As the car coasted to a standstill alongside the Star building, Penny’s gaze roved to the darkened offices next door. All of the floors save one were without light. But in the suite occupied by the Mirror, a man plainly could be seen moving to and fro.
“There is Jason Cordell now!” she drew attention to him. “Why do you suppose he’s at his office so late tonight?”
“There’s no crime in that,” replied Mr. Parker. “He may be guilty as Ben says, but I’ll not believe it until I have the proof.”
Letting themselves into the newspaper building, the three went up the back stairs to the photography studio. Salt immediately set about developing the plates.
“Something is coming up all right!” he declared jubilantly, as he rocked the developer tray back and forth.
In a few minutes, Salt had washed the plates and was able to examine them beneath the red light. One was blurred and revealed little. But the other plainly showed a man fleeing toward a waiting car.
“Why, the man is Webb Nelson!” Penny exclaimed, recognizing him.
“But notice the driver of the car,” Salt said. “It’s Jason Cordell! Ben was right.”
“Then the man is guilty!” Penny cried. “Oh, Dad, I was certain of it!”
Mr. Parker scanned the plate carefully to ascertain there was no possible mistake.