"Now if only I have a key that will unlock it!" muttered Mr. Parker.

He tried several. At length one did fit the keyhole, the lock clicked, and he was able to push open the door.

In the little storage room close to the outside building wall were tires of all sizes and description. Some were new, still wrapped in clean paper. Others appeared slightly used.

"See, Dad!" Penny cried triumphantly. "I was right!"

"We still have no proof this rubber was illegally obtained."

Penny darted forward to inspect a stack of tires which rose half way to the ceiling.

"Here's one that might have come off my car!" she cried. "See! Mine had a tiny cut place where I rammed the maple tree backing out of our garage!"

"All tires look alike, Penny. Without the serial number--"

"I do remember part of it. One was 8910 something."

"Then this isn't your tire," replied Mr. Parker, reading the number.

"However, I shouldn't be surprised that these are stolen tires."

Penny held up her hand as a signal for silence.

"Quiet, Dad!" she whispered.

Footsteps had sounded in the tunnel between the boxes. The next instant the door was flung open. Penny and her father stood face to face with Sam Burkholder.

CHAPTER 24 _TRICKERY_

"What d'you think you're doing in here?" demanded Sam Burkholder harshly.

"Snoopers, eh?"

"Call us that if you like," retorted Mr. Parker. "How long have you been dealing in stolen tires?"

The shot hit its target. Sam started to speak but no words came. He looked badly frightened. Convinced that his suspicion was correct, Mr.

Parker added sternly:

"Naturally, I'll report this to the police. You and your partner will have to face charges."

"Keep Mattie out of this," growled Sam. "She had nothing to do with the tire business."

"So you carried on crooked operations all by your lonesome?"

"I've bought and sold a few tires," Sam said sullenly. "All these government regulations give me a pain. A guy can't make any money these days."

"So you admit you've been doing an illegal business?"

"Maybe," said Sam, watching Mr. Parker craftily. "But what's it to you? I take it you're not a government agent?"

"I'm interested in breaking up a gang of leeches--the men who've been cleaning this town of tires for the past three months."

"Those guys are crooks all right," agreed Sam. "Why the last time they sold me a bunch of tires they charged double. When I wasn't going to take 'em they said, 'Either you do, or else!'"

"Did you deal with Ropes Mollinberg?"

"He's just one of the little fry. What will you give me to spill?"

"Nothing."

"Will you keep Mattie out of this?"

"If she's innocent."

"She is," insisted Sam. "Supposin' I tell you how to get the whole gang, will you forget what you've seen here?"

"I make no bargains with Black Market dealers," retorted Mr. Parker.

"Either you tell what you know, or I'll have you and Mattie hauled into court."

Sam Burkholder was silent a moment.

"Okay," he said abruptly. "I've had enough of this business anyhow. I'll tell you what I know, and it won't take me long. I've never seen nor dealt direct with the big shots."

"Then how do you get your tires?"

"A trucker by the name of Hank Biglow delivers them to me."

"Louise and I know that man!" cried Penny. "For whom does he work?"

"I've never asked. But from something Hank dropped I kinda suspect the boys are having a meeting tonight."

"Where?" Mr. Parker demanded eagerly.

"I'll tell you on one condition. You've got to keep Mattie out of this.

So far as she knows this garage has been run pretty much on the square."

Mr. Parker was unwilling to make any sort of agreement with the man.

Nevertheless, he realized that Sam had it within his power to withhold vital information.

"Very well," he said, "I'll take your word for it that Mattie is innocent. Now where is the meeting to be held?"

"At Johnson's warehouse."

"Isn't that along the river?"

"Yeah, about eight miles from here. The boys will be loading some tires there. If you're willing to take the risk, you may learn something.