Part 8 (1/2)
Penny entered the Gage Galleries by the main front door and spoke to a guard whom she knew by sight.
”Have you heard anything new regarding the missing Rembrandt?”
”No, Miss,” the man responded politely. ”The theft of the painting was a severe loss to the museum. So far the police have made no progress in tracing the crook.”
”Can you tell me where I can locate a man by the name of Hoges who is employed here?” Penny next inquired.
”You will not find him at the Galleries, Miss.”
”You mean he's off duty for the day?” Penny asked in disappointment.
The guard's response came as a distinct blow.
”No, Miss. Mr. Hoges is away on a month's vacation. He left the city yesterday to travel in the South.”
CHAPTER V
Behind the Panel
Penny was disheartened at the information. With the museum attendant out of the city, she could not hope to be of a.s.sistance to Amy Coulter.
The situation looked very dark for the young sculptress unless other clues regarding the ident.i.ty of the art thief were discovered soon.
”I wonder if this man Hoges really did go away on a vacation?” Penny mused. ”He certainly vanished at the psychological moment!”
Giving no hint of what was in her mind, she politely thanked the guard for the information and returned home. After leaving her packages she called upon Susan to relate the adventures of the day.
”I think you were wise to tell Amy to hide,” Susan approved. ”We know her story is true, but it doesn't sound that way.”
Penny was not certain that her father would take a similar viewpoint.
She intended to tell him about Amy that evening and ask his advice regarding the situation, but directly after dinner Mr. Nichols isolated himself in his study, devoting himself to a new case upon which he was working.
In the morning at breakfast Penny did manage to bring up the subject, but Mr. Nichols listened inattentively as he sipped his coffee.
”I don't believe you heard a word I said,” Penny complained finally.
”What was that? Oh, yes, I did. You were saying something about Amy Coulter.”
”Never mind,” Penny sighed. ”I can tell your mind is a million miles away tracking down a wicked criminal.”
”I hope the villain hasn't gone that far,” Mr. Nichols chuckled. ”Oh, by the way, you might tell Mrs. Gallup I'll not be home for dinner.”
Penny regarded her father severely.
”Dad, have you forgotten what day this is.”
”Tuesday the twentieth.”
”This is the night of Mrs. Archibald Dillon's big reception.”