ing the situation, but directly after dinner Mr. Nichols isolated
himself in his study, devoting himself to a new case upon which he was
working.

In the morning at breakfast Penny did manage to bring up the subject,
but Mr. Nichols listened inattentively as he sipped his coffee.

"I don't believe you heard a word I said," Penny complained finally.

"What was that? Oh, yes, I did. You were saying something about Amy
Coulter."

"Never mind," Penny sighed. "I can tell your mind is a million miles
away tracking down a wicked criminal."

"I hope the villain hasn't gone that far," Mr. Nichols chuckled. "Oh,
by the way, you might tell Mrs. Gallup I'll not be home for dinner."

Penny regarded her father severely.

"Dad, have you forgotten what day this is."

"Tuesday the twentieth."

"This is the night of Mrs. Archibald Dillon's big reception."

The detective looked disconcerted. "I forgot all about it," he
admitted. "How I hate those affairs unless I'm there on a salary
watching for gem thieves! Mrs. Dillon is the worst social climber in
Belton City."

"Just the same we accepted this invitation and we'll have to go," Penny
said sternly.

"I can't make it. I have important work to do."

"But Dad----"

"You go alone, Penny, and do the honors for the family. Tell Mrs.
Dillon that I came down with croup most unexpectedly. Tell her
anything you like, only count me out."

"She'll never forgive you if you don't go. Can't you possibly make it?"

Mr. Nichols frowned in annoyance. "I suppose I might be able to drop
around late in the evening. Possibly in time to take you home."

"That would be better than not attending at all."

"All right, we'll leave it that way then. I'll meet you about eleven
o'clock tonight at Mrs. Dillon's."

The detective hastily kissed his daughter goodbye and hurried away to
the office.

Penny did not look forward to the coming party. While Mrs. Dillon's
receptions were always elaborate, usually they were boring. Susan had
not been invited and she doubted that many young people would attend.

Penny sighed as she reflected that she might have spent a pleasant
evening with a book. But she brightened a trifle as it occurred to her
that the party would give her an opportunity to wear her new blue
evening gown and silver slippers.

Eight o'clock found her en route to the Dillon residence in a taxi.
The car swung into a curving drive and halted in front of an imposing,
w