ong in the end."

"If I keep up my vigil even six days I'll have corns on the bottom of
my feet," Penny sighed. "Everything considered, I don't believe I'm
cut out to be a lady detective."

However, the following day found her again at her station in the post
office. The task of waiting and watching seemed even more tiresome
than before. When she came home late in the afternoon Mrs. Gallup
offered scant sympathy.

"I never heard of such a silly thing," she declared. "Standing all day
in the post office! I don't know why your father permits you to play
around at being a detective!"

"If you think it's play just try standing in one spot for eight hours!"
Penny said indignantly.

"I'd have better sense," Mrs. Gallup retorted. Then she softened. "I
know you're tired, Penny. Sit down and rest while I make you a cup of
hot chocolate."

With a blissful sigh, Penny sank into an upholstered chair. She was
looking at a magazine when the housekeeper returned with a pot of
chocolate.

"Here is a letter for you," she mentioned, dropping it into the girl's
lap. "It came this afternoon."

Noticing that it was postmarked Belton City, Penny quickly tore it
open. The envelope contained a brief note from Amy Coulter, who had
written to give her new address.

For a long time after she had finished reading the message, Penny sat
staring down at it without being aware of her preoccupation.

"I hope it isn't bad news," Mrs. Gallup said anxiously.

"Oh, no." Penny folded the message and thrust it into her pocket. "I
was only thinking."

Her thoughts had not been pleasant. She still liked Amy Coulter
despite the girl's strange actions, yet she felt that she could not
continue to help her without positive proof of her innocence. If only
Amy had explained her connection with George Hoges!

"You haven't been a bit like your usual self, Penny," Mrs. Gallup said
severely. "You're not sick, are you?"

"Of course not. I'm just tired."

"You've had too much excitement lately. It seems to me this household
is always in turmoil. The past week all I've heard of is robberies,
prowlers and more robberies!"

"At least we've had no murder yet," Penny chuckled. "By the way, what
did Dad say last night when you told him about the man we saw hiding
behind the garage?"

"He thought probably it was some crank. But I noticed he examined the
ground for footprints."

"Perhaps the prowler was the same person who broke into