"The library door was locked," Penny explained hastily. "And I have good reason for wanting to get away without being seen by anyone."
"In that case, always close the window after you," Mr. Nichols chuckled. "Here, I'll boost you up and you can pull it down."
After Penny had lowered the sash, they hurriedly moved away from the window.
"Now tell me all about it," the detective invited. "Did you lose your bag of loot?"
"You know very well I wasn't doing anything I shouldn't," Penny countered, "but you nearly frightened me to death when you nabbed me."
"I just happened to see you climbing out of the window as I came up the path," the detective smiled. "I thought perhaps someone was escaping with the family jewels."
"Speaking of jewelry, there's plenty of it around tonight. The ballroom is fairly ablaze with it."
"Never mind the jewelry," Mr. Nichols said. "What were you doing in the library?"
Leading her father to a secluded stone bench in the garden, Penny related all that she had seen and heard.
"I wish you could see the picture," she ended. "I'm almost certain it's a fake. If I can smuggle you into the library, will you look at it?"