They walked swiftly down the aisle and took a crowded elevator to the top floor.
"Now we'll walk down three flights of stairs," Penny commanded.
Already they had lost sight of the man, but to make certain that he would not catch them again, they crossed to the opposite side of the building and took a down-going elevator to the main floor. Mingling with the crowd they emerged upon the street.
"We certainly gave him the slip," Amy laughed.
"My father taught me that trick. Even a trained detective finds it difficult to follow a person who is aware he is being shadowed."
"I guess I'll say goodbye to you here," Amy said regretfully. "I hope I'll see you again soon."
"Yes, indeed. I intend to talk with Mrs. Dillon about that painting she bought. I'll let you know what she says."
The girls parted company but Penny did not leave the scene. Instead, she walked across the street, establishing herself in a doorway where she could keep watch of the department store entrance.
"Two can play at this game of shadowing," she chuckled.
It was nearly twenty minutes before the man who had been following Penny and Amy emerged from the store. She noted him instantly. He was a tall, thin man dressed entirely in gray.