CHAPTER II
A Mysterious Package
A stunned silence greeted the attendant's announcement, then the roomhummed with excited comment. Not in many years had anyone attempted tosteal paintings or art treasures from the Gage Galleries for theinstitution was closely guarded. Hanley Cron stepped forward to plythe attendant with questions regarding the theft.
"You say a valuable painting has disappeared from the adjoining room?"
"Yes, a priceless Rembrandt. It was a very small painting--one whichcould be smuggled out under one's coat."
"And when was this loss discovered?"
"Only a few minutes ago, sir. The picture and the frame both weretaken. The museum authorities have ordered that no one shall leave thebuilding without submitting to a search."
A few of the visitors were indignant at such a requirement although themajority readily acknowledged that the order was a necessary one."It's ridiculous to suspect anyone in this room," Hanley Cron began,and then stopped. He looked quickly about and asked abruptly: "Whatbecame of that girl who was sitting in the back row?"
"I think she left directly after your announcement regarding theprize," Penny informed when no one spoke.
For the first time the art critic fastened his gaze upon the two girls.He instantly recognized them and his face darkened.
"Who was the young woman?" the attendant questioned Penny.
"Her name was Amy Coulter, I believe."
"A friend of yours?" Hanley Cron demanded with an unpleasant inflectionto his voice.
"I met her for the first time this afternoon."
"Does anyone know anything about this girl?" the art critic questionedthe crowd in general.
Although a number of persons were slightly acquainted with the youngsculptress, no one could offer any information regarding her character.Susan and Penny grew slightly annoyed at Hanley Cron's method ofhandling the situation.
"I don't see that Amy Coulter has any connection with the disappearanceof the painting in the adjoining room," Penny said impatiently. "Shecame here today because of her entry, 'The Black Imp' was beingconsidered in the contest. I have no doubt that she left because theaward was bestowed upon another statue."
"I'll see if the young woman is still in the building," the guardannounced.
He went away, returning in a few minutes accompanied by an official ofthe museum.
"Apparently, Miss Coulter has left the Galleries," the latter informedin a worried manner. "Can anyone here furnish us with the girl'saddress?"
"I believe she lives in a rooming house somewhere on Pearl Street," awoman in the crowd spoke up. "I hope you are not trying to connect thepoor girl with the loss of the painting."
"Unfortunately, she is under suspicion," the official replied.
"Surely the girl had a right to leave the building when she chose!"Penny exclaimed.
"It happens that she was seen by a guard hurrying away from theGalleries with a flat package under her arm. She left by a back stairsand was not observed until she was stepping into a taxi cab. Theattendant tried to stop her but was too late."
"And was the package this girl carried the approximate size of thestolen painting?" Penny asked incredulously.
"The guard reports that it was. He was almost certain it was apainting."
Penny and Susan were amazed at the information. They did not believethat Amy Coulter had the slightest connection with the disappearance ofthe famous picture and were astonished that the official seemed to beof a contrary opinion.
"Miss Coulter couldn't have taken the painting," Penny declaredimpulsively. "Why, she was here in this room until just a few minutesago."
"Did you notice the exact time at which she left?" Hanley Cron demanded.
"No, but----"
"Then you have no evidence to offer. It looks to me as if you'retrying to protect this girl."
"I only want to see justice done. And I do have evidence!" Penny'sface brightened with excitement. "As my friend and I were coming intothe building we met an attendant who was moving a small canvas-coveredpainting down a back corridor. We accidentally bumped into him and hebecame very confused."
"That's true," Susan added quickly. "We both noticed that the manacted strangely as if he had been caught doing something wrong."
"Do I understand that you are suggesting this attendant of theGalleries was the one who stole the painting?" Cron demanded with asuperior, amused smile.
"I'm not suggesting anything," Penny returned, "but there's just asmuch evidence to support such a belief as there is that Amy Coultertook the picture."
"Can you describe this attendant?" the official questioned.
"He was short and heavy-set, with dark hair and eyes. His face wasslightly furrowed and he wore a regulation blue uniform."
Susan was amazed at her chum's accurate description of the attendant,for she could not have recalled any of his features. However, Pennywas naturally observant, as her father had trained her to take mentalnote of persons she met without making a special effort to do so.
"Your description seems to fit one of our new employees," the officialsaid slowly. "A man by the name of Hoges. I will question himimmediately although I feel confident that he was only moving a pictureaccording to orders."
After a very perfunctory examination the persons who had been detainedin the exhibition room were permitted to leave. Penny and Susanlingered after many had gone, hoping to be of assistance in identifyingthe attendant who was under suspicion. As it turned out they had along wait for nothing. The official who had made it his business toinvestigate Hoges' record reported that the attendant was not to belocated. He had left the Galleries for the day.
"Isn't that rather suspicious?" Penny inquired.
"No, he was off duty at three o'clock."
"But we saw him moving the picture a little after that hour," Susaninformed.
