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diff --git a/34552-h/34552-h.htm b/34552-h/34552-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..fb8a21f --- /dev/null +++ b/34552-h/34552-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6173 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<title>Danger at the Drawbridge, by Mildred A. Wirt</title> +<style type="text/css"> + body { margin-left:1.5em; margin-right:1.5em; } + h1, h2, h3, h4, .center { text-align:center; clear:right; } + h2 { margin-top:4em; margin-bottom:2.5em; line-height:1.7em; } + h3 { font-style:italic; } + table { clear:right; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } + p, blockquote, li { text-align:justify; max-width:25em; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } + div.bq { margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; max-width:25em; } + .bq p { margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em; } + div.box { border-style:double; margin-bottom:2em; max-width:20em; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-top:2em; } + div.subbox { border-style:double; margin:.2em; } + div.img { margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; text-align:center; margin-top:1em; } + .large { font-size:120%; } + .small { font-size:90%; } + .smaller { font-size:80%; } + .sc { font-variant:small-caps; } + .gsw { margin-left:3em; } + .tb { margin-top:2em; } + .fndef p { font-size:100%; margin-left:0em; text-indent:0em; } + div.fndef { margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em; text-align:justify; font-size:80%; margin-top:1em; } + a sup { font-size:60%; } + span.pb, div.pb, dt.pb, p.pb /* PAGE BREAKS */ + { text-align: right; float:right; margin-right:-1em; } + div.pb { display:inline; } + .pb { text-align:right; float:right; margin-left: 1.5em; + margin-top:.5em; margin-bottom:.5em; display:inline; + font-size:80%; font-style:normal; font-weight:bold; } + div.index .pb { display:block; } + dt.xx { text-align:justify; margin-left:2em; text-indent: -2em; } + dd { text-align:justify; margin-left:3em; text-indent: -2em; } +dl.toc { clear:both; } + /* CONTENTS (.TOC) */ + .toc dt.center { text-align:center; clear:both; margin-top:3em; margin-bottom:1em; } + .toc dt { text-align:right; clear:left; + margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; max-width:20em; } + .toc dt.smaller { max-width:25em; } + .toc dd { text-align:right; clear:both; margin-left:2em; } + .toc dd.t { text-align:right; clear:both; margin-left:4em; text-indent:0em; } + .toc dt a, .toc dd a { text-align:left; clear:right; float:left; } + .toc dt.sc { text-align:right; clear:both; } + .toc dt.scl { text-align:left; clear:both; font-variant:small-caps; } + .toc dt.sct { text-align:right; clear:both; font-variant:small-caps; margin-left:1em; } + .toc dt.jl { text-align:left; clear:both; font-variant:normal; } + .toc dt.scc { text-align:center; clear:both; font-variant:small-caps; } + .toc dt span.lj { text-align:left; display:block; float:left; } + .toc dt a { font-variant:small-caps; } +</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Danger at the Drawbridge, by Mildred A. Wirt + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Danger at the Drawbridge + +Author: Mildred A. Wirt + +Release Date: December 3, 2010 [EBook #34552] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DANGER AT THE DRAWBRIDGE *** + + + + +Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Brenda Lewis and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + +<div id="cover" class="img"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Danger at the Drawbridge" width="361" height="500" /> +</div> +<div class="box"> +<h1>Danger +<br />at the +<br />Drawbridge</h1> +<p class="center"><i>By</i> +<br />MILDRED A. WIRT</p> +<p class="center"><i>Author of</i> +<br /><span class="small">MILDRED A. WIRT MYSTERY STORIES +<br />TRAILER STORIES FOR GIRLS</span></p> +<p class="center"><span class="small"><i>Illustrated</i></span></p> +<p class="center"><span class="small">CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY +<br /><i>Publishers</i> +<br />NEW YORK</span></p> +</div> +<div class="box"> +<div class="subbox"> +<p class="center"><span class="large"><b>PENNY PARKER</b></span> +<br />MYSTERY STORIES</p> +<p class="center"><span class="small"><i>Large 12 mo. <span class="gsw">Cloth</span> <span class="gsw">Illustrated</span></i></span></p> +</div> +<p class="center">TALE OF THE WITCH DOLL +<br />THE VANISHING HOUSEBOAT +<br />DANGER AT THE DRAWBRIDGE +<br />BEHIND THE GREEN DOOR +<br />CLUE OF THE SILKEN LADDER +<br />THE SECRET PACT +<br />THE CLOCK STRIKES THIRTEEN +<br />THE WISHING WELL +<br />SABOTEURS ON THE RIVER +<br />GHOST BEYOND THE GATE +<br />HOOFBEATS ON THE TURNPIKE +<br />VOICE FROM THE CAVE +<br />GUILT OF THE BRASS THIEVES +<br />SIGNAL IN THE DARK +<br />WHISPERING WALLS +<br />SWAMP ISLAND +<br />THE CRY AT MIDNIGHT</p> +<div class="subbox"> +<p class="center"><span class="smaller">COPYRIGHT, 1940, BY CUPPLES AND LEON CO.</span></p> +<p class="center">Danger at the Drawbridge</p> +<p class="center"><span class="smaller">PRINTED IN U. S. A.</span></p> +</div></div> +<div id="front" class="img"> +<img src="images/front.png" alt="The speeding automobile careened down the bank." width="400" height="623" /> +<p class="center"><span class="small">The speeding automobile careened down the bank. +<br />“<i>Danger at the Drawbridge</i>” <span class="gsw">(<a href="#Page_157">See Page 157</a>)</span></span></p> +</div> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> +<dl class="toc"> +<dt class="smaller"><span class="lj">CHAPTER</span> PAGE</dt> +<dt><a href="#c1">1 AN ASSIGNMENT FOR PENNY</a> <i>1</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c2">2 REPORTERS NOT WANTED</a> <i>9</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c3">3 GIFT TO THE BRIDE</a> <i>19</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c4">4 BEHIND THE BUSHES</a> <i>28</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c5">5 THE MISSING BRIDEGROOM</a> <i>35</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c6">6 A RING OF WHITE GOLD</a> <i>45</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c7">7 THE FORBIDDEN POOL</a> <i>54</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c8">8 PARENTAL PROTEST</a> <i>63</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c9">9 A SOCIETY BAZAAR</a> <i>72</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c10">10 A THROWN STONE</a> <i>79</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c11">11 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS</a> <i>88</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c12">12 FISHERMAN’S LUCK</a> <i>96</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c13">13 TWO MEN AND A BOAT</a> <i>105</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c14">14 THE STONE TOWER</a> <i>113</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c15">15 A CAMEO PIN</a> <i>122</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c16">16 GATHERING CLUES</a> <i>129</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c17">17 A SEARCH FOR JERRY</a> <i>140</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c18">18 OVER THE DRAWBRIDGE</a> <i>149</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c19">19 A DARING RESCUE</a> <i>158</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c20">20 AN IMPORTANT INTERVIEW</a> <i>164</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c21">21 THE WHITE CRUISER</a> <i>171</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c22">22 TRAPPED IN THE CABIN</a> <i>177</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c23">23 AT THE HIDE-OUT</a> <i>184</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c24">24 SECRET OF THE LILY POOL</a> <i>192</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c25">25 VICTORY FOR PENNY</a> <i>203</i></dt> +</dl> +<div class="pb" id="Page_1">[1]</div> +<h2 id="c1"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">1</span> +<br /><i>AN ASSIGNMENT FOR PENNY</i></h2> +<p>Penny Parker, leaning indolently against the +edge of the kitchen table, watched Mrs. Weems stem +strawberries into a bright green bowl.</p> +<p>“Tempting bait for Dad’s jaded appetite,” she remarked, +helping herself to the largest berry in the +dish. “If he can’t eat them, I can.”</p> +<p>“I do wish you’d leave those berries alone,” the +housekeeper protested in an exasperated tone. “They +haven’t been washed yet.”</p> +<p>“Oh, I don’t mind a few germs,” laughed Penny. +“I just toss them off like a duck shedding water. Shall +I take the breakfast tray up to Dad?”</p> +<p>“Yes, I wish you would, Penny,” sighed Mrs. +Weems. “I’m right tired on my feet this morning. +Hot weather always did wear me down.”</p> +<p>She washed the berries and then offered the tray +of food to Penny who started with it toward the +kitchen vestibule.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_2">[2]</div> +<p>“Now where are you going, Penelope Parker?” +Mrs. Weems demanded suspiciously.</p> +<p>“Oh, just to the automatic lift.” Penny’s blue eyes +were round with innocence.</p> +<p>“Don’t you dare try to ride in that contraption +again!” scolded the housekeeper. “It was never built +to carry human freight.”</p> +<p>“I’m not exactly freight,” Penny said with an injured +sniff. “It’s strong enough to carry me. I know +because I tried it last week.”</p> +<p>“You walk up the stairs like a lady or I’ll take the +tray myself,” Mrs. Weems threatened. “I declare, I +don’t know when you’ll grow up.”</p> +<p>“Oh, all right,” grumbled Penny good-naturedly. +“But I do maintain it’s a shameful waste of energy.”</p> +<p>Balancing the tray precariously on the palm of her +hand she tripped lightly up the stairway and tapped +on the door of her father’s bedroom.</p> +<p>“Come in,” he called in a muffled voice.</p> +<p>Anthony Parker, editor and owner of the <i>Riverview +Star</i> sat propped up with pillows, reading a day-old +edition of the newspaper.</p> +<p>“’Morning, Dad,” said Penny cheerfully. “How is +our invalid today?”</p> +<p>“I’m no more an invalid than you are,” returned +Mr. Parker testily. “If that old quack, Doctor Horn, +doesn’t let me out of bed today—”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_3">[3]</div> +<p>“You’ll simply explode, won’t you, Dad?” Penny +finished mischievously. “Here, drink your coffee and +you’ll feel less like a stick of dynamite.”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker tossed the newspaper aside and made a +place on his knees for the breakfast tray.</p> +<p>“Did I hear an argument between you and Mrs. +Weems?” he asked curiously.</p> +<p>“No argument, Dad. I just wanted to ride up in +style on the lift. Mrs. Weems thought it wasn’t a civilized +way to travel.”</p> +<p>“I should think not.” The corners of Mr. Parker’s +mouth twitched slightly as he poured coffee from the +silver pot. “That lift was built to carry breakfast trays, +but not in combination with athletic young ladies.”</p> +<p>“What a bore, this business of growing up,” sighed +Penny. “You can’t be natural at all.”</p> +<p>“You seem to manage rather well with all the restrictions,” +her father remarked dryly.</p> +<p>Penny twisted her neck to gaze at her reflection in +the dresser mirror beyond the footboard of the big +mahogany bed.</p> +<p>“I won’t mind growing up if only I’m able to develop +plenty of glamour,” she said speculatively. “Am +I getting any better looking, Dad?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_4">[4]</div> +<p>“Not that I’ve noticed,” replied Mr. Parker gruffly, +but his gaze lingered affectionately upon his daughter’s +golden hair. She really was growing prettier each +day and looked more like her mother who had died +when Penny was a little girl. He had spoiled her, of +course, for she was an only child, but he was proud +because he had taught her to think straight. She was +deeply loyal and affectionate and those who loved +her overlooked her casual ways and flippant speech.</p> +<p>“What happened to the paper boy this morning?” +Mr. Parker asked between bites of buttered toast.</p> +<p>“It isn’t time for him yet, Dad,” said Penny demurely. +“You always expect him at least an hour +early.”</p> +<p>“First edition’s been off the press a good half hour,” +grumbled the newspaper owner. “When I get back to +the <i>Star</i> office, I’ll see that deliveries are speeded up. +Just wait until I talk with Roberts!”</p> +<p>“Haven’t you been doing a pretty strenuous job of +running the paper right from your bed?” inquired +Penny as she refilled her father’s cup. “Sometimes +when you talk with that poor circulation manager I +think the telephone wires will burn off.”</p> +<p>“So I’m a tyrant, am I?”</p> +<p>“Oh, everyone knows your bark is worse than your +bite, Dad. But you’ve certainly not been at your best +the last few days.”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker’s eyes roved about the luxuriously furnished +bedroom. Tinted walls, chintz draperies, the +rich, deep rug, were completely lost upon him. “This +place is a prison,” he grumbled.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_5">[5]</div> +<p>For nearly a week the household had been thrown +completely out of its usual routine by the editor’s illness. +Overwork combined with an attack of influenza +had sent him to bed, there to remain until he should +be released by a doctor’s order. With a telephone at +his elbow, Mr. Parker had kept in close touch with +the staff of the <i>Riverview Star</i> but he fretted at confinement.</p> +<p>“I can’t half look after things,” he complained. +“And now Miss Hilderman, the society editor, is sick. +I don’t know how we’ll get a good story on the Kippenberg +wedding.”</p> +<p>Penny looked up quickly. “Miss Hilderman is ill?”</p> +<p>“Yes, DeWitt, the city editor, telephoned me a few +minutes ago. She wasn’t able to show up for work +this morning.”</p> +<p>“I really don’t see why he should bother you about +that, Dad. Can’t Miss Hilderman’s assistant take over +the duties?”</p> +<p>“The routine work, yes, but I don’t care to trust her +with the Kippenberg story.”</p> +<p>“Is it something extra special, Dad?”</p> +<p>“Surely, you’ve heard of Mrs. Clayton Kippenberg?”</p> +<p>“The name is familiar but I can’t seem to recall—”</p> +<p>“Clayton Kippenberg made a mint of money in the +chain drug business. No one ever knew exactly the +extent of his fortune. He built an elaborate estate about +a hundred and twenty-five miles from here, familiarly +called <i>The Castle</i> because of its resemblance to an +ancient feudal castle. The estate is cut off from the +mainland on three sides and may be reached either +by boat or by means of a picturesque drawbridge.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_6">[6]</div> +<p>“Sounds interesting,” commented Penny.</p> +<p>“I never saw the place myself. In fact, Kippenberg +never allowed outsiders to visit the estate. Less than a +year ago a rumor floated around that he had separated +from his wife. There also was considerable talk that +he had disappeared because of difficulties with the +government over income tax evasion and wished to +escape arrest. At any rate, he faded out of the picture +while his wife remained in possession of <i>The Castle</i>.”</p> +<p>“And now she is marrying again?”</p> +<p>“No, it is Mrs. Kippenberg’s daughter, Sylvia, who +is to be married. The bridegroom, Grant Atherwald, +comes from a very old and distinguished family.”</p> +<p>“I don’t see why the story should be so difficult to +cover.”</p> +<p>“Mrs. Kippenberg has ruled that no reporters or +photographers will be allowed on the estate,” explained +Mr. Parker.</p> +<p>“That does complicate the situation.”</p> +<p>“Yes, it may not be easy to persuade Mrs. Kippenberg +to change her mind. I rather doubt that our +assistant society editor has the ingenuity to handle the +story.”</p> +<p>“Then why don’t you send one of the regular reporters? +Jerry Livingston, for instance?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_7">[7]</div> +<p>“Jerry couldn’t tell a tulle wedding veil from one +of crinoline. Nor could any other man on the staff.”</p> +<p>“I could get that story for you,” Penny said suddenly. +“Why don’t you try me?”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker gazed at his daughter speculatively.</p> +<p>“Do you really think you could?”</p> +<p>“Of course.” Penny spoke with assurance. “Didn’t +I bring in two perfectly good scoops for your old +sheet?”</p> +<p>“You certainly did. Your Vanishing Houseboat +yarn was one of the best stories we’ve published in a +year of Sundays. And the town is still talking about +Tale of the Witch Doll.”</p> +<p>“After what I went through to get those stories, a +mere wedding would be child’s play.”</p> +<p>“Don’t be too confident,” warned Mr. Parker. “If +Mrs. Kippenberg doesn’t alter her decision about reporters, +the story may be impossible to get.”</p> +<p>“May I try?” Penny asked eagerly.</p> +<p>Mr. Parker frowned. “Well, I don’t know. I hate +to send you so far, and then I have a feeling—”</p> +<p>“Yes, Dad?”</p> +<p>“I can’t put my thoughts into words. It’s just that +my newspaper instinct tells me this story may develop +into something big. Kippenberg’s disappearance never +was fully explained and his wife refused to discuss +the affair with reporters.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_8">[8]</div> +<p>“Kippenberg might be at the wedding,” said Penny, +thinking aloud. “If he were a normal father he would +wish to see his daughter married.”</p> +<p>“You follow my line of thought, Penny. When +you’re at the estate—if you get in—keep your eyes +and ears open.”</p> +<p>“Then you’ll let me cover the story?” Penny cried +in delight.</p> +<p>“Yes, I’ll telephone the office now and arrange for +a photographer to go with you.”</p> +<p>“Tell them to send Salt Sommers,” Penny suggested +quickly. “He doesn’t act as know-it-all as some of the +other lads.”</p> +<p>“I had Sommers in mind,” her father nodded as he +reached for the telephone.</p> +<p>“And I have a lot more than Salt Sommers in <i>my</i> +mind,” laughed Penny.</p> +<p>“Meaning?”</p> +<p>“Another big story, Dad! A scoop for the <i>Star</i> and +this for you.”</p> +<p>Penny implanted a kiss on her father’s cheek and +skipped joyously from the room.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_9">[9]</div> +<h2 id="c2"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">2</span> +<br /><i>REPORTERS NOT WANTED</i></h2> +<p>In the editorial room of the <i>Riverview Star</i> heads +turned and eyebrows lifted as Penny, decked in her +best silk dress and white picture hat, clicked her high-heeled +slippers across the bare floor. Jerry Livingston, +reporter, stopped pecking at his typewriter and stared +in undisguised admiration.</p> +<p>“Well, if it isn’t our Bright Penny,” he bantered. +“Didn’t recognize you for a minute in all those glad +rags.”</p> +<p>“These are my work clothes,” replied Penny. “I’m +covering the Kippenberg wedding.”</p> +<p>Jerry pushed his hat farther back on his head and +grinned.</p> +<p>“Tough assignment. From what I hear of the Kippenberg +family, you’ll be lucky if they don’t throw +the wedding cake at you.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_10">[10]</div> +<p>Penny laughed and went on, winding her way +through a barricade of desks to the office of the society +editor. Miss Arnold, the assistant, was talking over the +telephone, but in a moment she finished and turned +to face the girl.</p> +<p>“Good morning, Miss Parker,” she said stiffly. An +edge to her voice told Penny more clearly than words +that the young woman was nettled because she had +not been trusted with the story.</p> +<p>“Good morning,” replied Penny politely. “Dad +said you would be able to give me helpful suggestions +about covering the Kippenberg wedding.”</p> +<p>“There’s not much I can tell you, really. The ceremony +is to take place at two o’clock in the garden, so +you’ll have ample time to reach the estate. If you get +in—” Miss Arnold placed an unpleasant emphasis upon +the words—“take notes on Miss Kippenberg’s gown, +the flowers, the decorations, the names of her attendants. +Try to keep your facts straight. Nothing infuriates +a bride more than to read in the paper that +she carried a bouquet of lilies-of-the-valley and roses +while actually it was a bouquet of some other flower.”</p> +<p>“I’ll try not to infuriate Miss Kippenberg,” promised +Penny.</p> +<p>Miss Arnold glanced quickly at her but the girl’s +face was perfectly serene.</p> +<p>“That’s all I can tell you, Miss Parker,” she said +shortly. “Bring in at least a column. For some reason +the city editor rates the wedding an important story.”</p> +<p>“I’ll do my best,” responded Penny, and arose.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_11">[11]</div> +<p>Salt Sommers was waiting for her when she came +out of the office. He was a tall, spare young man, with +a deep scar down his left cheek. He talked nearly as +fast as he walked.</p> +<p>“If you’re all set, let’s go,” he said.</p> +<p>Penny found herself three paces behind but she +caught up with the photographer as he waited for the +elevator.</p> +<p>“I’m taking Minny along,” Salt volunteered, holding +his finger steadily on the signal bell. “May come +in handy.”</p> +<p>“Minny?” asked Penny, puzzled.</p> +<p>“Miniature camera. You can’t always use the +Model X.”</p> +<p>“Oh,” murmured Penny. Deeply embarrassed, she +remained silent as the elevator shot them down to +the ground floor.</p> +<p>Salt loaded his photographic equipment into a battered +press car which was parked near the loading +dock at the rear of the building. He slid in behind the +wheel and then as an afterthought swung open the +car door for Penny.</p> +<p>Salt seemed to know the way to the Kippenberg +estate. They shot through Riverview traffic, shaving +red lights and tooting derisively at slow drivers. In +open country he pressed the accelerator down to the +floor and the car roared down the road, only slackening +speed as it raced through a town.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_12">[12]</div> +<p>“How do you travel when you’re in a hurry?” +Penny gasped, clinging to her flopping hat.</p> +<p>Salt grinned and lifted his foot from the gasoline +pedal.</p> +<p>“Sorry,” he said. “I get in the habit of driving fast. +We have plenty of time.”</p> +<p>As they rode, Penny gathered scraps of information. +The Kippenberg estate was located six miles +from the town of Corbin and was cut off from the +mainland on three sides by the joining of two wide +rivers, one with a direct outlet to the ocean. Salt did +not know when the house had been built but it was +considered one of the show places of the locality.</p> +<p>“Do you think we’ll have much trouble getting our +story?” Penny asked anxiously.</p> +<p>“All depends,” Salt answered briefly. He slammed +on the brake so suddenly that Penny was flung forward +in the seat.</p> +<p>Another car coming from the opposite direction +had pulled up at the side of the road. Penny did not +recognize the three men who were crowded into the +front seat, but the printed placard, <i>Ledger</i> which was +pasted on the windshield told her they represented a +rival newspaper in Riverview.</p> +<p>“What luck, Les?” Salt called, craning his neck +out the car window.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_13">[13]</div> +<p>“You may as well turn around and go back,” came +the disgusted reply. “The old lady won’t let a reporter +or a photographer on the estate. She has a guard stationed +on the drawbridge to see that you don’t get +past.”</p> +<p>The car drove on toward Riverview. Salt sat staring +down the road, drumming his fingers thoughtfully on +the steering wheel.</p> +<p>“Looks like we’re up against a tough assignment,” +he said. “If Les can’t get in—”</p> +<p>“I’m not going back without at least an attempt,” +announced Penny firmly.</p> +<p>“That’s the spirit!” Salt cried with sudden approval. +“We’ll get on the estate somehow if we have to swim +over.”</p> +<p>He jerked the press card from the windshield, and +reaching into the back seat of the car, covered the +Model X camera with an old gunny sack. The miniature +camera he placed in his coat pocket.</p> +<p>“No use advertising our profession too early in the +game,” he remarked.</p> +<p>Twelve-thirty found Penny and Salt in the sleepy +little town of Corbin. Fortifying themselves with a +lunch of hot dog sandwiches and pop, they followed +a winding, dusty highway toward the Kippenberg +estate.</p> +<p>Presently, through the trees, marking the end of +the road, an iron drawbridge loomed up. It stood in +open position so that boats might pass on the river +below. A wooden barrier had been erected across the +front of the structure which bore a large painted sign. +Penny read the words aloud.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_14">[14]</div> +<p class="bq">“‘DANGEROUS DRAWBRIDGE—KEEP OFF.’”</p> +<p>Salt drew up at the side of the road. “Looks as if +this is as far as we’re going,” he said in disgust. +“There’s no other road to the estate. I’ll bet that ‘dangerous +drawbridge’ business is just a dodge to keep +undesirables away from the place until after the wedding.”</p> +<p>Penny nodded gloomily. Then she brightened as +she noticed an old man who obviously was an estate +guard standing at the entrance to the bridge. He +stared toward the old car as if trying to ascertain +whether or not the occupants were expected guests.</p> +<p>“I’m going over to talk with him,” Penny said.</p> +<p>“Pretend that you’re a guest,” suggested Salt. “You +look the part in that fancy outfit of yours.”</p> +<p>Penny walked leisurely toward the drawbridge. Appraisingly, +she studied the old man who leaned comfortably +against the gearhouse. A dilapidated hat +pulled low over his shaggy brows seemed in keeping +with the rest of his wardrobe—a blue work shirt and +a pair of grease-smudged overalls. A charred corn-cob +pipe, thrust at an angle between his lips, provided sure +protection against the mosquitoes swarming up from +the river below.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_15">[15]</div> +<p>“Good afternoon,” began Penny pleasantly. “My +friend and I are looking for the Kippenberg estate. +We were told at Corbin to take this road but we seem +to have made a mistake.”</p> +<p>“You ain’t made no mistake, Miss,” the old man +replied.</p> +<p>“Then is the estate across the river?”</p> +<p>“That’s right, Miss.”</p> +<p>“But how are guests to reach the place? I see the +sign says the bridge is out of commission. Are we supposed +to swim over?”</p> +<p>“Not if you don’t want to,” the old man answered +evenly. “Mrs. Kippenberg has a launch that takes the +folks back and forth. It’s on the other side now but +will be back in no time at all.”</p> +<p>“I’ll wait in the car out of the hot sun,” Penny +said. She started away, then paused to inquire casually: +“Is this drawbridge really out of order?”</p> +<p>The old man was deliberate in his reply. He blew +a ring of smoke into the air, watched it hover like a +floating skein of wool and finally disintegrate as if +plucked to pieces by an unseen hand.</p> +<p>“Well, yes, and no,” he said. “It ain’t exactly sick +but she sure is ailin’. I wouldn’t trust no heavy contraption +on this bridge.”</p> +<p>“Condemned by the state, I suppose?”</p> +<p>“No, Miss, and I’ll tell you why. This here bridge +doesn’t belong to the state. It’s a private bridge on a +private road.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_16">[16]</div> +<p>“Odd that Mrs. Kippenberg never had it repaired,” +Penny remarked. “It must be annoying.”</p> +<p>“It is to all them that don’t like launches. As for +Mrs. Kippenberg, she don’t mind. Fact is, she ain’t +much afraid of the bridge. She drives her car across +whenever she takes the notion.”</p> +<p>“Then the bridge does operate!” Penny exclaimed.</p> +<p>“Sure it does. That’s my job, to raise and lower it +whenever the owner says the word. But the bridge +ain’t fit for delivery trucks and such-like. One of them +big babies would crack through like goin’ over sponge +ice.”</p> +<p>“Well, I rather envy your employer,” said Penny +lightly. “It isn’t every lady who has her own private +drawbridge.”</p> +<p>“She is kind of exclusive-like that way, Miss. Mrs. +Kippenberg she keeps the drawbridge up so she’ll have +more privacy. And I ain’t blamin’ her. These here +newspaper reporters always is a-pesterin’ the life out +of her.”</p> +<p>Penny nodded sympathetically and walked back +to make her report to Salt.</p> +<p>“No luck?” he demanded.</p> +<p>“Guess twice,” she laughed. “The old bridgeman +just took it for granted I was one of the wedding +guests. It will be all right for us to go over in the +guest launch as soon as it arrives.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_17">[17]</div> +<p>Salt gazed ruefully at his clothes.</p> +<p>“I don’t look much like a guest. Think I’ll pass inspection?”</p> +<p>“Maybe you could get by as one of the poor relations,” +grinned Penny. “Pull your hat down and +straighten your tie.”</p> +<p>Salt shook his head. “A business suit with a grease +spot on the vest isn’t the correct dress for a formal +wedding. You might get by but I won’t.”</p> +<p>“Then should I try it alone?”</p> +<p>“I’ll have to get those pictures somehow,” stated +Salt grimly.</p> +<p>“Maybe we could hire a boat of our own,” Penny +suggested. “Of course it wouldn’t look as well as if +we arrived on the guest launch.”</p> +<p>“Let’s see what we can line up,” Salt said, swinging +open the car door.</p> +<p>They walked to the river’s edge and looked in both +directions. There were no small boats to be seen. The +only available craft was a large motor boat which +came slowly downstream toward the open drawbridge. +Penny caught a glimpse of the pilot, a burly +man with a red, puffy face.</p> +<p>Salt slid down the bank toward the water’s edge, +and hailed the boat.</p> +<p>“Hey, you, Cap’n!” he called. “Two bucks to take +me across the river.