"Will the winner of the Huddleson prize get that much money?" Susan asked in awe.
"Yes, and they say the competition this year has been very keen. The showing today at the Gage Galleries is a private one—the general public won't be allowed to see the statues for a week or so."
"Then how do we get in?"
Penny displayed two printed cards. "Dad," she announced laconically.
Penny's father, Christopher Nichols, a noted detective, was well known in Belton City and had many influential friends. The tickets to the special showing of the prize statuary at the Gage Galleries had been presented to him and since he had no interest in the affair he had passed them on to his daughter.
"The winning statue is to be unveiled at three o'clock," Penny declared. "What time is it now, Sue?"
"Then we'll never make it," Penny groaned, stepping harder on the gasoline pedal.
"Say, you slow down or I'll get out and walk," Susan protested. "I don't intend to risk my life—not for any old statue!"
Penny obediently slackened speed. Although she drove well and had the car under perfect control she had been traveling a trifle fast. "That's better," Susan approved. "At this speed there's absolutely no danger——"
Her words broke off abruptly as Penny slammed on the foot brake so hard that she was flung forward in the seat. From a side street, a long gray sedan unexpectedly had entered the main boulevard, the driver utterly disregarding the stop sign.