The storekeeper shook his head. "I think you may as well take the lantern with you," he said. "I'm convinced it doesn't belong to any child around here."

"It begins to look that way," Penny admitted.

She was debating what to do when she felt Susan pluck her sleeve.

Glancing quickly up she was surprised to see that Perry Crocker had entered the store. The boy did not notice the girls but walked toward the candy department.

"I didn't know Old Herman ever let him go any place alone," Susan whispered.

"Neither did I," Penny agreed. "Probably Perry's grandfather is waiting outside."

Susan started toward the boy, but Penny restrained her.

"Wait!" she whispered.

The boy had gone directly to the candy counter.

"Good afternoon, Perry," said the storekeeper. "I don't see you very often."

"Today is my birthday," the boy explained in an excited voice. "I'm eleven years old. My grandfather gave me ten cents to spend."

"That's fine," said the storekeeper. "What kind of candy will you have?"

"I want some of those caramels and lemon drops. Or would I get more----"

Perry broke off to stare at the broken toy lantern which stood on the storekeeper's shelf directly behind the candy counter.

"Why, where did you get my lantern?" he asked quickly. "Give it to me."

"Is this your lantern?" the storekeeper questioned, glancing toward Penny and Susan who had remained some distance away.

"Of course it's mine," said Perry. "Please give it to me."

"But how do I know it is yours?" asked Mr. Turner. He had been coached carefully by Mr. Nichols. "A great many boys have lanterns exactly like this."

"It's really mine, Mr. Turner," Perry insisted. "I can tell because I made a new wick for it out of an old piece of white cloth. Someone has smashed the isingla.s.s."

Mr. Turner again glanced inquiringly toward Penny. She nodded her head as a signal that he was to give the lantern to the boy.

"Very well, Perry, here you are," the storekeeper said, handing him the toy. "Now what kind of candy do you want?"

He filled the order and Perry left the store without observing Penny and Susan. Through the plate gla.s.s window the girls saw him show the toy lantern to his grandfather. Then he climbed into the car and they drove away.

"I hope I did right to let him take the toy," said the storekeeper anxiously.

"Yes, you did," said Penny quietly. "The lantern has served its purpose now."

"I was very much surprised that it belonged to Perry," went on Mr.

Turner.

"It was somewhat of a shock to me too," Penny acknowledged.

"Your father told me a little about the case," the storekeeper continued. "I fear that this clue has no significance for Perry's grandfather is an upstanding man in the community."

"I quite understand," replied Penny gravely. "Thank you for going to so much trouble to help my father. I'm sure that he'll not wish you to speak of this matter to anyone."

"I'll keep it to myself," Mr. Turner promised. "If there is anything more I can do, let me know."

The instant that the girls were outside the store they lost their serene att.i.tude.

"Now what's our move?" asked Susan tensely.

"We must get home as fast as we can and tell Dad," Penny replied.

"This clue has a lot more significance than Mr. Turner believes. It probably means that Herman Crocker is the man who took the Kirmenbach jewels!"

CHAPTER XVIII

Inside the Gabled House

Penny and Susan ran nearly all of the way back up k.n.o.b Hill. They were quite out of breath by the time they reached the cottage.

"Is there a fire somewhere?" inquired Mr. Nichols, who was reading the evening paper on the porch. "Or are you girls running a race?"

Penny cast a quick glance about to be certain that neither Michael nor Mrs. Masterbrook were near.

"Dad," she announced impressively. "The toy lantern has been claimed."

The detective dropped his paper and quickly arose.

"By whom?" he asked.

"It was Perry Crocker who took the lantern away, Dad. Susan and I were in the store when he came in for candy."

"He made a positive identification?"

"Oh, yes, Dad," Penny declared. "Perry told Mr. Turner that he had constructed the wick from an old piece of cloth in the house."

"Then it looks as if Herman Crocker may be mixed up in the robbery."

"Don't you remember that from the very first I said he was a suspicious character," Penny reminded her father.

"Yes, I remember," Mr. Nichols replied dryly.

"What will you do now, Dad? Have Mr. Crocker arrested?"

"Not without more evidence against him," returned the detective. "Our clue is an important one but it may not lead where we expect. It's a serious matter to arrest a man on a false charge."