“Yes, it’s Jason Cordell,” he agreed. “The truth is hard to believe. Why, I lunched with him only yesterday—”
“Dad, he’s a criminal no matter how respectable he has acted.”
“You’re right,” acknowledged Mr. Parker. “I’ll notify the police at once and have him picked up for questioning.”
Transmitting the important information to police headquarters, Mr. Parker talked with Captain Bricker who promised to take personal charge of the matter. As the publisher hung up the receiver, he was startled to have Penny grasp his arm. Excitedly, she pointed out the window.
“Now what?” he asked, failing to understand.
“The light just went off in Mr. Cordell’s office! He’s leaving!”
“Then we’ll stop him,” her father decided. “Salt, you stay here and rush that plate through! I’ll detain Cordell by one means or another until the police arrive!”
With Penny close beside him, he ran down the back stairs to the street. Breathlessly they arrived at the next building. The elevator was not running, but they could hear someone coming down the stairway. Then Jason Cordell, a brief case tucked under his arm, came into view. He stopped short upon seeing Mr. Parker and his daughter.
“Working late?” Mr. Parker inquired pleasantly.
“That’s right,” agreed the other. He would have walked on, but the publisher barred the exit.