e I left the house."

The bedroom overlooked a porch against which stood a sturdy rose
trellis. It would be a simple matter for a thief to reach the window
by means of it. Once when Penny had found herself locked out of the
house she had tested the trellis and discovered that it made an
excellent ladder.

"I did go away for an hour this afternoon," Mrs. Gallup admitted. "I
went to the grocery store."

"That would be long enough for a thief to enter the house."

"But I'm sure nothing else is missing," Mrs. Gallup maintained. "It
doesn't seem reasonable that anyone would steal a little statue--an
unfinished one at that."

Mr. Nichols had entered the house by the rear door. He called from
below:

"Anyone home?"

"We're upstairs," Penny shouted down. "A thief has been in the house!"

The detective joined the two in the bedroom. "What's all the
excitement?" he demanded.

"The Black Imp has been stolen!" Penny informed.

"It seems to be missing," Mrs. Gallup corrected, "but I can't believe
anyone would want that lump of clay."

Mr. Nichols did not reply as he surveyed the room. Nothing appeared to
be out of place. He noted the open window instantly and crossed over
to it.

"The thief entered here," he said.

"That was what I was trying to tell Mrs. Gallup," Penny cried
triumphantly.

The detective picked up something from the window ledge. It was a
strand of gray wool which had caught on a rough board.

He then stepped out on the top of the porch and crossed over to the
place where the rose trellis projected.

"Be careful," Mrs. Gallup warned anxiously as she saw that the
detective intended to climb down the fragile wooden framework.

"The trellis is strong enough to hold a man much heavier than myself,"
Mr. Nichols replied. "And I see the thief came this way too!"

"How can you tell?" Penny questioned eagerly.

"The rose bush has been broken off in several places."

Mrs. Gallup was somewhat disconcerted by the discovery. Fearing that
other things besides the Black Imp might have been stolen she hastened
downstairs to make a thorough search. Penny joined her father outside
the house.

"What do you make of it, Dad?" she inquired. "Why did the thief break
in?"

"Obviously for the Black Imp."

"But who would be interested in it and for what reason?"

"I can't answer that one, Penny. But I'm wondering if this theft could
have anything to do with Max Lynch's visit to my office."

"