“I paid good money for them,” the dealer retorted in a defiant tone. “So far as I knew, they belonged to this fellow Toby. I can’t investigate every farmer who offers me produce.”
“All the same, you could get into serious trouble for selling stolen melons,” Penny replied. “Of course, I have no intention of going to the police, providing you are willing to cooperate.”
“What d’you mean, cooperate?” the dealer inquired suspiciously.
“Only this. Will you see John Toby again?”
“That’s hard to tell. He said he might bring in another load of melons within the next few days.”
“When you receive the next shipment, will you notify me?”
“Yes, I’m willing to do that,” the dealer promised. “If Toby is crooked, I want to know it myself.”
Penny gave the man her name, address, and telephone number. Knowing that he might not be able to reach her quickly enough, she instructed him to detain the farmer by force if necessary.
“If I can’t get in touch with you, I may have the fellow questioned by police,” the dealer offered. “I don’t want to put myself into a hole.”
Penny was not entirely satisfied that the market man would keep his promise. However, she hesitated to make a report to the police without first consulting her father. Everything considered, it seemed best to let the situation work out as it would.