"Life isn't always fair, Penny."
"What do you think about Jerome Davis, Dad? Is it your opinion that he is honest?"
"Yes, I think he is." Mr. Nichols abruptly arose. "What you have told me is very interesting, Penny. I believe I'll call Davis to the house and have a talk with him. He should be off duty soon."
Telephoning the Davis home, the detective left a message that the policeman was to call back at his earliest convenience.
"It's too late to get him here tonight," Mr. Nichols remarked to his daughter. "If he does telephone I'll ask him to come to my office to-morrow."
"Then I won't hear what he has to say," Penny complained.
"I'm afraid you wouldn't anyway, my dear. Mr. Davis would never talk freely if you were present at the interview."
"I suppose not—if he knew it. But I might hide in the closet."
"That would be a trifle too theatrical for my taste, Penny."
The doorbell rang sharply. Mrs. Gallup came from another room to answer it. A moment later she returned to the study where Mr. Nichols and Penny were sitting.