Clue of the Silken Ladder

  CHAPTER 5 _THE MAN IN GRAY_

  Deciding that the matter should be brought to Mr. Kohl's attention, Pennylooked quickly into the crowded theatre lobby. The banker and his wife nolonger were to be seen.

  Turning once more, the girl saw that the young man in gray had alsodisappeared.

  "Now where did he go?" thought Penny. "He must have slipped into thealley. I wish I knew who he was and why he wrote down that car licensenumber."

  Curious to learn what had become of the man, she walked to the entranceof the alley. At its far end she could barely distinguish a shadowyfigure which soon merged into the black of the starless night.

  Penny was lost in thought when someone touched her arm. Whirling, shefound herself facing Louise Sidell.

  "Oh, hello, Lou," she laughed. "You startled me."

  "Sorry to have kept you waiting," apologized Louise. "I missed my bus.May I ask what you find of such interest in this alley?"

  "I was looking for a man. He's disappeared now."

  Penny told Louise what she had observed, mentioning that in her opinionthe man might be a car thief.

  "I've heard that crooks spot cars ahead of time and then steal them," shedeclared. "I think I should have Mr. Kohl paged in the theatre, and tellhim about it."

  "You'll make yourself appear ridiculous if you do," Louise discouragedher. "The man may not have taken down the license number at all. Even ifhe did, his purpose could have been a legitimate one."

  "Then why did he slip down the alley?"

  "It's merely a short-cut to another street, isn't it? Penny, yourimagination simply works at high speed twenty-four hours of the day."

  "Oh, all right," said Penny with a shrug. "But if Mr. Kohl's car isstolen, don't blame me."

  "It won't be," laughed Louise, linking arms with her chum. "Not with achauffeur at the wheel."

  Entering the theatre, the girls were escorted to their seats only a fewminutes before the lights were lowered. Penny glanced over the audiencebut failed to see either Mr. Kohl or his wife. The curtain went up, andas the entertainment began, she dismissed all else from her mind.

  The show ended shortly before eleven and the girls mingled with the crowdwhich filed from the theatre. Penny watched for Mr. and Mrs. Kohl but didnot see them. As she walked with Louise toward the bus stop she spoke ofher new duties as society editor of the _Star_.

  "Lou," she asked abruptly, "do you mind going home alone?"

  "Why, no. Where are you taking yourself?"

  "To the _Star_ office, if you don't mind."

  "At this time of night?"

  "I have a few notes I should type. Unfinished work always makes menervous."

  "You, nervous!" Louise scoffed. "I'll bet you want to see JerryLivingston!"

  "No such thing," denied Penny indignantly. "Jerry doesn't work on thenight force unless he's assigned to extra duty."

  "Well, you have something besides work on your mind."

  "Come along with me, Suspicious, and I'll prove it."

  "No, thanks," declined Louise. "It's home and bed for me. You run along."

  The girls separated, Penny walking three blocks to the _Star_ building.The advertising office was dark, but blue-white lights glowed weirdlyfrom the composing room. Only a skeleton night staff occupied thenewsroom.

  Without attracting attention, Penny entered her own office. For an hourshe worked steadily, writing copy, and experimenting with various typesof make-up to be used on Monday's page.

  The door creaked. Glancing up, Penny momentarily was startled to see alarge, grotesque shadow of a man moving across the glass panel. However,before she actually could be afraid, Jerry Livingston stepped into theroom.

  "Oh, it's you!" she laughed in relief. "I thought it was against yourprinciples to work overtime."

  The reporter slumped into a chair, and picking up a sheet of copy paper,began to read what Penny had composed.

  "I'm not working," he replied absently. "Just killing time." With a yawnhe tossed the paper on the desk again.

  "Is my stuff that bad?" inquired Penny.

  "Not bad at all. Better than Miss Hilderman writes. But society alwaysgives me a pain. Not worthy of your talents, Penny."

  "I wish you would tell Dad that, Jerry. I'd love to work on a big storyagain--one that would rock Riverview on its foundation!"

  "I could bear up under a little excitement myself, Penny. Ever since youbroke the Green Door yarn, this sheet has been as dead as an Egyptiantomb."

  "Things may pick up soon."

  "Meaning--?"

  "Dad is thinking rather seriously of launching a drive against anorganized group of mediums."

  "So I hear," nodded Jerry. "You know, for a long while I've thought thata clever reporter might be able to dig up some evidence at the CelestialTemple."

  "Then you know about the place?"

  "I've been there several times."

  "What are the meetings like, Jerry?" Penny asked eagerly.

  "Similar to a church musical service. At least everything was dignifiedwhen I was there. But I sure had a feeling that the lid was about to blowoff."

  "Perhaps you were suspected of being a _Star_ reporter, Jerry."

  "Oh, undoubtedly. I could tell that by the way folks stared at me. Theonly person who would have a chance to get real evidence would be someoneunknown as a reporter."

  "I wish Dad would let me try it."

  "I don't," said Jerry flatly. "The Celestial Temple is no place for alittle girl like you."

  Penny did not reply as she lowered her typewriter into the cavity of thedesk. She was thinking, however, that if Louise could be persuaded toaccompany her, she would investigate the Celestial Temple at the firstopportunity.

  "I'll take you home," Jerry offered as Penny reached for her hat.

  The night was a warm, mellow one in early June, marred only by darkclouds which scudded overhead, threatening rain. Deciding to walk, Pennyand Jerry crossed the park to Oakdale Drive where many of Riverview'smost expensive homes had been built.

  "Doesn't Mr. Kohl live on this street?" Penny presently asked her escort.

  "Yes," he answered, "in a large stone apartment building. I'll point itout when we get there."

  They walked for a time in silence. Then Penny found herself telling aboutthe afternoon meeting with Mr. Kohl which had led her to Kano's CurioShop. She spoke, too, of the silken ladder which had so aroused herspeculation. Jerry listened with polite interest.

  "You and Louise shouldn't have chased around Dorr Street alone," he saidseverely. "It's a bad district."

  "Oh, it was safe enough, Jerry. I'd like to go back there. I can't helpbeing curious about that strange ladder which the old Japanese man wassewing."

  "I doubt if there's a story connected with it. The Japanese make anynumber of curious articles of silk, you know."

  "But a ladder, Jerry! What purpose could it serve?"

  "For one thing it would be more convenient to carry than the ordinarytype."

  "One couldn't stand it against a wall or use it in the ordinary way,Jerry. I asked the Japanese about it but he refused to answer."

  "He may not have understood you."

  "Oh, he understood, all right. Do you know what I think? He was afraid Imight discover something which would involve him with the police!"

  "Better forget the Kano Curio Shop," Jerry said tolerantly. "I repeat,Dorr Street is no place for you."

  "And I'm supposed to forget the Celestial Temple, too," grumbled Penny."Oh, I see you grinned behind your hand! Well, Mr. Livingston, let metell you--"

  She paused, and Jerry's hand tightened on her own. Unmistakably, both hadheard a muffled scream. The cry seemed to have come from one of severallarge brick and stone buildings only a short distance ahead.

  "What was that?" Penny asked in a low tone. "Someone calling for help?"

  "It sure sounded like it!" exclaimed Jerry. "Come on, Penny! Le
t's findout what's going on here!"