Penny glanced at the little ivory clock on the dresser. It was nearly noon. By the time the girls reached Mrs. Dillon's home the woman should be away.
"It will be wise to go in a taxi, I think," she remarked. "There should be less danger of anyone recognizing you that way."
While Amy changed her clothes, Penny went downstairs to call a cab. It came twenty minutes later and the two drove directly to Mrs. Dillon's residence.
"The coast should be clear," Penny remarked as they alighted at the door. "It's a quarter to one but Mrs. Dillon surely is on her way to meet Cron by this time."
Penny boldly rang the doorbell. Presently a maid answered the summons. Smiling graciously, the girls stepped inside without waiting for an invitation to do so.
"Tell Mrs. Dillon, please, that we have come to see the picture," Penny directed confidently.
"Mrs. Dillon isn't in, Miss."
"Not in?" Penny exclaimed, and turned to Amy in pretended chagrin. "Do you suppose she forgot our appointment?"
"I am afraid so," Amy murmured.
"Mrs. Dillon went away in a great hurry," the maid said apologetically. "She didn't mention that she was expecting guests."