"She failed to say that she invited us here to view the painting?"
"It was an oversight, of course. Mrs. Dillon will be sorry I know to have missed you. Your names—"
"It will be some time before we can come back I fear," Penny interrupted quickly. "And we did so want to see the picture. I don't suppose you could show it to us?"
"I am afraid not. I don't even know what picture she meant."
"Oh, the one hanging in the library," Penny informed. "It would only take us a minute to look at it."
"Why, I guess I could show you that picture."
Forgetting that she had neglected to learn the names of the callers, the maid led them to the library. The girls pretended to study the ugly painting which hung over the mantel.
"Is this Mrs. Dillon's last purchase?" Penny inquired.
"It's the only picture she's bought recently."
The girls shrewdly concluded that the maid was unaware of the hidden panel and were at a loss to know how they could manage to view the Rembrandt.