Ghost Beyond the Gate

RTANT I

e. Eager to be off, Mr. Parker had neglected to make any arran

must wait here until he comes back to learn

angular man with hard brown eyes, paused on the threshold. The man was Harley Schirr, an assistant editor

," he said with elaborate cour

away a few

bsence?" Mr. Schirr smiled. Even so, to Penny's

n," she answered briefly. "I came to

tires were stolen last night." Mr

ecked herself, remembering that the information

aged the assi

ll catch the thiev

arker. Black Markets have flourished in this c

mean by a Black Ma

stolen or hijacked, are sold by the crooks to so-called hones

Dad think

esn't discuss his editorial policy with me. If he did,

stant editor, wondering how muc

ews," she said. "Why should h

health'

t know what you

The men who have muscled into the tire theft racket are ugly lads without scruples. If you

And a canny corner of her mind demanded to know how Mr. Schirr could be so well

oward," she

rageous to the point of rashness. But if he prints an exposé story about

he intends to d

arply put, surpr

astily. "I merely heard th

ble, the assistant editor murmured that he would r

ng back. Even more intensely than

been listening at the door or prying in Dad's papers! I'

utomatically Penny to

inquired a m

is his daughter speakin

urring voice. "Mr. Parke

please?" asked

y the click of a receive

the desk, she walked to the window. Mr. Schirr's intimation had

to Dad," she tried to assure herself. "I'm ju

orial room. She chatted with the society editor and for a time watc

the slot of the circular copy desk. "H

"I'm just waiting for Dad. He

ny debated whether or not to wait any longer, there was a sudden stir in the room. Glanc

nd editors left their d

paper ever had," Mr. DeWitt told him w

he reporter answered.

y goodbye. Jerry surprisingl

in," he invited, pulling her along. "

aiting

y grinned. "I've got

the railroad station, the reporter scarcely

irp," he sighed. "No telling when

thies," laughed Penny, though a lu

k down and confess how deso

s close by and Penny ha

it's that tire-theft story I want to ask you about. Did yo

ourse

mation," Penny said in relief. "But som

g? How could he

that something dreadful might happ

he said. "Schirr does a lot of wild talking. Probably whate

sation. Jerry paid the driver and hustled Penny inside. He bar

Jerry said, squ

da," Penny replied. "And

are hands," Jerry rejoined, mak

the last Pullman. As he waved from the steps, Penny reali

acks. Penny climbed a steep ramp to the street. S

and now it's Jerry," she re

Star office. As she debated the matter, her ear

" though

It raced to the end of the

accident,"

of the street a large crowd had gathered. A car with a smashed fe

enny asked a man w

" he answered. "Didn't s

f the other automo

d over the pavement. Ambulance men were searching the wreckage of the car whi

rear license plate of the smashed car.

e whispered. "H