s. From the conversation she felt quite
sure that the society woman had purchased the picture from a dishonest
dealer who undoubtedly had received it from the original thief. Yet
Mrs. Dillon had knowingly purchased stolen property and so in effect
was an accessory to the crime.

"She must be crazy to involve herself in a deal like that," Penny
thought. "If the police learn she has the painting they'll confiscate
it and arrest her."

Penny realized that she had it within her power to expose Mrs. Dillon.
Even though she were a guest in the society woman's home, it was really
her duty to reveal her findings to the police.

From her hiding place behind the chair, Penny had not been able to
secure a very good view of the painting. She was eager to examine it
at close range.

Did she dare open the panel? She decided to take the chance. Jerking
at the long silken rope as she had seen Mrs. Dillon do, the girl was
gratified to observe the sham picture above the mantel swing slowly
back to reveal the hidden panel.

Penny quickly drew aside the velvet curtain which protected the stolen
Rembrandt.

The painting was one of the lesser known works of the famous artist, a
picture of a child. Penny snapped on the electric light that she might
view it to better advantage.

At first glance the painting was very impressive, but as the girl
studied it more critically, she was assailed with doubt. The picture
did not seem to have the character or strength commonly associated with
great works of art. The draftmanship seemed mechanical, the color
lacked depth.

"I wonder if it really is a genuine Rembrandt?" Penny thought.

The longer she gazed at it the more convinced she became that the
picture was merely a clever imitation. She wished that Amy Coulter
were there to offer an opinion. Penny did not trust her own judgment.
Her knowledge of art was so slight that she might be mistaken in
considering the Rembrandt a fraud.

Closing the panel, Penny sat down for an instant to think. She knew
she had made an important discovery, one which easily could cause Mrs.
Dillon serious trouble should she report her findings to the police.
Upon the other hand, the society woman was an important personage of
Belton City with many influential friends, and should she be falsely
arrested the trouble would descend like an avalanche upon the head of
Penny Nichols.

"I'll have to move cautiously," the girl reflected. "It's no crime to