It was eleven-forty by the office clock. Never had time seemed to pass so slowly. As Penny debated whether or not to wait any longer, there was a sudden stir in the room. Glancing toward the outside door, she saw that Jerry Livingston, suitcase in hand, had entered.

Immediately reporters and editors left their desks to shake his hand.

“Jerry, you’re the best reporter this paper ever had,” Mr. DeWitt told him warmly. “We surely hate to see you go.”

“Oh, I’ll be back,” the reporter answered. “You can bet on that!”

Penny crossed the room to say goodbye. Jerry surprisingly tucked her arm through his.

“Come along and see me off on the train,” he invited, pulling her along. “Not doing anything special, are you?”

“Just waiting for Dad.”

“Then come on,” Jerry grinned. “I’ve got a lot to say to you.”

However, once in the taxi, speeding toward the railroad station, the reporter scarcely spoke. He reached out and captured her hand.

“I’m going to miss you, little twirp,” he sighed. “No telling when I’ll get back to the Star. Maybe—”

“Now don’t try to work on my sympathies,” laughed Penny, though a lump came in her throat. “Oh, Jerry—”

“At your command. Just break down and confess how desolate you’ll be without me.”

The railroad station was close by and Penny had only a moment to talk.

“Riverview will be a blank without you,” she admitted. “But it’s that tire-theft story I want to ask you about. Did you ever tell anyone that Dad is planning to expose the gang?”

“Of course not!”

“I knew you wouldn’t give out any information,” Penny said in relief. “But somehow Harley Schirr has learned about it.”

“Schirr! That egg? How could he have found out?”

“I’d like to know myself. He hinted that something dreadful might happen to Dad if the story is printed.”

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