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_18">[18]</div> +<p>The man inclined his head, looked steadily at Salt +for an instant, then deliberately turned his back.</p> +<p>“Five!” shouted Salt.</p> +<p>The pilot gave no sign that he had heard. Instead, +he speeded up the boat which passed beneath the +drawbridge and went on down the river.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_19">[19]</div> +<h2 id="c3"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">3</span> +<br /><i>GIFT TO THE BRIDE</i></h2> +<p>“Perhaps he didn’t hear you,” said Penny, peering +after the retreating boat.</p> +<p>“He heard me all right,” growled Salt as he scrambled +back up the high bank.</p> +<p>Noticing a small boy in dirty overalls who sat at +the water’s edge fishing, he called to him: “Say, sonny, +who was that fellow, do you know?”</p> +<p>“Nope,” answered the boy, barely turning his head, +“but his boat has been going up and down the river +all morning. That’s why I can’t catch anything.”</p> +<p>The boat rounded a bend of the river and was lost +to view. Only one other craft appeared on the water, +a freshly painted white motor launch which could be +seen coming from the far shore.</p> +<p>“That must be the guest boat now,” remarked +Penny, shading her eyes against the glare of the sun. +“It seems to be our only hope.”</p> +<p>“Let’s try to get aboard and see what happens,” +proposed the photographer.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_20">[20]</div> +<p>They walked leisurely back toward the guard at +the drawbridge, timing their arrival just as the launch +swung up to the landing. With a cool assurance which +Penny tried to duplicate, Salt stepped aboard, nodded +indifferently to the wheelsman, and slumped down in +one of the leather seats.</p> +<p>Penny waited uneasily for embarrassing questions +which did not come. Gradually she relaxed as the +boatman took no interest in them and the guard’s +attention was fully occupied with other cars which +had driven up to the drawbridge.</p> +<p>A few minutes later, two elderly women, both elegantly +gowned, were helped aboard the boat by their +chauffeur. One of the women stared disapprovingly +at Salt through her lorgnette and then ignored him.</p> +<p>“We’ll get by all right,” Salt whispered confidently.</p> +<p>“Wait until Mrs. Kippenberg sees us,” warned +Penny.</p> +<p>“Oh, we’ll keep out of her way until we have our +story and plenty of pictures. Once we’re across the +river it will be easy.”</p> +<p>“I hope you’re right,” muttered Penny.</p> +<p>While Salt’s task of taking pictures might prove relatively +simple, she realized that her own work would +be anything but easy. She could not hope to gather +many facts without talking to a member of the family, +and the instant she admitted her identity she likely +would be ejected from the grounds.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_21">[21]</div> +<p>“I boasted I’d bring in a front page story,” she +thought ruefully. “I’ll be lucky if I get a column of +routine stuff.”</p> +<p>The boat was moving slowly away from the landing +when the guard at the drawbridge called in a loud +voice: “Hold it, Joe!”</p> +<p>Penny and Salt stiffened in their chairs, fearing they +were to be exposed. But they were both greatly relieved +to see that a long, black limousine had drawn +up at the end of the road. The launch had been +stopped so that additional passengers might be accommodated.</p> +<p>Salt nudged Penny’s elbow.</p> +<p>“Grant Atherwald,” he contributed, jerking his +head toward a tall, well-built young man who had +stepped from the car. “I’ve seen his picture plenty of +times.”</p> +<p>“The bridegroom?” Penny turned to stare.</p> +<p>“Sure. He’s one of the blue-bloods, but they say +he’s a little short on ready cash.”</p> +<p>The young man, dressed immaculately in formal +day attire, and accompanied by two other men, came +aboard the launch. He bowed politely to the elderly +women and his gaze fell questioningly upon Penny +and Salt. But if he wondered why they were there, +he did not voice his thought.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_22">[22]</div> +<p>As the boat put out across the river Penny watched +Grant Atherwald curiously. It seemed to her that he +appeared nervous and preoccupied. He stared straight +before him, clenching and unclenching his hands. His +face was colorless and drawn.</p> +<p>“He’s nervous and worried,” thought Penny. “I +guess all bridegrooms are like that.”</p> +<p>A sharp “click” sounded in her ear. Penny did not +turn toward Salt, but she caught her breath, knowing +what he had done. He had dared to take a picture of +Grant Atherwald!</p> +<p>She waited, feeling certain that the sound must have +been heard by everyone in the boat. A full minute +elapsed and no one spoke. When Penny finally glanced +at Salt he was gazing serenely out across the muddy +water, his miniature camera shielded behind a felt hat +which he held on his knees.</p> +<p>The boat docked. Salt and Penny allowed the others +to go ashore first, and then followed a narrow walk +which wound through a deep lane of evergreen trees.</p> +<p>“Salt,” Penny asked abruptly, “how did you get +that picture of Atherwald?”</p> +<p>“Snapped it through a hole in the crown of my +hat. It’s an old trick. I always wear this special hat +when I’m sent out on a hard assignment.”</p> +<p>“I thought a cannon had gone off when the shutter +clicked,” Penny laughed. “We were lucky you +weren’t caught.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_23">[23]</div> +<p>Emerging from behind the trees, they obtained their +first view of the Kippenberg house. Sturdily built of +brick and stone, it stood upon a slight hill, its many +turrets and towers commanding a view of the two +rivers.</p> +<p>“Nice layout,” Salt commented, pausing to snap a +second picture. “Wish someone would give me a +castle for a playhouse.”</p> +<p>They crossed the moat and found themselves directly +behind Grant Atherwald again. Before the +bridegroom could enter the house a servant stepped +forward and handed him a sealed envelope.</p> +<p>“I was told to give this to you as soon as you arrived, +sir,” he said.</p> +<p>Grant Atherwald nodded, and taking the letter, +quickly opened it. A troubled expression came over +his face as he scanned the message. Without a word +he thrust the paper into his pocket. Turning, he +walked swiftly toward the garden.</p> +<p>“Salt, did you notice how queerly Atherwald +looked—” Penny began, but the photographer interrupted +her.</p> +<p>“Listen,” he said, “we haven’t a Chinaman’s chance +of getting in the front door. That boy in the fancy +knickers is giving everyone the once over. Let’s try +a side entrance.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_24">[24]</div> +<p>Without attracting attention they walked quickly +around the house and located a door where no servant +had been posted. Entering, they passed through a +marble-floored vestibule into a breakfast room +crowded with serving tables. Salt nonchalantly helped +himself to an olive from one of the large glass dishes +and led Penny on toward the main hall where many +of the guests had gathered to admire the wedding +gifts.</p> +<p>“Now don’t swipe any of the silver,” Salt said jokingly. +“I think that fellow over by the stairway is +a private detective.”</p> +<p>“He seems to be looking at us with a suspicious +gleam in his eyes,” Penny replied. “I hope we don’t +get tossed out of here.”</p> +<p>“We’ll be all right if Mrs. Kippenberg doesn’t see +us before the ceremony.”</p> +<p>“Do you suppose Mr. Kippenberg could be here, +Salt?”</p> +<p>“Not likely. It’s my guess that fellow will never +be seen again.”</p> +<p>“Dad doesn’t share your opinion.”</p> +<p>“I know,” Salt admitted. “We’ll keep watch for +him, but it would just be a lucky break if it turns out +he’s here.”</p> +<p>Mingling with the guests, they walked slowly about +a long table where the wedding gifts were displayed. +Penny gazed curiously at dishes of solid silver, crystal +bowls, candlesticks, jade ornaments, tea sets and service +plates encrusted with gold.</p> +<p>“Nothing trashy here,” muttered Salt.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_25">[25]</div> +<p>“I’ve never seen such an elegant display,” Penny +whispered in awe. “Do you suppose that picture is one +of the gifts?”</p> +<p>She indicated an oil painting which stood on an +easel not far from the table. So many guests had +gathered about the picture that she could not see it +distinctly. But at her elbow, a woman in rustling silk, +said to a companion:</p> +<p>“My dear, a genuine Van Gogh! It must have cost +a small fortune!”</p> +<p>When the couple had moved aside, Penny and Salt +drew closer to the easel. One glance assured them +that the painting had been executed by a master. However, +it was the subject of the picture which gave +Penny a distinct start.</p> +<p>“Will you look at that!” she whispered to Salt.</p> +<p>“What about it?” he asked carelessly.</p> +<p>“Don’t you notice anything significant?”</p> +<p>“Can’t say I do. It’s just a nice picture of a drawbridge.”</p> +<p>“That’s just the point, Salt!” Penny’s eyes danced +with excitement. “A drawbridge!”</p> +<p>The photographer glanced again at the painting, +this time with deeper interest.</p> +<p>“Say, it looks a lot like the bridge which was built +over the river,” he observed. “You think this picture +is a copy of it?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_26">[26]</div> +<p>Penny shook her head impatiently. “Salt, your +knowledge of art is dreadful. This Van Gogh was +painted ages ago and is priceless. Don’t you see, the +drawbridge has to be a copy of the picture?”</p> +<p>“Your theory sounds reasonable,” Salt admitted. “I +wonder who gave the painting to the bride? There’s +no name attached.”</p> +<p>“Can’t you guess why?”</p> +<p>“I never was good at kid games.”</p> +<p>“Why, it’s clear as crystal,” Penny declared, keeping +her voice low. “This estate with the drawbridge +was built by Clayton Kippenberg. He must have been +familiar with the Van Gogh painting, and had the +real bridge modeled after the picture. For that matter, +the painting may have been in his possession—”</p> +<p>“Then you think the picture was presented to Sylvia +Kippenberg by her father?” Salt broke in quickly.</p> +<p>“Yes, I do. Only a person very close to the bride +would have given such a gift.”</p> +<p>“H-m,” said Salt, squinting at the picture thoughtfully. +“If you’re right it means that Clayton Kippenberg’s +whereabouts must be known to his family. His +disappearance may not be such a deep mystery to +Mamma Kippenberg and daughter Sylvia.”</p> +<p>“Oh, Salt, wouldn’t it make a grand story if only +we could learn what became of him?”</p> +<p>“Sure. Front page stuff.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_27">[27]</div> +<p>“We simply must get the story somehow! If Mrs. +Kippenberg would just answer our questions about +this drawbridge painting—”</p> +<p>“I’m afraid Mamma Kippenberg isn’t going to break +down and tell all,” Salt said dryly. “But buckle on +your steel armor, little girl, because here she comes +now!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_28">[28]</div> +<h2 id="c4"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">4</span> +<br /><i>BEHIND THE BUSHES</i></h2> +<p>A large, middle-aged woman in rose-colored silk, +crossed the room directly toward Salt and Penny. +Her pale blue eyes glinted with anger and there were +hard lines about her mouth. She walked haughtily, +but with grim purpose.</p> +<p>“Unless we do some fast talking, out we go!” muttered +Salt. “It’s Mrs. Kippenberg, all right.”</p> +<p>They stood their ground, knowing they had been +recognized as intruders. But before the woman could +reach them she was stopped by a servant who spoke +a few words in a low tone. For a moment Mrs. Kippenberg +forgot about Penny and Salt as a new problem +presented itself.</p> +<p>“I can’t talk with anyone now,” she said in an agitated +voice. “Tell them to come back later.”</p> +<p>“They insist upon talking with you now, Madam,” +replied the servant. “Unless you see them they say +they will look around for themselves.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_29">[29]</div> +<p>“Oh!” Mrs. Kippenberg drew herself up sharply +as if from a physical blow. “Where are they now?”</p> +<p>“In the library, Madam.”</p> +<p>Penny did not hear the woman’s reply, but she +turned and followed the servant.</p> +<p>“Saved by the bell,” mumbled Salt. “Now let’s get +away from here before she comes back.”</p> +<p>They pushed through the throng and reached a +long hallway. Mrs. Kippenberg had disappeared, but +as they drew near an open door they caught sight of +her again. She stood just inside the library, her back +toward them, talking with two men who wore plain +gray business suits.</p> +<p>Penny half drew back, fearing discovery, but Salt +pulled her along. As they went quietly past the door +they heard Mrs. Kippenberg say in an excited voice:</p> +<p>“No, no, I tell you he isn’t here! Why should I +try to deceive you? We have nothing to hide. You +are most inconsiderate to annoy me at such a time!”</p> +<p>Penny and Salt did not hear the reply. They +reached an outside door and stepped down on a flagstone +terrace which overlooked the garden at the rear +of the grounds.</p> +<p>“Who were those men, do you suppose?” Penny +whispered, fearful that her voice might betray them.</p> +<p>“Officers of the law, I should guess,” Salt replied +in an undertone.</p> +<p>“Government men?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_30">[30]</div> +<p>“Likely as not. I don’t believe the locals would +bother her. Anyway she’s got the wind up and you +can tell she’s scared silly in spite of all her back talk.”</p> +<p>“You know what I think they’re after?” Penny +said thoughtfully.</p> +<p>“Well, if I had just one guess,” Salt replied, “I’d +say they are after Mr. Kippenberg.”</p> +<p>“I agree with you there.”</p> +<p>“Sure, why else would they come sleuthing around +at a time like this? The answer is simple. Daughter gets +married. Papa wants to see his darling do it. Therefore, +boys, we’ll spread a net for Daddy and he might +plump right into it.”</p> +<p>“So that’s the way a G man’s mind works?” laughed +Penny.</p> +<p>“But I would take it that Kippenberg is no fool,” +Salt went on. “If they really have a ‘man wanted’ sign +hung on him he would be too cagey to come around +here today.”</p> +<p>They were standing beside the stone balustrade +which bounded the terrace. Below them the green +foliage of the gardens formed a dark background for +the playing fountains. A cool breeze drifted in from +the river and rattled a window awning just over their +heads.</p> +<p>“We’re in an exposed place here,” observed Salt +uneasily. “Maybe we ought to find a hole somewhere.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_31">[31]</div> +<p>“We’ll never learn anything in a hole,” Penny objected. +“In fact, we’re not making much progress in +running down any sort of story. I do wish we could +have heard more of that conversation.”</p> +<p>“And get thrown out on our collective ear before +we even have a chance to snap a picture of the blushing +bride!”</p> +<p>“Pictures! Pictures!” exclaimed Penny. “That’s all +you photographers think about. How about poor little +me and my story? After all, you can’t bring out a +paper full of nothing but pictures and cigarette ads. +You need a little news to go with it.”</p> +<p>“You like to work too fast,” complained Salt. +“Right now the thing to do is to keep out of sight. +I’m telling you the minute Mrs. Kippy finishes with +those men she’ll be gunning for us.”</p> +<p>“Then I suppose we’ll have to go into hiding.”</p> +<p>“First, let’s mosey out into the rose garden,” Salt +proposed. “I’ll take a few shots and then we’ll duck +under somewhere and wait until the ceremony starts.”</p> +<p>“That’s all very well for you,” grumbled Penny, +“but I can’t write much of a story without talking to +some member of the family.”</p> +<p>Salt started off across the velvety green lawn toward +the rose arbor where the service was to be held. +Penny followed reluctantly. She watched the photographer +take several pictures before a servant approached +him.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_32">[32]</div> +<p>“I beg your pardon,” the man said coldly, “but +Mrs. Kippenberg gave orders no pictures were to be +taken. If you are from one of the papers—”</p> +<p>“Oh, I saw her in the house just a minute ago,” +Salt replied carelessly.</p> +<p>“Sorry, sir,” the servant apologized, retreating.</p> +<p>Salt finished taking the pictures and slipped the +miniature camera back into his pocket.</p> +<p>“Now let’s amble down toward the river and wait,” +he said to Penny. “We’ll blossom forth just as the +ceremony starts. Mrs. Kippy won’t dare interrupt it +to have us thrown off the grounds.”</p> +<p>They walked down a sloping path, past a glass-enclosed +hothouse and on toward a grove of giant +oak and maple trees.</p> +<p>“It’s pleasant here when you’re away from the +crowd,” Penny remarked, gazing up at the leafy canopy. +“I wonder where this path leads?”</p> +<p>“Oh, down to the river probably. With water on +three sides of us that’s a fairly safe guess.”</p> +<p>“Which rivers flow past the estate, Salt?”</p> +<p>“The Big Bear and the Kobalt.”</p> +<p>“The same old muddy Kobalt which is near our +town,” said Penny in surprise. “I’ll always think of +it as a river of adventure.”</p> +<p>“Because of Mud-Cat Joe and his Vanishing Houseboat?”</p> +<p>Penny nodded and a dreamy look came into her +eyes. “So much happened on the Kobalt, Salt. Remember +that big party Dad threw at the Comstock Inn?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_33">[33]</div> +<p>“Do I? Jerry Livingston decided to sleep in Room +Seven where so many persons had disappeared.”</p> +<p>“And then he was spirited away almost before our +very eyes,” added Penny. “Days later Mud-Cat Joe +helped me fish him out of this same old Kobalt. For +awhile we didn’t think he’d ever pull through or be +able to tell what had happened to him.”</p> +<p>“But as the grand finale you and your friend, Louise +Sidell, solved the mystery and secured a dandy story +for the <i>Star</i>. Those were the days!”</p> +<p>“You talk as if they were gone forever,” laughed +Penny. “Other good stories will come along.”</p> +<p>“Maybe,” said Salt, “but covering a wedding is +pretty tame in comparison.”</p> +<p>“Yet this one does have interesting angles,” Penny +insisted. “Can’t you almost feel mystery lurking about +the place?”</p> +<p>“No, but I do feel a mosquito sinking his stinger +into me.” Salt slapped vigorously at his ankle.</p> +<p>They followed the path on toward the river, coming +soon to a trail which branched off to the right. +Across it had been stretched a wire barrier and a neatly +lettered sign read:</p> +<p class="bq">NO ADMITTANCE BEYOND THIS POINT.</p> +<p>“Why do you suppose the path is blocked off?” +Penny speculated.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_34">[34]</div> +<p>“Let’s find out,” Salt suggested with a sudden flare +of interest. “Maybe we’ll run into something worth +a picture.”</p> +<p>Penny hesitated, not wishing to disregard the sign, +yet eager to learn what lay beyond the barrier.</p> +<p>“Listen,” said Salt, “just put your little conscience +on ice. We’re here to get the ‘who, when, why and +where.’ You’ll never be a first class newspaper reporter +if you stifle your curiosity.”</p> +<p>“Lead on,” laughed Penny. “I will follow. Only +isn’t it getting late?”</p> +<p>Salt looked at his watch. “We still have a safe +fifteen minutes.”</p> +<p>He started to step over the wire, only to have Penny +reach out and grasp his hand.</p> +<p>“Wait!” she whispered.</p> +<p>“What’s the idea?” Salt turned toward her in astonishment.</p> +<p>“I think someone is watching us! I’m sure I saw +the bushes move.”</p> +<p>“Your nerves are jumpy,” Salt jeered. “It’s only the +wind.”</p> +<p>Even as he spoke the foliage to the left moved ever +so slightly and a dark form could be seen creeping +stealthily away along the ground.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_35">[35]</div> +<h2 id="c5"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">5</span> +<br /><i>THE MISSING BRIDEGROOM</i></h2> +<p>Salt acted instinctively. Leaping over the wire +barrier he dived into the bushes. Hurling himself +upon the man who crouched there, he pinned him +to the ground. The fellow gave a choked cry and +tried to pull free.</p> +<p>“Oh, no, you don’t,” Salt muttered, coolly sitting +down on his stomach. “Snooping, eh?”</p> +<p>“You let me up!” the man cried savagely. “Let me +up, I say!”</p> +<p>“I’ll let you up when you explain what you were +doing here.”</p> +<p>“Why, you impudent young pup!” the man spluttered. +“You’re the one who will explain. I am Mrs. +Kippenberg’s head gardener.”</p> +<p>Salt’s hand fell from the old man’s collar and he +apologetically helped him to his feet. Penny, who +had reached the scene, stooped down and recovered +a trowel which had slipped from the gardener’s grasp.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_36">[36]</div> +<p>“It was just a little mistake on my part,” Salt mumbled. +“I hope I didn’t hurt you.”</p> +<p>“No fault of yours you didn’t,” the old man +snapped. “A fine howdydo when a person can’t even +loosen earth around a shrub without being assaulted +by a ruffian!”</p> +<p>The gardener was a short, stout man with graying +hair. He wore coarse garments, a loose fitting pair of +trousers, a dark shirt and battered felt hat. But Penny +noticed that his hands and fingernails were clean and +there were no trowel marks around any of the +shrubs.</p> +<p>“Salt isn’t exactly a ruffian,” she said as the photographer +offered no defense. “After all, from where +we stood it looked exactly as if you were hiding in +the bushes.”</p> +<p>“Then you both need glasses,” the man retorted +rudely. “A person can’t work without getting down +on his hands and knees.”</p> +<p>“Where were you digging?” Penny asked innocently.</p> +<p>“I was just starting in when this young upstart +leaped on my back!”</p> +<p>“Sorry,” said Salt, “but I thought you were trying +to get away.”</p> +<p>“Who are you anyway?” the gardener demanded +bluntly. “You’re not guests. I can tell that.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_37">[37]</div> +<p>“You have a very discerning eye,” replied Salt +smoothly. “We’re from the <i>Riverview Star</i>.”</p> +<p>“Reporters, eh?” The old man scowled unpleasantly. +“Then you’ve no business being here at all. +You’re not wanted, so get out!”</p> +<p>“We’re only after a few facts about the wedding,” +Penny said. “Perhaps you would be willing to tell +me—”</p> +<p>“I’ll tell you nothing, Miss! If anything is given +out to the papers it will have to come from Mrs. +Kippenberg.”</p> +<p>“Fair enough,” Salt acknowledged. He glanced +curiously down the path which had been blocked off. +“What’s down there?”</p> +<p>“Nothing.” The gardener spoke irritably. “This +part of the estate hasn’t been fixed up. That’s why +it’s closed.”</p> +<p>Penny had bent down, pretending to examine a +shrub at the edge of the path.</p> +<p>“What is the name of this bush?” she inquired casually.</p> +<p>“An azalea,” the gardener replied after a slight +hesitation. “Now get out of here, will you? I have +my work to do.”</p> +<p>“Oh, all right,” Salt rejoined as he and Penny +moved away. “No need to get so tough.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_38">[38]</div> +<p>They stepped over the barrier wire and retraced +their way toward the house. Several times Penny +glanced back but she could not see the old man. He +had slipped away somewhere among the trees.</p> +<p>“I don’t believe that fellow was a gardener,” she +said suddenly.</p> +<p>“What makes you think not?”</p> +<p>“Didn’t you notice his nice clean hands and fingernails? +And then when I asked him the name of that +bush he hesitated and called it an azalea. I saw another +long botanical name attached to it.”</p> +<p>“Maybe he just made a mistake, or said the first +thing that came into his head. He wanted to get rid +of us.”</p> +<p>“I know he did,” nodded Penny. “Yet, when he +found out we were from the <i>Star</i> he didn’t threaten +to report us to Mrs. Kippenberg.”</p> +<p>“That’s so.”</p> +<p>“He was afraid to report us,” Penny went on with +conviction. “I’ll bet a cent he has no more right here +than we have.”</p> +<p>Salt had lost all interest in the gardener. He glanced +at his watch and quickened his step.</p> +<p>“Is it two o’clock yet?” Penny asked anxiously.</p> +<p>“Just. After all the trouble we’ve had getting here +we can’t afford to miss the big show.”</p> +<p>Emerging from the grove, Salt and Penny were +relieved to see that the ceremony had not yet started. +The guests were gathered in the garden, the minister +stood waiting, musicians were in their places, but the +bridal party had not appeared.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_39">[39]</div> +<p>“We’re just in time,” Salt remarked.</p> +<p>Penny observed Mrs. Kippenberg talking with one +of the ushers. Even from a distance it was apparent +that the woman had lost her poise. Her hands fluttered +nervously as she conferred with the young man +and a worried frown puckered her eyebrows.</p> +<p>“Something seems to be wrong,” said Penny. “I +wonder what is causing the delay?”</p> +<p>Before Salt could reply, the usher crossed the lawn, +and came directly toward them. Penny and Salt instantly +were on guard, thinking that he had been sent +by Mrs. Kippenberg to eject them from the grounds. +But although the young man paused, he did not look +squarely at them.</p> +<p>“Have you seen Mr. Atherwald anywhere?” he +questioned.</p> +<p>“The bridegroom?” Salt asked in astonishment. +“What’s the matter? Is he missing?”</p> +<p>“Oh, no, sir,” the young man returned stiffly. “Certainly +not. He merely went away for a moment.”</p> +<p>“Mr. Atherwald came over on the same boat with +us,” Penny volunteered.</p> +<p>“And did you see him enter the house?”</p> +<p>“No, he spoke to one of the servants and then went +toward the garden.”</p> +<p>“Did you notice which path he took?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_40">[40]</div> +<p>“I believe it was this one.”</p> +<p>“We’ve just come from down by the river,” added +Salt. “We didn’t see him there. The only person we +met was an old gardener.”</p> +<p>The usher thanked them for the information and +hurried on. When the man was beyond hearing, Salt +turned to Penny, saying jubilantly:</p> +<p>“Say, maybe we’ll get a big story after all! Sylvia +Kippenberg jilted at the altar! Hot stuff!”</p> +<p>“Aren’t you jumping to swift conclusions, Salt? +He must be around here somewhere.”</p> +<p>“It’s always serious business when a man is late for +his wedding. Even if he does show up, daughter Sylvia +may take offense and call the whole thing off.”</p> +<p>“Oh, you’re too hopeful,” Penny laughed. “He’ll +probably be here in another minute. I don’t believe +he would have come at all if he had intended to slip +away.”</p> +<p>“He may have lost his nerve at the last minute,” +Salt insisted.</p> +<p>“Atherwald did act strangely on the boat,” Penny +said reflectively. “And then that message he received—”</p> +<p>“He may have sent it to himself.”</p> +<p>“As an excuse for getting away?”</p> +<p>“Why not?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_41">[41]</div> +<p>“I can’t see any reason for going to so much unnecessary +trouble,” Penny argued. “If he intended to +jilt Miss Kippenberg how much easier it would have +been not to come here at all.”</p> +<p>“Well, let’s see what we can learn,” Salt suggested.</p> +<p>Their interest steadily mounting, they went on +toward the house and stationed themselves where +they could see advantageously. It was evident by this +time that the guests suspected something had gone +amiss. Significant glances were exchanged, a few persons +looked at their watches, and all eyes focused +upon Mrs. Kippenberg who tried desperately to carry +off an embarrassing situation.</p> +<p>Minutes passed. The crowd became increasingly +restless. Finally, the usher returned and spoke quietly +to Mrs. Kippenberg. They both retired to the house.</p> +<p>“It looks as if there will be no wedding today,” +Salt declared. “Atherwald hasn’t been located.”</p> +<p>“I won’t dare use the story unless I’m absolutely +certain of my facts,” Penny said anxiously.</p> +<p>“We’ll get them, never fear.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Kippenberg and the usher had stepped into the +breakfast room. Posting Penny at the outside door, +Salt followed the couple. From the hallway he could +hear their conversation distinctly.</p> +<p>“But he must be somewhere on the grounds,” the +matron argued.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_42">[42]</div> +<p>“I can’t understand it myself,” the young man replied. +“Grant’s disappearance is very mysterious to +say the least. Several persons saw him arrive here and +everything seemed to be all right.”</p> +<p>“What time is it now?”</p> +<p>“Two thirty-five, Mrs. Kippenberg.”</p> +<p>“So late? Oh, this is dreadful! How can I face +them?”</p> +<p>“I know just how you feel,” the young man said +with sympathy. “If you wish I will explain to the +guests.”</p> +<p>“No, no, this will disgrace us,” Mrs. Kippenberg +murmured. “Wait until I have talked with Sylvia.”</p> +<p>She turned suddenly and reached the hall door +before Salt could escape. Her eyes blazed with wrath +as she faced him.</p> +<p>“So here you are!” she cried furiously. “How dare +you disregard my orders? I will have no reporters +on the grounds!”</p> +<p>“I’m only a photographer,” Salt said meekly enough. +“Sorry to intrude but I’ve been assigned to get a picture +of the bride. It won’t take a minute—”</p> +<p>“Indeed it won’t,” Mrs. Kippenberg broke in, her +voice rising higher. “You’ll take no pictures here. +Not one! Now get out.”