“It is,” Mrs. Gruen said. “And if I am not mistaken, there’s your father now.”

A car had turned into the driveway. Nancy hurried to her room, changed into dry clothes, and ran down the stairs to greet him.

“Why, Dad!” she exclaimed. “What’s wrong? You look mad enough to eat someone.”

“I’ve lost an extra wallet I was carrying,” Mr. Drew said shortly. “I’m afraid it was stolen.”

“Stolen! How did it happen?” Nancy asked.

“I’m not absolutely certain. I didn’t miss it until an hour ago.”

“You didn’t lose much money, I hope.”

“A good bit-not to mention several important notations. The money wasn’t mine,” Mr. Drew explained. “It was a donation to the River Heights Boys Club.”

“That’s a shame. Perhaps you dropped the wallet, and it will be returned,” Nancy suggested.

“I’m sure it was stolen. In fact, I recall that at noon, when I stood in line at a cafeteria, a man directly behind kept brushing against me.”

“What did he look like, Dad?”

“I didn’t take particular notice. A fellow of medium height with brown hair.”

“Did he walk with short, quick steps?”

“Yes,” Mr. Drew replied. “He got out of line and hurried off. Why all these questions?”

His daughter related her experiences of the day. Mr. Drew agreed that probably the pickpocket was the same man who had taken his extra wallet.

“Dad, I’ll recognize that thief if ever I see him again,” Nancy concluded. “Would you like me to capture him for you?”

“Indeed I would,” her father replied grimly. “But let’s think about something nicer-the picnic, for instance.”

“What picnic?” Nancy inquired in surprise.

“Didn’t I tell you? Some of my associates have arranged a father-daughter outing at Walden Park. We’re a little bit late. I phoned Hannah. She’ll have everything ready for us.”

In the kitchen Nancy found the housekeeper tucking a Thermos into a well-filled food hamper.