“Not far from here along the river. I’ll drive you there, and if you make a purchase, you needn’t pay me any fare.”
“All right, that’s fair enough. Let’s go,” Penny agreed.
As they rattled along the street, she carefully memorized the cab’s number, and took mental notes on the driver’s appearance, intending to report him to police. No doubt he received a generous commission for bringing customers to the establishment, she reasoned.
The cab had not gone far when it began to slacken pace. Peering out, Penny was astonished to see that they were stopping in front of the Harper house, overlooking the river.
“Is this the place?” she gasped, as the driver swung open the door. “I—I don’t believe I want to go in after all. I thought you were taking me to a shop.”
“You can’t get silk stockings anywhere else in the county,” the driver said. “Not like the kind Ma Harper sells. Just go on in and tell her I brought you. She’ll treat you right.”
Taking Penny by the elbow, he half pulled her from the cab and started her toward the shabby, unpainted dwelling.
CHAPTER
17
BASEMENT LOOT
While the cab driver waited, Penny crossed the sagging porch and rapped on the door. Evidently the taxi’s approach had been noted, for almost at once Ma Harper appeared.
She was a tall, thin woman, sallow of face, and with a hard glint to her eyes. Penny was not in the least deceived by the smile that was bestowed upon her.