aid shortly.

"I guess it doesn't matter greatly now," Penny returned. "By this time
the thief is probably blocks away."

It was Mrs. Dillon who had called the policeman. She had noticed him
at the corner and had screamed for help. He had mounted the stairs so
swiftly that she had been unable to keep pace with him. Now she
hurried up, breathless from exertion. The corridor was rapidly filling
with excited occupants of the building who had learned of the theft.

"Oh, thank goodness you've recovered my bag!" Mrs. Dillon cried
joyfully, as she entered the studio room.

"Your pearls are gone," the policeman told her, handing over the purse.
"The thief dropped the bag in the hallway after he had rifled it."

Mrs. Dillon sank weakly down in the nearest chair. Her face was white
and Penny could not help feeling sorry for her.

"Can you describe the thief?" the officer questioned.

"Oh, I'm afraid not," Mrs. Dillon murmured. "I really didn't notice
him at all until he came up to me. He asked me for fifty cents. When
I refused he snatched my bag."

"It was a planned robbery, I think," Penny interposed. "I noticed that
the man was waiting when Mrs. Dillon drove up. He seemed to be
watching for her car."

The policeman directed his questions toward Penny who answered them to
the best of her ability. However, she was unable to furnish a very
good description of the thief.

"Officer, you must find that man," Mrs. Dillon said urgently. "I'll
pay a liberal reward for the return of my jewels. I must have them
back! They represent a fortune!"

"I'll do the best I can, Madam."

"The pearls will be recovered, Mrs. Dillon," Hanley Cron said
soothingly. "Our police force is very efficient."

"I shouldn't have carried the pearls in my purse," Mrs. Dillon moaned.
"Christopher Nichols warned me. I should have heeded his words."

"Where were you when the bag was snatched?" the officer questioned.

"I had just left my car. I was coming here to meet Mr. Cron. We were
taking luncheon together."

"Had you told anyone that you were carrying the pearls in the purse?"

"Only Mr. Cron. Of course Christopher Nichols was aware of my
intention."

"I knew you were taking the jewels to the bank vault," Penny informed.
"I overheard you talking at the ball, and I believe others must have
listened to the conversation too."

"No guest of mine could be guilty of the theft," Mrs. Dillon replied in
a shocked voice. "The