"That's probably true."

"We must work this thing out cautiously," Penny declared. "Perhaps if we went to Mrs. Dillon and talked with her--"

She broke off as they heard approaching footsteps in the hall.

"The maid!" Amy whispered.

"Quick!" Penny exclaimed in an undertone. "Help me get this picture back into place before she comes!"

CHAPTER IX

The Robbery

The girls hastily jerked the velvet curtains over the painting and closed the secret panel. When the maid entered the room a moment later they were gazing with rapt interest at the picture which served to disguise the Rembrandt.

"We must be going," Penny said casually for the benefit of the servant.

"Thank you for permitting us to see the canvas."

Now that she and Amy had viewed Mrs. Dillon's purchase they were eager to leave the house before their ident.i.ty was discovered.

"I'll tell Mrs. Dillon you were here," the maid said, escorting the girls to the front door. "I don't believe you mentioned your names."

Penny and Amy pretended not to hear. They went out the door before the servant could question them further.

Safe on the street, the girls congratulated themselves upon the success of their scheme.

"Mrs. Dillon is almost certain to learn what we did," Amy declared uneasily.

"Oh, she'll hear about it all right when she comes home," Penny agreed, "but she'll have no idea who called."

"The maid may describe us."

"Possibly, but you're safe, for Mrs. Dillon never met you, did she?"

"No, I doubt that I would even recognize the woman if I met her on the street. I've seen her pictures in the paper though."

"Even if Mrs. Dillon suspects that I came to her house she won't be sure I saw the Rembrandt," Penny commented thoughtfully. "She has no suspicion that I know about the picture."

"What will you do now that you know it's a fake?" Amy questioned.

"I haven't decided yet. I'd like to find out where Mrs. Dillon bought the painting--that might give us a clue as to the real thief. But before I question her I think perhaps I should talk the matter over with Father."

"I imagine it would be wise," Amy agreed.

The girls were pa.s.sing a restaurant and Penny suddenly remembered that neither of them had lunched. At her suggestion they entered and sat down at a table for two near the front window.

"Hanley Cron has his studio in that building across the street," Amy remarked as they waited for the waitress to serve them.

"Does he really?" Penny asked with interest. "Do you know Mr. Cron personally."

"Oh, no, only by sight. And the less I see of him from now on the better I shall like it!"

"I don't blame you, Amy. He didn't give you a fair deal in the contest at all. I dislike the man myself."

"I suppose I shouldn't take the compet.i.tion so seriously. I admit I was terribly disappointed. It wasn't just the money--although goodness knows I need it."

"Everyone said your statue should have won."

"Oh, well, it's no use thinking about it now," Amy smiled. "I don't even dare go back to the museum to get the Black Imp."

"I'll stop in for it if you wish."

"No, the authorities would never give it to you without asking a lot of questions. I'll just wait until the trouble blows over. It will be soon, don't you think?"

"I'm sure of it, Amy. It's ridiculous that you were ever charged with the theft."

The girls finished their luncheon and Penny succeeded in capturing both checks. She was very glad of the opportunity for she suspected that her friend was low in funds. They emerged from the restaurant just as a large gray automobile pulled up to the curbing on the opposite side of the street.

"It's Mrs. Dillon!" Penny exclaimed, pausing to stare. "She must be late for her appointment with Hanley Cron."

The woman who was garbed in an elaborate afternoon gown, alighted from the car. She held a beaded bag clutched tightly in her hand.

Mrs. Dillon spoke for a moment with her chauffeur, then walked toward the building which housed Hanley Cron's studio.

Penny and Amy noticed a man in ragged clothing and with cap pulled low over his eyes, who stood lounging in the doorway. He had been watching Mrs. Dillon narrowly. Suddenly, he moved forward, blocking her path.

Before either of the girls were aware of the man's intention, he s.n.a.t.c.hed the woman's purse and darted away, disappearing into the nearest alley.

"Help! Help!" Mrs. Dillon screamed frantically. "Police!"

With one accord, Penny and Amy ran across the street.

"My pearls!" Mrs. Dillon moaned. "They were in my handbag! I've lost a fortune!"

Penny and Amy reached the entrance of the alley in time to see the thief stealthily climbing a fire escape.

"Quick! Maybe we can head him off!" Penny cried.

While Amy ran into the building to give the alarm, Penny daringly ascended the fire escape. She saw the man climb hastily through an open window on the upper floor and disappear.

"If Amy guards the lower exits we'll capture him yet!" Penny thought.

Without stopping to consider that she might be endangering her life, the girl stepped through the open window. The room in which she found herself was an artist's studio and apparently it was deserted.

Penny glanced quickly about. There was no sign of the thief. She darted across the room to the hall door. To her astonishment, it was locked from the inside.