only one to have
such bad luck."

"Quite the contrary. You merely chanced to be one of the victims of a
systematic combing of the city. Nearly all of the wheels were taken in
a relatively small downtown area. Now, in all probability there will
be a lull in the activities for a few weeks. Then the gang will make
another large haul."

"But when the wheels are taken in such numbers I should think it would
be easy to trace them," Penny ventured.

The adjuster shook his head.

"For the most part the wheels are trucked to other cities for disposal.
The serial numbers are altered and the stolen goods is sold and
distributed to dishonest dealers almost before the authorities are
aware of the thefts. The police have been unable to cope with the
situation." The adjuster smiled broadly, adding: "Now that your father
is on the case, we're expecting a little action."

"I'm sure he'll provide it," Penny declared loyally.

The adjuster reached for a form book, and after asking a few routine
questions concerning the stolen wheels, wrote out an order which
permitted her to have them replaced free of charge at the garage where
her roadster had been towed. Penny thanked him for the prompt service
and left the office.

Since she was eager to have her car in operating condition with the
least possible delay, she carried the order directly to the Hamilton
garage. A courteous attendant promised that he would have the roadster
equipped and ready for the road within a few minutes.

"You'll need a new standard for the spare too," he advised as she stood
viewing the crippled car. "When the wheel was stolen, the thief didn't
bother to take it off. Instead he cut the standard with some sharp
instrument. Probably with a little hand power saw."

"Isn't that a new method?" Penny inquired with interest, walking around
the car to view the severed pieces of metal.

"We're getting quite a few cars in here that way," the attendant
returned as he unbolted the ruined tire standard and tossed it into a
corner.

While the man fastened a new wheel upon the rack, Penny went over and
curiously picked up the discarded scraps of metal. She noted the
jagged marks which the saw had left.

"I wonder if Dad might not make use of this," she thought. "I'll take
it along anyway."

Somewhat to the amusement of the garage man, she carefully placed the
pieces of steel in the rear compartment of the car.

Penny had heard her father remark that