"All right, we'll leave it that way then. I'll meet you about eleven o'clock tonight at Mrs. Dillon's."
The detective hastily kissed his daughter goodbye and hurried away to the office.
Penny did not look forward to the coming party. While Mrs. Dillon's receptions were always elaborate, usually they were boring. Susan had not been invited and she doubted that many young people would attend.
Penny sighed as she reflected that she might have spent a pleasant evening with a book. But she brightened a trifle as it occurred to her that the party would give her an opportunity to wear her new blue evening gown and silver slippers.
Eight o'clock found her en route to the Dillon residence in a taxi. The car swung into a curving drive and halted in front of an imposing, white colonial house. A liveried servant opened the automobile door for her and Penny joined several other guests who were entering the marble hallway.
"Miss Penelope Nichols," announced a servant.
It was all very formal and made Penny feel slightly ill at ease. She paused dutifully to greet her hostess.
Mrs. Archibald Dillon, a plump woman, well past middle age, was gowned in an elegant beaded dress, low-cut and far too conspicuous for the occasion. She had acquired wealth through marriage, but while she was active in many clubs and various types of charity work, she had never been able to achieve her social ambitions.
"My dear, didn't your father come with you?" she inquired, giving Penny's hand a slight pressure.
"No, Mrs. Dillon, he was detained at the office on an important case. However, he will surely drop in before the evening is over."