s picture
back into place before she comes!"

CHAPTER IX

The Robbery

The girls hastily jerked the velvet curtains over the painting and
closed the secret panel. When the maid entered the room a moment later
they were gazing with rapt interest at the picture which served to
disguise the Rembrandt.

"We must be going," Penny said casually for the benefit of the servant.
"Thank you for permitting us to see the canvas."

Now that she and Amy had viewed Mrs. Dillon's purchase they were eager
to leave the house before their identity was discovered.

"I'll tell Mrs. Dillon you were here," the maid said, escorting the
girls to the front door. "I don't believe you mentioned your names."

Penny and Amy pretended not to hear. They went out the door before the
servant could question them further.

Safe on the street, the girls congratulated themselves upon the success
of their scheme.

"Mrs. Dillon is almost certain to learn what we did," Amy declared
uneasily.

"Oh, she'll hear about it all right when she comes home," Penny agreed,
"but she'll have no idea who called."

"The maid may describe us."

"Possibly, but you're safe, for Mrs. Dillon never met you, did she?"

"No, I doubt that I would even recognize the woman if I met her on the
street. I've seen her pictures in the paper though."

"Even if Mrs. Dillon suspects that I came to her house she won't be
sure I saw the Rembrandt," Penny commented thoughtfully. "She has no
suspicion that I know about the picture."

"What will you do now that you know it's a fake?" Amy questioned.

"I haven't decided yet. I'd like to find out where Mrs. Dillon bought
the painting--that might give us a clue as to the real thief. But
before I question her I think perhaps I should talk the matter over
with Father."

"I imagine it would be wise," Amy agreed.

The girls were passing a restaurant and Penny suddenly remembered that
neither of them had lunched. At her suggestion they entered and sat
down at a table for two near the front window.

"Hanley Cron has his studio in that building across the street," Amy
remarked as they waited for the waitress to serve them.

"Does he really?" Penny asked with interest. "Do you know Mr. Cron
personally."

"Oh, no, only by sight. And the less I see of him from now on the
better I shall like it!"

"I don't blame you, Amy. He didn't give you a fair deal in the contest
at all. I dislike the man myself."

"I suppos