Ghost Beyond the Gate

LEASAN

girls could see the truck driver sl

"but why start a fuss? After all, I sup

have froze

ly didn't realiz

," Penny said with a sniff. "He heard me

let's f

had been friends since grade school days. They made an excellent

frequently tried her hand at writing stories for her father's newspaper. Such truly important yarns as The Vanishing Houseboat, The Wishing Well, Behind the Green Door, and The C

her, "not a word to that truck

. I'll try to

estaurant. Near the doorway they came to the parked truck

ent," comme

o you

ced, Lou, that's the way machines and materials are transported t

y cafe. As they seated themselves at a table the driver

tonight, Baby?" he

slapped a menu card on th

ain't you?"

" the waitress de

a nice sm

itress started to se

s," the driver hurled after her. "And

he man was in no haste to consume them. He read a newspa

t Salt might be waiting for them, they swall

Upon impulse she quietly asked the man behi

ame of Hank Bigl

l car screeched to a standstill just outside the restau

comin' here for?" H

owner. "Maybe they want to ask you a fe

y that crack?" the

d the matter to pass. Although he remained at the coun

ver had interested Penny. To delay her departure

Tramping into the cafe, he pounded his hands

tle of your heat?" he

your

man had sat tense and nervous at the counter. Now he seem

eted him. "Didn't see you at fir

r growled. "Workin

hought had been that Hank Biglow feared a police invest

remaining in the cafe, the gi

wasn't looking for Hank

uise, stooping to fasten the buckle of her he

at the cashie

e cargo h

ny, "what do you

nk it was inte

u. Hank took offense at the remark

e big truck which was parked

can be in those

id they contained tools o

I assumed it from the lac

ce close to an opening between the slats, she coun

t merchandise," she speculated. "Ma

off. Someone had touch

e same policeman who a moment

ink you're doin

ed Penny. "We were wondering

"Now skidoo! Behave yourselves or