"For the most part the wheels are trucked to other cities for disposal. The serial numbers are altered and the stolen goods is sold and distributed to dishonest dealers almost before the authorities are aware of the thefts. The police have been unable to cope with the situation." The adjuster smiled broadly, adding: "Now that your father is on the case, we're expecting a little action." "I'm sure he'll provide it," Penny declared loyally. The adjuster reached for a form book, and after asking a few routine questions concerning the stolen wheels, wrote out an order which permitted her to have them replaced free of charge at the garage where her roadster had been towed. Penny thanked him for the prompt service and left the office. Since she was eager to have her car in operating condition with the least possible delay, she carried the order directly to the Hamilton garage. A courteous attendant promised that he would have the roadster equipped and ready for the road within a few minutes. "You'll need a new standard for the spare too," he advised as she stood viewing the crippled car. "When the wheel was stolen, the thief didn't bother to take it off. Instead he cut the standard with some sharp instrument. Probably with a little hand power saw." "Isn't that a new method?" Penny inquired with interest, walking around the car to view the severed pieces of metal. "We're getting quite a few cars in here that way," the attendant returned as he unbolted the ruined tire standard and tossed it into a corner. While the man fastened a new wheel upon the rack, Penny went over and curiously picked up the discarded scraps of metal. She noted the jagged marks which the saw had left. "I wonder if Dad might not make use of this," she thought. "I'll take it along anyway." Somewhat to the amusement of the garage man, she carefully placed the pieces of steel in the rear compartment of the car. Penny had heard her father remark that many times it was possible to trace a crook by the tools he used. Once Mr. Nichols had apprehended a kidnapper by means of a ransom note which had been written upon a typewriter with a characteristic imprint. Penny hoped that the scraps of metal might upon scientific analysis disclose the type of instrument which had been employed by the thief to sever the tire standard. "I'll drive directly to Dad's office and see if he can make use of any of these old pieces," she decided. Although the errand provided an excellent excuse, the real purpose of her call was to learn if Jerry Barrows had kept his appointment. Mr. Nichols was busy in the inner office when Penny arrived, but Miss Arrow, the efficient secretary, told her that she might go in. She found the detective engrossed in studying a group of photographs and their accompanying Bertillon records. "Trying to brush up on who's out and why?" Penny asked banteringly. Mr. Nichols nodded as he offered a photograph for her inspection.