rdly she raged at Hanley Cron's cutting reference
to her father's ability. She slowly climbed the stairs. At the first
landing she glanced back over her shoulder and noticed that the art
critic was staring after her. His expression startled her.

"How that man does hate me," she thought. "And all on account of a
ruined fender. It's too ridiculous!"

Penny had observed during the evening that Mrs. Dillon and Hanley Cron
danced frequently together. Apparently, the society woman was
flattered by the man's attention, although Penny was at a loss to
understand how anyone could consider him attractive. It seemed to her
that the art critic deliberately was trying to ingratiate himself with
Mrs. Dillon.

She considered the luncheon invitation which Cron had extended to his
hostess. While it might have no significance, it tended to confirm her
belief that the man was trying to gain the society woman's favor. She
wondered, too, why he appeared so eager to accompany Mrs. Dillon to the
bank.

"I don't believe it's because he wants to be generally helpful," she
told herself shrewdly. "Hanley Cron simply isn't that sort of person!"

As she stood before the bedroom mirror Penny reflected upon what Cron
had said about her father. Not reliable indeed! It was evident that
the man deliberately was endeavoring to undermine Mr. Nichols'
professional reputation.

Unexpectedly, Penny caught a glimpse of her face in the mirror and
laughed because she looked so tense and worried.

"There's no use to take it so seriously," she advised herself. "I've
merely learned that Hanley Cron may prove to be a dangerous enemy."

CHAPTER VIII

A Bold Move

A few minutes later as she was driving home with her father, Penny
repeated to him the conversation which she had overheard between Hanley
Cron and Mrs. Dillon. The detective smiled at the slighting reference
made by the art critic but looked disturbed when he learned of the
luncheon engagement.

"Before she gets through, Mrs. Dillon will have informed everyone that
she is taking the necklace to the vault tomorrow," he said impatiently.
"If she ends up by losing the pearls then perhaps she'll know better
next time."

Mr. Nichols stopped at the police station for a few minutes to leave
the revolver and the bullet which he had retrieved from the ballroom
wall. When he returned to the car Penny questioned him regarding the
holdup men.

"Have they been captured?"

"No,"