am in trouble again it will
kill her. Please, won't you let me go free?"

Even as the boy spoke, his eyes were roving to the door. It would not
be difficult for him to overpower the two girls and escape if he really
chose.

"If I should let you go will you promise not to get into any more
trouble?" Penny asked suddenly.

The boy nodded.

"I'll find a job and keep straight."

"Would you really work if you had a position?" Penny questioned.

"Would I? Just try me!"

"Then I'm going to turn you loose," she decided. "Come to my father's
office tomorrow at nine o'clock. I'll ask him to help you find a
position."

"Where is his office?" the boy inquired.

"In room 305 of the Leader building. You'll see his name on the door.
Christopher Nichols."

"Nichols, the detective?" the boy questioned uneasily.

"Yes, but you needn't be afraid he'll turn you over to the police.
Wait now, and I'll see if the coast is clear."

Opening the garage door a tiny crack, Penny peered out. As she had
expected there were no officers lingering about the neighborhood.

"It's safe to leave," she informed.

He started away, then paused and offered his hand to Penny.

"Thanks for giving me a break," he told her gratefully. "I really
meant what I said about going straight."

With that he darted through the open door and was lost in the night.

CHAPTER III

An Impulsive Act

"I don't know why I let him escape," Penny said self-accusingly as she
closed the garage doors. "I simply did it on the impulse of the
moment."

"One couldn't help liking the boy," Susan declared optimistically. "Do
you suppose he'll keep his promise and come to see your father?"

"If he doesn't I'll know I made a silly mistake. I hope they can't put
me in jail for permitting criminals to escape!"

"You might look very well in stripes," Susan teased. "They would never
become me because I'm too plump."

Penny was in no mood to respond to the attempted banter.

"I wonder what Dad will say when he learns about it," she mused
uncomfortably.

She did not have long to speculate for as the girls turned toward the
house Mr. Nichols came down the walk.

"I can't get in at the front door," he complained good naturedly. "Has
Mrs. Gallup locked up the place for the summer?"

Penny explained what had happened but as she repeated Jerry Barrows'
story it sounded flat and a trifle ridiculous. She was not surprised
that her father listened inc