Ghost Beyond the Gate

PEN

o leave the Star plant. Going down in the elevator, she requested C

ad to hear it." Opening the cage door, he inq

ught I

ou might tell him that we

eliver the messag

then presented herself at the institution. After a brief wait i

cheerfully, handing the b

stirred and turned his he

ed with a trace of his old spirit

led Penny. She sat down i

up!" the editor went on.

long silence followed, a

e found-prob

es closed. "I've been thin

Penny

ed ether," DeWitt muttered. "About

Penny asked after a moment. "Mr. Schirr believes his d

," he mumbled. "Your father was planning to b

carried in the portfolio when he

his head. "Je

can I r

ve an address

't thi

h talking, DeWitt fell silent. At length however, he arou

rry's a

-theft gang. If the police

Prosecutor's office," Penny replied thoughtfully. "But some o

to the room with a

you to remain much longe

ny remembered to delive

e office?" Mr. DeWitt a

ey Sc

got to roll out of here!" he declared. "Things

rything will go along," she soothed. "Mr.

DeWitt. "Oh, well, I'll be b

the newspaper office. Pausing at the downstairs advertising d

from his billfold. "A wire might reach him. But there's a good chance i

red to send for her. In the message she not only told of her father's strange disa

hought, with renewed hope in her efforts. "I be

tion that some evidence against the tire-th

reflected. "Still, I know the combination

debated waiting until after four o'clock when the editor doubtless would

uld I be afraid of Harley Schirr? When Dad gets back

t stir. However, no one spoke to her as she walked s

onference?" she asked

on in," the man r

was down on his knees in front of the open safe. Evidently he had been going through Mr. Parker

ang to his feet, the picture of guilt. Then, recover

office door before she spok

plain what you are doi

rmation about the

y the Star neve

rept over Schirr's cheeks but his manner remained c

permission to

I am editor her

enough times," Penny retorted. "H

know

s written on Dad's

small stack of yellowed letters. The act infuriated Penny, for she recognized the packet. Years

she cried, darting forw

e other papers and envelopes from the floor. Thrusting e

nted the edit

facing him with blazing eyes. "Do y

stunned. Then he l

g me," he mocked. "By

my father

, Miss Penelope Parker. You're a minor as well as a nuisanc

ack the tears. "You don't care about Dad,

're hyst

ool determination that Harley Schirr should n

said," she told him

ting himself at the desk,

wish to contest my right, take your case to court