</p> +<p>“A picture might be better than a story that the +bridegroom had skipped out,” Salt said persuasively.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_43">[43]</div> +<p>“Why, you—you!” Mrs. Kippenberg’s face became +fiery red. She choked as she tried to speak. +“Get out, I say!”</p> +<p>Salt did not retreat. Instead he took his camera +from his pocket.</p> +<p>“Just one picture, Mrs. Kippenberg. At least of +you.”</p> +<p>Realizing that the photographer meant to take it +whether or not she gave permission, the woman suddenly +lost all control over her temper.</p> +<p>“Don’t you dare!” she cried furiously. “Don’t you +dare!”</p> +<p>Whirling about, she seized an empty plate from the +tall stack on the serving table.</p> +<p>“Hold that pose!” chortled Salt, goading her on.</p> +<p>The woman hurled the plate straight at him. Salt +gleefully snapped a picture and dodged. The plate +crashed into the wall behind him, splintering into a +half dozen pieces.</p> +<p>“Swell action picture!” he grinned.</p> +<p>“Don’t you dare try to use it!” screamed Mrs. Kippenberg. +“I’ll telephone your editor! I’ll have you +discharged!”</p> +<p>“See here,” offered the usher, taking out his wallet. +“I’ll give you ten dollars for that picture.”</p> +<p>Salt shook his head, still smiling broadly.</p> +<p>The sound of the crash had brought servants running +to the scene.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_44">[44]</div> +<p>“Have this person ejected from the grounds,” Mrs. +Kippenberg ordered harshly. “And see that he doesn’t +get back.”</p> +<p>Just outside the house, Penny huddled against the +wall, trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible. +She had heard everything. As Salt backed out +the door he did not glance at her but he muttered for +her ears alone:</p> +<p>“You’re on your own now, kid. I’ll be waiting at +the drawbridge.”</p> +<p>An instant later two servants seized him roughly +by the arms and escorted him down the walk to the +boat landing.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_45">[45]</div> +<h2 id="c6"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">6</span> +<br /><i>A RING OF WHITE GOLD</i></h2> +<p>Penny waited anxiously, but Mrs. Kippenberg +did not come to the outside door. Nor had it occurred +to the two servants that the girl was connected +in any way with the photographer.</p> +<p>“On my own,” she repeated to herself. “On my +own with a vengeance.”</p> +<p>Salt had his picture and it was up to her to get a +good story. Until now she had depended upon his +guidance. With all support withdrawn she suddenly +felt uncertain and incompetent.</p> +<p>Penny waited a few minutes before gathering sufficient +courage to enter the long hallway. One glance +assured her that the breakfast room was deserted.</p> +<p>“Mrs. Kippenberg probably went upstairs to talk +with her daughter,” she reasoned. “I’d like to hear +what they say to each other.”</p> +<p>With the guests assembled in the garden, only a +few persons lingered in the house. No one paid heed +to Penny as she moved noiselessly up the spiral stairway.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_46">[46]</div> +<p>A bedroom door stood slightly ajar. Hearing a low +murmur of voices, Penny paused. Framed against the +leaded windows she saw Sylvia Kippenberg talking +with her mother. Despite a tear-streaked face the girl +was very lovely. She wore a long flowing gown of +white satin and the flowers at the neckline were outlined +with real pearls. Her net veil had been discarded. +A bouquet of flowers lay on the floor.</p> +<p>“How could Grant do such a cruel thing?” Penny +heard her sob. “I just can’t believe it of him, Mother. +Surely he will come.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Kippenberg held the girl in her arms, trying +to comfort her.</p> +<p>“It is nearly three now, Sylvia. The servants have +searched everywhere. A man of his type isn’t worthy +of you.”</p> +<p>“But I love him, Mother. And I am sure he loves +me. It doesn’t seem possible he would do such a thing +without a word of explanation.”</p> +<p>“He will explain, never fear,” Mrs. Kippenberg said +grimly. “But now, we must think what has to be +done. The guests must be told.”</p> +<p>“Oh, Mother!” Sylvia went into another paroxysm +of crying.</p> +<p>“There is no other way, my dear. Leave everything +to me.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_47">[47]</div> +<p>Before Penny realized that the interview had ended, +Mrs. Kippenberg stepped out into the hall. Her eyes +focused hard upon the girl.</p> +<p>“You are a reporter!” she accused harshly. “I remember, +you were with that photographer!”</p> +<p>“Please—” began Penny.</p> +<p>“I’ll tell you nothing,” the woman cried. “How +dare you intrude in my home and go about listening +at bedroom doors!”</p> +<p>“Mrs. Kippenberg, if only you will calm yourself, +I may be able to help you.”</p> +<p>“Help me?” the woman demanded. “What do you +mean?”</p> +<p>“I may be able to give you a clue as to what became +of Grant Atherwald.”</p> +<p>The anger faded from Mrs. Kippenberg’s face. She +came close to Penny, grasping her arm with a pressure +which hurt.</p> +<p>“You have seen him? Tell me!”</p> +<p>“He came over in the same boat.”</p> +<p>“How long ago was that?”</p> +<p>“Shortly after one o’clock. He was stopped at the +front door by a servant who handed him a note. Mr. +Atherwald read it and walked down toward the garden.”</p> +<p>“I wonder which one of the servants spoke to him? +It was at the front door, you say?”</p> +<p>“Yes.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_48">[48]</div> +<p>“Then it must have been Gregg. I’ll talk with him.”</p> +<p>Forgetting Penny, Mrs. Kippenberg hastened down +the stairway. She jangled a bell and asked that the +manservant be sent to her. Unnoticed, Penny lingered +to hear the interview.</p> +<p>The man came into the room. “You sent for me, +Mrs. Kippenberg?” he inquired.</p> +<p>“Yes, Gregg. You were at the door when Mr. +Atherwald arrived?”</p> +<p>“I was, Madam.”</p> +<p>“I understand you handed him a note which he +read.”</p> +<p>“Yes, Madam.”</p> +<p>“Who gave you the note?”</p> +<p>“Mrs. Latch, the cook. She told me it was brought +to the kitchen door early this morning by a most +disreputable looking boy.”</p> +<p>“He had been hired to deliver it for another person, +I suppose?”</p> +<p>“Yes, Madam. The boy told Mrs. Latch that the +message came from a friend of Mr. Atherwald’s and +should be given to him as soon as he arrived.”</p> +<p>“You have no idea what the note contained?”</p> +<p>“No, Mrs. Kippenberg, the envelope was sealed.”</p> +<p>Sensing that when the interview ended Mrs. Kippenberg’s +wrath might again descend upon her, Penny +decided not to tempt fate. While the woman was still +talking with the servant, she slipped out of the house.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_49">[49]</div> +<p>“Atherwald might have had that note sent to himself, +but I doubt it,” she told herself. “Either he is +still on the estate, or the boatman would have had to +take him back across the river.”</p> +<p>She walked quickly down to the dock and was +elated to find the guest launch tied up there. The +boatman answered her questions readily. He had not +seen Grant Atherwald since early in the afternoon. +Salt was the only person he had taken back across the +river.</p> +<p>“Have you noticed any other boat leaving the estate?” +inquired Penny.</p> +<p>“Boats have been going up and down the river all +day,” the man answered with a shrug. “I didn’t notice +any particular one.”</p> +<p>Penny glanced across the water. She could see Salt +perched on the drawbridge waiting for her. But she +was not yet ready to leave the estate.</p> +<p>Ignoring his shout to “come on,” she turned and +walked back toward the house. Deliberately, she chose +the same path which she and Salt had followed earlier +in the afternoon.</p> +<p>A swift walk brought her to the forbidden trail +with the barrier sign. Penny glanced around to be +certain she was not under observation. Then she +stepped boldly over the wire.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_50">[50]</div> +<p>Passing the place where she and Salt had talked +with the gardener, she noticed his trowel lying on +the ground. There was no evidence that he had done +any work.</p> +<p>However, all along the path flowering shrubs were +well trimmed and tended.</p> +<p>“So this part of the estate isn’t fixed up,” Penny +mused. “It’s much nicer than the other section in my +opinion. I wonder why that gardener told so many +lies?”</p> +<p>The path led deeper into the woods. Rustic benches +invited one to linger, but Penny walked rapidly onward.</p> +<p>Unexpectedly, she came to a little clearing, and +saw before her a large, circular pool. From a gap in +the trees, warm sunshine poured down upon the bed +of flowers which flanked the cement sides, making a +circle of brilliant color.</p> +<p>“So this is where the path leads,” thought Penny. +“No mystery here after all.”</p> +<p>She was at a loss to understand why this portion +of the estate had been closed to visitors for certainly +it was the most beautiful part. Yet there was a quality +to the beauty which the girl did not like.</p> +<p>As she stood staring at the pool, she was fully aware +of an uneasy feeling which had taken possession of +her. It was almost as if she stood in the presence of +something sinister and unknown. The gentle rustling +of the tree leaves, the cool river air blowing against +her cheek, only served to heighten the feeling.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_51">[51]</div> +<p>She drew closer and peered down into the blue +depths of the pool. She could not see the bottom +plainly for the water was choked with a tangle of +feathery plants. A few yellow lilies floated on the +surface.</p> +<p>Penny absently reached out to pluck one. But as +the stem snapped off, she gave a little scream and +dropped the flower. She had seen a large, shadowy +form slithering through the water beneath her.</p> +<p>Penny backed a step away from the pool. From +among the lily pads an ugly head emerged and a +broad snout was raised above the surface for an instant. +Powerful jaws opened and closed, revealing +jagged teeth set in deep pits.</p> +<p>“An alligator!” Penny exclaimed aloud. “Such a +horrid, ugly creature! And to think, I nearly put my +hand in that water.”</p> +<p>She shivered and watched the movements of the +alligator. Its head scooted smoothly over the water +for a short distance. Then with a swish of its tail, the +reptile submerged and the pool was as placid as before.</p> +<p>“Eight feet long if it’s an inch,” estimated Penny. +“Why would any person in his right mind keep such +a creature here? Why, it’s dangerous.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_52">[52]</div> +<p>She felt enraged, thinking how close she had come +to touching the alligator. Yet justice compelled her +to admit that she had only herself to blame. Deliberately, +she had disregarded the warning not to explore +the forbidden trail.</p> +<p>“The Kippenbergs keep nice pets,” she thought +ironically. “If anyone fell into that pool it would be +just too bad.”</p> +<p>Now that her curiosity was satisfied, Penny had +not the slightest desire to linger near the lily pool. +With another glance down into the murky depths she +turned away, but she had taken less than a dozen steps +when she paused. Her attention was held by a bright +and shiny object which lay in the dust at her feet.</p> +<p>With a low cry of surprise she reached down and +picked up a plain band of white gold. Obviously, it +was a wedding ring.</p> +<p>“Now where did this come from?” Penny turned +it over on the palm of her hand.</p> +<p>Startled thoughts leaped into her mind. She felt +certain Grant Atherwald had taken this same path +earlier in the afternoon. It was logical to believe that +the ring had been his, intended for Sylvia Kippenberg. +Had he lost the band accidentally or deliberately +thrown it away?</p> +<p>Slowly, Penny’s gaze roved to the lily pond. She +noted that the coping was so low that one who walked +carelessly might easily stumble and fall into the water. +It made her shudder to think of such a gruesome possibility, +yet she could not avoid giving it consideration. +For that matter, Grant Atherwald might have +been lured to this isolated spot. The mysterious message—</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_53">[53]</div> +<p>Penny delved no deeper into the problem for suddenly +she felt someone grasp her arms. With a terrified +cry she whirled about to face her assailant.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_54">[54]</div> +<h2 id="c7"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">7</span> +<br /><i>THE FORBIDDEN POOL</i></h2> +<p>A wave of relief surged over Penny as she saw +that it was the old gardener who held her fast.</p> +<p>“Oh, it’s only you,” she laughed shakily, trying to +pull away. “For a second I thought the Bogey Man +had me for sure.”</p> +<p>The gardener did not smile.</p> +<p>“Didn’t I tell you to keep away from here?” he +demanded, giving her a hard shake.</p> +<p>“I’m not doing any h-harm,” Penny stammered. +She kept her hand closed over the white gold ring +so that the old man would not see what she had found. +“I just wanted to learn what was back in here.”</p> +<p>“And you found out?”</p> +<p>The gardener’s tone warned Penny to be cautious +in her reply.</p> +<p>“Oh, the pool is rather pretty,” she answered carelessly. +“But I’ve seen much nicer ones.”</p> +<p>“How long have you been here?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_55">[55]</div> +<p>“Only a minute or two. I really came to search for +Grant Atherwald.”</p> +<p>“Atherwald? What would he be doing here?”</p> +<p>“He disappeared an hour or so ago,” revealed +Penny. “The servants have been searching everywhere +for him.”</p> +<p>“He disappeared?” the gardener repeated incredulously.</p> +<p>“Yes, it’s very peculiar. Mr. Atherwald arrived at +the estate in ample time for the wedding. But after +he read a note which was delivered to him he walked +off in this direction and was seen no more.”</p> +<p>“Down this path, you mean?”</p> +<p>“I couldn’t say as to that, but he started this way. +I know because I saw him myself.”</p> +<p>“Atherwald didn’t come here,” the gardener said +with finality. “I’ve been working around the lily pond +all afternoon and would have seen him.”</p> +<p>Penny’s fingers closed tightly about the white gold +ring which she kept shielded from the man’s gaze. +In her opinion the trinket offered almost conclusive +proof that the bridegroom had visited the locality. +Because she could not trust the gardener she kept her +thoughts strictly to herself.</p> +<p>The man stared down at his feet, obviously disturbed +by the information Penny had given him.</p> +<p>“Do you suppose harm could have befallen Mr. +Atherwald?” she asked after a moment.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_56">[56]</div> +<p>“Harm?” he demanded irritably. “That’s sheer nonsense. +The fellow probably skipped out. He ought to +be tarred and feathered!”</p> +<p>“And you would enjoy doing it?” Penny interposed +slyly.</p> +<p>The gardener glared at her, making no attempt to +hide his dislike.</p> +<p>“Such treatment would be too good for anyone +who hurt Miss Sylvia. Now will you get out of here? +I have my orders and I mean to enforce them.”</p> +<p>“Oh, all right,” replied Penny. “I was going anyway.”</p> +<p>This was not strictly true, for had the gardener not +been there she would have made a more thorough +investigation of the locality near the lily pool. But +now she had no hope of learning more, and so turned +away.</p> +<p>Emerging from among the trees, she glanced toward +the rose garden. Nearly all of the wedding guests +had departed. Penny considered whether or not she +should speak to Mrs. Kippenberg about finding the +ring. Deciding against it, she joined a group of people +at the boat dock and was ferried across the river.</p> +<p>Salt awaited her at the drawbridge.</p> +<p>“I just about gave you up,” he complained. “It’s +time for us to get back to the office or our news won’t +be news. The wedding is definitely off?”</p> +<p>“Yes, Atherwald can’t be found.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_57">[57]</div> +<p>“We’ll stop at a drug store and telephone,” Salt +said, pulling her toward the car. “Learn anything +more after I left?”</p> +<p>“Well, I found a wedding ring and was nearly +chewed up by an alligator,” laughed Penny. “It +seemed rather interesting at the time.”</p> +<p>The photographer gave her a queer look as he +started the automobile.</p> +<p>“Imagination and journalism never mix,” he said.</p> +<p>“Does this look like imagination?” Penny countered, +showing him the plain band ring.</p> +<p>“Where did you find it?”</p> +<p>“Beside a lily pond in the forbidden part of the +estate. I feel certain it must have been dropped by +Grant Atherwald.”</p> +<p>“Thrown away?”</p> +<p>“I don’t know exactly what to think,” Penny replied +soberly.</p> +<p>Salt steered the car into the main road which led +back to Corbin. Then he inquired: “Did you notice +any signs of a struggle? Grass trampled? Footprints?”</p> +<p>“I didn’t have a chance to do any investigating. That +bossy old gardener came and drove me away.”</p> +<p>“What were you saying about alligators?”</p> +<p>“Salt, I saw one swimming around in the lily pool,” +Penny told him earnestly. “It was an ugly brute, at +least twelve feet long.”</p> +<p>“How long?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_58">[58]</div> +<p>“Well, eight anyway.”</p> +<p>“You’re joking.”</p> +<p>“I am not,” Penny said indignantly.</p> +<p>“Maybe it was only a big log lying in the water.”</p> +<p>Penny gave an injured sniff. “Have it your own +way. But it wasn’t a log. I guess I can tell an alligator +when I see one.”</p> +<p>“If you’re actually right,” Salt said unmoved, “I’d +like to have snapped a picture of it. You know, this +story might develop into something big.”</p> +<p>“I have a feeling it will, Salt.”</p> +<p>“If Atherwald really has disappeared it should create +a sensation!”</p> +<p>“And if the poor fellow had the misfortune to fall +or be pushed into the lily pool Dad wouldn’t have +headlines large enough to carry it!”</p> +<p>“Say, get a grip on yourself,” Salt advised. “The +<i>Riverview Star</i> prints fact, not fancy.”</p> +<p>“That’s because so many of Dad’s reporters are +stodgy old fellows,” laughed Penny. “But I’ll admit +it isn’t very likely Grant Atherwald was devoured +by the alligator.”</p> +<p>The car had reached Corbin. Salt drew up in front +of a drug store.</p> +<p>“Run in and telephone DeWitt,” he said, opening +the door for her. “And remember, stick to facts.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_59">[59]</div> +<p>Penny was a little frightened as she entered the +telephone booth and placed a long distance call to the +<i>Riverview Star</i>. She never failed to feel nervous when +she talked with DeWitt, the city editor, for he was +not a very pleasant individual.</p> +<p>She jumped as the receiver was taken down and a +voice barked: “City desk.”</p> +<p>“This is Penny Parker over at Corbin,” she began +weakly.</p> +<p>“Can’t hear you,” snapped DeWitt. “Talk up.”</p> +<p>Penny repeated her name and DeWitt’s voice lost +some of its edge. Gathering courage, she started to +tell him what she had learned at the Kippenberg estate.</p> +<p>“Hold it,” interrupted DeWitt. “I’ll switch you +over to a rewrite man.”</p> +<p>The connection was made and Penny began a +second time. Now and then the rewrite man broke +into the narrative to ask a question.</p> +<p>“All right, I think I have it all,” he said finally and +hung up.</p> +<p>Penny went back to the car looking as crestfallen +as she felt.</p> +<p>“I don’t know what they thought of the story,” +she told Salt. “DeWitt certainly didn’t waste any +words of praise.”</p> +<p>“He never does,” chuckled the photographer. +“You’re lucky if you don’t get fired.”</p> +<p>“That’s one consolation,” returned Penny, settling +herself for the long ride home. “He can’t fire +me. Being the editor’s daughter has its advantages.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_60">[60]</div> +<p>The regular night edition of the <i>Riverview Star</i> +was on the street by the time they reached the city. +Salt signaled a newsboy and bought a paper while +the car waited for a traffic light. He tossed it over to +Penny.</p> +<p>“Here it is! My story!” she cried, and then her +face fell.</p> +<p>“What’s the matter?” asked Salt. “Did they garble +it all up?”</p> +<p>“They’ve cut it down to three inches! And not a +word about the alligator or the lost wedding ring! +I could cry! Why, I told that rewrite man enough +to fill at least a column!”</p> +<p>“Well, anyway you made the front page,” the photographer +consoled. “They may build the story up +in the next edition after they get my pictures.”</p> +<p>Penny said nothing, remaining in deep gloom during +the remainder of the ride to the <i>Star</i> office. Salt +let her out at the front door. She debated for a moment +whether or not to go on home, but finally entered +the building.</p> +<p>DeWitt was busy at his desk as she walked stiffly +past. She hoped that he would notice how she ignored +him, but he did not glance up from the copy +before him.</p> +<p>Penny opened the door of her father’s private office +and stopped short.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_61">[61]</div> +<p>“Why, Dad?” she cried. “What are you doing +here? You’re supposed to be home in bed.”</p> +<p>“I finally persuaded the doctor to let me out,” Anthony +Parker replied, swinging around in his swivel +chair. “How did you get along with your assignment?”</p> +<p>“I thought I did very well,” Penny said aloofly. +“But from now on I’ll not telephone anything in. I’ll +write the story myself.”</p> +<p>“Now don’t blame DeWitt or the rewrite man,” +said Mr. Parker, smiling. “A paper has to be careful +in what it publishes, especially about a wedding. Alligators +are a bit too—shall we say sensational?”</p> +<p>“You made a similar remark about witch dolls,” +Penny reminded him.</p> +<p>“I did eat my words that time,” Mr. Parker admitted, +“but this is different. If we build up a big +story about Grant Atherwald’s disappearance, and +then tomorrow he shows up at his own home, we’ll +appear pretty ridiculous.”</p> +<p>“I guess you’re right,” Penny said, turning away. +“Well, I’m happy to see you back in the office again.”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker watched her speculatively. When she +reached the door he inquired: “Aren’t you forgetting +something?”</p> +<p>“What, Dad?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_62">[62]</div> +<p>“Today is Thursday.” The editor took a sealed envelope +from the desk drawer. “This is the first time +you have failed to collect your allowance in over a +year.”</p> +<p>“I must be slipping.” Penny grinned as she pocketed +the envelope.</p> +<p>“Why don’t you open it?”</p> +<p>“What’s the use?” Penny asked gloomily. “It’s always +the same. Anyway, I borrowed two dollars last +week so this doesn’t really belong to me.”</p> +<p>“You might be pleasantly surprised.”</p> +<p>Penny stared at her father with disbelief. “Dad! +You don’t mean you’ve given me a raise!”</p> +<p>Eagerly, she ripped open the envelope. Three crisp +dollar bills fluttered into her hand. With a shriek of +delight, Penny flung her arms about her father’s neck.</p> +<p>“I always try to reward a good reporter,” he +chuckled. “Now take yourself off because my work +is stacked a mile high.”</p> +<p>Penny tripped gaily toward the door but it opened +before she could cross the room. An office boy came +in with a message for Mr. Parker.</p> +<p>“Man to see you named Atherwald,” he announced.</p> +<p>The name produced an electrifying effect upon +both Penny and her father.</p> +<p>“Atherwald!” Mr. Parker exclaimed. “Then he +hasn’t disappeared after all! Show him in.”</p> +<p>“And I’m staying right here,” Penny declared, easing +herself into the nearest chair. “I have a hunch +that this interview may concern me.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_63">[63]</div> +<h2 id="c8"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">8</span> +<br /><i>PARENTAL PROTEST</i></h2> +<p>In a few minutes the office boy returned, followed +by a distinguished, middle-aged man who carried a +cane. Penny gave him an astonished glance for she +had expected to see Grant Atherwald. It had not occurred +to her that there might be two persons with +the same surname.</p> +<p>“Mr. Atherwald?” inquired her father, waving the +visitor into a chair.</p> +<p>“James Atherwald.”</p> +<p>The man spoke shortly and did not sit down. Instead +he spread out a copy of the night edition of the +<i>Star</i> and pointed to the story which Penny had covered. +She quaked inwardly, wondering what error of +hers was to be exposed.</p> +<p>“Do you see this?” Mr. Atherwald demanded.</p> +<p>“What about it?” inquired the editor pleasantly.</p> +<p>“You are holding my family up to ridicule by printing +such a story! Grant Atherwald is my son!”</p> +<p>“Is the story incorrect?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_64">[64]</div> +<p>“Yes, you imply that my son deliberately jilted +Sylvia Kippenberg!”</p> +<p>“And actually he didn’t?” Mr. Parker inquired +evenly.</p> +<p>“Certainly not. My son is a man of honor and had +a very deep regard for Sylvia. Under no circumstance +would he have jilted her.”</p> +<p>“Still, the wedding did not take place.”</p> +<p>“That is true,” Mr. Atherwald admitted.</p> +<p>“Perhaps you can explain why it was postponed?”</p> +<p>“I don’t know what happened to Grant,” Mr. +Atherwald said reluctantly. “He left our home in +ample time for the ceremony, and I might add, was in +excellent spirits. I believe he must have been the victim +of a stupid, practical joke.”</p> +<p>“Well, that suggests a new angle,” Mr. Parker remarked +thoughtfully. “Did your son have friends who +might be apt to play such a joke on him?”</p> +<p>“No one of my acquaintance,” Mr. Atherwald answered +unwillingly. “Of course, he had many young +friends who were not in my circle.”</p> +<p>Penny had listened quietly to the conversation. She +now arose and came over to the desk. From her +pocket she took the white gold wedding ring.</p> +<p>“Mr. Atherwald,” she said, “I wonder if you could +identify this.”</p> +<p>The man studied the trinket for a moment.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_65">[65]</div> +<p>“It looks very much like a ring which Grant purchased +for Sylvia,” he declared. “Where did you get +it?”</p> +<p>“I found it lying on the ground at the Kippenberg +estate,” Penny replied vaguely. She had no intention +of divulging the exact locality where she had picked +up the ring.</p> +<p>“You see,” said Mr. Parker, “we have supporting +facts in our possession which were not published. All +in all, I think the story was handled discreetly, with +due regard for the feelings of those involved.”</p> +<p>“Then you refuse to retract the story?”</p> +<p>“I should like to oblige you, Mr. Atherwald, but +you realize such a story as this is of great interest to +our readers.”</p> +<p>“You care only for sensationalism!”</p> +<p>“On the contrary, we try to avoid it,” Mr. Parker +corrected. “In this particular case, we deliberately +played the story down. If it develops that your son +actually has disappeared—”</p> +<p>“I tell you it was only a practical joke,” Mr. +Atherwald interrupted. “No doubt my son is at home +by this time. The wedding has merely been postponed.”</p> +<p>“You are entitled to your opinion,” said Mr. +Parker. “And I sincerely hope that you are right.”</p> +<p>“At least do not use that picture which your photographer +took of Mrs. Kippenberg. I’ll pay you for +it.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_66">[66]</div> +<p>Mr. Parker smiled and shook his head.</p> +<p>“I might have expected such an attitude!” Mr. +Atherwald exclaimed angrily. “Good afternoon.”</p> +<p>He left the office, slamming the door behind him.</p> +<p>“Well, you’ve lost another subscriber, Dad,” said +Penny flippantly.</p> +<p>“He’s not the first,” returned her father.</p> +<p>“I intended to give Mr. Atherwald the wedding +ring, but he went off in too big a hurry. Should I go +after him?”</p> +<p>“No, don’t bother, Penny. You might take it around +to the picture room and have it photographed. We +may use it as Exhibit A if the story develops into +anything.”</p> +<p>“How about the alligator?” Penny asked. “Would +you like to have me bring that to the office, too?”</p> +<p>“Move out of here and let me work,” her father +retorted.</p> +<p>Penny went to the photographic department and +made her requirements known.</p> +<p>“I’ll wait for the ring,” she announced. “You don’t +catch me trusting you boys with any jewelry.”</p> +<p>While the picture was being taken Salt came by +with several damp prints in his hand.</p> +<p>“Take a look at this one, Penny,” he said proudly. +“Mrs. Kippenberg wielding a wicked plate. Will she +burn up when she sees it on the picture page?”</p> +<p>“She will, indeed,” agreed Penny. “Nice going.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_67">[67]</div> +<p>When the ring had been returned to her she slipped +it into her pocket and left the newspaper office. Her +next stop was at a corner hamburger shop where she +fortified herself with two large sandwiches.</p> +<p>“That ought to hold me until the dinner bell rings,” +she thought. “And now to pay my honest debts.”</p> +<p>A trolley ride and a short walk brought Penny to +the home of her chum, Louise Sidell. As she came +within sight of the front porch she saw her friend +sitting on the steps, reading a movie magazine. Louise +threw it aside and sprang to her feet.</p> +<p>“Oh, Penny, I’m glad you came over. I telephoned +your house and Mrs. Weems said you had gone away +somewhere.”