randfather is an upstanding man in the community."

"I quite understand," replied Penny gravely. "Thank you for going to
so much trouble to help my father. I'm sure that he'll not wish you to
speak of this matter to anyone."

"I'll keep it to myself," Mr. Turner promised. "If there is anything
more I can do, let me know."

The instant that the girls were outside the store they lost their
serene attitude.

"Now what's our move?" asked Susan tensely.

"We must get home as fast as we can and tell Dad," Penny replied.
"This clue has a lot more significance than Mr. Turner believes. It
probably means that Herman Crocker is the man who took the Kirmenbach
jewels!"

CHAPTER XVIII

Inside the Gabled House

Penny and Susan ran nearly all of the way back up Knob Hill. They were
quite out of breath by the time they reached the cottage.

"Is there a fire somewhere?" inquired Mr. Nichols, who was reading the
evening paper on the porch. "Or are you girls running a race?"

Penny cast a quick glance about to be certain that neither Michael nor
Mrs. Masterbrook were near.

"Dad," she announced impressively. "The toy lantern has been claimed."

The detective dropped his paper and quickly arose.

"By whom?" he asked.

"It was Perry Crocker who took the lantern away, Dad. Susan and I were
in the store when he came in for candy."

"He made a positive identification?"

"Oh, yes, Dad," Penny declared. "Perry told Mr. Turner that he had
constructed the wick from an old piece of cloth in the house."

"Then it looks as if Herman Crocker may be mixed up in the robbery."

"Don't you remember that from the very first I said he was a suspicious
character," Penny reminded her father.

"Yes, I remember," Mr. Nichols replied dryly.

"What will you do now, Dad? Have Mr. Crocker arrested?"

"Not without more evidence against him," returned the detective. "Our
clue is an important one but it may not lead where we expect. It's a
serious matter to arrest a man on a false charge."

"But it must be Herman Crocker," Penny argued. "We know Perry couldn't
have committed the robbery."

"You say that you saw Herman in town?" Mr. Nichols inquired.

"Yes, he waited for Perry in the car and then drove away."

"Toward home?"

"Why, I didn't notice," Penny admitted.

"I did," Susan declared, eager to make a contribution. "He was driving
the opposite way."

"Then there is a chance he may not have returned home yet,