tement someone had written the name of Christopher
Nichols in pencil.

Penny carefully folded the newspaper, replacing it upon the chair
exactly as she had found it.

"Let's get away from here before we're caught," she urged. "I suspect
we're in a Molberg hideout."

"Nothing would please me better than to leave this place," Susan
retorted grimly. "Just lead me to an exit."

"I think the tunnel probably will take us out. Come on, let's see."

Returning to the roadster the dark passage seemed forbiddingly
dangerous. Carefully examining the concrete floor, Penny discovered
tire patterns in the dirt. Other cars had used the tunnel.

With the engine at idling speed, they drove into it. The tunnel led
downward at such a steep angle that soon Penny was forced to use her
brakes to keep from going too fast.

"Where will this thing end?" Susan asked.

Even as she spoke they reached level ground. An ordinary double garage
door barred the way. Susan sprang out to open it.

"Why, we're in an empty garage," she announced as she swung back the
door.

Penny drove the roadster through and waited until Susan had closed the
door behind her. Through a plateglass window the girls could now see
the street. But it took them some time to locate another unlocked door
which permitted them to escape.

Once safely out of the building, they pulled up at the side of the road
to take note of their surroundings. At first they could not imagine
where they were.

"Why, this must be Arlington Avenue," Penny decided. "We're several
hundred feet lower than we were when we left that dead-end street on
the hilltop!"

"What a clever means for a crook to escape a police chase!"

"Yes, isn't it? I'm almost certain the place has been used by the
Molberg gang."

"Then we can't get away from here too quick," Susan declared nervously.

Penny laughed.

"We're safe enough now. Besides, I imagine this escape is never used
except in an emergency--probably only when the police are hot on the
trail."

Susan glanced at her watch.

"It's after ten o'clock and I promised mother I'd be back at nine."

"I'll take you straight home," Penny promised. "I don't suppose I need
to mention it, but I think we shouldn't tell anyone about what we
discovered tonight. At least not until the police have been notified."

"Of course not," Susan agreed instantly. "Why don't you have your
father make the report for us?"

"I'd like to handle it th