"Have you any idea what that was, Dad?"
"Not the slightest. Papers of some sort, I suppose."
"Did you find any leading clues?"
"Nothing of consequence. The fingerprints were worthless for the thief wore gloves. Would you like to have the case, Penny?"
"No thanks. I've involved myself in enough trouble as it is. You may not like what I've done, Dad."
"And just what have you done?" the detective asked with twinkling eyes.
Penny gave a detailed account of her interview with Mrs. Dillon. Mr. Nichols frowned thoughtfully, but did not chide her.
"You made a bold attack, Penny," he commented, "but perhaps no harm has been done. However, after this I must ask you not to do anything about the matter without consulting me. You see, I've taken the jewel theft case for the Insurance Company and I can't afford to antagonize Mrs. Dillon until I learn whether she is involved in a plot to obtain fifteen thousand dollars under false pretenses."
"You and Mrs. Dillon didn't part upon such friendly terms the last time you met," Penny reminded him with a smile.
"No, that's true."