“That truck soon will be pulling out,” Penny observed. “Why don’t the police come?”
“I’m going to talk to those men,” Mr. Parker decided. “You stay here.”
Before Penny could protest, her father stepped boldly into the lighted room. Immediately work ceased. Every eye focused upon him.
“Good evening,” said Mr. Parker casually.
The remark was greeted by a suspicious silence. Then one of the men, a red-faced fellow with a twisted lower lip, asked: “You lookin’ fer somebody?”
“Just passing through and noticed the light,” replied Mr. Parker. “Wondered what’s going on.”
“You can see, can’t you?” growled one of the workmen. “We’re trying to load tires. Now get out of here or I’ll bounce one on your head! We got work to do.”
Mr. Parker did not lack courage. However, the grim faces warned him that the men would not hesitate to make their promise good. With Penny unprotected in the corridor he could afford to take no chances.
“Sorry to have bothered you,” he apologized, and retreated.
Penny waited nervously in the dark hallway. “Now what are we to do?” she whispered as her father rejoined her.