o peer out through a tiny peep-hole
in the wall.

"It's all right," he said in relief. "It's the boss. He must have
burned up the road getting here from Somm Center."

The wide doors were flung open and a high-powered motor car drove into
the building. George Brunner alighted.

"There's no time to waste," he informed tersely. "Load up those wheels
and get them out of here!"

"We haven't finished defacing the numbers," Molberg told him.

"We can't stop for that. The important thing is to get this place
cleared of evidence before the police pounce down on us."

Quickly the wheels which had been unloaded were stacked back into the
truck. Brunner turned sharply upon Jerry Barrows.

"There's your load!" he snapped. "Get going with it!"

The boy made no move to obey.

"Did you hear?" Brunner snarled.

"I heard," Jerry Barrows retorted coldly, "but I'm not driving that
truck out of here tonight. I'm through!"

"We'll see about that!" Brunner came toward him menacingly.

The boy cringed in terror but stood his ground.

"I've been thinking it over," he said determinedly. "I'd rather go to
jail than keep on as I have. I've driven my last truck load of stolen
wheels!"

Brunner caught him roughly by the shoulder.

"You're yellow!" he sneered. "But I know how to handle your kind.
I'll just let your father hear that his son has become a thief! How
will you like that?"

All color had drained from the boy's face. In the light from the
workmen's torches, it appeared almost ghostly.

"You know it will just about kill my father if he learns the truth!"

"Then you'll do as I say!"

The boy hesitated, seemingly almost on the verge of giving in. Then he
threw back his head defiantly.

"No, I've made up my mind! I'm through for good!"

"That's your final decision?"

"It is."

Without warning, Brunner's fist shot out. He struck the boy squarely
under the chin. Jerry Barrows' knees crumpled beneath him and he
sagged to the floor.

Brunner turned to the others who stood watching.

"Anyone here who feels the same way?"

No one spoke.

"Then back to your work!" Brunner commanded. "Clear the building of
every scrap of evidence."

Penny was horrified at the scene she had witnessed. Jerry Barrows lay
so motionless upon the floor that she was afraid he had been seriously
injured. She longed to go to his aid, yet dared not make a move lest
she betray her presence.

"If only I could get word to