ent of major importance. They were so absorbed in an animated
discussion of the affair that they were taken completely by surprise
when a policeman held up his hand for Penny to stop.

"Now what have I done?" she murmured in alarm, bringing the sedan to a
sudden halt at the curbing. "I hope I haven't crashed a light."

The officer stepped up to the car window.

"Aren't you Miss Nichols?" he questioned.

"Why, yes, I am." Penny was slightly relieved at his tone.

"I recognized your car and knew you lived in the neighborhood. I
thought I'd give you a friendly warning."

"A warning? I don't understand."

"We're on the lookout for a crook who vanished somewhere in this
vicinity," the officer explained. "In fact, he ran through the hedge
which borders your place."

"Did you search the grounds?" Penny asked with interest.

"Yes, but he made his get-away. I just thought I'd tip you off to be
careful."

"We'll be on the lookout," Penny promised. "Thanks for telling us."

The officer moved aside and she drove on again.

"I've had almost enough excitement for one evening without encountering
a desperado," Susan declared with a little shiver as they approached
the Nichols residence. "I wonder why they're after the man?"

"He's probably a jail breaker," Penny returned carelessly.

Susan studied her chum admiringly.

"You're the most casual person I ever knew, Penelope Nichols. Didn't
that warning give you the creeps?"

"To tell you the truth I didn't think much about it. The man would be
miles from here by this time."

Nevertheless, as she turned the car into the gravel driveway, Penny's
keen gaze swept the dark grounds.

Susan likewise surveyed the yard anxiously. Suddenly she uttered a low
cry, nervously clutching her companion's arm.

"I saw a shadow just then!" she whispered tensely. "I do believe
someone is hiding in the lilac bushes!"

CHAPTER II

Inside the Trunk

Penny instantly halted the car on the driveway, peering in the
direction which her chum indicated.

"I don't see anyone," she insisted. "Perhaps the shadow you saw was
caused by that big tree."

She pointed to a large oak which shaded the rear porch of the Nichols'
home. Its swaying boughs did produce grotesque silhouettes upon the
path near the lilac bushes.

"You may be right," Susan admitted reluctantly. "Only I was almost
positive I saw someone."

"I think your nerves are a tiny bit on edge to-night," Penn