</p> +<p>“Official business for Dad,” Penny laughed. She +dropped two dollars into Louise’s hand. “Here’s what +I owe you. But don’t go spend it because I may need +to borrow it back in a couple of days.”</p> +<p>“Is Leaping Lena running up huge garage bills +again?” Louise inquired sympathetically.</p> +<p>Penny’s second-hand car was a joke to everyone +save herself. She was a familiar figure at nearly every +garage in Riverview, for the vehicle had a disconcerting +way of breaking down.</p> +<p>“I had to buy new spark plugs this time,” sighed +Penny. “But then, I should get along better from +now on. Dad raised my allowance.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_68">[68]</div> +<p>“Doesn’t that call for a celebration? Rini’s have a +special on today. A double chocolate sundae with +pineapple and nuts, cherry and—”</p> +<p>“Oh, no, you don’t! I’m saving my dollar for the +essentials of life. I may need it for gasoline if I decide +to drive over to Corbin again.”</p> +<p>“Again?” Louise asked alertly.</p> +<p>“I was over there today, covering the Kippenberg +wedding,” Penny explained. “Only it turned out +there was no ceremony. Grant Atherwald jilted his +bride, or was spirited away by persons unknown. He +was last seen near a lily pool in an isolated part of +the estate. I picked up a wedding ring lying on the +ground close by. And then as a climax Mrs. Kippenberg +hurled a plate at Salt.”</p> +<p>“Penny Parker, what are you saying?” Louise demanded. +“It sounds like one of those two-reel thrillers +they show over at the Rialto.”</p> +<p>“Here is the evidence,” Penny said, showing her +the white gold ring.</p> +<p>“It’s amazing how you get into so much adventure,” +Louise replied enviously as she studied the trinket. +“Start at the beginning and tell me everything.”</p> +<p>The invitation was very much to Penny’s liking. +Perching herself on the highest porch step she recounted +her visit to the Kippenberg estate, painting +an especially romantic picture of the castle dwelling, +the moat, and the drawbridge.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_69">[69]</div> +<p>“Oh, I’d love to visit the place,” Louise declared. +“You have all the luck.”</p> +<p>“I’ll take you with me if I ever get to go again,” +promised Penny. “Well, I’ll see you tomorrow.”</p> +<p>And with this careless farewell, she sprang to her +feet, and hastened on home.</p> +<p>The next morning while Mrs. Weems was preparing +breakfast, Penny ran down to the corner to buy +the first edition of the <i>Star</i>. As she spread it open a +small headline accosted her eye.</p> +<p class="bq">“NO TRACE OF MISSING BRIDEGROOM.”</p> +<p>Penny read swiftly, learning that Grant Atherwald +had not been seen since his strange disappearance +from the Kippenberg estate. Members of the family +refused to discuss the affair and had made no report +to the police.</p> +<p>“This story is developing into something big after +all,” she thought with quickening pulse. “Now if Dad +will only let me work on it!”</p> +<p>At home she gave the newspaper to her father, remarking +rather pointedly: “You see, your expert reporters +haven’t learned very much more than I +brought in yesterday. Why wouldn’t it be a good +idea to send me out there again today?”</p> +<p>“Oh, I doubt if you could get into the estate, +Penny.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_70">[70]</div> +<p>“Salt and I managed yesterday.”</p> +<p>“You did very well, but you weren’t known then. +It will be a different matter today since we antagonized +the family by using the story. I’ll suggest that +Jerry Livingston be assigned to it.”</p> +<p>“With Penny as first assistant?”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker smiled and shook his head. “This isn’t +your type of story. Now if you would like to cover +a lecture at the Women’s Club—”</p> +<p>“Or a nice peppy meeting of the Ladies Sewing +Circle,” Penny finished ironically. “Thank you, no.”</p> +<p>“I am sure you wouldn’t have a chance of getting +into the estate,” her father said lamely. “We must +have good coverage.”</p> +<p>“What does Jerry have that I haven’t got?” Penny +demanded in an aggrieved voice.</p> +<p>“Eight years of experience for one thing.”</p> +<p>“But I really should go out there,” Penny insisted. +“I ought to show Miss Kippenberg the ring I found.”</p> +<p>“The ring might provide an entry,” Mr. Parker +admitted thoughtfully. “I’ll tell you, why don’t you +telephone long distance?”</p> +<p>“And if I’m able to make an appointment, may I +help Jerry cover the story?”</p> +<p>“All right,” agreed Mr. Parker. “If Sylvia Kippenberg +talks with you we’ll be able to use anything she +says.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_71">[71]</div> +<p>“I’m the same as on my way to the estate now, +Dad.”</p> +<p>With a triumphant laugh, Penny left the breakfast +table and hastened to the telephone.</p> +<p>“Long distance,” she said into the transmitter. “The +Kippenberg estate at Corbin, please.”</p> +<p>She hovered anxiously near the telephone while she +waited for the connection to be made. Ten minutes +elapsed before the bell jingled several times. Eagerly, +she jerked down the receiver. She could hear a faint, +far-away voice saying, “hello.”</p> +<p>“May I speak with Sylvia Kippenberg?” Penny requested.</p> +<p>“Who is this, please?”</p> +<p>“Miss Parker at Riverview.”</p> +<p>“Miss Kippenberg is not at home,” came the stiff +response.</p> +<p>“Then let me speak with Mrs. Kippenberg,” Penny +said quickly. “I have something very important to +tell her. Yesterday when I was at the estate I found +a ring—”</p> +<p>The receiver had clicked at the other end of the +line. The connection was broken.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_72">[72]</div> +<h2 id="c9"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">9</span> +<br /><i>A SOCIETY BAZAAR</i></h2> +<p>“You see, Penny,” said Mr. Parker sympathetically, +“wealthy people have a way of being inaccessible to +the press. They surround themselves with servants +who have been trained to allow no invasion of their +privacy. They erect barriers which aren’t easily +broken down.”</p> +<p>“If only I could have reached Miss Kippenberg I +feel sure she would have wished to learn about the +ring,” returned Penny. “Oh, well, let Jerry cover +the story. I’ve lost interest.”</p> +<p>All that morning the girl went about the house in +a mood of deep depression. She felt completely out +of sorts and would scowl at her own reflection whenever +she passed a mirror. Nothing seemed to go right.</p> +<p>“I declare, I wish you would forget that silly wedding,” +Mrs. Weems said wearily. “Why don’t you +try working out your resentment on a tennis ball?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_73">[73]</div> +<p>“Not a bad idea,” admitted Penny. “Only I have +no partner. Louise is going away somewhere today to +a charity bazaar.”</p> +<p>“Here in Riverview?” inquired Mrs. Weems with +interest.</p> +<p>“No, it’s to be held at Andover, twenty miles from +Corbin. Louise is going with an aunt of hers. She +invited me several days ago, but I didn’t think it would +be any fun.”</p> +<p>“You might enjoy it. Why don’t you go?”</p> +<p>“I wonder if it isn’t too late?” Penny glanced at +the clock.</p> +<p>A telephone call to the Sidell home assured her +that she would have ample time to get ready for the +trip. She quickly dressed and was waiting when Louise +and her aunt, Miss Lucinda Frome, drove up to +the door.</p> +<p>“What sort of an affair is it?” Penny inquired as +they traveled toward the distant town.</p> +<p>Miss Frome explained that the bazaar was being +sponsored by members of the D.A.R. organization +and would be held at one of the fashionable clubs of +the city. As Miss Frome belonged to the Riverview +chapter she and her guests would have an entry.</p> +<p>“I look forward to meeting a number of prominent +persons today,” the woman declared. “The +Andover chapter has a very exclusive membership.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_74">[74]</div> +<p>Louise winked at Penny, for it was a source of +amusement to her that her aunt stood in awe of society +personages. Neither she nor her chum suffered +from social ambition or a feeling of inferiority.</p> +<p>At Andover, Miss Frome drove the car to the City +Club and parked it beside a long row of other automobiles, +many of which were under the charge of +uniformed chauffeurs.</p> +<p>“Oh, dear,” remarked Miss Frome nervously, “I +didn’t realize how shabby my old coupe looks. I do +hope no one notices.”</p> +<p>“Now don’t start that, Aunty,” Louise said, taking +her by the arm. “Your car is perfectly all right. And +so are you.”</p> +<p>They went up the steps of the stone building and +mingled with the other women. So many persons +were present that the three newcomers attracted no +attention. Miss Frome was reassured to see that she +was as well dressed as anyone in the room.</p> +<p>Several long tables were covered with various articles +offered for sale. Penny and Louise wandered +about examining objects which struck their fancy. +Miss Frome bought a vase and an imitation ivory +elephant, but the girls considered the prices too high +for their purses.</p> +<p>Presently, Penny’s gaze was drawn to a young +woman who stood behind one of the tables at the far +end of the room. She stopped short and stared.</p> +<p>“See someone you know?” inquired Louise.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_75">[75]</div> +<p>“Why, that young woman with the dark hair and +the lace dress, Louise! She is Sylvia Kippenberg!”</p> +<p>“Really? I must say she has courage to come here +today after all that happened!”</p> +<p>The young woman did not realize that she was being +subjected to scrutiny. However, she seemed fully +aware that she was a general object of curiosity, for +her lips were frozen in a set smile and her face was +pale despite the rouge on the smooth cheeks.</p> +<p>“I suppose she must be on the bazaar committee,” +Louise went on. “But my, if anyone had jilted me, +I would not have come here today.”</p> +<p>“Jerry must have missed his interview after all,” +Penny murmured, half to herself.</p> +<p>“Jerry?”</p> +<p>“Yes, Dad assigned him to the Kippenberg story. +I suppose he drove to Corbin today in the hope of +seeing Miss Sylvia.”</p> +<p>“And she may have come here just to escape reporters.”</p> +<p>“For two cents I’d try to interview her myself,” +Penny said.</p> +<p>“Do you think she would talk with you?”</p> +<p>“Not if she realizes I am a reporter. But at least I +can try.”</p> +<p>“Don’t create a scene whatever you do,” Louise +warned uneasily. “Not that I would mind. But Aunt +Lucinda would die of mortification.”</p> +<p>“I’ll try to be careful,” Penny promised.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_76">[76]</div> +<p>She sauntered forward, gradually working toward +the table where the young woman served. Selecting +an article at random from the display, she inquired +its price.</p> +<p>“Ten dollars,” Miss Kippenberg answered mechanically.</p> +<p>Penny loitered at the table until two elderly women +had moved on. She was now alone with Sylvia Kippenberg. +She would have no better opportunity to +speak with her.</p> +<p>“Miss Kippenberg,” she began.</p> +<p>“Yes?” The young woman really gazed at the girl +for the first time. Penny saw that her eyelids were red +and swollen from recent tears.</p> +<p>“I should like to talk with you alone, please.”</p> +<p>“Do I know your name?” Miss Kippenberg asked +coldly.</p> +<p>“Penny Parker.”</p> +<p>“Parker—Parker,” the young woman repeated and +her eyes hardened. “Oh, yes, you are the girl who +came to our place yesterday with that photographer! +And you telephoned again this morning.”</p> +<p>“Yes,” Penny admitted reluctantly, “but—”</p> +<p>The young woman did not allow her to finish.</p> +<p>“I’ll not talk with you or any other reporter. You +have no right to come here and annoy me.”</p> +<p>“Please, I’m not really a reporter, Miss Kippenberg. +I have something to show you.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_77">[77]</div> +<p>Miss Kippenberg had closed her ears to Penny’s +words. She turned abruptly and fled in the direction +of the powder room.</p> +<p>Penny hesitated, remembering her promise to create +no scene. Still, she could not allow Miss Kippenberg +to elude her so easily. Determinedly, she followed.</p> +<p>“Please, Miss Kippenberg, you must listen to me,” +she pleaded.</p> +<p>Observing that her words had not the slightest +effect upon the girl, she suddenly opened her purse +and took out the white gold ring. She thrust it in +front of Miss Kippenberg.</p> +<p>“I only wish to show you this.”</p> +<p>The young woman stopped short, gazing down at +the ring.</p> +<p>“Where did you get it?” she asked in a low tone.</p> +<p>“Then you do recognize it?”</p> +<p>“Of course. Grant showed it to me the night before +we were to have been married. Tell me, how did it +come into your hands?”</p> +<p>“We can’t talk here.”</p> +<p>Miss Kippenberg glanced quickly about and observing +that many eyes were focused upon them, led +the girl into the deserted powder room. They sat +down on a sofa in a secluded corner.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_78">[78]</div> +<p>“I didn’t mean to be so rude before,” Miss Kippenberg +apologized. “It was only because I must protect +myself from reporters and photographers. You have +no idea how I have been annoyed.”</p> +<p>“I do understand,” said Penny, “and I wish to help +you. That was why I was so insistent upon talking +with you. I think this ring may be a clue to Mr. +Atherwald’s disappearance.”</p> +<p>“Then you believe as I do that he did not go away +purposely?”</p> +<p>“My theory is that Mr. Atherwald was a victim of +a plot. Did he have any known enemies?”</p> +<p>“Oh, no, everyone liked Grant. Tell me about the +ring. Who gave it to you?”</p> +<p>“No one. I found it while I was exploring a path +on the estate, the trail which is blocked off.”</p> +<p>“You shouldn’t have gone there, but no matter. +Just where did you pick up the ring?”</p> +<p>“I found it near the lily pool.”</p> +<p>Miss Kippenberg stared at Penny with expressionless, +half-glazed eyes.</p> +<p>“Oh!” she murmured. Her head dropped low, her +body sagged and she slumped down on the sofa in a +faint.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_79">[79]</div> +<h2 id="c10"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">10</span> +<br /><i>A THROWN STONE</i></h2> +<p>Penny’s first thought was to call for assistance, +but sober reflection made her realize that to do so +would likely result in awkward questions. She felt +certain Miss Kippenberg had only fainted and would +soon revive.</p> +<p>Stretching the young woman full length upon the +sofa, the girl ran to the washroom for a glass of water. +She dampened a towel and folded it across Miss +Kippenberg’s forehead, at the same time rubbing the +limp hands and trying to restore circulation. Noticing +the white gold ring which had fallen to the floor, she +reached down and picked it up.</p> +<p>“Miss Kippenberg must have fainted because of +what I told her about the lily pond,” thought Penny. +“I should have used more tact.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_80">[80]</div> +<p>She watched the young woman anxiously, fearing +that what she had assumed to be an ordinary faint +might really be a heart attack. A wave of relief +surged over her as Miss Kippenberg stirred slightly. +Her long dark eyelashes fluttered open and she stared +blankly about her.</p> +<p>“Where am I?” she asked, moistening her dry lips.</p> +<p>“Here, drink this,” Penny urged, offering the glass +of water. “You’ll feel much better in a few minutes.”</p> +<p>“Now I remember,” Miss Kippenberg murmured. +“You were saying—”</p> +<p>“Don’t think about that now. Just lie still and relax.”</p> +<p>Miss Kippenberg did not try to speak again for +some little time. Then, despite Penny’s protests, she +raised herself to a sitting position.</p> +<p>“I feel quite all right now,” she insisted. “How +stupid of me to faint.”</p> +<p>“I am afraid I was very tactless.”</p> +<p>“On the contrary, our conversation had nothing to +do with it.”</p> +<p>“I thought—”</p> +<p>“It was the heat,” Miss Kippenberg insisted. “I had +a sunstroke once and since then I can’t bear even an +overheated room.”</p> +<p>“But it really isn’t very warm in here,” protested +Penny. “I don’t notice it at all.”</p> +<p>“You might not but I am very sensitive to it.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_81">[81]</div> +<p>“Well, I’m glad your faint wasn’t caused by anything +I said,” Penny declared, although she continued +to regard the young woman dubiously. “I thought +you seemed shocked by what I told you about the +ring.”</p> +<p>“You were saying that you picked it up near the +lily pond?” Miss Kippenberg questioned in a low +tone.</p> +<p>“Yes,” replied Penny, watching her closely.</p> +<p>“I wish I knew the exact place.”</p> +<p>“If we could go to your estate together I could +show you,” Penny said eagerly.</p> +<p>Miss Kippenberg hesitated in her reply, obviously +still prejudiced against the girl because of her connection +with the <i>Riverview Star</i>.</p> +<p>“Very well,” she agreed. “Will you please ask that +my car be sent to the door?”</p> +<p>“Gladly,” said Penny, trying not to show her jubilance.</p> +<p>Leaving Miss Kippenberg in the powder room she +returned to the main hall. Louise separated from the +crowd and hurried to meet her.</p> +<p>“Oh, Penny, I saw you go off with Miss Kippenberg,” +she began. “Would she talk with you?”</p> +<p>“She did,” answered Penny, “and now I’m going +with her to the estate.”</p> +<p>“But Aunt Lucinda expects to start home in a few +minutes,” protested Louise. “How long will you be +gone?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_82">[82]</div> +<p>“I haven’t the slightest idea. If I’m not back here +by the time you are ready to leave don’t wait for +me.”</p> +<p>“But how will you get home?”</p> +<p>“Oh, I’ll find a way. The important thing now is +to learn everything I can from Miss Kippenberg. She’s +in a mood to talk.”</p> +<p>“I’d love to visit the estate,” Louise said wistfully.</p> +<p>“I wish I could take you,” Penny told her sincerely, +“but I don’t see how I can this time.”</p> +<p>“Of course not, Penny. It would be very foolish +of you to try. You might lose your own chance to +gain an exclusive news story.”</p> +<p>“Will you explain to your aunt about my sudden +disappearance?”</p> +<p>“Yes, she’ll understand,” Louise replied. “We’ll +wait here for you at least an hour.”</p> +<p>Penny left a call for Miss Kippenberg’s car and +then went back to the powder room. The young +woman walked a bit unsteadily even with aid. However, +no one paid attention to them as they crossed +the main hall and made their way to the waiting automobile.</p> +<p>With Penny and Miss Kippenberg as passengers +the big limousine rolled away from the clubhouse +and sped toward Corbin. During the ride the young +woman scarcely spoke. She sat with her head against +the cushion, eyes half closed. As they came within +view of the drawbridge she made an effort to arouse +herself.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_83">[83]</div> +<p>“I see you have visitors at the estate,” Penny commented, +noticing a number of cars parked near the +river’s edge.</p> +<p>“Reporters, always reporters,” returned Miss Kippenberg +impatiently. “They may try to board as we +pass.”</p> +<p>Penny wondered how the limousine would be +taken across the river. The old watchman had noted +their approach. Before the car reached the end of the +road he had lowered the creaking drawbridge into +position.</p> +<p>“Is the bridge really safe?” Penny inquired of her +companion.</p> +<p>“For light traffic only,” Miss Kippenberg answered +briefly.</p> +<p>The arrival of the car had created a stir of interest +among the group of men gathered near the bridge. +Penny caught sight of Jerry Livingston and could not +resist rolling down the side window so he would be +sure to obtain a clear view of her. It gave her a very +pleasant feeling to see him stare as if he could not +believe his own eyes.</p> +<p>Several of the reporters attempted to stop the limousine +but without success. The car clattered over +the drawbridge which was pulled up again before +anyone could follow.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_84">[84]</div> +<p>Penny and Miss Kippenberg alighted at the front +door of the great house.</p> +<p>“Now show me where you found the ring,” requested +the young woman.</p> +<p>Penny led her down the winding path into the +grove.</p> +<p>“I hope we don’t meet your head gardener,” she +said significantly. “He seems to be such an unpleasant +individual.”</p> +<p>Miss Kippenberg glanced at her queerly.</p> +<p>“Why, how do you mean?”</p> +<p>“Oh, yesterday he ordered me away from here in +no uncertain terms.”</p> +<p>“He only meant to do his duty.”</p> +<p>“Then the man has been ordered to keep persons +away from this part of the estate?”</p> +<p>“I really couldn’t tell you,” Miss Kippenberg answered +aloofly. “Mother has charge of the servants.”</p> +<p>“Has the man been in your employ long?”</p> +<p>“I can’t tell you that either.” Miss Kippenberg’s +voice warned Penny that she did not care to be questioned.</p> +<p>There was no sign of the old gardener as they came +presently to the lily pool. Penny searched about in +the grass for a few minutes.</p> +<p>“Here is where I found the ring,” she revealed. +“And see this!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_85">[85]</div> +<p>“What?” Miss Kippenberg drew in her breath +sharply.</p> +<p>“Footprints.”</p> +<p>“That doesn’t seem so remarkable.” The young +woman bent to examine them. “They probably were +made by Grant’s own shoe.”</p> +<p>“But it looks as if there might have been a struggle +here,” Penny insisted. “From those marks wouldn’t +you say a body had been dragged across the ground +toward the pool?”</p> +<p>“No!” cried Miss Kippenberg. “The grass is trampled, +but I can’t believe Grant has met with violence. +I refuse to think of such a thing! The pool—” she +broke off and a shudder wracked her body.</p> +<p>“It is best to know the truth. Have you notified +the police about Mr. Atherwald’s disappearance?”</p> +<p>Miss Kippenberg shook her head. “Until today I +thought he would return. Or at least I hoped so.”</p> +<p>“It seems to me an expert should be called into the +case,” Penny urged. “Why don’t you telephone the +police station now?”</p> +<p>“I couldn’t,” returned Sylvia looking very miserable. +“Not without consulting Mother.”</p> +<p>“Then let’s talk with her now.”</p> +<p>“She isn’t at home this afternoon.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_86">[86]</div> +<p>“But something should be done, and at once,” +Penny protested. “The first rain will destroy all these +footprints and perhaps other important evidence. Do +you really love Grant Atherwald?”</p> +<p>“With all my heart,” answered the young woman +soberly.</p> +<p>“Then I should think you would have some interest +in what became of him. I can’t understand your attitude +at all.”</p> +<p>“I—I have others to think of besides myself.”</p> +<p>“Your mother, you mean?”</p> +<p>“Yes.” Sylvia avoided Penny’s penetrating gaze.</p> +<p>“Surely your mother wouldn’t wish an act of violence +to go unpunished. So much time has been lost +already.”</p> +<p>“We aren’t certain anything has happened to +Grant,” Sylvia responded, her eyes downcast. “If we +should bring the police into the case, and then it turns +out that he has merely gone away to some other city, +I’d be held up to ridicule once more.”</p> +<p>“It seems to me you are taking a most foolish attitude.”</p> +<p>“There is another reason why we must be very +careful,” Sylvia said unwillingly.</p> +<p>“And what is that?”</p> +<p>For just an instant Penny dared hope that the young +woman meant to answer the question. But Sylvia +seemed to reconsider for she said quickly:</p> +<p>“I can’t tell you. Please don’t ask me any more +questions.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_87">[87]</div> +<p>“Are you afraid you may be blamed for Mr. Atherwald’s +disappearance?” Penny persisted.</p> +<p>“No, no, I assure you I am not thinking of myself. +Please, let’s return to the house.”</p> +<p>Penny deliberately blocked the path.</p> +<p>“Unless you wish me to notify the police there is +a little matter which I must ask you to explain.”</p> +<p>Reaching down she picked up a small stone and +hurled it into the lily pond. As the ripples died away +they both observed a convulsive movement of the +water, a churning which had no relation to the missile +thrown.</p> +<p>“I think,” said Penny evenly, “that you understand +my meaning.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_88">[88]</div> +<h2 id="c11"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">11</span> +<br /><i>QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS</i></h2> +<p>Miss Kippenberg watched the concentric circles +race each other to the far edge of the lily pool.</p> +<p>“Then you know the reason why this part of the +estate is kept closed off?” she murmured, very low.</p> +<p>“I learned about the alligator yesterday,” said +Penny. “Why is such an ugly brute kept here?”</p> +<p>“It was none of my doing, I assure you. I hate the +horrid thing. Surely you don’t mean to suggest—”</p> +<p>“I am not suggesting anything yet,” said Penny +quietly. “But you must realize that it is rather unusual +to keep an alligator on one’s estate.”</p> +<p>“My father brought it here from Florida,” Miss +Kippenberg revealed reluctantly. “For some reason +the creature seemed to fascinate him. He insisted upon +keeping it in the pond.”</p> +<p>“Your father is not living here now I am told.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_89">[89]</div> +<p>“That is true.” Miss Kippenberg quickly switched +the subject back to the alligator. “Mother and I +would like to get rid of the beast but we’ve never +been able to do it.”</p> +<p>“Any zoo should be willing to take it off your +hands.”</p> +<p>“Mother often spoke of getting in touch with one +but for some reason she never did. I suppose she hesitated +to give the alligator away upon Father’s account.”</p> +<p>Penny remained silent, wondering how deeply she +dared probe into the private life of the Kippenberg +family. After all there were certain inquiries which +a person of sensibility could not make. She couldn’t +very well ask: “Have your parents separated? Why +did your father leave home? Is it true he is wanted by +the authorities for evading income tax?” although +these questions were upon the tip of her tongue.</p> +<p>She did say carelessly, “Your father is away, isn’t +he?”</p> +<p>“Yes,” Miss Kippenberg answered briefly. After a +moment she went on: “Father was rather peculiar in +many ways. He had a decided flare for the unusual. +Take this estate for instance. He had it built at great +expense to resemble a castle he once saw in Germany.”</p> +<p>“I’ve never visited such an elegant place.”</p> +<p>“It is entirely too flamboyant for my taste. But +Father loved every tower and turret. If only things +had turned out different—”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_90">[90]</div> +<p>Her voice trailed away and she stared at the ground, +lost in deep thought. Arousing herself, she went on +once more.</p> +<p>“If you had known Father you would understand +it was not strange for him to have an alligator on the +estate. At one time he kept imported peacocks. The +place was fairly overrun with them.”</p> +<p>Penny offered no comment. She moved closer to +the edge of the lily pool, gazing down into the now +tranquil waters.</p> +<p>“I know what you are trying to imply,” Miss Kippenberg +said jerkily. “It couldn’t be possible. I refuse +even to consider such a ridiculous theory.”</p> +<p>“It does seem rather far-fetched,” Penny admitted. +“Of course, tragedies do occur and those foot-prints—”</p> +<p>“Please, not another word or you’ll drive me into +hysterics!” Sylvia cried. “You are trying to play upon +my feelings so that I will tell you things! You are +only trying to get a story! I’ll not talk with you any +longer.”</p> +<p>She turned and ran up the path toward the house.</p> +<p>“Overplayed my hand that time,” thought Penny +ruefully. “As Dad says, I really have too much imagination +to make a good reporter. Also too lively a +tongue.”</p> +<p>Miss Kippenberg had vanished into the house by +the time the girl retraced her way to the garden. The +black limousine no longer stood at the front door so +she knew she was expected to get back to Andover +by her own efforts.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_91">[91]</div> +<p>“If Jerry is still waiting at the drawbridge, I’ll ride +home with him,” she told herself. “Otherwise, I’m +out of luck completely.”</p> +<p>The path which Penny followed brought her toward +the rear of the house. As she drew near, the +kitchen door suddenly opened and a stout woman in +a blue uniform came outside. In her arms she carried +two large paper sacks which appeared to be filled with +garbage for the bottoms were moist.</p> +<p>Just as the woman reached Penny one of the bags +gave away, allowing a collection of corn husks, +watermelon rinds and egg shells to fall on the sidewalk.</p> +<p>“Now I’ve done it!” she exclaimed crossly. “Splattered +my stockings too.”</p> +<p>“Oh, that’s too bad,” said Penny, pausing.</p> +<p>“This is the only place I ever worked where the +cook was expected to carry out the garbage!” the +woman complained. “It makes me good and mad +every time I do it.”</p> +<p>“I should think a house of this size would have an +incinerator so that the garbage could be burned,” +Penny remarked.</p> +<p>“Say, this place doesn’t have any conveniences for +the servants,” the cook went on. “You’re expected to +work, work, work from morning to night.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_92">[92]</div> +<p>She broke off quickly, regarding Penny with a +suspicious gaze. “You’re not one of Miss Sylvia’s +guests?” she demanded.