The pursuit led into the hilly, crooked streets upon which the older section of Belton City had been built. As they raced down first one narrow street and then another, turning corners at a breathless speed, Penny suspected that the man had become aware that he was being followed. Her driver had increasing difficulty in keeping him in sight. "The right hand turn!" Penny cried as the taxi-man hesitated at an intersection. They tore down a dark, twisting street at a break-neck speed. Suddenly the driver slammed on his brakes. The thoroughfare had come to an abrupt end. "It's a dead-end," the taximan said in disgust, turning the cab around. "He couldn't have come this way." "I'm sure he did," Penny insisted. The street was short and she could see its entire length. The green car had vanished. There were no houses or garages into which the automobile might have turned. On either side of the street stood factory and manufacturing buildings. "Shall I try another road?" the driver questioned. "It's no use now. I guess we've lost him. But I was positive that man came this way. I don't see how I lost him." She gave her home address to the driver, and sank back against the cushions, completely disgusted with the turn of events. As Penny alighted at her own door, she cast a speculative glance toward the lighted window. If her father had not returned, Mrs. Gallup was almost certain to ask embarrassing questions concerning her arrival in a taxicab. "And I forgot the ice cream too!" she thought. "I'll have a nice time explaining." However, it was not necessary to give an account of her activities. Mrs. Gallup met her at the door. "You came just in time, Penny. You're wanted on the telephone." "It isn't Father?" "No," the housekeeper assured her, "I think it's your chum." "Susan?" "Yes." Mrs. Gallup pushed her gently toward the telephone. "The girl seems to be greatly excited over something. Do hurry and answer for she's been waiting several minutes now." CHAPTER VI Susan's Misfortune When Penny answered the telephone she heard her chum's agitated voice. "I know I shouldn't bother you so late in the evening," Susan began excitedly, "but I've had the worst luck with my new car!" "You haven't been in a collision?" "No, it isn't quite that bad. But I'm stranded on Eighth Avenue and I can't reach my folks by telephone." "I'll drive over and get you," Penny offered. "What's the matter anyway? Has the engine balked already?" "The car has been stripped by thieves! I'm so furious I can't even talk about it." "I'll come right over and see for myself," Penny declared. Pausing only long enough to tell Mrs. Gallup where she was going, Penny backed her roadster from the garage. She located Susan not far from Eighth Avenue and Clark, sitting gloomily behind the wheel of her new coupé. As Penny drove up she saw that the spare wheel was missing. A spotlight was gone and likewise a reflecting mirror.