Penny Nichols and the Black Imp Part 25

The Mysterious Agent

Penny listened calmly to the woman's tirade, making no move to obey the impolite command.

"I am sorry, Mrs. Dillon," she said, "but I do not intend to leave this house until you have answered my questions."

"I shall call my servant. You are an insolent, impudent girl!"

"I should advise you not to call anyone until we have talked together,"

Penny said undisturbed. "After all, you know I have it in my power to cause your arrest."

Mrs. Dillon grew pale. "What do you mean?" she demanded.

"It is useless to pretend. I know that you bought the Rembrandt and have it secreted in your library. Unless you tell me where you purchased the painting, I shall feel it my duty to go to the police."

"And if I do tell you?"

"Perhaps I can help you. You should be able to escape arrest for the Rembrandt isn't genuine."

As she had antic.i.p.ated, her words brought an astonished glint into Mrs.

Dillon's eyes. Without thinking she exclaimed:

"The painting is genuine. I paid----"

"How much did you pay for it?" Penny questioned, smiling at Mrs.

Dillon's confusion.

"Well, since you seem to be so familiar with my private affairs, I suppose I shall have to tell you all about it. The painting is genuine and I bought it with the sole intention of returning it to the museum."

Penny made no comment, although she did not believe a word of the story. Mrs. Dillon was only trying to build up a defense for herself.

"How much did you pay for the picture?" she repeated, determined to tie the woman to facts.

"Two thousand dollars," Mrs. Dillon answered grudgingly. "But that is only the first payment. The next installment will soon be due."

Penny thought exultingly: "If Mrs. Dillon will only cooperate, it should be possible to catch the dealer who cheated her." Aloud she said: "Then you will see the dealer again--the man from whom you purchased the picture?"

"Not the dealer. His agent."

"Tell me the name of the persons from whom you bought the painting."

"I can't."

"You are unwilling to do so, you mean?"

"I don't know the dealer's name. I never dealt with him personally."

"You bought the picture through a third party?"

"Yes, and the agent is very well known to me. A gentleman of high standing."

Penny could not restrain a smile. She had her own opinion of a man who would negotiate a deal for a stolen painting.

"Who is this agent, Mrs. Dillon?"

"That I cannot tell you. I promised never to reveal his name."

"But it is your duty to do so," Penny urged. "I have every reason to believe that this man has cheated you."

"I will not give his name," Mrs. Dillon repeated firmly.

"He is a special friend of yours?"

"Perhaps."

"I appreciate your motive in trying to s.h.i.+eld him," Penny said, "but the matter is serious. This man has sold you a worthless picture, representing it to be a stolen Rembrandt."

"The painting is genuine," Mrs. Dillon insisted. "I have proof of it."

"What proof, may I ask?"

"The picture was viewed by an expert--a man whose judgment I trust implicitly. He a.s.sured me that it was genuine."

"This expert looked at your picture since it was delivered to the house?"

"No, at the studio."

"What studio?" Penny asked quickly.

"I will tell you if you promise not to betray me to the police."

"I came here today because I wanted to help you, Mrs. Dillon. I have no intention of going to the authorities if it can be avoided."

"The studio is on Franklyn Street," the woman informed. "On an upper floor."

"Do you have the exact number of the building?" Penny asked quickly.

"Yes, somewhere."

Mrs. Dillon went to her desk and after examining a number of papers found an old envelope upon which she had written the address. Penny glanced at it and a look of disappointment came over her face.

"Oh, this clue will do no good!" she exclaimed. "I know about this place. The men have gone. They moved out last night--secretly."

The address was the same building which Penny had investigated that afternoon.

"Can you describe the person or persons whom you met in the studio?"

Mrs. Dillon shook her head.