As Penny drove up she saw that the spare wheel was missing. A spotlight was gone and likewise a reflecting mirror.
"The thieves very obligingly left me the steering wheel," Susan greeted her friend. "When a person can't park fifteen minutes without having everything stolen, I think it's time for the police to get busy!"
"How did you happen to be parked downtown?" Penny inquired. "Your mother said you had gone to visit an aunt."
"I did, but on the way home I stopped at the "Y" for a swim. I should have left the car on a lot but I thought I'd save the quarter. Now witness the result!"
"You still have four tires," Penny pointed out. "That's more than they left me."
"Yes, but they've done something to the engine. It won't start. That's why I called you."
Penny lifted the hood to look at the motor. Susan peered anxiously over her shoulder.
"It looks to me as if some of the vital parts are missing. Offhand I'd say it was the generator."
"What's a generator?" Susan asked blankly. "Are they very expensive?"
"I don't know but I imagine they are. Isn't your car covered by insurance, Susan?"
"No, it isn't. We intended to take it out but we didn't think a few days' delay would make any difference."
"I realize that now," Susan said ruefully. "You know, I noticed a rather queer thing as I came out of the "Y." A garage service car was standing beside my coupé. It drove away as I came toward it."'
"A service car?" Penny demanded alertly. "Did you see what garage it was from?"
"No, I didn't. In fact, I scarcely paid any attention at the time for it wasn't until I had reached my car that I realized it had been stripped."
"You must have surprised the thieves in the act!" Penny said excitedly. "Undoubtedly, they are using the service truck as a front to escape detection."
"Why, they drive up in the truck and pretend to be changing a tire or repairing the engine. Passersby notice nothing amiss."
"They drive away or if actually caught claim that they have made a mistake in identifying the car of a customer."
"The driver of the garage truck did act suspiciously," Susan admitted. "I was stupid not to jot down the license number."
The girls were talking so earnestly that they failed to note the approach of a policeman. He paused to see what was wrong.