I'd go
directly to the police," Penny declared, "but until I am sure I must
move cautiously."

"I wish I could see the painting. I feel confident I could tell if
it's a fake."

"I wish you could examine it," Penny said, frowning thoughtfully.
"Unfortunately, I don't see how it can be arranged--unless----"

"What?" Amy demanded quickly.

"Mrs. Dillon would never permit us to see the painting if she could
prevent it. We'd have to get into the house without her knowing it."

"How could we ever do that?"

"I have an idea, but there would be a certain amount of risk to it.
Are you willing to take a chance?"

"If it isn't too great a one. I couldn't get into a much worse
situation than I am now. The police probably will arrest me upon sight
anyway."

"This is the plan," Penny explained. "I happen to know that Mrs.
Dillon will be away from the house at one o'clock today for she's
lunching with Hanley Cron. While she's gone we'll look at the picture."

"But the servants will be there," Amy protested.

"I think I can arrange it so they won't be suspicious. Do you want to
try it?"

Amy hesitated only an instant before nodding her head. "I've nothing
to lose and a great deal to gain," she said.

Penny glanced at the little ivory clock on the dresser. It was nearly
noon. By the time the girls reached Mrs. Dillon's home the woman
should be away.

"It will be wise to go in a taxi, I think," she remarked. "There
should be less danger of anyone recognizing you that way."

While Amy changed her clothes, Penny went downstairs to call a cab. It
came twenty minutes later and the two drove directly to Mrs. Dillon's
residence.

"The coast should be clear," Penny remarked as they alighted at the
door. "It's a quarter to one but Mrs. Dillon surely is on her way to
meet Cron by this time."

Penny boldly rang the doorbell. Presently a maid answered the summons.
Smiling graciously, the girls stepped inside without waiting for an
invitation to do so.

"Tell Mrs. Dillon, please, that we have come to see the picture," Penny
directed confidently.

"Mrs. Dillon isn't in, Miss."

"Not in?" Penny exclaimed, and turned to Amy in pretended chagrin. "Do
you suppose she forgot our appointment?"

"I am afraid so," Amy murmured.

"Mrs. Dillon went away in a great hurry," the maid said apologetically.
"She didn't mention that she was expecting guests."

"She failed to say that she invited us here to view the painti