“Oh, the numbers are written on the under side of your desk,” Penny grinned. “Not a very good place either! You must trust your office help.”

“Fortunately my reporters aren’t quite as observing as a certain daughter,” Mr. Parker retorted grimly.

The editor removed a fat brown envelope from one of the drawers of the safe. Glancing at the papers it contained, he added them to the contents of the portfolio. He then locked the safe.

“How about letting me see that story?” Penny asked.

Mr. Parker smiled but shook his head. “Only two persons know the facts of the case—Jerry and myself.”

“Let’s make it a trio.”

“It will be after I’ve talked to the Prosecutor. I’ve got to step right along, too, or I’ll be late.”

“But Dad—”

“You’ll read the story in tomorrow’s Star—I hope,” her father laughed. Picking up the portfolio, he started for the door. “Just contain your impatience until I get back. And please keep those slippery little fingers away from my safe!”

CHAPTER 5 AN IMPORTANT INTERVIEW

CHAPTER

5

After her father had gone, Penny remained in the private office. Eager to be off, Mr. Parker had neglected to make any arrangements concerning the stripped car at the Riverview Yacht Club.

“Oh, bother!” she thought impatiently. “Now I must wait here until he comes back to learn what I’m to do. The car should be hauled home.”

Penny wrote a letter on the typewriter. As she searched for a stamp, the door swung open. A slightly bald, angular man with hard brown eyes, paused on the threshold. The man was Harley Schirr, an assistant editor, next in authority to Mr. DeWitt. Of the entire Star staff, he was the only person Penny actively disliked.

“Oh, good morning, Miss Parker,” he said with elaborate courtesy. “Your father isn’t here?”

“No, he went away a few minutes ago.”

“And you are taking care of the office in his absence?” Mr. Schirr smiled. Even so, to Penny’s sensitive 

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