escape.

The detective stared down at her face.

"I beg your pardon," he apologized. "When you came out of that rooming
house I mistook you for another."

He released his grip on her arm and continued to offer excuses as Penny
walked away. She chuckled to herself, realizing that the plainclothes
man had taken her for Amy Coulter. But the smile quickly left her
face, for she did not feel very proud of the trick she had played on
the police. If it should turn out that the girl was guilty, then
indeed she would be sorry.

Dinner was over when Penny reached home, and Mrs. Gallup reported that
Mr. Nichols had returned to his office to work on a case.

"Your food is in the oven, Penny," she told the girl a trifle
irritably. "I declare, I can't see why you had to run off just when I
was setting things on the table. Your father is the same way!"

"We're a dreadful pair," Penny agreed amiably as she dished herself up
a generous helping of meat and potatoes. "Any gravy, Mrs. Gallup?"

"No, your father ate it all and I don't feel like making any more."

"Of course not. I have a big plate of food now. Just leave that pan
of dishes, Mrs. Gallup, and I'll do them for you."

The housekeeper immediately softened. "You may wipe them if you like,"
she said. "I am tired tonight. I don't mean to be cross, only it's
annoying to have folks late for meals. I like food to be eaten when
it's good and hot."

"You're a dear," Penny laughed, giving her a squeeze. "I'll try not be
late again."

After the dishes were stacked in the cupboard, Penny spent a half hour
reading, then she went to bed although it was only a little after eight
o'clock. She could not remember when she had been so tired.

"You're not sick?" Mrs. Gallup inquired anxiously, for usually Penny
was the last one in the house to retire.

"No, I'm all right. Just sleepy."

Penny might have added that she was likewise blue and discouraged. It
seemed to her that she had made no progress at all in trying to solve
the mystery which surrounded Amy Coulter.

As she slowly mounted the stairs, Penny's attention was attracted by
someone standing by the garage door. She paused, thinking that it
might be her father. To her astonishment, the man darted back behind a
group of tall bushes which banked the building.

Penny snapped out the light and watched. The man did not reappear.

"What are you doing?" Mrs. Gallup questioned.

"I think someone is watchin