</p> +<p>“Oh, no, I only came here on an errand. I wouldn’t +repeat anything to the family.”</p> +<p>“That’s all right then,” the woman said in relief. +“I liked my job here well enough until lately. All +month it’s been one dinner party after another. Then +we spent days getting ready for the wedding feast +and not one scrap of food was touched!”</p> +<p>“But I suppose Mrs. Kippenberg pays you well.”</p> +<p>“Listen, she didn’t give me one extra cent for all +the work I did. Mrs. Kippenberg always has been real +close, and she’s a heap worse since her husband went +away. Another week like this last one and I quit!”</p> +<p>“Well, I can’t say I blame you,” Penny said, leading +the woman on. “I suppose Miss Sylvia is as overbearing +as her mother?”</p> +<p>“Oh, Miss Sylvia is all right, as sweet a girl as you’ll +find anywhere. I felt mighty sorry for her when that +no-account man threw her over.”</p> +<p>Penny knew by this time that she must be talking +with Mrs. Latch, for the footman had mentioned the +cook’s name. As the woman walked on with her bundles +of garbage she fell into step with her.</p> +<p>“It was strange about Mr. Atherwald’s disappearance,” +she remarked. “I hear he came to the house and +then went away just before the wedding.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_93">[93]</div> +<p>“I can tell you about that,” replied Mrs. Latch with +an important air. “Yesterday morning a boy came to +the back door with a letter for Mr. Atherwald. It’s +my opinion he sent it to himself.”</p> +<p>“Didn’t the boy tell you where he had obtained the +letter?”</p> +<p>“He said it was given to him by one of Mr. Atherwald’s +friends. A man in a boat.”</p> +<p>“Oh, I see,” said Penny, making a mental note of +the information. Realizing that the cook had told +everything she knew about the matter, she quickly +switched the subject. “By the way, who is the head +gardener here?”</p> +<p>“Do you mean Peter Henderson?”</p> +<p>“A fairly old man,” described Penny. “Gray hair, +stooped shoulders, and I might add, an unpleasant +manner.”</p> +<p>“I guess that’s Peter. He’s not much of a gardener +in my opinion. And he feels too high and mighty to +associate with the other servants. He doesn’t even stay +here nights.”</p> +<p>“Is he a new man?”</p> +<p>“Mrs. Kippenberg hired him only three days before +the wedding. I don’t think he’s done a lick of honest +work since he came here.”</p> +<p>“And Mrs. Kippenberg doesn’t mind?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_94">[94]</div> +<p>“She’s been too busy and bothered to pay any attention +to him,” the cook declared. “But she always +has time to boss me. I tell you, if dishes aren’t prepared +perfectly she raves!”</p> +<p>“No wonder Mr. Kippenberg was forced to leave +home,” Penny interposed slyly. “You can’t blame +him for running away from a violent temper.”</p> +<p>“Oh, the Kippenbergs never had any trouble,” Mrs. +Latch corrected. “Mr. Kippenberg would just laugh +and not say a word when she jumped on him. They +were never heard to quarrel.”</p> +<p>“Then it seems odd that he went away.”</p> +<p>“Yes, it does,” agreed the cook, frowning. “I never +did understand it. And then the way Mrs. Kippenberg +changed all the servants!”</p> +<p>“You mean after Mr. Kippenberg went away?”</p> +<p>“She fired everyone except me. I guess she knew +she couldn’t get another cook half as good if she let +me go. Right away I struck for more money and she +gave it to me without a whimper. But since then she +works me like a dog.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Latch clattered the lid of the garbage can into +place and turned toward the house. But as Penny once +more fell into step with her, she paused and regarded +the girl with sudden suspicion.</p> +<p>“Say, why am I telling you all this anyway? Who +are you? You’re not one of those sneaking reporters?”</p> +<p>“Do I look like a reporter?” countered Penny.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_95">[95]</div> +<p>“Well, no, you don’t,” admitted Mrs. Latch. “But +you’re as inquisitive as one. You must be the girl who +brought Miss Sylvia’s new dress from the LaRue +Shoppe.”</p> +<p>Penny hesitated too long over her reply, and the +woman gazed at her sharply.</p> +<p>“You <i>are</i> a reporter!” she exclaimed with conviction. +“And you’ve been deliberately pumping me! Of +all the tricks! I’ll tell Miss Kippenberg!”</p> +<p>“Wait, I can explain.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Latch paid no heed. With an angry toss of +her head she hastened into the house.</p> +<p>“Overstepped myself again,” Penny thought in dismay. +“I’ll be getting away from here while the getting +is good.”</p> +<p>Turning, she ran down the walk toward the river, +only to stop short as she reached the boat dock. The +drawbridge was in open position and the old watchman +did not appear to be at his usual post. She had +no way of reaching the mainland.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_96">[96]</div> +<h2 id="c12"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">12</span> +<br /><i>FISHERMAN’S LUCK</i></h2> +<p>Penny looked anxiously about for a means of +crossing the river. There were no small boats available +and the only person who stood on the opposite shore +was Jerry Livingston. The other reporters and photographers, +evidently tiring of their long vigil, had +gone away.</p> +<p>She cupped her hands and shouted to Jerry: “How +am I going to get over there? Can you lower the +bridge?”</p> +<p>“The mechanism is locked,” called back the reporter. +“And the watchman won’t be back for an +hour.”</p> +<p>Penny walked a short distance up the shore searching +for a boat. The only available craft was the large +launch which she could not hope to operate. She +might return to the house and appeal to Miss Kippenberg +but such a course was not to her liking.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_97">[97]</div> +<p>As she considered whether or not to ruin her clothing +by swimming across, Jerry called her attention to +a small boat some distance up the river. The boy who +was fishing from it obligingly rowed ashore after +Penny had signaled him.</p> +<p>“I’ll give you fifty cents to ferry me across,” she +offered.</p> +<p>“I’ll be glad to do it,” he agreed.</p> +<p>Penny stepped into the boat and then asked: +“Aren’t you the same lad I saw here yesterday?”</p> +<p>The boy nodded as he reached for the oars. “I remember +you,” he answered.</p> +<p>“You seem to fish here nearly every day.”</p> +<p>“Just about. I caught some nice ones today.” +Proudly he held up two large fish for her to see.</p> +<p>“Beauties,” praised Penny. “I take it the motor +boats haven’t been bothering you as much as they +were.”</p> +<p>“It’s been pretty quiet on the river today,” the boy +agreed. “Want to see something else I fished up?”</p> +<p>“Why, yes. What did you hook, a mud turtle?”</p> +<p>The boy opened a large wooden box which contained +an assortment of rope, fishing tackle and miscellaneous +articles. He lifted out a man’s high silk hat, +bedraggled and shapeless.</p> +<p>“You fished that out of the water?” Penny demanded, +leaning forward to take the article from him. +“Where did you find it?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_98">[98]</div> +<p>“Up there a ways.” The boy motioned vaguely +toward a point on the Kippenberg estate.</p> +<p>Penny turned the hat over in her hand, examining +it closely. She found no identifying marks, yet she +believed that it had belonged to Grant Atherwald for +he had worn similar headdress. The point indicated +by the boy was not far distant from the Kippenberg +lily pool.</p> +<p>“How would you like to sell this hat?” she asked.</p> +<p>“Why, it’s not worth anything.”</p> +<p>“I’d like to have it,” said Penny. “I’ll give you +another fifty cents.”</p> +<p>“It’s a deal.”</p> +<p>Penny offered the boy a dollar bill, and a moment +later he beached the boat. Jerry was waiting to help +her ashore. His alert gaze fastened upon the hat which +she hugged close, but he withheld comment. To the +boy he said:</p> +<p>“Son, how would you like to earn five dollars?”</p> +<p>The boy’s eyes brightened. “Say, this is my lucky +day!” he exclaimed. “What doin’?”</p> +<p>“It’s easy,” Jerry told him. “All you need to do +is to be here for a couple of days with your boat. +You’re not to allow anyone to use it except me.”</p> +<p>“And me,” added Penny. “I’ll need taxi service myself +if I come back here.”</p> +<p>“That’s all right,” agreed the boy.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_99">[99]</div> +<p>“Here’s a dollar on deposit,” Jerry said. “Now remember, +be here tomorrow from eight o’clock on, +and don’t hire out to any other person.”</p> +<p>“I won’t,” the boy promised.</p> +<p>Jerry took Penny’s elbow and escorted her to the +press car.</p> +<p>“So you found Atherwald’s hat?” he asked without +preliminaries.</p> +<p>“It resembles the one he wore. The boy fished it +out of the river.”</p> +<p>“Then that looks as if the fellow really was the +victim of a plot!”</p> +<p>“I’ve thought so all along,” Penny declared soberly.</p> +<p>“What else did you learn? You seemed to be very +chummy with Miss Kippenberg.”</p> +<p>“I’ll not be from now on,” Penny returned ruefully.</p> +<p>As Jerry backed the car around in the dusty road, +she told of her meeting with Sylvia Kippenberg and +the ensuing conversation.</p> +<p>“So Miss Kippenberg doesn’t like questions?” Jerry +asked. “And she refuses to notify the police? Well, +after we publish our story in the <i>Star</i> it won’t be +necessary. The police will come to do their own investigating.”</p> +<p>“I can’t really believe she is trying to deceive the +authorities,” Penny said thoughtfully. “She seems to +have a sincere regard for Grant Atherwald.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_100">[100]</div> +<p>“It may be pretense.”</p> +<p>“She wasn’t pretending the day of the wedding. +Atherwald’s disappearance was a great shock to her.”</p> +<p>“Well, even so, she may know a lot more than +she’s putting out.”</p> +<p>“I think that myself. She closed up like a clam +when I talked about her father.”</p> +<p>The car came to the main road and a short time +later entered the town of Corbin. As they stopped for +a red light, Penny touched Jerry’s arm.</p> +<p>“Look over there,” she directed. “See those two +men standing in front of the drugstore?”</p> +<p>“What about them?”</p> +<p>“They’re G men who attended the Kippenberg +wedding. Salt pointed them out to me.”</p> +<p>“You don’t say! Maybe we can learn a fact or two +from them.”</p> +<p>Jerry parked the car at the curb and sprang out. +Penny saw him walk over to the men, introduce himself +and show his press credentials. She was too far +away to hear the conversation.</p> +<p>In a few minutes Jerry returned to the car looking +none too elated.</p> +<p>“You didn’t learn anything, did you?” Penny inquired +as they drove on again.</p> +<p>“Not very much. Government men never will talk. +But they did admit they were here trying to locate +James Kippenberg.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_101">[101]</div> +<p>“Then they think he is in the locality.”</p> +<p>“They had an idea he would show up at his daughter’s +wedding. But it didn’t turn out that way.”</p> +<p>“Did you say anything to them about Grant Atherwald’s +disappearance?”</p> +<p>“Yes, but they wouldn’t discuss it. They said they +had nothing to do with the case.”</p> +<p>Penny lapsed into reflective silence as the car went +on toward Andover. Mentally she sorted over the +evidence which she had gathered that day, trying to +fit it into a definite pattern.</p> +<p>“Jerry,” she said at last.</p> +<p>“Yes?”</p> +<p>“You’ll probably laugh at this, but I have a theory +about Grant Atherwald’s disappearance.”</p> +<p>“Go ahead, spill it.”</p> +<p>“Yesterday when Salt and I were waiting at the +drawbridge we saw a motorboat cruise down the +river. It was driven by a burly looking fellow who +paid no heed when we tried to hail him.”</p> +<p>“You’re not suggesting that the man may have had +something to do with Atherwald’s disappearance?” +Jerry questioned, mildly amused.</p> +<p>“I knew you would laugh.”</p> +<p>“Your theory sounds pretty far-fetched to me, I’ll +admit. It happens there are any number of burly, +tough looking boatmen on the Kobalt. You can’t arrest +a man for a crime just because of his appearance.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_102">[102]</div> +<p>“All the same, there is supporting evidence. Mrs. +Latch told me that Atherwald’s note had been handed +to her by a boy who in turn received it from someone +in a boat.”</p> +<p>“Boats are rather common too. Your theory is interesting, +but that’s all I can say for it.”</p> +<p>“All right,” said Penny. “I was about to tell you +another idea of mine. Now I won’t do it.”</p> +<p>No amount of coaxing could induce her to reveal +her thought, and the remainder of the drive to +Andover was made in silence. It was well after five-thirty +when the car finally drew up in front of the +City Club.</p> +<p>Penny was not surprised to find the doors locked +and no sign of Louise or Miss Frome.</p> +<p>“I thought they would go home without me,” she +said to Jerry. “I only wanted to make certain.”</p> +<p>For many miles the road led through pleasant +countryside and then swung back toward the Kobalt +river. The sun had dropped below the horizon by the +time the automobile sped through the town of Claxton.</p> +<p>“Thirty miles still to go,” Jerry sighed. “I’m getting +hungry.”</p> +<p>“Two souls with but a single thought,” remarked +Penny.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_103">[103]</div> +<p>Directly ahead they noticed an electric sign which +drew attention to a roadside gasoline station with an +adjoining restaurant. Jerry eased on the brake.</p> +<p>“How about it, Penny? Shall we invest a few +nickels?”</p> +<p>“I could do with a sandwich,” Penny agreed. +“Several, in fact.”</p> +<p>Not until Jerry had parked the car did they notice +the dilapidated condition of the building. It stood +perhaps fifty yards back from the main road, its rear +porch fronting on the Kobalt.</p> +<p>“Strange how one is always running into the river,” +Penny remarked absently. “It seems to twist itself over +half the state.”</p> +<p>Jerry had not heard her words. He was gazing at +the restaurant with disapproval.</p> +<p>“This place doesn’t look so good, Penny. If you +say the word we’ll drive on.”</p> +<p>“Oh, I’d brave anything for a beef barbecue,” she +laughed.</p> +<p>Through the screen door they caught a discouraging +glimpse of the cafe’s interior—dingy walls, cigarette +smoke, a group of rough looking men seated on +stools at the counter. Upon the threshold Penny +hesitated, losing courage.</p> +<p>“Let’s not go in,” Jerry grunted in an undertone. +“They’ll probably serve cockroaches in the sandwiches.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_104">[104]</div> +<p>Penny half turned away from the door only to stop +short. Her attention focused upon two men who were +sitting at the far end of the cafe drinking coffee from +heavy mugs. In the indistinct light she could not be +absolutely sure, yet she was instantly convinced that +the heavy-set fellow in shirt sleeves was the same +boatman who had been seen near the Kippenberg +estate.</p> +<p>To Jerry’s surprise, Penny resisted the tug of his +arm as he sought to lead her toward the car.</p> +<p>“This place isn’t half bad,” she said. “Let’s try it +and see what happens.”</p> +<p>Boldly she reached for the knob of the screen door +and entered the cafe.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_105">[105]</div> +<h2 id="c13"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">13</span> +<br /><i>TWO MEN AND A BOAT</i></h2> +<p>Penny ignored several empty tables at the front +of the dreary restaurant and selected one not far from +where the two men sat. As they glanced at her with +insolent, appraising eyes, her pulse quickened. She +was almost certain that the heavy-set man was the +same fellow she had noticed near the Kippenberg +estate.</p> +<p>A waiter in a soiled white apron shuffled up to take +their order.</p> +<p>“Hot roast beef sandwich and coffee,” said Jerry. +“With plenty of cream.”</p> +<p>“Make mine the same,” added Penny without looking +at the menu.</p> +<p>All her attention centered upon the two men who +were now talking together in low tones. After the +first glance they had taken no interest in her and were +unaware of her scrutiny. The heavy-set man bent +nearer his companion and with the point of his knife +drew a pattern on the tablecloth.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_106">[106]</div> +<p>“What do you think of this route, Joe?” he asked.</p> +<p>“Too risky,” the other muttered. “Once we start +we got to make a quick shoot to the sea.”</p> +<p>“Any way we take we might run into trouble. +Y’know, I wish we had never agreed to do the job.”</p> +<p>“You and me both!”</p> +<p>“Dietz ain’t to be trusted,” the heavy-set man said +and his shaggy eyebrows drew together in a scowl. +“He’s thinking first and last of his own skin. We’ve +got to watch him.”</p> +<p>“And the girl, too. She’s a dumb one and plenty apt +to talk if the going gets rough.”</p> +<p>Penny lost the remainder of the conversation as +Jerry spoke to her.</p> +<p>“We couldn’t have picked a worse place,” he complained. +“Look at all the breakfast egg on the tablecloth. +I’m in favor of walking out even now.”</p> +<p>“I’m not,” replied Penny.</p> +<p>“Say, what’s got into you anyway?” Jerry demanded. +“You’re acting mighty funny.”</p> +<p>“Notice those two men at the last table,” she indicated.</p> +<p>“What about them?”</p> +<p>“See that heavy-set fellow with the tattooed anchor +on his arm? Well, I’m satisfied he is the same boatman +who cruised near the Kippenberg estate yesterday +afternoon.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_107">[107]</div> +<p>“It might be,” Jerry agreed, unimpressed. “The +Kobalt is only a stone’s throw away. And this place +seems to be frequented by rivermen.”</p> +<p>“You didn’t hear what they were saying?” whispered +Penny. “Listen!”</p> +<p>Jerry immediately fell silent, centering his attention +upon the two men. But by this time they had +lowered their voices so that only an occasional word +could be distinguished.</p> +<p>“What were they saying anyway?” Jerry asked +curiously.</p> +<p>Before Penny could answer, the proprietor came +from the kitchen bearing two plates of food which he +set down before them. The sandwiches were covered +with a dark brown, watery gravy, potatoes bore a +heavy coating of grease and the coffee looked weak.</p> +<p>“Anything more?” the man inquired indifferently.</p> +<p>“That’s all,” Jerry replied, with emphasis. “In fact, +it’s too much.”</p> +<p>At the adjoining table the two men abruptly hauled +to their feet. Paying their bill they quitted the restaurant.</p> +<p>“Let’s leave, too,” suggested Penny. “I should like +to see where they go.”</p> +<p>Jerry pushed his plate aside. “Suits me,” he agreed. +“Even my cast-iron stomach can’t wrestle with such +food as this.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_108">[108]</div> +<p>He paid at the cash register and they went out into +the night. Penny looked about for the two men and +saw them walking toward the river.</p> +<p>“Hold on,” said Jerry as she started to follow. +“Tell me what all the excitement is about.”</p> +<p>Tersely, Penny repeated the conversation she had +overheard.</p> +<p>“They’re tough looking hombres all right,” Jerry +admitted. “Likely as not mixed up in some dirty business. +But to say they’re involved in the Kippenberg +affair—”</p> +<p>“Oh, Jerry,” Penny broke in impatiently, “we’ll +never learn anything if we take that attitude. We must +run down every possible clue. Please, let’s see if they +go down to the river.”</p> +<p>“We ought to be getting our story back to the +office,” Jerry reminded her. “If we miss the last edition +there will be fireworks.”</p> +<p>“It will only take a minute,” Penny insisted stubbornly. +“If you won’t come with me, then I’m going +alone!”</p> +<p>She started away and the reporter had no choice +but to follow. A narrow, well-trod path led down a +steep slope toward the river. Long before they came +within sight of it they could hear the croak of bullfrogs +and feel the damp, night mists enveloping them +like a cloak.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_109">[109]</div> +<p>Drawing closer to the two men, Penny and Jerry +slackened pace and moved with greater care. But if +they hoped to learn anything from the conversation +of the pair ahead they were disappointed. The talk +concerned only the weather.</p> +<p>Reaching the banks of the river, the two men +boarded a sturdy cabin cruiser which had been moored +to a sagging dock.</p> +<p>“It’s the very same boat,” Penny whispered jubilantly. +“I knew I wasn’t mistaken.”</p> +<p>“Even so, what does that prove?” demanded Jerry. +“It’s no crime to run a motorboat near the Kippenberg +estate. The river is free.”</p> +<p>“But you must admit there <i>is</i> other evidence. Oh, +why can’t we follow them? We might learn something +really important.”</p> +<p>“We’re not going off on any wild chase tonight,” +stated Jerry sternly. “Come on, it’s home for us before +your father sends a police squad to search for +his missing daughter.”</p> +<p>“You’re losing a golden opportunity, Jerry Livingston.”</p> +<p>“Listen, by the time we located a boat those men +would be ten miles from here. They’re leaving now. +Use your head.”</p> +<p>“Oh, all right,” Penny gave in. “We’ll go home, but +I’ll bet a cent you’ll be sorry later on.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_110">[110]</div> +<p>She waited until the cruiser was lost to view in the +darkness and then allowed the reporter to guide her +back up the steep path.</p> +<p>“At least let’s try to find out who the men are,” +Penny urged as they came near the cafe. “The restaurant +owner might know.”</p> +<p>More to please her than for any other reason, Jerry +said that he would inquire. He re-entered the cafe, returning +in a few minutes to report that the proprietor +had never seen either of the men before.</p> +<p>“And now let’s be traveling,” he urged. “We’ve +killed enough time here.”</p> +<p>During the remainder of the ride back to Riverview, +Penny had little to say. But long after she knew Jerry +had forgotten the two boatmen she kept turning their +conversation over in her mind. She only wished she +might prove that her theories were not ridiculous.</p> +<p>Presently, the automobile drew up in front of the +Parker residence.</p> +<p>“Won’t you come in, Jerry?” Penny invited. “Dad +may wish to talk with you about the case.”</p> +<p>“I might stop a minute. I have a question or two to +ask him.”</p> +<p>The door of the house swung open as Penny and +the reporter crossed the front porch. Anthony Parker +stood framed in the bright electric light, a tall, imposing +figure.</p> +<p>“That you, Penny?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_111">[111]</div> +<p>“Yes, Dad.”</p> +<p>“I’m glad you’re home safe,” he said, not trying to +hide his relief. “Mrs. Weems and I have both been +worried. It’s going on nine o’clock.”</p> +<p>“So late? Didn’t Louise telephone you?”</p> +<p>“Yes, she said you had gone on to the Kippenberg +estate. Knowing you, I worried all the more. What +mischief did you get into this time, Penny?”</p> +<p>“None. Jerry took care of that!”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker held the door open for his daughter and +Jerry to pass through. “Have you had your dinners?” +he asked.</p> +<p>“We stopped at a roadside cafe, Dad. But the food +was horrible. We didn’t even try to eat it.”</p> +<p>“Mrs. Weems can find something for you, I’m sure. +She’s upstairs.”</p> +<p>“Don’t call her just yet,” said Penny. “First, we +want to tell you what we’ve learned.”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker listened attentively as Penny gave a detailed +account of her visit to the estate, the finding +of the silk hat, and finally of her encounter with the +two boatmen at the river cafe.</p> +<p>“I might have learned a lot more if only Jerry hadn’t +played grandmother,” she said crossly. “He refused +to follow the boat down the river—said it would only +be a wild chase.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_112">[112]</div> +<p>“Jerry, I’m glad you had will power enough to +overrule her,” declared Mr. Parker. “The possibility +of those men being connected with the Atherwald +case seems very vague to me.”</p> +<p>“Dad, you should have heard what they were saying! +The one man drew a design on the tablecloth and +asked his companion what he thought of the route. +They talked about a quick get-away to the sea.”</p> +<p>“The men may have been fugitives,” Mr. Parker +commented. “But even that isn’t very likely.”</p> +<p>“They spoke of being uneasy about a certain job +they had agreed to do,” Penny went on earnestly. +“They mentioned a girl and said that a fellow named +Dietz would bear watching.”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker leaned forward in his chair. “Dietz?” he +questioned. “Are you certain that was the name?”</p> +<p>“Yes, I heard it clearly.”</p> +<p>“I don’t see how there could be any connection,” +Mr. Parker mused. “And yet—”</p> +<p>“Where did you hear the name before, Dad?” +Penny asked, all eagerness.</p> +<p>“Well, DeWitt has been digging up all the facts he +can about James Kippenberg. As it happens, the man +once had a business associate named Aaron Dietz who +was dismissed because of alleged dishonesty.”</p> +<p>“Then there must be a relationship!” Penny cried. +She whirled triumphantly to face the crestfallen reporter. +“You see, Mr. Jerry Livingston, my theory +wasn’t so crazy after all! Now aren’t you sorry?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_113">[113]</div> +<h2 id="c14"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">14</span> +<br /><i>THE STONE TOWER</i></h2> +<p>Louise Sidell was washing the breakfast dishes +when Penny walked boldly in at the back door.</p> +<p>“Don’t you ever answer doorbells, Lou?” she demanded. +“I stood around front for half an hour, ringing +and ringing.”</p> +<p>“Why, hello, Penny. I didn’t hear you at all,” +apologized Louise. “The radio is on too loud. I see you +reached home last night.”</p> +<p>Penny picked up a towel and began to dry dishes. +“Oh, yes, and did I have a day!”</p> +<p>“What happened after you left Andover?”</p> +<p>“It’s a long story, so I’ll begin at the end. Last +night, coming home with Jerry we stopped at a cafe +along the river. Guess whom we saw!”</p> +<p>“Knowing your luck, I’d say Charlie Chaplin, or +maybe the Queen of England.”</p> +<p>“This particular cafe wasn’t quite their speed, Lou. +Jerry and I saw that same boatman I told you about!”</p> +<p>“The fellow you saw cruising about the Kippenberg +estate? What’s so remarkable about that?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_114">[114]</div> +<p>“It just happens I’ve dug up other evidence to show +he may know something about Grant Atherwald’s disappearance,” +Penny revealed proudly. “Jerry and I +overheard a conversation. It seems this man and a companion +of his are mixed up with another fellow named +Aaron Dietz.”</p> +<p>“Which doesn’t make sense to me,” complained +Louise, scrubbing hard at a sticky plate.</p> +<p>“Aaron Dietz was a former associate of James +Kippenberg. Dad said he probably knew more about +the Kippenberg financial affairs than any other person. +Oh, I tell you, Jerry feels pretty sick because we +didn’t follow the men last night! Dad assigned him to +try to pick up the trail today. He’s chartered a motor +boat and will patrol the river.”</p> +<p>“If you don’t mind,” said Louise patiently, “I’d +like to hear the first part of the story now. Then I +might know what this is all about.”</p> +<p>Talking as fast as she could, Penny related everything +which had happened since she had taken leave +of her chum at Andover.</p> +<p>“Which brings me to the point of my visit,” she +ended her tale. “How about going out there with me +this morning?”</p> +<p>“To the Kippenberg estate?” Louise asked eagerly.</p> +<p>“Yes, we may not be able to get across the river, +but I mean to try.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_115">[115]</div> +<p>“You know I’m wild to visit the place, Penny!”</p> +<p>“How soon can you start?”</p> +<p>“Just as soon as these stupid dishes are done. And I +ought to change my dress.”</p> +<p>“Wear something dark which won’t attract attention +in the bushes,” advised Penny. “Now get to working +on yourself while I finish the dishes.”</p> +<p>Louise dropped the dishcloth and hurried upstairs. +When she returned ten minutes later, her chum was +swishing the last of the soapsuds down the sink drain. +Another five minutes and they were in Penny’s battered +car, speeding toward Corbin.</p> +<p>The sun rode high in the sky by the time they +came within view of the drawbridge. Noticing that a +press car from a rival newspaper was parked at the +end of the road, Penny drew up some distance away. +She could see two reporters talking with the old +watchman.</p> +<p>“Evidently, they’re having no luck in getting over +to the estate,” she remarked.</p> +<p>“Then what about us?”</p> +<p>“Oh, we have our own private taxi service,” Penny +chuckled. “At least I hope so.”</p> +<p>Taking a circuitous route so they would not be +noticed by the bridgeman, the girls went down to the +river’s edge. Far up the stream Penny saw the familiar +rowboat drifting with the current. At her signal the +small boy seized his oars and rowed toward shore.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_116">[116]</div> +<p>“I was here at eight o’clock just as you said,” he declared. +“That fellow up there by the bridge offered +me a dollar to take him across the river. I turned him +down.”