“I don’t know,” Penny admitted. “Louise and I weren’t able to see. Just as things were getting interesting the head waiter came and politely escorted us out of the building.”
“Why didn’t Jerry bring you home?”
“That’s what I’m getting at, Dad. Jerry just disappeared.”
“What do you mean, Penny?”
Together the girls told him exactly what had happened at The Green Parrot. Mr. Parker promptly agreed that it would not be like Jerry to leave the cafe without an explanation.
“Something has happened to him!” Penny insisted soberly. “Dad, why don’t you call the police right away? It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if The Green Parrot is a meeting place for saboteurs! There’s no telling what they may have done to Jerry!”
By this time Mr. Parker had begun to share the alarm of the girls. Getting abruptly to his feet, he started toward the telephone. Before he could take down the receiver, the bell jingled. Answering the incoming call, a peculiar expression came over the newspaper owner’s face. After talking for a moment, he hung up the receiver and turned toward Penny.
“That was Jerry,” he announced dryly.
“Jerry!” Penny became confused. “But I don’t understand, Dad. Is he being held at The Green Parrot?”
“Jerry is at home. He called to ask if you and Louise arrived safely.”