intain a patient vigil at
the Post Office, in time the ex-museum worker would appear there for
his mail. The next morning found her at her usual station, determined
not to become discouraged by failure.

For three long hours she kept faithful watch of the General Delivery
window. A great many persons came and went but no one who remotely
resembled Mr. Hoges. Penny became aware of a growing hunger although
it was not yet noon. She noticed a restaurant directly across the
street.

"I'll slip over there and have a sandwich," she decided. "It will only
take a minute."

The restaurant was crowded. It was impossible for Penny to find a
table near the window. She was forced to sit at the rear of the room
and other diners blocked her view of the street.

She hastily ate her sandwich and returned to the post office. Scarcely
had she taken her position near the door, when the clerk at the General
Delivery window signalled her.

"Weren't you the girl who wanted to see George Hoges?"

"Yes, I am."

"He just called for his mail a few minutes ago."

Penny's heart sank. After waiting nearly two days she had missed the
man. And it was entirely her own fault.

"You didn't see which direction he went?"

"No, I didn't," the clerk answered. "But he left only a minute or so
before you came in."

"Then maybe I can still catch him," Penny said hopefully.

She ran from the building, pausing on the outside steps to survey the
street. A man who from a distance resembled the ex-museum worker was
just turning the corner.

"I believe it's Mr. Hoges!" she thought excitedly.

Penny raced to the corner. The man was only a little ways ahead, and
as he paused for an instant to glance into a shop window, she caught a
glimpse of his face. It was George Hoges.

Penny's original intention had been to question the man, but now she
slightly altered her plan. She would follow him.

The ex-museum worker walked rapidly down the street with Penny in close
pursuit. However, she took care not to draw too near, fearing that he
might glance back and recognize her.

At first Hoges kept to the main streets, but presently he turned toward
a section which was somewhat deserted. Penny was forced to drop
farther behind. They came soon to a factory district with many vacant
buildings, similar in many respects to the Franklyn Street section.

Hoges halted in front of an old building, and disappeared inside. When
Penny drew near a mi