Penny promised that she would write often, and then, aware that time was slipping away, said a hurried farewell. Reaching her own home, a large white house on Hilburn Street, she found her father washing the car in the back yard.
Christopher Nichols was a tall, slim man with graying hair. For many years he had been in charge of the Nichols Detective Agency and was well known not only in Belton City but throughout the state. Many persons believed that Penny had inherited her father's sleuthing ability, for even at the age of fifteen she had shown remarkable talent in solving mystery cases.
As Penny paused for a moment to chat with her father before going into the house, she noticed the tired lines of his face.
"Dad really needs a long rest," she thought. "I ought to be glad we're both running off to a quiet place like Knob Hill."
"Hello, Penny," Mr. Nichols greeted his daughter. "I'll have this cleaning job done in another ten minutes. Then I'm ready to start whenever you are."
"You seem anxious to get away from Belton City," Penny smiled. "You're not trying to escape from any creditors?"
"Nothing like that," laughed Mr. Nichols. "I'm just sick and tired of the Nichols Detective Agency. For two weeks I intend to forget everything remotely connected with investigation work. Why, if a thief broke into the house tonight and stole our diamonds, I'd not interest myself in the case!"
"That's what you say now," chuckled Penny. "Anyway, we haven't any diamonds."
"Inspector Harris tried to tempt me with a case only today," the detective went on, his face becoming serious again. "I told him I couldn't take it."
"You've earned the right to your vacation," Penny declared.