“Well, sister, what’s on your mind?” he demanded abruptly.
“Excuse me, officer, but I think the information does have importance. Couldn’t it mean that the crooks, whoever they were, telephoned the apartment to make certain it was deserted before breaking in?”
“Possibly,” conceded the policeman. His frown discouraged her. “Any other theories?”
“No,” said Penny shortly.
The policeman began to herd the tenants into the hall. For a moment he paid no attention to Penny and Jerry, who with the maid were permitted to remain.
“Never try to show up a policeman, even if he is a stuffed shirt,” remarked the reporter softly. “It gets you nowhere.”
The door closed and the officer faced the pair.
“Now young lady,” he said, quite pleasantly. “What do you know about this burglary? I’ll be very glad to listen.”
“I don’t really know a thing,” admitted Penny. “But here’s a little clue which you may be able to interpret. I can’t.”
Leading the policeman to the window, she started to raise the sash. The officer stopped her, performing the act himself, his hand protected by a handkerchief.