</p> +<p>“Good,” approved Penny.</p> +<p>“Do you want to go across the river now?” the boy +asked.</p> +<p>“Yes, please.” Penny stepped into the boat and +made room for Louise. “Keep close to the bank until +we are around the bend. Then I’ll show you where to +land.”</p> +<p>“I guess you’re afraid someone will see you,” the +boy commented.</p> +<p>“Not exactly afraid,” corrected Penny. “But this +way will be best.”</p> +<p>The boat moved quietly along the high bank, well +out of sight of those who stood by the drawbridge.</p> +<p>“The cops were here this morning,” volunteered the +boy as he pulled at the oars.</p> +<p>“You saw them visit the estate?” Penny questioned.</p> +<p>“Sure, there were four of ’em. They drove up in a +police car and they made old Thorndyke let the +bridge down so they could go across.”</p> +<p>“Are the policemen at the estate now?”</p> +<p>“No, they left again in about an hour. What do +you suppose they wanted over there?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_117">[117]</div> +<p>“Well, now, I couldn’t guess,” replied Penny. +“Like as not they only wished to ask a few questions. +Are the Kippenbergs at home?”</p> +<p>“I saw Mrs. Kippenberg drive away right after the +police left.”</p> +<p>“And her daughter?”</p> +<p>“I guess she must be still there. Anyway, she wasn’t +in the car.”</p> +<p>The boat rounded the bend, and Penny pointed out +a place on the opposite shore where she wished to land.</p> +<p>“Shall I wait for you?” the boy asked as the girls +stepped from the craft.</p> +<p>“Yes, but not here,” directed Penny. “You might +row back to the opposite shore and keep watch from +there. We ought to be ready to leave within at least an +hour.”</p> +<p>The roof top of the Kippenberg house could be seen +towering above the tall trees. But as the two girls +plunged into the bushes which grew thickly along +the shore they lost sight of it entirely.</p> +<p>“I hope,” said Louise uneasily, “that you know +where you are going. It would be easy to lose one’s +self in this jungle.”</p> +<p>“Oh, I have my directions straight. We should come +out near the lily pool at any minute.”</p> +<p>“What do you hope to gain by coming here, +Penny?” Louise inquired abruptly.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_118">[118]</div> +<p>“I thought I would try to talk with Miss Kippenberg +again. There’s an important question I forgot to +ask her yesterday. Then I wanted to show you the +estate, especially the lily pond.”</p> +<p>“Is there anything unusual about it?”</p> +<p>“I’ll let you be the judge,” Penny answered. “We’re +almost there now.”</p> +<p>They came in a moment to a path which made walking +much easier. Penny went in advance of her chum. +Suddenly she halted.</p> +<p>“See what is ahead, Lou! I never saw that thing +before.”</p> +<p>She stepped to one side so that Louise might see +the tall stone tower which loomed up against a background +of scarlet maples.</p> +<p>“How curious!” murmured Louise.</p> +<p>“This isn’t the only queer thing I’ve found on the +estate.”</p> +<p>“What purpose could the tower have?” speculated +Louise.</p> +<p>“Decoration, perhaps,” replied Penny, moving forward +again. “Or it might have been built for a prison.”</p> +<p>“Listen, you have too many different theories about +Grant Atherwald,” laughed Louise. “Why don’t you +get one and stick to it?”</p> +<p>“My mind is always open to new possibilities and +impressions.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_119">[119]</div> +<p>“I’ll say it is,” agreed Louise. “I suppose you think +Mrs. Kippenberg is keeping young Atherwald a +prisoner in yonder tower?”</p> +<p>“Well, no, but you must admit it would make a +lovely one. So romantic.”</p> +<p>“Are you trying to kid me?” Louise demanded.</p> +<p>Penny smiled broadly as she stared up at the tower +which rose perhaps twelve feet. Like every other +building on the estate it had been built to resist the +ages. High above her head a circular window had +been cut in the wall and there was a heavy oaken door.</p> +<p>Reaching for the knob, Penny turned it. Then she +pressed her shoulder against the door and pushed with +her entire strength.</p> +<p>“Locked!” she announced.</p> +<p>“Then we won’t learn what is inside after all.”</p> +<p>“Yes, we will,” declared Penny. “You lift me up +and I’ll peep in the window.”</p> +<p>“You only weigh a ton,” complained Louise.</p> +<p>She obligingly raised Penny up as high as she could.</p> +<p>“Look fast,” she panted. “What do you see?”</p> +<p>“Not much of anything.”</p> +<p>“I can’t hold you forever,” Louise said, and released +her hold. “Didn’t you see anything at all?”</p> +<p>“Just a lot of machinery.”</p> +<p>“Tools, you mean?”</p> +<p>“No, an electric motor and something which looked +like it might be a pump. Oh, I get it now!”</p> +<p>“Get what?” demanded Louise.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_120">[120]</div> +<p>“Why, the idea of this tower. It must be used as a +pump house. I wondered how the lily pool was ever +drained and this must be the answer.”</p> +<p>“You didn’t see any prisoners chained inside?” +Louise teased.</p> +<p>“Not one. Well, let’s be getting on to the lily pond. +It must be somewhere close.”</p> +<p>Louise could not understand why her chum was so +determined that she should see the pool. But since +Penny seldom did anything without a purpose, she +speculated upon what might be in store. She knew +from the girl’s manner that certain facts had been withheld +deliberately to make this visit the more impressive.</p> +<p>“Here we are,” said Penny as they came to the clearing. +“What do you think of it?”</p> +<p>Louise was aware of a deep sense of disappointment +as she gazed at the lily pool.</p> +<p>“I really don’t see anything so remarkable about it, +Penny.”</p> +<p>“This was the place where I found the wedding +ring. And there were footprints indicating that a +struggle probably took place.”</p> +<p>“I read all that in the paper,” Louise said. “From +the hints you’ve been passing out, I thought you +brought me here to show me something mysterious.”</p> +<p>“Go close to the pool.”</p> +<p>“What for, Penny? You want to push me in?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_121">[121]</div> +<p>“Oh, you’re too suspicious! Go on and look.”</p> +<p>Louise went to the edge of the pool and peered down +into the water.</p> +<p>“I don’t see anything.”</p> +<p>“You will in just a minute. Keep looking.”</p> +<p>Louise was more than half convinced that Penny +meant to play some prank, but she dropped down on +her knees so her eyes would be closer to the water.</p> +<p>“Why, I do see some large object on the floor of +the tank!” she exclaimed after a moment. “What is +it, Penny?”</p> +<p>“An alligator.”</p> +<p>Louise gave a smothered scream and drew back from +the pool’s edge.</p> +<p>“I—I might have fallen in. You ought to be ashamed +of yourself!”</p> +<p>“I only wanted you to get a nice thrill,” Penny +grinned. “Pretty fellow, isn’t he?”</p> +<p>“I didn’t really see him,” Louise admitted.</p> +<p>Overcoming her fear, she again leaned over the +edge of the pool but with great caution. This time she +could make out the alligator’s form distinctly.</p> +<p>“Horrible!” she shuddered. “I wish you hadn’t +brought me—”</p> +<p>Her words ended in a little wail as a tiny object +splashed into the water directly beneath her.</p> +<p>“My cameo pin!” she cried. “Oh, Penny, it slipped +from my dress and now it’s gone!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_122">[122]</div> +<h2 id="c15"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">15</span> +<br /><i>A CAMEO PIN</i></h2> +<p>In dismay, the two girls watched the trinket +settle slowly to the bottom of the pool.</p> +<p>“Oh, my beautiful pin,” moaned Louise. “Aunt +Lucinda gave it to me for my birthday. I wouldn’t have +lost it for anything in the world.”</p> +<p>“I guess it was my fault,” Penny said self-accusingly.</p> +<p>“No, it wasn’t. I must have been careless about +fastening the clasp. When I leaned over it slipped off. +Well, it’s gone, and that’s that.”</p> +<p>The cameo pin had fallen into the deepest part of +the pool not far from where the alligator lay. The +girls were unable to see it plainly because of the lily +pads and plants which cluttered the water.</p> +<p>“If that old alligator would just behave himself we +could wade in and get it easy,” Penny said.</p> +<p>“Fancy trying it!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_123">[123]</div> +<p>“I’m afraid he would take special delight in snapping +off an arm or a leg. And we don’t dare ask anyone +to help us get the pin or we’ll be ejected from the +grounds as trespassers.”</p> +<p>“We may as well forget about it, Penny. Come +along, I’m sick of this place.”</p> +<p>“No, wait, Louise. We might be able to fish it out +with a stick.”</p> +<p>“I don’t think we’d have a chance.”</p> +<p>“Anyway, it will do no harm to try.”</p> +<p>Penny searched the woods until she found a long +stick with a curve at the end. Lying flat on the flagstones +at the edge of the pool she prodded for the +pin.</p> +<p>“I can touch it all right!” she cried. “I’ll pull it over +to the side.”</p> +<p>“Be careful you don’t tumble in,” Louise warned, +anxiously holding her chum by the waist. “If you +should lose your balance—”</p> +<p>Penny hooked the cameo pin in the curve of the +stick and began raising it inch by inch up the side of +the pool.</p> +<p>“If I can get it up high enough reach down and +snatch it,” Penny advised her chum. “Oh, shoot, there +it goes!”</p> +<p>The pin had slipped away from the stick and +settled once more on the bottom of the pool.</p> +<p>“You can’t get it, Penny,” Louise insisted. “You’re +making the alligator all excited by prodding around.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_124">[124]</div> +<p>“I don’t care about <i>him</i>. I’ll try once more if I can +locate the pin. It seems to be hiding from me now.”</p> +<p>The water was so disturbed that Penny could not +see the pin or the bottom of the pool. She waited +several minutes for the dirt to settle and then gazed +down once more.</p> +<p>“There it is!” she exclaimed. “It moved over quite +a ways to the right.”</p> +<p>Louise flattened herself beside Penny. “Oh, let the +pin go,” she said.</p> +<p>“No, I think I can get it. Say, there seems to be +something else on the bottom of the pool.”</p> +<p>“Where?”</p> +<p>Penny pointed, and then, as her chum still could +not distinguish anything, parted the lily pads with +her stick.</p> +<p>“Yes, I do see something now,” Louise declared. +“What can it be?”</p> +<p>“Doesn’t it look like a metal ring?” Penny asked. +She had lost all interest in the cameo pin.</p> +<p>“Yes, it does. Someone probably threw it into the +pool.”</p> +<p>“But it looks to me as if it’s attached to the bottom +of the tank, embedded in the cement,” Penny said. +She bent closer to the water, trying to see.</p> +<p>“Be careful,” Louise warned nervously. “That alligator +might come up and snap off your nose.”</p> +<p>Penny paid no heed.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_125">[125]</div> +<p>“It is attached!” she announced in an excited voice. +“Louise, do you know what I think?”</p> +<p>“What?”</p> +<p>“It’s the ring of a trapdoor!”</p> +<p>“A trapdoor!” Louise echoed incredulously.</p> +<p>“You can see for yourself that it’s an iron ring.”</p> +<p>“It does look a little like one from here,” Louise +admitted. “But whoever heard of a trapdoor in a lily +pool? No one but you would even think of such a +thing. It doesn’t make sense.”</p> +<p>“Does anything on this estate make sense?”</p> +<p>“The ring might have something to do with draining +the pool,” Louise said without replying to her +chum’s question. “I suppose a section of the pool +could be lifted up and removed. But I’d never call it +a trapdoor.”</p> +<p>“I wish we could tell for sure what it is.” Penny +tried to prod the ring with her stick but it was well +beyond her reach. “Maybe the alligator has a room +down under the pool where he spends his winters!”</p> +<p>“You’re simply filled with ideas today,” Louise declared. +“What about my pin? Shall we let it go?”</p> +<p>Reminded of her original task, Penny set to work +once more, trying to draw the cameo to the edge of +the tank. She was so deeply engrossed, that she jumped +as her chum touched her on the arm.</p> +<p>“Listen, Penny, I think someone is coming!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_126">[126]</div> +<p>From the path at the right they could hear approaching +footsteps and the low murmur of voices.</p> +<p>Penny struggled to her feet, dropping the stick.</p> +<p>“We mustn’t be caught here,” she whispered.</p> +<p>Taking Louise’s hand, she drew the girl into the +dense bushes directly behind the pool. Scarcely had +they secreted themselves when Sylvia Kippenberg +and the head gardener came into view. They seated +themselves on a rustic bench not far from where the +two girls stood.</p> +<p>“I had to talk with you,” Sylvia said to the old man. +“The police came this morning and asked so many +questions. Mother put them off but they’ll be back +again.”</p> +<p>“They didn’t learn about the alligator?” the gardener +asked gruffly.</p> +<p>“No, they came here but only stayed a few minutes. +I don’t think they noticed anything wrong.”</p> +<p>“Then that’s all right.”</p> +<p>“Their investigation is only beginning,” Sylvia said +nervously. “Mother and I both believe it would be +wise to get rid of the alligator.”</p> +<p>“Wise but not easy,” the gardener replied.</p> +<p>“You’ll see what you can do about it?”</p> +<p>“Yes. I’ll try to get rid of him.”</p> +<p>“Then I guess that’s all,” Sylvia said, but she made +no move to leave. She sat staring moodily at the pool.</p> +<p>“Anything else on your mind?” asked the gardener.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_127">[127]</div> +<p>“I—I wanted to ask you something, but I scarcely +know how.”</p> +<p>The gardener waited, watching the girl’s face intently.</p> +<p>“You never liked Grant Atherwald,” she began +nervously.</p> +<p>“Say, what are you driving at?” the man asked +quickly. “You’re not trying to hint that I had anything +to do with Grant Atherwald’s disappearance?”</p> +<p>The two faced each other and Sylvia’s gaze was the +first to fall.</p> +<p>“No, no, of course not,” she said.</p> +<p>“I don’t know any more about his disappearance +than you do,” the man told her angrily. “I didn’t even +see him on the day of the wedding.”</p> +<p>“But he came here. The wedding ring was found +near the pool. Surely you must have heard some sound +for I know you were in this part of the garden.”</p> +<p>“Well, I didn’t,” the man said sullenly. “The only +persons I saw were a newspaper photographer and a +girl.”</p> +<p>“Please don’t take offense,” Miss Kippenberg murmured, +getting up from the bench. “I’ve been terribly +upset these past few days.”</p> +<p>She walked slowly to the edge of the pool. There +she stopped short, staring down at an object which +lay on the flagstones at her feet. It was the stick which +Penny had dropped only a moment before.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_128">[128]</div> +<p>“What have you found?” the gardener cried.</p> +<p>He went quickly to her side and took the damp +stick from her hand.</p> +<p>“Someone has been here prying around,” he said +in a harsh voice. “This was used to investigate the +water in the pool.”</p> +<p>“And whoever it was must be close by even now. +Otherwise the stick would have dried out in the sun.”</p> +<p>“You go back to the house,” the man commanded. +“I’ll look around.”</p> +<p>In their hideout amid the bushes, Penny and Louise +gazed at each other with chagrin. No word was spoken +for even a whisper might have been heard. With a +common desire for escape, they glided with cat-like +tread toward the river.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_129">[129]</div> +<h2 id="c16"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">16</span> +<br /><i>GATHERING CLUES</i></h2> +<p>The girls could hear no movement behind them +as they darted down the path. They dared to hope that +they had eluded the old gardener.</p> +<p>Then as they came within sight of the river, Louise +stumbled over a vine. Although she stifled an outcry +the dull thud of her body against the ground seemed +actually to reverberate through the forest. A black +crow on the lower limb of an oak tree cawed in protest +before he flew away.</p> +<p>Penny pulled Louise to her feet and they went on +as fast as they could, but they knew the sound had +betrayed them. Now they could hear the man in pursuit, +his heavy shoes pounding on the hard, dry path.</p> +<p>“Run!” Penny commanded.</p> +<p>They reached the river bank and looked about for +the boat which would take them across. As they had +feared it was on the opposite shore.</p> +<p>Penny gestured frantically, but the boy did not +understand the need for haste. He picked up his oars +and rowed toward them at a very deliberate pace.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_130">[130]</div> +<p>“Oh, he’ll never get here in time,” Louise murmured +fearfully. “Shall we hide?”</p> +<p>“That’s all we can do.”</p> +<p>They realized then that they had waited too long. +Before they could dodge into the deeper thicket the +gardener reached the clearing.</p> +<p>“So it’s you again!” he cried wrathfully, glaring at +Penny.</p> +<p>“Please, we didn’t mean any harm. We can explain—”</p> +<p>“This stick is explanation enough for me!” the man +shouted, waving it above his head. “You were trying +to find out about the lily pool!”</p> +<p>“We were only trying to get a pin which I dropped +into the water,” Louise said, backing a step away.</p> +<p>“I don’t believe you!” the man snapped. “You can’t +fool me! I know why you came here, and you’ll pay +for your folly! You’ll never take the secret away +with you!”</p> +<p>With a swift, animal-like spring which belied his +age, the gardener hurled himself toward the girls. He +seized Penny’s arm giving it a cruel twist.</p> +<p>“You’re coming along with me,” he announced +harshly.</p> +<p>“Let me go!” Penny cried, trying to free herself.</p> +<p>“You’re going with me to the house. You’ve been +altogether too prying. Now you’ll take your punishment, +both of you.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_131">[131]</div> +<p>The gardener might have managed Penny alone, but +he was no match for two athletic girls. As he tried +to seize Louise, Penny twisted free.</p> +<p>Quick as a flash, she grasped the man’s felt hat, +jamming it down on his head over his eyes. While he +was trying to pull it off, Louise also wriggled from +his grasp.</p> +<p>The two girls ran to the water’s edge. Their boat +had drawn close to shore. Without waiting for it to +beach they waded out over their shoetops and climbed +aboard.</p> +<p>“Don’t either of you ever come here again!” the +gardener hurled after them. “If you do—”</p> +<p>The rest of the threat was carried away by the +wind. However, Penny could not resist waving her +hand and calling back: “Bye, bye, old timer! We’ll +be seeing you!”</p> +<p>“What’s the matter with that man anyhow?” asked +the boy who rowed the boat. “Didn’t he want you +on the estate?”</p> +<p>“On the contrary, he invited us to remain and we +declined,” grinned Penny. “Just temperament, that’s +all. He can’t make up his mind which way he would +like to have it.”</p> +<p>Allowing the boy to puzzle over the remark, she +busied herself pouring water from her sodden shoes. +The visit to the estate had not turned out at all as +she had planned. She had failed to talk with Miss +Kippenberg, and it was almost certain that from now +on servants would keep a much closer watch for +intruders.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_132">[132]</div> +<p>The only vital information she had gleaned resulted +from overhearing the conversation between Sylvia +Kippenberg and the gardener.</p> +<p>“She talked with him as if they were well acquainted,” +mused Penny. “Miss Kippenberg must +have thought he knew more about Grant Atherwald’s +disappearance than he would tell. And she seems to be +afraid the Law will ask too many questions. Otherwise, +she wouldn’t have suggested getting rid of the +alligator.”</p> +<p>One additional observation Penny had made, but +she decided not to speak of it until she and Louise +were alone.</p> +<p>The boat reached shore and the two girls stepped +out on the muddy bank.</p> +<p>“Will you need me again?” inquired the boy.</p> +<p>“I may,” said Penny, “and I can’t tell you exactly +when. Where do you keep your boat?”</p> +<p>“Up the river just beyond that crooked maple tree. +I hide it in the bushes and I keep the oars inside a hollow +log close by. You won’t have any trouble finding +it.”</p> +<p>Penny and Louise said goodbye to the lad and +scrambled up the bank.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_133">[133]</div> +<p>“I’m sure I’ll not be going back to <i>that</i> place,” the +latter declared emphatically. “I just wonder what +would have happened if we hadn’t broken away.”</p> +<p>“We might have been locked up in the stone +tower,” Penny laughed. “Then another one of my +theories would have proven itself.”</p> +<p>“Oh, you and your theories! You can’t make me believe +that gardener didn’t mean to harm us. He was a +very sinister character.”</p> +<p>“Sinister is a strong word, Lou. But I’ll agree he’s +not any ordinary gardener. Either he’s been hired by +the Kippenberg family for a very special purpose or +else he’s gained their confidence and means to bend +them to his own ends.”</p> +<p>“His own ends! Why, Penny, what do you mean? +Have you learned something you haven’t told me?”</p> +<p>“Only this. I’m satisfied Old Peter is no gardener. +He’s wearing a disguise.”</p> +<p>“Well, what won’t you think of next! You’ve been +reading too many detective stories, Penny Parker.”</p> +<p>“Have I? Then there’s no need to tell you—”</p> +<p>“Yes, there is,” Louise cut in. “Your ideas are +pretty imaginative, but I like to hear them anyway.”</p> +<p>“Considerate of you, old thing,” Penny drawled in +her best imitation of an English accent. “You don’t +deserve to be told after that crack, but I’ll do it anyhow. +When I pulled the gardener’s hat down over his +eyes, I felt something slip!”</p> +<p>“Maybe it was his skin peeling off.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_134">[134]</div> +<p>“He wore a wig,” Penny said soberly. “That’s why +he looked so startled when I jerked the hat.”</p> +<p>“Did you actually see a wig?”</p> +<p>“No, but he must have had one on his head. I felt +it give, I tell you.”</p> +<p>“I wouldn’t put anything past that fellow. But if +he isn’t a gardener, then who or what is he?”</p> +<p>“I don’t know, but I intend to do some intensive +investigation.”</p> +<p>“Just how, may I ask?”</p> +<p>Penny gazed speculatively toward the drawbridge, +noting that the old watchman had been deserted by +the group of reporters. He sat alone, legs crossed, his +camp stool propped against the side of the gearhouse.</p> +<p>“Let’s talk with him, Lou. He might be able to tell +us something about the different employees of the +estate.”</p> +<p>They walked over to where the old man sat, greeting +him with their most pleasant smiles.</p> +<p>“Good morning,” said Penny.</p> +<p>The old man finished lighting his pipe before he +deigned to notice them.</p> +<p>“Good morning,” repeated Penny.</p> +<p>“Mornin’,” said the watchman. He looked the two +girls over appraisingly and added: “Ain’t you children +a long ways off from your Ma’s?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_135">[135]</div> +<p>The remark both startled and offended Penny, but +instantly she divined that the old fellow’s memory +was short and his eyesight poor. He had failed to +recognize her in everyday clothes.</p> +<p>“Oh, we’re just out for a hike,” she answered. +“You see, we get tired of all the ordinary places, so +we thought we would walk by here.”</p> +<p>“We’re interested in your bridge,” added Louise. +“We just love bridges.”</p> +<p>“This one ain’t so good any more,” the old man +said disparagingly.</p> +<p>“Doesn’t it get lonely here?” ventured Louise. “Sitting +here all day long?”</p> +<p>“It did at first, Miss. But I got used to it. Anyway, +it beats leanin’ on a shovel for the gov’ment. I got a +little garden over yonder a ways. You ought to see my +tomatoes. Them Ponderosas is as big as a plate.”</p> +<p>“Do you ever operate the bridge?” Louise inquired, +for Penny had not told her that the structure was still +in use.</p> +<p>“Oh, sure, Miss. That’s what I’m here for. But it +ain’t safe for nothin’ heavier than a passenger car.”</p> +<p>“I’d love to see the bridge lowered.” Louise stared +curiously up at the tall cantilevers which pointed skyward. +“When will you do it next time, Mr.—?”</p> +<p>“Davis, if you please, Miss. Thorny Davis they +calls me. My real name’s Thorndyke.”</p> +<p>The old man pulled a large, silver watch from his +pocket and consulted it.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_136">[136]</div> +<p>“In about ten minutes now, Mrs. Kippenberg will +be comin’ back from town. Then we’ll make the old +hinge bend down agin’.”</p> +<p>“Let’s wait,” said Louise.</p> +<p>Penny nodded and then as Thorny did not seem to +object, she peeped into the gear house, the door of +which stood half open. A maze of machinery met her +eye—an electric motor and several long hand-levers.</p> +<p>Presently Thorny Davis listened intently. Penny +thought he looked like an old fox who had picked up +the distant baying of the pack.</p> +<p>“That’s <i>her</i> car a-comin’ now,” he said. “I can tell +by the sound of the engine. Well, I reckon I might as +well let ’er down.”</p> +<p>Thorny arose and knocked the ashes from his corn-cob +pipe. He opened the door of the gear house and +stepped inside.</p> +<p>“May I see how you do it?” asked Penny. “I always +was interested in machinery.”</p> +<p>“The women will be runnin’ locomotives next,” +Thorny complained whimsically. “All right, come +on in.”</p> +<p>The old watchman pulled a lever on the starting +rheostat of the motor which responded with a sudden +jar and then a low purr. It increased its speed as he +pushed the lever all the way over.</p> +<p>“Now the power’s on. The next thing is to drop ’er.”</p> +<p>Thorny grasped one of the long hand-levers and +gently eased it forward. There was a grind of gears +engaging and the bridge slowly crept down out of +the sky.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_137">[137]</div> +<p>Penny did not miss a single move. She noted just +which levers the watchman pulled and in what order. +When the platform of the bridge was on an even keel +she saw him cut off the motor and throw all the gear +back into its original position.</p> +<p>“Think you could do ’er by yourself now?” Thorny +asked.</p> +<p>“Yes, I believe I could,” Penny answered gravely.</p> +<p>The old watchman smiled as he stepped to the deck +of the bridge.</p> +<p>“It ain’t so easy as it looks,” he told her. “Well, +here comes the Missuz now and we’re all ready for +her. Last time she came along I was weedin’ out my +corn patch and was she mad?”</p> +<p>As the black limousine rolled up to the drawbridge +Penny turned her face away so that Mrs. Kippenberg +would not recognize her. She need have had no uneasiness, +for the lady gazed neither to the right nor +the left. The car crept forward at a snail’s pace causing +the steel structure to shiver and shake as if from +an attack of ague.</p> +<p>“Dear me, I think this bridge is positively dangerous,” +Louise declared. “I shouldn’t like to drive over +it myself.”</p> +<p>As the old watchman again raised the cantilevers, +Penny studied his every move.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_138">[138]</div> +<p>“For a girl you’re sure mighty interested in machinery,” +he remarked.</p> +<p>“Oh, I may grow up to be a bridgeman some day,” +Penny said lightly. “I notice you keep the gear house +locked part of the time.”</p> +<p>“I have to do it or folks would tamper with the +machinery.”</p> +<p>The old man snapped a padlock on the door.</p> +<p>“Now I’m goin’ to mosey down to my garden and +do a little hoein’,” he announced. “You girls better +run along.”</p> +<p>Thus dismissed, Louise started away, but Penny +made no move to leave. She intended to ask a few +questions.</p> +<p>“Thorny, are you any relation to the Kippenberg’s +head gardener?” she inquired with startling abruptness.</p> +<p>“Am I any relation to that old walrus?” Thorny +fairly shouted. “Am I any relation to <i>him</i>? Say, you +tryin’ to insult me?”</p> +<p>“Not at all, but I saw the man this morning, and +I fancied I noticed a resemblance. Perhaps you don’t +know the one I mean.”</p> +<p>“Sure, I know him all right.” Thorny spat contemptuously. +“New man. He acts as know-it-all and +bossy as if he owned the whole place.”</p> +<p>“Then you don’t like him?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_139">[139]</div> +<p>“There ain’t no one that has anything to do with +him. He’s so good he can’t live like the rest of the +servants. Where do you think I seen him the other +night?”</p> +<p>“I haven’t the slightest idea. Where?”</p> +<p>“He was at the Colonial Hotel, eatin’ in the main +dining room!”</p> +<p>“The Colonial is quite an expensive hotel at Corbin, +isn’t it?”</p> +<p>“Best there is. They soak you two bucks just to +park your feet under one of their tables. Yep, if you +ask me, Mrs. Kippenberg better ask that gardener of +hers a few questions!”</p> +<p>Having delivered himself of this tirade, Thorny +became calm again. He shifted his weight and said +pointedly: “Well, I got to tend my garden. You girls +better run along. Mrs. Kippenberg don’t want nobody +hangin’ around the bridge.”</p> +<p>The girls obligingly took leave of him and walked +away. But when they were some distance away, Penny +glanced back over her shoulder. She saw Thorny down +on his hands and knees in front of the gear house. He +was slipping some object under the wide crack of the +door.