Part 15 (1/2)

”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.