"Come along, Penny," he said quietly, dropping it into his coat pocket. "We'll talk with Mr. and Mrs. Kirmenbach again. It's just possible that we've found a vital clue!"
CHAPTER IX
Herman Crocker's Visit
"You really believe this toy lantern has a connection with the jewel theft?" Penny asked in amazement. "And you say my theories are wild!"
"Wait until we have talked with the Kirmenbachs," replied Mr. Nichols tersely. "I may be on the wrong track but I think not."
Penny and her father found Mr. and Mrs. Kirmenbach awaiting them in the living room. The elderly couple had never seen the toy lantern before and scarcely could believe that the detective had picked it up in the study.
"It may have been dropped there by some child," Mr. Nichols remarked.
"But no child has been in the house in weeks," Mrs. Kirmenbach said quickly. "I can't understand it at all."
"May I speak with your servants now?" requested the detective when the toy lantern had been fully discussed.