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 isinglass."

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 glass 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
g