He scribbled a note to accompany the plate and gave it to the cab driver, together with the holder.
“Take good care of this,” he warned. “Don’t turn it over to any one except the city editor.”
After the cab had driven away, Salt, Jerry, and Penny re-entered the theater. Mr. Parker had come backstage and was talking earnestly to the doorman. Glimpsing the three, he exclaimed:
“There you are! And just in time too! The stunt goes on in five minutes.”
“Are the newsboys here?” Jerry asked. “And Johnny Bates, the electrician?”
“The boys are out front. Johnny’s waiting in the stage wings. Where’s the revolver, Salt?”
“I’ll get it,” Penny volunteered, starting for the dressing room.
The revolver lay where she had left it. As she reached for the weapon, she suddenly sniffed the air. Plainly she could smell strong cigarette smoke.
Penny glanced swiftly about the room. No one was there and she had seen no one enter in the last few minutes.
“Someone must have been here,” she thought. “Perhaps it was Old Jim, but he smokes a pipe.”