"The judge didn't think so."
"Who is Hanley Cron anyhow?" Penny scoffed. "Just a newspaper art critic! Do you consider him an authority?"
"No, I don't," Amy returned. "It was rather odd that he was named judge of such an important contest."
"You see, it doesn't mean a thing."
"The five thousand dollars would have meant something," Amy smiled ruefully. "I could use it to pay my rent and buy new clothes. To say nothing of taking lessons in art. I'm desperate for money."
"Can't I loan you a little?" Penny offered.
"Oh, no! I have enough to keep going for some time. I only meant that I could use that prize money very advantageously."
"By the way, have you read the morning papers?" Penny inquired abruptly.
"No, I was so busy getting moved that I haven't glanced at a paper for days. I suppose the critics made fun of my poor entry."
"Upon the contrary, the Black Imp was highly praised. However, I was referring to the theft of the painting."