y halted, waiting expectantly.

"It's about that new friend of yours."

"Amy Coulter?" Penny inquired eagerly.

"Yes, the police have traced her to that new rooming house where you
tell me she's staying. She'll probably be arrested sometime tonight."

"Oh, Dad! Amy has done nothing wrong. Why can't the police leave her
alone?"

"It strikes me they are making a mistake in this case."

"Of course they are. Oh, Dad, can't I warn Amy?"

"It's probably too late now."

"Perhaps not. Let me try at least."

Mr. Nichols had anticipated such a request. He did not believe in
assisting a fugitive from justice, yet unknown to Penny he had
investigated Amy Coulter, and was inclined to feel that she was
innocent of the charge against her.

"All right, if you like," he assented. "But if you see that the house
is watched, have the good sense not to go in."

"I'll be careful," Penny promised. "Tell Mrs. Gallup not to wait
dinner for me."

Mr. Nichols opened the garage doors for her and closed them again after
she had backed the car to the street.

Penny parked a half block from Amy Coulter's rooming house. She walked
slowly past the place, carefully glancing about. No one was in sight
and she doubted that the building was being watched.

Entering, she ran up the stairway to her friend's room, rapping sharply
on the door.

"Who is there?" Amy asked.

"It's I--Penny. Let me in."

Instantly the door was flung open. "I was afraid it might be the
police," Amy confessed, laughing nervously.

"That's why I came," Penny informed, closing the door behind her.
"They have traced you here."

"The police?"

"Yes, you must leave at once."

"But where can I go? I have no friends and very little money."

It occurred to Penny to mention that she had seen Amy accept payment
from the museum workman, Hoges, but she refrained from doing so.
Instead, she examined the contents of her purse.

"I can't take money from you," Amy said.

"But you'll need it."

"I'll have enough to keep me for a few days. But I don't know where to
go."

"You must find a new rooming house. I'll help you pack."

"But I can't leave tonight," Amy protested weakly.

"You must! Unless you do, the police will surely catch you."

"It's after six o'clock. How can I get my trunk moved?"

"You must abandon your trunk," Penny advised. "I'll help you pack your
bags."

Amy gazed disconsolately about the room at the many art objects and