</p> +<p>“The key to the padlock!” she chuckled. “So that +was why he wanted us to leave first. We’ll remember +the hiding place, Lou, just in case we ever decide to +use the drawbridge.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_140">[140]</div> +<h2 id="c17"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">17</span> +<br /><i>A SEARCH FOR JERRY</i></h2> +<p>After leaving the Kippenberg estate, Penny +and Louise motored to Corbin. More from curiosity +than for any other reason they dined at the Colonial +Hotel, finding the establishment as luxurious as the +old watchman had intimated. A full hour and a half +was required to eat the fine dinner which was served.</p> +<p>“Our friend, the gardener, does have excellent taste +in food,” remarked Louise. “What puzzles me is where +does he get the money to pay for all this?”</p> +<p>“The obvious answer is that he’s not a gardener.”</p> +<p>“Maybe he has rooms here too, Penny.”</p> +<p>“I’ve been wondering about it. I mean to investigate.”</p> +<p>Louise glanced at her wristwatch. “Do you think +we should take the time?” she asked. “It will be late +afternoon now before we reach home.”</p> +<p>“Oh, it won’t take a minute to inquire at the desk.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_141">[141]</div> +<p>Leaving the dining room, the girls made their way +to the lobby. When the desk clerk had a free moment +Penny asked him if anyone by the name of Peter +Henderson had taken rooms at the hotel.</p> +<p>“No one here by that name,” the man told her. +“Wait, I’ll look to be sure.”</p> +<p>He consulted a card filing system which served as a +register, and confirmed his first statement.</p> +<p>“The man I mean would be around sixty years of +age,” explained Penny. “He works as a gardener at +the Kippenberg estate.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps you have come to the wrong hotel,” said +the clerk aloofly. “We do not cater to gardeners.”</p> +<p>“Only to people who employ gardeners, I take it.”</p> +<p>“Our rates start at ten dollars a day,” returned the +clerk coldly.</p> +<p>“And does that include free linen and a bath?” +Penny asked with pretended awe.</p> +<p>“Certainly. All of our rooms have private baths.”</p> +<p>“How wonderful,” giggled Penny. “We thought +this might be one of those places with a bath on every +floor!”</p> +<p>Suddenly comprehending that he was being made +an object of sport, the clerk glared at the girls and +turned his back.</p> +<p>Penny and Louise went cheerfully to their car, very +much pleased with themselves for having deflated +such a conceited young man. They drove away, and +late afternoon brought them to Riverview, tired and +dusty from their long trip.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_142">[142]</div> +<p>After dropping her chum off at the Sidell home, +Penny rode directly to the newspaper office. Finding +no parking place available on the street, she ran her +car into the loading area at the rear of the building, +nosing into a narrow space which had just been vacated +by a paper-laden truck.</p> +<p>“Hey, you lady,” shouted an employee. “You can’t +park that scrap iron here. Another paper truck will +be along in a minute.”</p> +<p>Penny switched off the engine.</p> +<p>“I guess you’re new around here,” she said, climbing +out. “The next truck isn’t due until five-twenty-three.”</p> +<p>“Say, who do you think you are, tellin’ me—?”</p> +<p>The employee trailed off into silence as another +workman gave him a sharp nudge in the ribs.</p> +<p>“Pipe down,” he was warned. “If the boss’ daughter +wants to park her jitney in the paper chute it’s okay, +see?”</p> +<p>“Sure, I get it,” the other mumbled.</p> +<p>Penny grinned broadly as she crossed the loading +area.</p> +<p>“After this, you might mention my automobile in a +more respectful tone,” she tossed over her shoulder. +“It’s not scrap iron or a jitney either!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_143">[143]</div> +<p>Riding up the freight elevator, Penny passed a few +remarks with the smiling operator and stepped off +at the editorial floor. She noticed as she went through +the news room that Jerry Livingston’s desk was vacant. +And because the waste basket was empty, the floor beside +it free from paper wads, she knew he had written +no story that day.</p> +<p>Penny tapped lightly on the closed door of her +father’s private office and went in.</p> +<p>“Hello,” he said, glancing up. “Just get back from +Corbin?”</p> +<p>“Yes, Louise and I had plenty of excitement, but +I didn’t dig up any facts you’ll dare print in the paper.”</p> +<p>“Did you meet Jerry anywhere?”</p> +<p>“Why, no, Dad.”</p> +<p>“The young cub is taking a vacation at my expense, +running up a big motorboat bill! He should have been +back here three hours ago.”</p> +<p>“Oh, be reasonable, Dad,” said Penny teasingly. +“You can’t expect him to trace down those men just +in a minute.”</p> +<p>“It was a wild chase anyway,” the editor growled. +“I let him do it more to please you than for any other +reason. But that’s beside the point. He was told to be +back here by four o’clock at the latest, even if he had +nothing to report.”</p> +<p>“Jerry is usually punctual, Dad. But I suppose being +on the river he couldn’t get here just when he +expected.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_144">[144]</div> +<p>“He’s probably gone fishing,” Mr. Parker declared.</p> +<p>He slammed down the roll top on his desk and +picked up his hat.</p> +<p>“Will you ride home with me?” Penny invited. +“Leaping Lena would be highly honored.”</p> +<p>“It’s a mighty sight more comfortable on the bus,” +her father replied. “But then, I can stand a jolting.”</p> +<p>As they went out through the main room he paused +to speak with DeWitt, leaving an order that he was to +be called at his home as soon as Jerry Livingston returned.</p> +<p>Mr. Parker raised his eyebrows as he saw where +Penny had left the car.</p> +<p>“Haven’t I told you that the trucks need this space +to load and unload?” he asked patiently. “There is a +ten cent parking lot across the street.”</p> +<p>“But Dad, I haven’t ten cents to spare. The truth is, +I spent almost every bit of my allowance today over +at Corbin.”</p> +<p>“NO!” said Mr. Parker firmly. “NO!”</p> +<p>“No what?”</p> +<p>“Not a penny will you get ahead of time.”</p> +<p>“You misjudge me, Dad. I had no intention of even +mentioning such a painful subject.”</p> +<p>They drove in silence for a few blocks and then +Penny indicated the gasoline gauge on the dashboard.</p> +<p>“Why, it’s nearly empty!” she exclaimed. “We +won’t have enough to reach home!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_145">[145]</div> +<p>“Well, get some,” said Mr. Parker automatically. +“We don’t want to stall on the street.”</p> +<p>A flip of the steering wheel brought the car to a +standstill in front of a gasoline pump.</p> +<p>“Fill it up,” ordered Penny.</p> +<p>While Mr. Parker read his newspaper, the attendant +polished the windshield and checked the oil, finding it +low. At a nod from Penny he added two quarts.</p> +<p>“That will be exactly two fifty-eight.”</p> +<p>Penny repeated the figure in a louder tone, giving +her father a nudge. “Wake up, Dad. Two fifty-eight.”</p> +<p>Absently, Mr. Parker reached for his wallet. Not +until the attendant brought the change did it dawn +upon him that Penny had scored once more.</p> +<p>“Tricked again,” he groaned.</p> +<p>“Why, it was your own suggestion that we stop +for gasoline,” Penny reminded him. “I shouldn’t have +minded taking a chance myself. You see, the gauge is +usually at least a gallon off.”</p> +<p>“Anyway, I would rather pay for it than have you +siphon it out of my car.”</p> +<p>“Thanks for the present,” laughed Penny.</p> +<p>Dinner was waiting by the time they reached home. +Afterwards, Penny helped Mrs. Weems with the +dishes while her father mowed the lawn. Hearing the +telephone ring he came to the kitchen door.</p> +<p>“Was that a call for me?” he asked.</p> +<p>“No, Dad, it was for Mrs. Weems.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_146">[146]</div> +<p>“Strange DeWitt doesn’t call,” Mr. Parker said. “I +believe I’ll telephone him.”</p> +<p>After Mrs. Weems had finished with the phone he +called the newspaper office only to be told that Jerry +Livingston had not put in an appearance.</p> +<p>“At least he might have communicated with the +office,” Mr. Parker said as he hung up the receiver.</p> +<p>He went back to lawn mowing but paused now +and then to stare moodily toward the Kobalt river +which wound through the valley far below the terrace. +Penny finished drying the dishes and went outside +to join him.</p> +<p>“You’re worried about Jerry, aren’t you?” she +asked after a moment.</p> +<p>“Not exactly,” he replied. “But he should have been +back long ago.”</p> +<p>“He never would have stayed away without good +reason. We both know Jerry isn’t like that.”</p> +<p>“No, he’s either run into a big story, or he’s in +trouble. When I sent him away this morning, I didn’t +look upon the assignment as a particularly dangerous +one.”</p> +<p>“And yet if he met those two seamen anything +could have happened. They were tough customers, +Dad.”</p> +<p>“I could notify the police if Jerry isn’t back within +an hour or two,” Mr. Parker said slowly. “Still, I +hate to do it.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_147">[147]</div> +<p>“Where did Jerry rent his boat, Dad?”</p> +<p>“I told him to get one at Griffith’s dock at twenty-third +street.”</p> +<p>“Then why don’t we go there?” suggested Penny. +“If he hasn’t come in we might rent a boat of our own +and start a search.”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker debated and then nodded. “Bring a +heavy coat,” he told her. “It may be cold on the +river.”</p> +<p>Penny ran into the house after the garments and +also took a flashlight from her father’s bureau drawer. +When she hurried outdoors again her father had +backed his own car from the garage and was waiting.</p> +<p>At the twenty-third street dock, Harry Griffith, +owner of the boat house, answered their questions +frankly. Yes, he told them, Jerry Livingston had +rented a motor boat early that morning but had not +returned it.</p> +<p>“I been worryin’ about that young feller,” he admitted, +and then with a quick change of tone: “Say, +you’re not Mr. Parker, are you?”</p> +<p>“Yes, that’s my name.”</p> +<p>“Then I got a letter here for you. I reckon maybe +it explains what became of the young feller.”</p> +<p>The boatman took a greasy envelope from his trousers +pocket and gave it to the editor.</p> +<p>“Where did you get this, Mr. Griffith?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_148">[148]</div> +<p>“A boy in a rowboat brought it up the river about +two hours ago. He said the young feller gave him a +dollar to deliver it to a Mr. Parker. But the kid was +mixed up on the address, so I just held it here.”</p> +<p>“Dad, it must be from Jerry,” said Penny eagerly.</p> +<p>As her father opened the envelope, she held the +flashlight close. In an almost illegible scrawl Jerry +had written:</p> +<p>“Following up a hot tip. Think I’ve struck trail of +key men. Taking off in boat. Expect to get back by +nightfall unless Old Man Trouble catches up with +me.”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker looked up from the message, his gaze +meeting the frightened eyes of his daughter.</p> +<p>“Oh, Dad,” she said in a tone barely above a whisper, +“it’s long after dark now. What do you think +has become of Jerry?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_149">[149]</div> +<h2 id="c18"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">18</span> +<br /><i>OVER THE DRAWBRIDGE</i></h2> +<p>Wasting no moments in useless conversation, +Mr. Parker rented a fast motor boat and prevailed +upon Harry Griffith to operate it for him. Guided by +the stars and a half moon which was slowly rising +over the treetops, the party swung down the river.</p> +<p>Riding with the current, they came before long to +the locality where Penny and Jerry had first sighted +the two seamen’s cruiser. But now there was no sign +of a boat, either large or small.</p> +<p>At a speed which enabled the occupants to scrutinize +the shoreline, the searching craft swept on. The +river had never seemed more deserted.</p> +<p>“Jerry might have stopped anywhere along here,” +Mr. Parker observed. “If he drew the boat into the +bushes we haven’t a chance of finding him.”</p> +<p>They went on, coming presently to the Kippenberg +estate. As they passed beneath the open drawbridge +Penny noted how low it had been swung over +the water. A boat with a high cabin could not possibly +go through when the cantilevers were down.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_150">[150]</div> +<p>Gazing upward, she saw a swinging red light at the +entrance to the bridge. A lantern, no doubt, hung +there to give warning to any motorist who might venture +upon the private road.</p> +<p>“Thorny probably isn’t on duty at this hour,” +Penny reflected. “But I should think an open drawbridge +might prove more dangerous at night than in +the daytime.”</p> +<p>As the bridge was lost to view beyond a bend in +the river, she gave all her attention to watching the +coves and inlets. Her father sat hunched over in the +seat beside her, slapping at mosquitoes. Now and then +he would switch on the flashlight to look at his watch.</p> +<p>Gradually the river had widened, so that it was +possible to cover only one shore.</p> +<p>“We’ll search the other side on our return trip,” +Mr. Parker said. “But it looks to me as if we’re not +going to have any luck.”</p> +<p>As if to add to the discouragement of the party, +dark clouds began to edge across the sky. One by +one the stars were inked out. Penny’s light coat offered +scant protection from the cold wind.</p> +<p>And then, Harry Griffith throttled down the motor +and spun the wheel sharply to starboard. He leaned +forward, trying to pierce the black void ahead of the +boat’s bright beam.</p> +<p>“Looks like something over there,” he said pointing. +“Might be a log. No, it’s a boat.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_151">[151]</div> +<p>“I can’t see anyone in it!” Penny cried. “It’s drifting +with the current.”</p> +<p>“That looks like one of my boats, sure as you’re +born,” Griffith declared, idling the engine. “The same +I rented the young feller this morning.”</p> +<p>“But where is Jerry?” cried Penny.</p> +<p>Griffith maneuvered his own boat close to the one +which drifted with the current. Mr. Parker was able +to reach out and grasp the long rope dangling in the +water.</p> +<p>“The flashlight, Penny!” he commanded.</p> +<p>She turned the beam on, and as it focused upon +the floor of the boat, drew in her breath sharply. On +the bottom, face downward, lay a man.</p> +<p>“It’s Jerry!” Penny cried. “Oh, Dad, he’s—”</p> +<p>“Steady,” said her father. “Steady.”</p> +<p>While Griffith held the two boats together, he +stepped aboard the smaller one. He bent over the +crumpled figure, feeling Jerry’s pulse, gently turning +him upon his back.</p> +<p>“Is he alive, Dad?”</p> +<p>“His pulse is weak, but I can feel it. Yes, he’s breathing! +Hold that light steady, Penny.”</p> +<p>“Dad, there’s blood on his head! I—I can see it +trickling down.”</p> +<p>“He’s been struck with a club or some blunt object,” +Mr. Parker said grimly. “He may have a fractured +skull.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_152">[152]</div> +<p>“Oh, Dad!”</p> +<p>“Keep a grip on yourself,” her father ordered +sternly, “It may not be as bad as I think, but we’ll +have to rush him to the nearest doctor.”</p> +<p>“If it was me, I wouldn’t try to move him out of +there,” advised Harry Griffith. “Leave him where +he is. I’ll get aboard and we’ll take this boat in tow.”</p> +<p>Penny helped the man make their craft fast to the +other boat, and then they both climbed aboard. Griffith +started the engine and turned around in the river.</p> +<p>“I’ll head for Covert,” he said. “That’s about the +closest place. There ought to be a good doctor in a +town that size.”</p> +<p>While Griffith handled the boat, Penny and her +father did what they could to make Jerry comfortable. +They stripped off their coats, using one for a +pillow, and the other to cover his body.</p> +<p>“Those two men he was sent to follow must be +responsible for this!” Penny murmured. “How could +they do such a brutal thing?”</p> +<p>“I’ll notify the police as soon as we touch shore,” +her father said grimly. “We’ll search every cove and +inlet until we find the ones responsible!”</p> +<p>As he spoke Mr. Parker bent lower to examine the +wound on Jerry’s head. Blood had nearly stopped +flowing and he was hopeful that it came from a flesh +wound. He pressed a clean handkerchief against it +and the young man stirred.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_153">[153]</div> +<p>“How long do you suppose he’s been like this, +Dad?”</p> +<p>“Hard to tell. An hour, maybe two hours.”</p> +<p>Presently, as the boat made full speed up the river, +Jerry stirred once more. His lips moved but the words +were indistinguishable.</p> +<p>“How far to Covert?” Mr. Parker asked anxiously.</p> +<p>“About four miles from this point,” Griffith flung +over his shoulder. “It’s the next town above the Kippenberg +estate. I’m making the best time I can.”</p> +<p>Jerry moved restlessly, his hands plucking at the +coat which covered him.</p> +<p>“Flaming eyes,” he muttered. “Looking at me—looking +at me—”</p> +<p>Penny and her father gazed at each other in startled +dismay.</p> +<p>“He’s completely out of his head,” whispered +Penny.</p> +<p>“He’s gone back to that other accident which happened +last year,” nodded Mr. Parker. “The Vanishing +Houseboat affair.”</p> +<p>“Jerry’s had more than his share of bad luck, Dad. +Twice now on this same river, he’s met with disaster. +And this time he may not come through.”</p> +<p>“I think he will if his skull hasn’t been fractured,” +Mr. Parker told her encouragingly. “Listen!”</p> +<p>Jerry’s lips were moving again, and this time his +words were more rational.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_154">[154]</div> +<p>“Got to get word to the Chief,” they heard him +mutter. “Got to get word—”</p> +<p>A long while after that Jerry remained perfectly +quiet. Suddenly arousing, his eyes opened wide and +he struggled to sit up. Mr. Parker gently pressed him +back.</p> +<p>“Where am I?” Jerry muttered. “Let me out of +here! Let me out!”</p> +<p>“Quiet, Jerry,” soothed Mr. Parker. “You’re with +friends.”</p> +<p>The reporter’s tense grip on the editor’s hand relaxed. +“That you, Chief?”</p> +<p>“Yes, Jerry. Just lie quiet. We’ll have you to a +doctor in a few more minutes.”</p> +<p>“Doctor! I don’t need any doctor,” he protested, +trying once more to sit up. “What happened anyway?”</p> +<p>“That’s what we would like to know.”</p> +<p>“Can’t you remember anything, Jerry?” Penny +asked. “You went out on the river to try to trace +those two men in the cruiser.”</p> +<p>“Oh, it’s coming back to me now. I ran into their +boat down by Cranberry Cove. They tied up there.”</p> +<p>“And then what happened?” Penny demanded, as +Jerry paused.</p> +<p>“I saw ’em walk ashore. Thought I would follow +so I tied up my boat, too. They started off through +the trees. Pretty soon they met a third man, a well +dressed fellow, educated too.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_155">[155]</div> +<p>“Did you hear any of their conversation?” Mr. +Parker questioned.</p> +<p>“I heard Kippenberg’s name mentioned. That +caught my interest so I crept closer. Must have given +myself away because that’s about the last I remember. +A ton of dynamite seemed to explode in my head. +And here I am.”</p> +<p>“Obviously, you were struck from behind with +some heavy object,” Mr. Parker said. “They probably +dumped you back in your own boat and set it adrift. +You never saw your attacker?”</p> +<p>“No.”</p> +<p>Jerry rested for a moment, and then as it dawned +upon him that he was being speeded to a doctor, he +began to protest.</p> +<p>“Say, Chief, I’ll be all right. I don’t need any doc. +Head’s clear as a bell now.”</p> +<p>“That’s fine, Jerry. But you’ll see a doctor anyway +and have X-rays. We’re taking no chances.”</p> +<p>“Then at least let me go back to Riverview,” Jerry +grumbled. “I don’t want to be stuck in any hick town +hospital.”</p> +<p>“If you feel equal to the trip, I guess we can grant +you that much. You seem to be all right, but I want +to make sure. Can’t take chances on the paper being +sued later on, you know.”</p> +<p>“Oh, I get the idea,” said Jerry with a grimace. +“Thinking of the old cash register, as usual.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_156">[156]</div> +<p>Penny drew a deep sigh of relief. If Jerry were +able to make jokes he couldn’t be seriously injured. +She still felt weak from the fright she had received.</p> +<p>“The police will find those men who attacked you,” +she told him. “I hope they’re put in prison for life, +too!”</p> +<p>“The police?” Jerry repeated. He stared up into +Mr. Parker’s face. “Say, Chief, you’re not aiming to +spill the story, are you?”</p> +<p>“I was.”</p> +<p>“But see here, if you notify the police, we’ll show +our hand to the rival paper. If we keep this dark we +could do our own investigating, and maybe land a big +scoop.”</p> +<p>“Justice is more important than a scoop, Jerry,” +returned Mr. Parker. “If those men had anything to +do with Atherwald’s disappearance, and it looks as if +they did, then we are duty bound to hand our clues +over to the police. By trying to handle it alone, we +might let them escape.”</p> +<p>“Guess maybe you’re right at that,” Jerry acknowledged.</p> +<p>As she saw that the reporter was rapidly recovering +strength, Penny left him to the care of her father and +went forward to speak with Harry Griffith.</p> +<p>“Where are we now?” she inquired.</p> +<p>“Just comin’ to the Kippenberg estate,” he told +her.</p> +<p>“Only that far? We don’t seem to be making very +fast time.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_157">[157]</div> +<p>“We’re buckin’ the current, Miss. And there’s a +right stiff wind blowing.”</p> +<p>She had not noticed the wind before or how overcast +the sky had become. One could not see many +yards in advance of the boat.</p> +<p>Ahead loomed the drawbridge in open position as +usual. But Penny could not see the red lantern which +she had noticed upon the trip down. Had the light +been blown out by the wind?</p> +<p>In any case, it would not greatly matter, she reflected. +Few cars traveled the private road. And any +person who came that way would likely know about +the bridge.</p> +<p>And then, above the steady hum of the motor boat +engine, Penny heard another roar which steadily increased +in intensity. A car was coming down the road +at great speed!</p> +<p>“The lantern must be there,” Penny thought. “It’s +probably hidden by a tree or the high bank. Of course +it’s there.”</p> +<p>She listened with a growing tension. The car was +not slowing down. Even Harry Griffith turned his +head to gaze toward the entrance ramp of the drawbridge.</p> +<p>It was all over in an instant. A scream of brakes, +a loud splintering of the wooden barrier. <a href="#front">The speeding +automobile struck the side of the steel bridge, +spun sideways and careened down the bank to bury +itself in the water.</a></p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_158">[158]</div> +<h2 id="c19"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">19</span> +<br /><i>A DARING RESCUE</i></h2> +<p>Those in the motor boat who had witnessed the +disaster were too horrified to speak. They could see +the top of the car rising above the water into which +it had fallen, but there was no sign of the unfortunate +driver or other possible occupants.</p> +<p>Penny began to kick off her shoes.</p> +<p>“No!” shouted her father, divining her purpose. +“No! It’s too dangerous!”</p> +<p>Penny did not heed for she knew that if the persons +in the car were to be saved it must be by her +efforts. Her father could not swim well and Harry +Griffith was needed at the wheel of the motor boat.</p> +<p>Scrambling to the gunwale, the girl dived into the +water. She could see nothing. Groping her way to +the overturned coupe, she grasped a door handle and +turned it. All her strength was required to pull the +door open. Her breath was growing short now. She +worked faster, with frantic haste.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_159">[159]</div> +<p>A hand clutched her own. Before she could protect +herself she felt the man upon her, clawing, fighting, +trying to climb her shoulders, upward to the +blessed air.</p> +<p>His grasp was loose. Penny ducked out of it but +held fast to his hand. She braced her feet against the +body of the car and pushed. They both shot upward +to the surface.</p> +<p>Griffith and her father lifted the man out of the +water into the motor boat.</p> +<p>“Have to go down again,” Penny gasped. “There +may be others.”</p> +<p>She dived once more, doubling herself into a tight +ball, and giving a quick, upthrust of her feet which +sent her straight to the bottom. She swam into the +car and groped about on the seat and floor. Finding +no bodies, she quickly shot to the surface again. Her +father pulled her over the side, saying curtly: “Good +work, Penny.”</p> +<p>The victim she had saved seemed little the worse +for his ducking. With Griffith’s help he had divested +himself of his heavy coat and was wringing it out.</p> +<p>Penny had obtained no clear view of the man, nor +did she ever, for just at that moment, Jerry raised +himself to a sitting position. He stared at the bedraggled +one and pointed an accusing finger.</p> +<p>“That’s the fellow!” he cried in an excited voice. +“The one I was telling you about—”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_160">[160]</div> +<p>The man took one look at Jerry and gazed quickly +about. By this time the motor boat had drifted close +to shore. Before anyone could make a move to stop +him, the man hurled himself overboard. He landed +on his feet in shallow water. Splashing through to the +shore, he scuttled up the steep bank and disappeared +in the darkness.</p> +<p>“Don’t let him get away!” shouted Jerry. “He’s +the same fellow I saw in the woods!”</p> +<p>“You’re certain?” asked Mr. Parker doubtfully.</p> +<p>“Of course! If you think I’m out of my head now, +you’re the one who’s crazy! It’s the same fellow! Oh, +if I could get out of this boat!”</p> +<p>Griffith brought the craft to shore. “I’ll see if I +can overtake him,” he said, “but he’s probably deep +in the woods by this time.”</p> +<p>The boatman was a heavy-set man, slow on his feet. +Penny and her father were not surprised when he +came back twenty minutes later to report he had been +unable to pick up the trail.</p> +<p>“The overturned car may offer a clue to his identity,” +Mr. Parker said, as they started up the river +once more. “The police will be able to check the +license plates.”</p> +<p>“I wonder what the man was doing at the estate?” +Penny mused.</p> +<p>She groped her way toward the cabin, thinking +that she would divest herself of some of her wet garments. +Suddenly she stopped short.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_161">[161]</div> +<p>“Dad, that fellow took off his coat!” she exclaimed. +“He must have left it behind!”</p> +<p>“It’s somewhere on the floor,” Harry Griffith called +to her.</p> +<p>Penny found the sodden garment lying almost at +her feet. She straightened it out and searched the +pockets. Her father moved over to her side.</p> +<p>“Any clues?” he asked.</p> +<p>Penny took out a water-soaked handkerchief, a key +ring and a plain white envelope.</p> +<p>“That may be something!” exclaimed Mr. Parker. +“Handle it carefully so it doesn’t tear.”</p> +<p>They carried the articles into the cabin. Mr. Parker +turned on the light and took the envelope from his +daughter’s hand. They were both elated to see that +another paper was contained inside.</p> +<p>Mr. Parker tore off the envelope and flattened the +letter on the table beneath the light. The ink had +blurred but nearly all of the words could still be made +out. There was no heading, merely the initials: “J. +J. K.”</p> +<p>“Could that mean James Kippenberg?” Penny +asked.</p> +<p>The message was brief. Mr. Parker read it aloud.</p> +<p>“Better come through or your fate will be the same +as Atherwald’s. We give you twenty-four hours to +think it over.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_162">[162]</div> +<p>“How strange!” Penny exclaimed. “That man I +pulled out of the water couldn’t have been James +Kippenberg!”</p> +<p>“Not likely, Penny. My guess would be that he +had been sent here to deliver this warning note. Being +unfamiliar with the road, and not knowing about the +dangerous drawbridge, he crashed through.”</p> +<p>“But James Kippenberg isn’t supposed to be at the +estate,” Penny argued. “It doesn’t make sense at all.”</p> +<p>“This much is clear, Penny. Jerry saw the man +talking with the two seamen, and they all appear to +be mixed up in Grant Atherwald’s disappearance. +We’ll print what we’ve learned, and let the police +figure out the rest.”</p> +<p>“Dad, this story is developing into something big, +isn’t it?”</p> +<p>He nodded as he moved a swinging light bulb +slowly over the paper, hastening the drying process.</p> +<p>“After the next issue of the <i>Star</i> is printed, every +paper in the state will send their men here. But we’re +out ahead, and when the big break comes, we may get +that first, too.”</p> +<p>“Oh, Dad, if only we can!”</p> +<p>“Count yourself out of the case from now on, +young lady,” he said severely. “You scared the wits +out of me tonight, risking your life to save that no-good. +Now shed those wet clothes before you come +down with pneumonia.