Louise seized her arm. "Penny, you're not going in there!" "Why not?" "This is Dorr Street--one of the worst places in Riverview." "Oh, don't be silly," chuckled Penny. "It's perfectly safe by daylight. I'll go alone if you're afraid." Thus challenged, Louise indignantly denied that she was afraid, and accompanied her chum. The door of Mr. Kano's shop stood invitingly open. Pausing on the threshold, the girls caught a pleasant aroma of sandalwood. So quietly did Louise and Penny enter that the elderly, white-haired shop owner did not immediately see them. He sat behind a high counter, engrossed in something he was sewing. "Good afternoon," said Penny pleasantly. The Japanese glanced up quickly and as quickly thrust his work beneath the counter. Recovering poise, he bowed to the girls. "May we use your telephone if you have one?" Penny requested. "So very sorry, Miss," the Japanese responded, bowing again. "Have no telephone." Penny nodded, absently fingering a tray of tiny ivory figures. The Japanese watched her, and mistaking curiosity for buying interest, brought additional pieces for her to inspect. The curios were all too expensive for Penny's purse, but after endless debate she bought a pair of wooden clogs. The shop owner padded away into a back room, intending to wrap the package for her. Scarcely had he vanished when Penny turned excitedly to her chum. "Lou, did you notice how funny he acted when we came in here?" "Yes, he didn't want us to see what he was making evidently." "Exactly what I thought! But we'll fool Mr. Kano!" Giving Louise no opportunity to protest, Penny boldly peered behind the counter. "Here it is," she whispered. "But _what_ is it?" Hidden in a pasteboard box lay coil upon coil of what appeared to be fine, black silk rope. Curiously, she lifted it up, exposing a network of crossbars. "Well, of all things!" she exclaimed. "It's a ladder, Lou! A ladder made of silk!" CHAPTER 2 _A ROPE OF SILK_ Even as Penny spoke, she felt a hard, warning tug on her skirt. Quickly she turned around. In the doorway stood the old Japanese. His smile was not pleasant to behold. "We-we were just looking at this rope," Penny stammered, trying to carry off the situation with dignity. "I hope you don't mind." The Japanese shopkeeper gazed steadily at the girl, his face an emotionless mask. Since he spoke no word, it became increasingly evident that he regarded her with anger and suspicion. "May I ask what use is made of this silk rope?" Penny inquired. "Do you sell it for a special purpose?" The Japanese coldly ignored the direct questions. "So very sorry to have kept you waiting," he said softly. "Your change please." Penny knew that she deserved the rebuke. Accepting the package and coins, she and Louise hastily left the shop. Not until they were some distance away did the latter speak.