Part 20 (1/2)
”But Dad, how does the insurance company figure in the case? The pearls weren't insured.”
”As it happens, they were. For fifteen thousand dollars.”
”But I heard Mrs. Dillon say to you herself that the necklace had never been insured.”
”Yes. Apparently, she didn't tell the truth.”
”She acted dreadfully upset over the loss. What reason would she have for telling you a deliberate falsehood about the insurance?”
”I wonder myself.”
”Are the pearls worth fifteen thousand?” Penny asked thoughtfully.
”No more than that certainly. It seems, too, that the policy was taken out from the insurance company only a few weeks ago.”
”The company doesn't think that the robbery was planned surely?”
”It was planned all right--but whether by Mrs. Dillon I'm in no position to say.”
”But why should she wish to resort to such a trick just to collect insurance?” Penny protested. ”The Dillons are wealthy.”
”Ostensibly so, at least. However, even to Mrs. Dillon, fifteen thousand might look attractive.”
”I don't believe she's as honest as she should be,” Penny admitted reluctantly. ”At least that stolen picture isn't in her favor. She must have bought it with a full knowledge of what she was doing.”
Christopher Nichols nodded thoughtfully.
”Will you take the case?” Penny questioned hopefully.
”I haven't decided yet. I admit I'm beginning to grow interested in it.”
While the two were talking, Miss Arrow, the secretary, swiftly entered the room.
”I'm sorry to interrupt,” she apologized, ”but that dreadful man is here again.”
”Which dreadful man?” the detective inquired, smiling.
”Max Lynch.”
”Oh.”
”Don't see him,” Penny pleaded. ”He might attempt to harm you, Dad.”
Mr. Nichols paid no heed. He turned to Miss Arrow. ”Is he carrying a gun?”
”I don't think so, Mr. Nichols. But I couldn't be certain.”
”Please don't see him,” Penny begged earnestly. ”Max Lynch has a grudge against you.”