Apparently, she didn't tell the truth."

"She acted dreadfully upset over the loss. What reason would she have
for telling you a deliberate falsehood about the insurance?"

"I wonder myself."

"Are the pearls worth fifteen thousand?" Penny asked thoughtfully.

"No more than that certainly. It seems, too, that the policy was taken
out from the insurance company only a few weeks ago."

"The company doesn't think that the robbery was planned surely?"

"It was planned all right--but whether by Mrs. Dillon I'm in no
position to say."

"But why should she wish to resort to such a trick just to collect
insurance?" Penny protested. "The Dillons are wealthy."

"Ostensibly so, at least. However, even to Mrs. Dillon, fifteen
thousand might look attractive."

"I don't believe she's as honest as she should be," Penny admitted
reluctantly. "At least that stolen picture isn't in her favor. She
must have bought it with a full knowledge of what she was doing."

Christopher Nichols nodded thoughtfully.

"Will you take the case?" Penny questioned hopefully.

"I haven't decided yet. I admit I'm beginning to grow interested in
it."

While the two were talking, Miss Arrow, the secretary, swiftly entered
the room.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," she apologized, "but that dreadful man is
here again."

"Which dreadful man?" the detective inquired, smiling.

"Max Lynch."

"Oh."

"Don't see him," Penny pleaded. "He might attempt to harm you, Dad."

Mr. Nichols paid no heed. He turned to Miss Arrow. "Is he carrying a
gun?"

"I don't think so, Mr. Nichols. But I couldn't be certain."

"Please don't see him," Penny begged earnestly. "Max Lynch has a
grudge against you."

"Now don't get yourself worked up, Penny," he chided, opening the top
drawer of his desk to make certain that his own revolver was at hand
for immediate use in an emergency. "I'll be in no danger, and Max may
prove useful to me."

"Useful?"

"Yes, he's an expert on jewels and it's a well known fact he sometimes
handles stolen gems."

"You think he may know something about Mrs. Dillon's necklace?"

"I don't suppose he had anything to do with the theft, Penny, but
likely he has a pretty good idea who handled the job."

"Shall I tell him to come in?" Miss Arrow questioned.

"Yes, I'll see him."

"I suppose I'll have to go," Penny said reluctantly.

"Please," the detective requested.

Miss Arrow already had departed. As Penny reached th