The bedroom overlooked a porch against which stood a sturdy rose trellis. It would be a simple matter for a thief to reach the window by means of it. Once when Penny had found herself locked out of the house she had tested the trellis and discovered that it made an excellent ladder.
"I did go away for an hour this afternoon," Mrs. Gallup admitted. "I went to the grocery store."
"That would be long enough for a thief to enter the house."
"But I'm sure nothing else is missing," Mrs. Gallup maintained. "It doesn't seem reasonable that anyone would steal a little statue—an unfinished one at that."
Mr. Nichols had entered the house by the rear door. He called from below:
"Anyone home?"
"We're upstairs," Penny shouted down. "A thief has been in the house!"
The detective joined the two in the bedroom. "What's all the excitement?" he demanded.
"The Black Imp has been stolen!" Penny informed.
"It seems to be missing," Mrs. Gallup corrected, "but I can't believe anyone would want that lump of clay."