“Unless we actually see the inside of the storage room we’ll learn nothing. You may be sure Mattie and her partner won’t cooperate.”
“We’ll get into that room somehow,” returned Mr. Parker grimly. “I’ll take along a few pet skeleton keys just for luck.”
At the Williams’ garage an hour later, they found Mattie and Sam busy with repair work.
“Be with you in a minute,” the woman called to Mr. Parker.
“No hurry,” replied the publisher. “No hurry whatsoever.”
He and Penny wandered aimlessly about. Choosing a moment when both Sam and Mattie were inside the office, they slipped unnoticed into the room where the empty boxes had been stored.
“Now show me the tunnel,” urged the publisher. “We’ll have to work fast!”
Penny swung back the hinged boards of the big box. She led her father between a high aisle of crates to the locked door of the inner room.
“Now if only I have a key that will unlock it!” muttered Mr. Parker.
He tried several. At length one did fit the keyhole, the lock clicked, and he was able to push open the door.