e.

From her place of advantage, Penny fixed her attention on the newcomer,
but before she could see his face, she was startled by a gruff voice,
almost in her ear:

"Hey there! Come down out of that!"

A roughly dressed truck driver stood on the running board, gesturing
angrily. "What do you think this truck is?" he demanded. "A free park
seat?"

Penny hastily climbed out of the cab, making an offhand apology for her
presence.

"Okay Miss," the truck driver said, "seein' as you're a gal. But if
you had been a man, I would have taken a fall out of ya. It's a crime
that a man can't go for help without having some strange sister cuddle
down in his cab."

The trucker's loud, gruff voice had attracted the attention of the man
in the parked automobile. He stepped from his car and came toward the
couple.

"What's the idea of abusing a helpless young girl?" he asked.

Penny recognized the voice, and resisted an impulse to turn her head.
She knew that the newcomer was Hanley Cron. He had come to call upon
Mrs. Dillon. That was plain. She must not let him discover that she
was watching the house. Quickly, before either of the men were aware
of her intention, she darted behind the truck and fled down the street.

CHAPTER XV

A Puzzling Letter

Rounding the corner at the end of the street, Penny paused to catch her
breath. It had been foolish to run away. She realized that now. But
she had acted impulsively, without thinking.

She thought hopefully that Hanley Cron might not have recognized her.
She was certain he had not seen her face.

Penny walked slowly home. She was as bewildered as ever regarding the
identity of the mysterious agent who had sold Mrs. Dillon the
Rembrandt. It might have been the first caller--or perhaps Hanley Cron.

Yet Penny smiled as she considered the latter possibility. Cron held
an enviable position with a newspaper, he was highly respected in art
circles, and besides, was a special friend of Mrs. Dillon. It seemed
far more likely that he had merely dropped in to pay a casual afternoon
call.

Penny wondered if she had acted wisely in talking so frankly with the
society woman. Mrs. Dillon, fearful of arrest, had agreed to
communicate with the museum authorities, but would she keep her
promise? Penny could only wait and hope that she had acted for the
best.

It was nearing the dinner hour when she reached home. Mr. Nichols,
whose hobby was gardening, rested