ng were loaded
into police cars and taken back to Belton City. Although technically
under custody, Jimmie Davis rode with Mr. Nichols and was not
handcuffed.

Betty and her father took Penny home since Mr. Nichols found it
necessary to go to the police station.

"I can't thank you enough for all you've done," Betty said gratefully
as Penny alighted at her own doorstep. "If Jimmie does go free, it
will be entirely through your efforts and your father's."

"I think everything will come out right," Penny told her encouragingly.
"If there's any news I'll let you know the first thing in the morning."

As the car drove away, Mrs. Gallup rushed out of the house to embrace
the girl.

"Penny, what has happened?" she cried. "Your clothes are dirty and
mussed. You're a sight!"

"I don't doubt it," Penny laughed. "I've had a wild night."

"I didn't get home until an hour ago," Mrs. Gallup explained. "When I
found you weren't here I was frantic. I was afraid you might have been
kidnapped again."

"Rap Molberg won't trouble me after this, Mrs. Gallup. He's spending
the night in jail."

She then gave a glowing account of the capture at the Somm Center
sawmill. The details left the housekeeper dumbfounded.

"Penny Nichols, it's plain to see you're going to take after your
father," she sighed. "One detective in the family is bad enough."

"It was the most exciting experience of my life!" Penny declared, her
eyes gleaming. "I suppose I shall never have another like it."

In such a prediction, she was entirely mistaken. Without the power to
look into the future she could not know that an adventure of far
different character, though even more thrilling, awaited her. _The
Mystery of the Lost Key_, the second volume in the Penny Nichols
series, relates her escapades at Raven Ridge.

Events had moved with such rapidity that until Mrs. Gallup brought a
tray of steaming food from the kitchen and set it before her, Penny had
not realized how very hungry she was. She had just finished the supper
when Mr. Nichols came home.

"What news?" Penny asked eagerly.

"Brunner and Molberg are both behind bars where they belong," her
father reported. "Brunner is trying to raise bail and may get out by
morning."

"Oh, then he may escape the law after all."

"No danger of that, Penny. He'll be watched from the instant he leaves
the jail and kept in sight until he appears for trial."

"Do you think he will be convicted?"