“Anyhow, I intend to look carefully about,” declared Penny. “After all, I am responsible for this place now.”
Both girls were uneasy as they wandered from room to room. Penny even ventured into the basement where a number of rats had taken refuge. The building seemed deserted.
“We’re only wasting precious time,” she said at last. “Whoever the intruder was, he’s gone now.”
Retracing their way to the advertising department, the girls stopped short, staring at the counter. The hat, observed there only a few minutes before, had vanished.
CHAPTER
6
HEADLINES AND HEADACHES
Penny and Louise stared at the counter, unable to believe their eyesight. They knew that they had not touched the hat. Obviously it had been removed by the man who had left it there.
“The hat’s gone,” whispered Louise nervously. “That means someone is still inside the building!”
“He could have slipped out the front door while we were in the basement.”
Once more the girls made a complete tour of the building, entering every room. Unable to find an intruder they finally decided to give up the futile search.
“After this I’ll take care to lock the door,” declared Penny as they prepared to leave the building. “Now let’s get busy and gather our staff.”