"He may have been working a few minutes overtime. Hoges is consideredan honest employee. He came to us highly recommended. I am told thathe had been ordered to move several pictures this afternoon."
There was nothing more that Penny or Susan could say. As they weredeparting the police arrived upon the scene to make an investigation ofthe theft. The girls saw Hanley Cron and the official talking with theofficers and they heard Amy Coulter's name mentioned.
"It's ridiculous to try to throw the blame on her," Penny declared asshe and Susan went to their parked car. "You can be sure that paintingwasn't stolen by any novice."
"Amy might have done it out of spite," Susan suggested slowly."Because she was provoked about the prize."
"It doesn't sound reasonable to me, Sue. Wait until the police getbusy on the case. They'll soon prove that she had nothing to do withthe theft."
Penny was so confident of such an outcome that she did not feel greatlyconcerned for Amy. Although she had talked with the girl only a fewminutes, she had taken an immediate liking to her. Both she and Susanhad been keenly disappointed at Hanley Cron's decision to award thefive thousand dollar prize to an entry other than the Black Imp.
Penny dropped Susan off at the Altman residence, and then, since it wasnearly time for her father to leave his office, stopped at the Nichols'Detective Agency to take him home.
Christopher Nichols was a tall, dignified looking man with appraisinggray eyes and a slight tinge of gray in his hair. He had solved manyunusual cases and it was said of him that he was one of the shrewdestdetectives in the state.
Mr. Nichols took his own accomplishments in a matter-of-fact way, buthe liked to boast of his attractive daughter's ability as a sleuth. Hewas very proud of Penny and teased her by frequently referring to themysteries which she had solved. In the first volume of this series,entitled, "Penny Nichols Finds a Clue," the girl had been instrumentalin capturing a daring gang of auto thieves. Later she visited a queerold mansion in the mountains and by her discovery of an undergroundtunnel and a secret staircase cleared up "The Mystery of the L
ost Key."
Now as she entered her father's office, it did not occur to Penny thatshe had embarked upon a new adventure. She perched herself on thecorner of the desk and swiftly gave an account not only of the daringtheft at the art museum, but of her unpleasant meeting with HanleyCron. Mr. Nichols was deeply interested in the details of the theft.
"A Rembrandt," he whistled softly. "That painting must represent quitea tidy sum of money."
"How much?" Penny inquired curiously.
"Oh, I'd not venture to say without knowing more about the picture.Offhand I'd guess several thousand dollars."
"Doesn't it seem silly to think that Amy Coulter could have anything todo with the theft?"
"Upon the face of it, yes," the detective replied slowly. "Of coursethe girl may have been an agent of another. Picture thefts usually areaccomplished by several crooks working together."
"The girl didn't look like a crook, Dad."
"Appearances often are deceitful, Penny. Some of our most dangerouscriminals would pass on the street as ordinary citizens. However, I donot doubt that the girl is innocent. It does seem a little strangethat she succeeded in carrying a package out of the building withoutbeing stopped by a guard, but probably she will be cleared of suspicionwithin a day or so."
Mr. Nichols locked his desk for it was time to close. As he and Pennywere preparing to leave, the secretary appeared in the doorway.
"A man to see you, Mr. Nichols."
"A man did you say?" the detective asked with a twinkle. "Or agentleman?"
"A man," the secretary repeated firmly. "And an unpleasant appearingone at that."
"Did you tell him that we are just closing the office?"
"I did, Mr. Nichols, but he insisted that his business was very urgent.He refused to give his name."
The detective frowned and then asked: "Would you say the man is anunderworld character?"
"He looks it. Shall I tell him you cannot see him this afternoon?"
"No, I'll see him," Mr. Nichols decided. "You may send him in."
Penny arose to leave. "I suppose I'll have to go," she grumbled.
"Duck into the next room if you like," the detective said. "If theconversation gets too interesting, stuff cotton in your ears."
Penny laughed and quickly secreted herself in the private study whichadjoined her father's office. She closed the door between the roomsbut was careful to leave a generous sized crack through which she couldboth see and hear.
Scarcely had her father seated himself at his desk when the visitorentered. The secretary's appraisal of the man had not prepared Pennyfor his actual appearance. He was a stout person, prosperous looking,with several glittering diamond rings on his stubby fingers. Hisclothes were cut in the latest style, his shoes were brilliantlyshined, and he carried a sporty cane.
When Penny surveyed the visitor's face she knew why her father'ssecretary had catalogued him as an underworld character. Hisexpression was hard and ruthless, his smile cold and sinister.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Nichols," the man said in a purring voice. "Youknow my name I think."
The detective's eyes narrowed as he recognized the visitor butotherwise his expression did not alter. He said evenly:
"Yes, I know you very well indeed--Max Lynch!"
Penny, crouching at the door, felt a chill of excitement pass over herbody as she heard the name. Max Lynch was a notorious crook, aswindler and a gambler, a man who often had been accused of crimes butseldom convicted of them.
"Well, what's your game this time, Max?" the detective demandedsharply. "What brought you here?"