Part 25 (1/2)
The Mysterious Agent
Penny listened calmly to the woman's tirade, making no move to obey the impolite command.
”I am sorry, Mrs. Dillon,” she said, ”but I do not intend to leave this house until you have answered my questions.”
”I shall call my servant. You are an insolent, impudent girl!”
”I should advise you not to call anyone until we have talked together,”
Penny said undisturbed. ”After all, you know I have it in my power to cause your arrest.”
Mrs. Dillon grew pale. ”What do you mean?” she demanded.
”It is useless to pretend. I know that you bought the Rembrandt and have it secreted in your library. Unless you tell me where you purchased the painting, I shall feel it my duty to go to the police.”
”And if I do tell you?”
”Perhaps I can help you. You should be able to escape arrest for the Rembrandt isn't genuine.”
As she had antic.i.p.ated, her words brought an astonished glint into Mrs.
Dillon's eyes. Without thinking she exclaimed:
”The painting is genuine. I paid----”
”How much did you pay for it?” Penny questioned, smiling at Mrs.
Dillon's confusion.
”Well, since you seem to be so familiar with my private affairs, I suppose I shall have to tell you all about it. The painting is genuine and I bought it with the sole intention of returning it to the museum.”
Penny made no comment, although she did not believe a word of the story. Mrs. Dillon was only trying to build up a defense for herself.
”How much did you pay for the picture?” she repeated, determined to tie the woman to facts.
”Two thousand dollars,” Mrs. Dillon answered grudgingly. ”But that is only the first payment. The next installment will soon be due.”
Penny thought exultingly: ”If Mrs. Dillon will only cooperate, it should be possible to catch the dealer who cheated her.” Aloud she said: ”Then you will see the dealer again--the man from whom you purchased the picture?”
”Not the dealer. His agent.”
”Tell me the name of the persons from whom you bought the painting.”
”I can't.”
”You are unwilling to do so, you mean?”
”I don't know the dealer's name. I never dealt with him personally.”
”You bought the picture through a third party?”