“Why, it’s gone!” she exclaimed in disbelief.
“Wasn’t it here last night when we went to bed?”
“Of course.”
“Then it was stolen last night!”
Dropping broom and dustpan, Sally brought a chair and inspected the chain. Obviously it had been cut by sharp metal scissors.
“That prowler who came aboard last night must have done it!” she exclaimed angrily. “Oh, what a mean, low trick!”
As the full realization of what the loss would mean came to her, Sally sank down on the chair, a picture of dejection.
“I’m responsible for the trophy, Penny! I’ll be expected to produce it before the final race. Oh, what can we do?”
“Why do you suppose the thief took the lantern and nothing else?”
“Someone may have done it for pure spite. But I’m more inclined to think the person came aboard to steal our money in the office safe. The lantern hung here in a conspicuous place and he may have taken it on impulse.”