The Penny Parker Megapack: 15 Complete Novels (277 page)

Rhoda, preparing to accompany her grandmother, hurriedly said goodbye to Penny. “I’ll see you tomorrow and really thank you for all you did tonight,” she promised earnestly. “I hope we can be friends always.”

Mr. Ayling then tried to express his appreciation to the Parkers.

“As an investigator, you’re the tops,” he praised Penny. “If it hadn’t been for you, Jay Highland certainly would have made off with the sapphire, and our company would have had to pay plenty. If ever I can repay the favor, let me know.”

Her reply was cut short by Mr. Parker who glanced nervously at his watch.

“I don’t like to break up this little party, but we must hot-foot it to the
Star
office!” he exclaimed. “Penny, we have barely thirty minutes in which to catch the three-star edition!”

“That’s so!” she agreed, looking startled. “I forgot all about the assignment Mr. DeWitt gave me! And this is a big story!”

“Tremendous!” her father corrected. “Think you can shoot copy fast, or will you need Jerry to take over?”

“You’ll hear no S.O.S. call from me,” Penny laughed, her active mind already thinking in terms of front page headlines. “Writing this story will be duck soup compared to digging up the material. Just lead me to a typewriter!”