ill hear the men talking.

"This changes all our plans," Cron said. "If this girl knew enough to
follow us here, the police may soon be on our trail. We must get out
of town."

"Not without dividing on that necklace job we planned together," Lynch
interposed angrily. "You'll never leave town until you cough up."

Hoges and his unnamed companion were regarding Cron with open suspicion.

"You've been holding out on us," they accused the art critic.

Cron realized that he had placed himself in an awkward position.

"All right, I'll admit I have the pearl necklace," he said shortly.
"We'll split four ways, and then no one can kick."

Max Lynch did not like the decision, but after grumbling a little, he
unwillingly agreed.

"Now let's get out of here!" Cron urged nervously. "The necklace is at
my room. We'll have to go there."

"What about the Rembrandt?" Hoges asked, turning to look at it.

"Take my advice and leave it behind," Lynch spoke up. "That picture is
as hot as a rivet. It's a bulky thing to tote around the country as
luggage too."

"How about the girl?" Hoges demanded.

Cron hesitated only a fraction of an instant. "Leave her in the
closet."

"Maybe she won't be found very soon," Lynch remarked.

"That's her hard luck," Cron retorted. "We have to look out for
ourselves."

"Okay," Lynch agreed indifferently. "Let's go."

The men hastily gathered up a few possessions which if left behind
might serve to identify them. Then they went out the door, locking it
after them.

Penny heard the key turn in the lock, and her heart sank. With a gag
over her mouth, she could not even call for help. She was indeed in a
desperate plight.

CHAPTER XIX

Fire!

Penny worked at her bonds, but the cords had been fastened securely and
she could not free herself. Exhausted, she lay quiet, trying to think
of some way to attract attention. She thumped with her feet on the
floor of the closet, but minutes passed and no one came to her
assistance.

It was useless, she thought miserably. There was scant chance that
anyone would discover her until it was too late. How maddening it was
to know that while she remained helpless, Cron and his confederates
were escaping from the city!

Now that the knowledge was valueless to her, she comprehended the
entire plot. Cron and Hoges had worked together, and the latter had
smuggled the genuine Rembrandt from the Gage Galleries just as she had
suspect