nny started to follow, but without appearing to do so
intentionally, the manager neatly blocked her path.

"A disgruntled employee of mine," he announced blandly. "I've had a
great deal of trouble with him. He's a fine workman but difficult to
manage."

"What sort of work does he do?" Penny inquired alertly.

The manager was slightly taken aback at the question. He answered
evasively:

"Oh, he runs my tow truck and does odd jobs about the garage."

"I've seen him before," Penny remarked. "But his name has slipped my
mind. It's not Jerry Barrows is it?"

The manager scrutinized her intently for a moment. His eyes held a
fleeting expression of annoyance and dislike.

"Now I'm sorry but I can't tell you his name," he said apologetically.
"I don't know that I ever heard it, although it must be on our pay
rolls. Of course, I remember very few of my employees by their names."

Penny and Susan exchanged a quick glance which the manager noted. They
were both firmly convinced that Brunner knew the name but did not wish
to reveal it.

"Since the boy is an employee of yours, probably I could get his name
and address from the pay roll," Penny suggested pointedly.

Brunner hesitated, although only momentarily.

"Why certainly," he said genially. "I'll secure it for you myself.
Drop in any time next week and I'll have it for you."

"Couldn't I get it today?" Penny persisted.

"I am afraid that is impossible," Brunner smiled a trifle coldly. "It
is nearly time for me to leave the office now. Did you young ladies
wish to see me about another matter?"

Susan recounted her many unpleasant experiences in regard to the newly
purchased automobile. The manager listened politely but with
increasing frigidity.

"You must have misunderstood me, Miss Altman," he said when she had
finished. "We can't undertake to guarantee every car which leaves our
shop. As a courtesy to our customers we do occasionally make a few
minor repairs free of charge. We have found it impractical to go
further than this."

"But in my case, the car has run less than five hundred miles!" Susan
protested with growing anger. "It seems to me I'm entitled to service."

"You must see my repair man, Miss Altman. He adjusts all such matters."

"I have seen him, and I've had no satisfaction at all!"

"Then I'm afraid there's nothing more we can do for you."

"Your guarantee means nothing?"

"We stand behind our cars, Miss Altman, but you