The girl flashed her father an appealing glance. It was obvious to both Penny and Susan that she was greatly upset about something, yet the officer appeared not to notice. He did not seem to realize that she wished to speak with him privately. "It's very kind of you to take my daughter home, Miss Nichols," he said quietly. "Don't keep them waiting, Betty." Reluctantly, the girl crowded into the seat beside Penny and Susan. "I live at 1406 St. Clair Avenue," she informed briefly. As they drove slowly along, Penny had an opportunity to study the girl. She was an odd type. Serious and certainly not talkative. When drawn into conversation, her answers were given in monosyllables. "She's worrying over something," Penny thought. The car halted before a modest brown cottage on St. Clair Avenue. Betty Davis alighted. "Thank you so much for bringing me home," she told Penny gratefully. She hesitated, then added earnestly: "I know you thought it queer because I asked my father not to make that report." "I'm sure you must have had a very good reason," Penny returned. "I was overwrought or I shouldn't have made the request. You see, my father is in great danger!" "I don't quite understand." Already Betty Davis felt that she was revealing too much. "I wish I could tell you about it--but I don't dare," she murmured. With that she turned and ran into the house. CHAPTER VII An Awkward Situation "Now just what did she mean by that remark?" Susan demanded of her chum as they saw Betty Davis disappear inside the cottage. "I'm not a mind reader," Penny returned with a shrug. "The air seems to be filled with mysteries this evening." She then told of her experience in shadowing the man whom she had believed to be Rap Molberg. Susan listened in amazement. "You must have lost your senses, Penny Nichols! If you turn up missing some morning, it will be easy to guess the reason why!" "Perhaps it was a foolish thing to do. But I thought if I could learn Rap Molberg's hideout it would be a big help to Dad. Investigators from the agency have been searching days for that man. "You should leave the job to them then," Susan advised severely. "I guess I will," Penny said ruefully. "At any rate, I failed at it." After dropping Susan off at the Altman residence, she drove on to her own home. Mr. Nichols was nervously pacing the living room floor when Penny entered. "I'm glad you're here," he said in relief. "Mrs. Gallup told me you had gone off after receiving a telephone call. I was afraid it might have been a frame-up." "I went to meet Susan. Didn't Mrs. Gallup explain?" "No, but it doesn't matter now. I shouldn't have worried only things have been popping in the city tonight." "The tire theft gang is at work again?" "Yes, they made a big haul. When the story gets out, the Nichols Detective Agency isn't going to appear in a very good light." "You haven't been working long on the case, Dad."