Penny Nichols and the Black Imp Part 18

"Perhaps I will try later on," Amy agreed. "But until my name is cleared I haven't much chance to do anything."

"That's true," Penny acknowledged. "What are you going to do with this copy of the statue?"

"Oh, I don't know. Would you like it?"

"Would I? Rather! But don't you want it yourself?"

"No, I have the original if ever I muster the courage to go to the museum and claim it."

"I'd love to have the reproduction," Penny declared enthusiastically.

"Only I wish you had made it instead of Hanley Cron."

"I'll make you a nicer piece later on," Amy promised as she wrapped up the figure in her handkerchief and gave it to Penny.

Presently, after discussing at some length the exciting events of the afternoon, they arose and walked on down the street. They were nearing the downtown business section when Penny halted and pretended to gaze into the plate gla.s.s window of a large department store.

"Amy, I think we're being followed!" she announced in a low tone.

"Don't look around."

"What makes you think so?" Amy inquired skeptically.

"Ever since we left the park a man has been trailing us."

"Are you sure?"

"Every time we stop he does too. I can see his reflection now in the plate gla.s.s. He's pretending to be looking into that jewelry store window but he's really watching us."

"You mean the man in the gray topcoat?"

"Yes."

"Maybe he's a plain-clothes man who is after me," Amy said uneasily.

"We can soon find out. Come on!"

Catching Amy's arm, Penny steered her into the department store. They sauntered leisurely through the aisles, frequently pausing to examine merchandise. Un.o.btrusively, they kept watch of the main entrance.

"Here he comes, just as I knew he would!" Penny exclaimed in an undertone as she caught a glimpse of the man entering the store. "We must shake him quickly now."

They walked swiftly down the aisle and took a crowded elevator to the top floor.

"Now we'll walk down three flights of stairs," Penny commanded.

Already they had lost sight of the man, but to make certain that he would not catch them again, they crossed to the opposite side of the building and took a down-going elevator to the main floor. Mingling with the crowd they emerged upon the street.

"We certainly gave him the slip," Amy laughed.

"My father taught me that trick. Even a trained detective finds it difficult to follow a person who is aware he is being shadowed."

"I guess I'll say goodbye to you here," Amy said regretfully. "I hope I'll see you again soon."

"Yes, indeed. I intend to talk with Mrs. Dillon about that painting she bought. I'll let you know what she says."

The girls parted company but Penny did not leave the scene. Instead, she walked across the street, establis.h.i.+ng herself in a doorway where she could keep watch of the department store entrance.

"Two can play at this game of shadowing," she chuckled.

It was nearly twenty minutes before the man who had been following Penny and Amy emerged from the store. She noted him instantly. He was a tall, thin man dressed entirely in gray.

"I don't believe I've ever seen him before," Penny thought.

When the man moved off down the street, she crossed the street and trailed him. He walked swiftly and did not once glance backward, apparently having no suspicion that he was being followed.

Once the man paused to glance into the window of a p.a.w.nshop. He turned down East Franklyn Street which led through a dirty, poverty-stricken district to the river. Presently, Penny saw him enter a run-down, dilapidated brick building.

In the doorway he met another man, evidently the janitor who caught him roughly by the arm as he endeavored to pa.s.s.

"Just a minute, you," he said. "I've been trying to find you for a week. How about that rent you owe?"

"Try and get it!"

"I'll get it all right," the janitor returned threateningly. "If I don't I may make it my business to find out why you rented the entire top floor."

A strange look came over the other man's face. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a large roll of bills.

"How much?"

"Fifty dollars."

"Here it is. And a five for yourself. Now don't bother me again."

And with that the man strode angrily into the building and mounted a long flight of stairs which led to the top floor.

CHAPTER XI

A Visitor

Penny watched the janitor closely after the man in gray had vanished into the building. From his inside coat pocket he removed a billfold and carefully deposited the fifty dollars in it. The five dollar bill he shoved into his trousers pocket, a possessive smirk on his face.

Penny moved forward to accost the man.

"How do you do," she greeted. "Are you the custodian of this building?"

"Yes, I am," he replied surlily. "If you have anything to sell, get out!"

"Oh, I'm not a saleswoman. I am looking for a place to rent."