t that much money?" Susan
asked in awe.

"Yes, and they say the competition this year has been very keen. The
showing today at the Gage Galleries is a private one--the general
public won't be allowed to see the statues for a week or so."

"Then how do we get in?"

Penny displayed two printed cards. "Dad," she announced laconically.

Penny's father, Christopher Nichols, a noted detective, was well known
in Belton City and had many influential friends. The tickets to the
special showing of the prize statuary at the Gage Galleries had been
presented to him and since he had no interest in the affair he had
passed them on to his daughter.

"The winning statue is to be unveiled at three o'clock," Penny
declared. "What time is it now, Sue?"

"Then we'll never make it," Penny groaned, stepping harder on the
gasoline pedal.

"Say, you slow down or I'll get out and walk," Susan protested. "I
don't intend to risk my life--not for any old statue!"

Penny obediently slackened speed. Although she drove well and had the
car under perfect control she had been traveling a trifle fast.
"That's better," Susan approved. "At this speed there's absolutely no
danger----"

Her words broke off abruptly as Penny slammed on the foot brake so hard
that she was flung forward in the seat. From a side street, a long
gray sedan unexpectedly had entered the main boulevard, the driver
utterly disregarding the stop sign.

Penny swerved in time to avoid a crash, but the fenders of the two cars
jarred together.

The girls sprang out to see how much damage had been done. The driver
of the gray sedan likewise drew up to the curbing and alighted. He was
a tall, thin man with a black moustache, immaculately dressed in gray
tweeds. He wore a gardenia in the lapel of his well-tailored coat.

"See what you've done!" he accused angrily before either Penny or Susan
could speak. "Just look at that."

He pointed to the rear fender which had been badly dented and bent.
Penny cast an appraising glance at her own car and was relieved to note
that save for a few minor scratches it had not been damaged.

"It's too bad," she acknowledged with a polite show of sympathy.
"Didn't you see the boulevard stop?"

The man turned upon her wrathfully. "Of course I saw it. And I made
the required stop too."

"Oh, no you didn't," Susan interposed heatedly. "You just barged right
in without looking in either direction."

"What do you intend to do a