I don’t know what else!”
“Why did you summon those men, of all persons?” Mr. Deming questioned.
“Well, I found their addresses in the portfolio. I had to get rid of Mr. Parker before you came and I was afraid to call his house.”
“You’re a cruel, heartless woman!” accused Penny. “You sent my father away with two of the most notorious rascals in Riverview. Why, those men have been waiting for a chance to waylay him! They wanted to get possession of vital evidence Dad had in his portfolio.”