"For the time being, yes. But I've not given up. I still believe that it may be possible to trace the thief by means of the clue. After all, the toy lantern had one distinguishing feature—the cloth wick."
"It's too bad all this had to come up on your vacation," Penny said sympathetically. She could see that the lines of worry had returned to her father's face.
"I wish I had kept out of the case," he returned. "But now that I'm in it, I'll have no peace of mind until it's solved. There's something about that toy lantern clue which challenges me!"
"I feel the same way regarding Herman Crocker," Penny nodded.
"What was that?" Mr. Nichols looked up quickly.
"I meant that our landlord's queer personality fascinates me. He's always doing such strange things."
"Let me see," Mr. Nichols said jokingly. "How many queer characters have you discovered since we came here?"
"Only three, Dad. Mrs. Masterbrook, Michael and old Herman. Unless you count Walter Crocker and Mr. Madden."
"How about the postman? I noticed you were talking with him yesterday."
"Purely upon a matter of business," Penny laughed. "His name isn't down on my list of suspects yet."