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_163">[163]</div> +<p>He tossed her an overcoat, a sweater and a crumpled +pair of slacks which Griffith had found under +one of the boat seats. Leaving the cabin, he closed +the door behind him.</p> +<p>Penny did not change her clothes at once. Instead, +she sat down at the table, studying the warning message.</p> +<p>“‘Better come through,’” she read aloud. “Does +that mean Kippenberg is supposed to pay money? +And what fate did Atherwald meet?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_164">[164]</div> +<h2 id="c20"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">20</span> +<br /><i>AN IMPORTANT INTERVIEW</i></h2> +<p>Those same questions were pounding through +Penny’s mind the next morning when she read the +first edition of her father’s paper. Propped up in bed +with pillows, she perused the story as she nibbled at +the buttered muffins on her breakfast tray.</p> +<p>“Is there anything else you would like?” Mrs. +Weems inquired, hovering near.</p> +<p>“No, I’m quite all right,” smiled Penny. “Not even +a head cold after my ducking. Have you heard about +Jerry?”</p> +<p>“Your father said he was doing fine.”</p> +<p>“Did he leave any message for me before going to +the office?”</p> +<p>“He said he thought you should stay in bed all +day.”</p> +<p>“Dad would,” Penny pouted. “Well, I feel just fine. +I’m getting up right away.” She heaved aside the bed +clothes.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_165">[165]</div> +<p>Then, because she couldn’t get the Kippenberg +case out of her head, she dressed quickly and went +downstairs. She was going out the front door when +Mrs. Weems stopped her.</p> +<p>“Now where are you going, Penny?”</p> +<p>Penny’s bright eyes twinkled and she flashed the +housekeeper an arch, provocative smile.</p> +<p>“Not sure just where I’m going,” she replied, her +smooth forehead creasing with thought. “But if Dad +should get curious, you can tell him he shouldn’t be +surprised if he finds me visiting with the Kippenbergs.”</p> +<p>“Penny! You’re not going there again?”</p> +<p>“Why not? I’m after a story for the <i>Riverview Star</i> +and I mean to get it. See you later.”</p> +<p>With a wave of her hand Penny walked jauntily +off. A few moments later Mrs. Weems heard the clatter +of Penny’s Leaping Lena careening down the street +in the direction of Corbin. First, however, she called +for her chum, Louise, who was eager to accompany +her on the long ride.</p> +<p>“I won’t be able to stay long, Penny,” said Louise. +“Mother wants me to go shopping with her later this +afternoon.”</p> +<p>“That’s all right,” responded Penny as the old car +bolted along the road. “If I get delayed, you can take +Leaping Lena back home, and I’ll follow later on.”</p> +<p>With both girls keeping up a steady run of conversation +they soon reached their destination.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_166">[166]</div> +<p>Penny wondered if she would be able to enter the +Kippenberg estate without being challenged by the +bridgeman or a servant. Her anxiety increased upon +approaching the river, for she saw that a large group +of persons had gathered by the drawbridge.</p> +<p>No one paid the slightest attention to the two girls +as they abandoned the car and proceeded to the water’s +edge. Penny was pleased to find the youthful +boatman at his usual haunt on the river. He rowed the +girls across to the estate, promising to await their return.</p> +<p>Penny escorted Louise through the trees to the +Kippenberg house. Boldly she rang the doorbell which +was answered by a butler.</p> +<p>“I should like to speak with Mrs. Kippenberg,” she +requested.</p> +<p>“Madam will see no one,” began the man.</p> +<p>Footsteps sounded behind him in the hallway and +Mrs. Kippenberg stood in the door.</p> +<p>“So it is you?” she asked in an icy voice. “Julius, see +that this person is ejected from the grounds.”</p> +<p>“One moment please,” interposed Penny. “If I +leave now, I warn you that certain facts will be published +in the <i>Star</i>, facts which will add to your embarrassment.”</p> +<p>“You can print nothing which will humiliate us +further.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_167">[167]</div> +<p>“No? You might like to have me mention the alligator +in your lily pool. And the reason why you +and your daughter are so anxious to be rid of it before +the police ask questions.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Kippenberg’s plump face flushed a deep red. +But for once she managed to keep her temper.</p> +<p>“What do you wish of me?” she asked frigidly.</p> +<p>“First, tell me about that painting, ‘The Drawbridge’ +which was presented to your daughter as a +wedding gift. Was it not given to her by your husband?”</p> +<p>“I shall not answer your question.”</p> +<p>“Then you prefer that I print my own conclusions?”</p> +<p>“You are an impudent, prying young woman!” +Mrs. Kippenberg stormed. “What if the picture was +given to Sylvia by her father! Is that any crime?”</p> +<p>“Certainly not,” said Penny soothingly. “It merely +proves that you both know the whereabouts of Mr. +Kippenberg.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps I do. But I’ll tell you nothing, absolutely +nothing!”</p> +<p>“I have a few questions to ask about your new +gardener,” Penny went on, unmoved. “For instance, +why does he wear a wig?”</p> +<p>The door slammed in her face.</p> +<p>“That certainly was a very cold reception,” remarked +Louise as the girls walked away, the sound +of the slamming door still ringing in their ears.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_168">[168]</div> +<p>Penny shrugged her shoulders and smiled. “That’s +nothing. When you’re a reporter you have to expect +those things.” She looked about the deserted estate. +“Well, I think I’ll do some more sleuthing in the +vicinity of the pool.”</p> +<p>Louise looked at her wristwatch. “Goodness, it’s +getting late,” she stated. “I’d like to stay, Penny, but +I think I’d better be getting home to meet Mother.”</p> +<p>“Go ahead,” said Penny. “You take Leaping Lena. +The boy in the boat will row you across.”</p> +<p>“But how will you get home, then?”</p> +<p>“Don’t worry about me. I’ll find a way. You just +go on. I only hope the old bus holds up all the way +home.”</p> +<p>Louise laughed and then the two girls walked to +the boat dock. In a few moments the boy in the rowboat +appeared and took Louise across. Afterward, +Penny turned back through the trees and went on to +the forbidden part of the estate.</p> +<p>She spent a long time about the pool, examining the +earth all about it, but she failed to learn anything +new. Finally, she retraced her steps to the river. She +expected to find the boy waiting for her, but he had +disappeared. She walked through the trees to the boat +dock and stood there until the old watchman on the +other side observed her predicament.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_169">[169]</div> +<p>He obligingly lowered the drawbridge and she +crossed the river, pausing at the gear house to chat +with him.</p> +<p>Penny listened without comment to his story of +the automobile accident. Thorny had his own version +of how it had occurred and she did not correct any +of the details.</p> +<p>“I wish I had a way to get into Corbin,” she remarked +when he had finished his lengthy account.</p> +<p>“If you walk down to the main road you kin catch +the county bus,” he told her. “It runs every hour.”</p> +<p>A long hike along a dusty highway, an equally +tedious wait at a crossroad, and finally Penny arrived +in Corbin. She went directly to the Colonial Hotel, +placing a telephone call to her father’s office.</p> +<p>“What are you doing in Corbin, Penny?” her +father demanded as he recognized her voice.</p> +<p>Penny answered him eagerly. “I’ve made an important +discovery which may blow your case higher +than a kite. No, I can’t tell you anything over the +telephone. The reason I am calling is that I may need +help. Is Jerry still in the hospital?”</p> +<p>“He never was there,” responded her father. “I +couldn’t make him go. He and Salt are out on the +river looking for the men who cracked him over the +head. I expect they’ll call in any time now.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_170">[170]</div> +<p>“If you do get in touch with Jerry, ask him to +meet me at the Colonial Hotel,” urged Penny. “I have +a hunch the big story is about to break. In any event +I’ll need a ride home.”</p> +<p>There was a great deal more to the conversation, +with Mr. Parker delivering a long lecture upon the +proper deportment for a daughter. Penny closed her +ears, murmuring at regular intervals, “Yes, Dad,” and +finally went back to her post in the lobby.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_171">[171]</div> +<h2 id="c21"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">21</span> +<br /><i>THE WHITE CRUISER</i></h2> +<p>For at least an hour she waited. She watched the +clock until the hands pointed to six o’clock. Tantalizing +odors came to her from the dining room, but she +resolutely downed her hunger. She did not wish to +give up her vigil even for a few minutes.</p> +<p>Finally Penny’s patience was rewarded. She saw a +man moving across the lobby toward the desk. He +wore well-cut tailored clothes and a low-brimmed +felt hat, yet the girl recognized him at a glance. He +was the Kippenberg gardener.</p> +<p>The man paused at the desk and asked for a key.</p> +<p>“Good evening, Mr. Hammil,” said the clerk, handing +it over.</p> +<p>Penny had noted that the key was taken from a +mailbox which bore the number, 381.</p> +<p>“So my friend, the gardener, has an alias,” she +mused. “Several of them, perhaps.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_172">[172]</div> +<p>Another half hour elapsed while the girl waited +patiently in her chair. Each time the elevator descended +she watched the people alight. At exactly six +forty-five Mr. Hammil stepped out of the lift, and +without glancing toward the girl, dropped his key +on the desk and went into the dining room.</p> +<p>The clerk, busy with several newcomers at the +hotel, did not notice. Thinking that she saw her +chance, Penny slipped from her chair, sidled toward +the desk and picked up the key. Her heart pounded +as she walked toward the elevator, but no one called +to her. Her action had passed unobserved.</p> +<p>“Third floor,” said Penny, and the elevator shot +upward.</p> +<p>She located room 381 at the far end of the hall, +and with a quick glance in both directions, unlocked +the door and entered.</p> +<p>An open suitcase lay upon the luggage rack by the +dresser. In systematic fashion Penny went through it, +finding an assortment of interesting articles—a revolver, +and two wigs, one of gray hair, the other black. +There were no letters or papers, nothing to positively +identify the owner of the luggage. But in the very +bottom of the case Penny came upon a photograph. +It was a picture of Sylvia Kippenberg.</p> +<p>Penny slipped the picture into the front of her +dress, hastily replaced everything as she had found it, +relocked the door, and returned to the lobby. As she +went toward the desk intending to rid herself of the +key, she stopped short.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_173">[173]</div> +<p>Jerry Livingston stood there talking earnestly with +the clerk.</p> +<p>“But I was told to come here,” she heard him protest.</p> +<p>“There was a girl in the lobby a few minutes ago,” +the clerk replied. “She went off somewhere.”</p> +<p>“No, here I am, Jerry!” Penny cried.</p> +<p>The reporter turned around and his face lighted up.</p> +<p>“Come outside, Jerry,” Penny said before he could +speak. “I have a great deal to tell you.”</p> +<p>“And I have some news of my own,” returned the +reporter.</p> +<p>They left the hotel together. Once beyond hearing, +Penny made a complete report of her afternoon +adventure, and showed Jerry the picture of Sylvia +Kippenberg which she had taken from room 381.</p> +<p>“Now for my story,” said Jerry. “I’ve located a +place not far from here where those two seamen buy +supplies. The owner of the store told me they tie +their boat up there nearly every night.”</p> +<p>“Where is Salt now, Jerry?”</p> +<p>“He’s keeping watch at the place. I came into town +to telephone the <i>Star</i> office. Your father said I was +to stop here and take you in tow.”</p> +<p>“You’re not starting back to Riverview?” Penny +asked in dismay.</p> +<p>“I don’t want to, Penny. I have a feeling our big +story is just about ready to break!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_174">[174]</div> +<p>“So have I, Jerry. Let’s stay with it. I’ll explain to +Dad when we get home.”</p> +<p>“Then let’s be on our way,” the reporter said +crisply. “No telling what has developed while I’ve +been in town.”</p> +<p>In the press car, the couple took the river road +which led east from the Kippenberg estate. As they +bounced along, making all possible speed, Jerry told +Penny how he and Salt had traced the two seamen. +They had made inquiry all along the river, and quite +by chance had encountered a fisherman who had given +them a valuable tip.</p> +<p>“But so many rumors are false, Jerry,” Penny said.</p> +<p>“This tip was straight. Salt and I found the white +cruiser tied up at the dock not far from this store I +was telling you about. We’ve been watching it for +the past two hours, and Salt is still there.”</p> +<p>“Why didn’t you call the police?”</p> +<p>“Wouldn’t have done any good. The men we’re +after haven’t been there all day. The only person on +board is a girl.”</p> +<p>“A girl?”</p> +<p>“Well, maybe you would say a young woman. +About twenty-two, I’d guess.”</p> +<p>“Jerry, you must be watching the wrong boat.”</p> +<p>Jerry shook his head as he drove the car into the +bushes at the side of the road. “It’s the right one, +I’m sure of it. Well, we’re here.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_175">[175]</div> +<p>Penny was hard pressed to keep up as the reporter +led her through the trees down to the winding Kobalt +river. They found Salt in his hiding place, behind a +large boulder.</p> +<p>“Anything happen since I left?” Jerry demanded.</p> +<p>Salt scarcely noticed Penny’s presence save to give +her a quick nod of welcome.</p> +<p>“You got back just in time,” he replied to the question. +“The girl went away a minute ago. Took a +basket and started for the store.”</p> +<p>“Then why are we waiting?” asked Jerry. “Come +on, we’ll take a look inside that boat.”</p> +<p>“Someone ought to stay here and keep watch,” +Salt returned. “She may come back any minute.”</p> +<p>“You’re elected guard then. Penny and I will look +the boat over and see what we can find. If the girl +starts back, whistle.”</p> +<p>Darting across the muddy shore, Penny and Jerry +reached the dilapidated boat which had been tied up +at the end of a sagging dock. They jumped aboard +and after a hasty glance over the deck, dived down +into the cabin.</p> +<p>The room was dirty and in great disorder. Boots +lay on the floor, discarded garments were scattered +about, and a musty odor prevailed.</p> +<p>“Nothing here,” said Jerry.</p> +<p>“Let’s look around carefully,” insisted Penny. “We +may find something.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_176">[176]</div> +<p>Crossing the cabin she opened a closet door. Save +for a pair of oilskins which hung from a nail, it was +quite empty.</p> +<p>“Listen!” commanded Penny suddenly.</p> +<p>Jerry stood absolutely still, straining to hear. A +long, low whistle reached his ears.</p> +<p>“The warning signal!” he exclaimed. “Come on, +Penny, we’re getting out of here.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_177">[177]</div> +<h2 id="c22"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">22</span> +<br /><i>TRAPPED IN THE CABIN</i></h2> +<p>Penny opened the door of the cabin only to +close it quickly. She and Jerry both had heard men’s +voices very close to the boat.</p> +<p>“It’s too late,” she whispered. “Those men have +come back.”</p> +<p>“Not the girl?”</p> +<p>“No, they’re alone. But we’re in a trap. What shall +we do?”</p> +<p>“We could make a dash for it. If we have to fight +our way out, Salt will be there to help.”</p> +<p>“Let’s stick and see what happens, Jerry. We’re +after information. We must expect to take a chance +in order to get it.”</p> +<p>Jerry had been thinking more of Penny’s safety +than his own. But thus urged, he turned the key in +the lock, bolting the door from the inside.</p> +<p>A low rumble of voices reached the couple as they +stood with ears pressed against the panel. But they +were unable to distinguish words. Then presently, one +of the seamen moved close to the companionway.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_178">[178]</div> +<p>“I’ll get it, Jake,” he called. “It’s down in the +cabin.”</p> +<p>Jerry and Penny kept quiet as the man turned the +door knob. He heaved angrily against the panel with +his shoulder.</p> +<p>“Hey, Jake,” he shouted, “what’s the idea of locking +the door?”</p> +<p>“I didn’t lock it.”</p> +<p>“Then Flora did.” Muttering under his breath, the +seaman tramped back up on deck.</p> +<p>Perhaps ten minutes elapsed before Penny and Jerry +heard a feminine voice speaking.</p> +<p>“That must be Flora,” whispered Penny. “What +will happen when she tells them that she didn’t lock +the door?”</p> +<p>The voices above rose louder and louder until the +two prisoners were able to distinguish some of the +words. Jake berated the girl as stupid while his companion +showered abuse upon her until she broke +down and wept.</p> +<p>“I never had the key,” they heard her wail. “I don’t +know what became of it. You always blame me for +everything that goes wrong, and I’m good and sick of +it. If I don’t get better treatment I may tell a few +things to the police. How would you like that?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_179">[179]</div> +<p>Jerry and Penny did not hear the response, but +they recoiled as a loud crashing sound told them the +girl had been given a cruel push into a solid object. +Her cry of pain was drowned out by another noise, +the sudden clatter of the motor boat engine.</p> +<p>Penny and Jerry gazed at each other with startled +eyes.</p> +<p>“We’re moving,” she whispered.</p> +<p>Jerry started to fit the key into the door lock, only +to have Penny arrest his hand.</p> +<p>“Let’s stay and see it through,” she urged. “This +is our chance to learn the hide-out and perhaps solve +the mystery of Atherwald’s disappearance.”</p> +<p>“All right,” the reporter agreed. “But I wish you +weren’t in on this.”</p> +<p>From the tiny window of the cabin, he and Penny +observed various landmarks as the boat proceeded +downstream. Perhaps half an hour elapsed before the +cruiser came to the mouth of a narrow river which +emptied into the Kobalt. From that point on progress +became slow and often the boat was so close to shore +that Penny could have reached out and touched overhanging +bushes.</p> +<p>“I didn’t know this stream was deep enough for a +motor boat,” Jerry whispered. “We must be heading +for a hide-out deep in the swamp.”</p> +<p>“I hope Salt has sense enough to call Dad and the +police,” Penny said with the first show of nervousness. +“We’re going to be a long way from help.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_180">[180]</div> +<p>The boat crept on for perhaps a mile. Then it +stopped, and Penny assumed they had reached their +destination. Gazing out of the window again, she saw +why they were halted. A great tree with finger-like +branches had fallen across the river, blocking the way.</p> +<p>“Look, Jerry,” she whispered. “We’ll not be able +to go any farther.”</p> +<p>“Guess again,” the reporter muttered.</p> +<p>Penny saw then that one of the men had left the +boat and was walking along shore. He seemed not in +the least disturbed by the great tree and for the first +time it dawned upon her that it served a definite purpose.</p> +<p>“Lift ’er up, Gus,” called the man at the wheel of +the boat.</p> +<p>His companion disappeared into the bushes. Several +minutes elapsed and then Penny heard a creaking +sound as if ropes were moving on a pulley.</p> +<p>“The tree!” whispered Jerry, his eyes flashing. “It’s +lifting!”</p> +<p>Very slowly, an inch at a time, the great tree raised +from the water, its huge roots serving as a hinge. +When it was high enough, the motor boat passed +beneath the dripping branches and waited on the +other side.</p> +<p>Slowly, the tree was lowered into place once more.</p> +<p>“Clever, mighty clever,” Jerry muttered. “Anyone +searching for the hide-out would never think of looking +beyond this fallen tree. To all purposes nature put +it here.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_181">[181]</div> +<p>“Nature probably did,” Penny added. “But our dishonorable +friends adapted it to their own use.”</p> +<p>Through the window Penny saw the man called +Gus reboard the boat.</p> +<p>Once more the cruiser went on up the narrow +stream, making slow but steady progress. Long shadows +had settled over the water. Soon it became dark.</p> +<p>Then a short distance ahead, Jerry and Penny observed +a light. As the boat drifted up to a wharf, a +man could be seen standing there with a glowing +lantern. They were unable to see his face, and quickly +dodged back from the cabin window to avoid being +noticed.</p> +<p>“Everything all right, Aaron?” the man at the +wheel asked, jumping ashore. He looped a coil of rope +about one of the dock posts.</p> +<p>“Aaron!” whispered Penny, gripping Jerry’s hand.</p> +<p>“It must be Aaron Dietz, Kippenberg’s former business +associate. So he’s the ringleader in this business!”</p> +<p>They listened, trying to hear the man’s reply to the +question which had been asked.</p> +<p>“Yeah, everything’s all right,” he responded gruffly.</p> +<p>“You don’t sound any too cheerful about it.”</p> +<p>“Atherwald still won’t talk. Keeps insisting he +doesn’t know where the gold is hidden. What bothers +me, I am beginning to think we made a mistake. He +may be telling the truth.”</p> +<p>“Say, this is a fine time to be finding it out!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_182">[182]</div> +<p>“Oh, keep your shirt on, Gus. You and Jake will +get your pay anyhow. And even if Atherwald doesn’t +know the hiding place we’ll make Kippenberg come +through.”</p> +<p>“You’ll have to find him first,” the other retorted. +“If you ask my opinion, you’ve made a mess of the +whole affair.”</p> +<p>“No one asked your opinion! We’ll make Atherwald +tell tonight or else—”</p> +<p>The man with the lantern started away from the +dock but paused before he had taken many steps.</p> +<p>“Get those supplies up to the shack,” he ordered. +“Then I want to talk with you both.”</p> +<p>“All right,” was the reply, “but we have to get the +cabin door open first. Flora locked it and lost the +key.”</p> +<p>“I didn’t,” the girl protested shrilly. “Don’t you +try to blame me.”</p> +<p>Jerry and Penny knew that their situation now was +a precarious one. If they were found in the cabin they +would be taken prisoners and the exclusive story which +they hoped to write never would be theirs.</p> +<p>“We’ve trapped ourselves in this cubby-hole,” the +reporter muttered. “All my doing, too.”</p> +<p>“We can hide in the closet, Jerry. The men may +not think to search there.”</p> +<p>Noiselessly, they opened the door and slipped into +the tiny room. The air was hot and stuffy, the space +too narrow for comfort.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_183">[183]</div> +<p>Jerry and Penny did not have long to wait before +there came a loud crash against the cabin door. The +two seamen were trying to break through the flimsy +panel.</p> +<p>“Bring a light, Flora,” called one of the men.</p> +<p>Penny and Jerry flattened themselves against the +closet wall, waiting.</p> +<p>A panel splintered on the outside cabin door, and +a heavy tramping of feet told them that the men had +entered the room.</p> +<p>“No one in here, Gus.”</p> +<p>“It’s just as we thought. Flora locked the door and +lied out of it.”</p> +<p>“I didn’t! I didn’t!” cried the girl. “Someone else +must have done it while I was at the store. The door +was unlocked when I went away.”</p> +<p>“There’s no one here now.”</p> +<p>“I—I thought I heard voices while we were coming +down the river.”</p> +<p>“In this cabin?”</p> +<p>“Yes, just a low murmur.”</p> +<p>“You imagined it,” the man told her. “But I’ll take +a look in the closet to be sure.”</p> +<p>He walked across the cabin toward the hiding place. +Penny and Jerry braced themselves for the moment +when the door would be flung open. They had trapped +themselves and now faced almost certain capture.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_184">[184]</div> +<h2 id="c23"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">23</span> +<br /><i>AT THE HIDE-OUT</i></h2> +<p>Before the man could pull open the closet door, +a booming voice called impatiently from shore:</p> +<p>“Say, are you coming? We have plenty of work +ahead of us tonight.”</p> +<p>Distracted from his purpose, the searcher turned +aside without glancing into the closet. With his companion +and the girl, he left the cabin.</p> +<p>Penny and Jerry waited at least five minutes. When +all was silent above, they stole from their hiding place. +From the window they assured themselves that the +wharf was deserted.</p> +<p>“What do we do now, start after the police?” +Penny questioned.</p> +<p>“Let’s make certain Atherwald is here first. We +can’t afford to be wrong.”</p> +<p>A path led through the timber. As they followed +it, Jerry and Penny saw a moving lantern some distance +ahead. They kept it in sight until the three men +and Flora disappeared into a cabin.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_185">[185]</div> +<p>Stealing on through the darkness, Penny and Jerry +crept to the screen door. Peering in, they saw a barren +room containing a table, a cook stove and double-deck +bunks.</p> +<p>“Get supper on, Flora,” one of the men ordered +curtly.</p> +<p>“Am I to cook anything for the prisoner?” she +asked in a whining voice.</p> +<p>“Not unless he decides to talk. I’ll find out if he’s +changed his mind.”</p> +<p>The man who had been called Aaron crossed the +cabin to an adjoining room. He unlocked the door +which had been fastened with a padlock, and went +inside.</p> +<p>“Atherwald must be in there,” whispered Penny.</p> +<p>With one accord, she and Jerry tiptoed across the +sagging porch and posted themselves under a high +window. Glancing up they saw it contained no glass, +but had narrow iron bars in keeping with a prison +chamber.</p> +<p>Jerry lifted Penny up so that she could peep into +the room. By the light of the oil lantern she saw a +haggard young man sitting on the bed. Despite a +stubble of beard and unkempt hair, she instantly recognized +him as the missing bridegroom. She made another +observation, one which shocked her. The man’s +wrists were handcuffed.</p> +<p>“It’s Grant Atherwald,” she told Jerry as he lowered +her to the ground. “They’ve treated him shamefully.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_186">[186]</div> +<p>Jerry held up his hand as a signal for silence. +In the room above the men were speaking and he +wished to hear every word.</p> +<p>“Well, Atherwald, have you changed your mind? +How about a little supper tonight?”</p> +<p>“How can I tell you something I don’t know?” the +bridegroom retorted wearily. “Kippenberg never confided +any of his secrets to me.”</p> +<p>“You know where his gold is hidden!”</p> +<p>“I don’t think he ever had any!”</p> +<p>“Oh, yes, he did. When the government passed a +law that it was illegal to keep gold, Kippenberg decided +to defy it. He had over half his fortune converted +into gold which he expected to re-convert into +currency at a great profit to himself. His plans went +amiss when government men listed him for investigation.”</p> +<p>“You seem to know all about his private affairs,” +Grant Atherwald said sarcastically. “Strange that you +haven’t learned the hiding place of the gold—if there +ever was any!”</p> +<p>“It will do you no good to pretend, Atherwald! +Either you tell the hiding place, or we’ll bring your +bride here to keep you company!”</p> +<p>“You wouldn’t dare touch her, you fiend!”</p> +<p>“No? Well, unless you decide to talk, she’ll share +your fate, and I promise you it won’t be a pretty one. +Now I’ll leave you to think it over.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_187">[187]</div> +<p>The door closed with a bang.</p> +<p>“We’ll have to get the police here right away,” +Jerry advised Penny in a whisper. “No telling what +those scoundrels may try to do to Atherwald. We +haven’t a moment to waste.”</p> +<p>“It would take us hours to bring help here,” +reasoned Penny. “And if we try to use the motorboat +the gang will be warned and flee while we’re +on our way down the river.”</p> +<p>“That’s so, but we have to do something. Any +ideas?”</p> +<p>“Yes, I have one,” Penny answered soberly. “It +may sound pretty crazy. Still, I really believe it would +work!”</p> +<p>Hurriedly, she outlined what she had in mind. Jerry +listened incredulously, but as the girl explained and +elaborated certain details of her plan, his doubts began +to clear away.</p> +<p>“It’s dangerous,” he protested. “And if your hunch +about the pool is wrong, we will be in a fix.”</p> +<p>“Of course, but we’ll have to take a chance in order +to save Atherwald.”</p> +<p>“If everything went exactly according to plan it +might work!”</p> +<p>“Let’s try it, Jerry. Lift me up so I can attract +Atherwald’s attention.”</p> +<p>The reporter did as she requested. Penny tapped +lightly on the iron bars with her signet ring. She saw +Grant Atherwald start and turn his head. Penny repeated +the signal.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_188">[188]</div> +<p>The man arose from the bed and stumbled toward +the window.</p> +<p>“Who is it?” he whispered hoarsely.</p> +<p>“A friend.”</p> +<p>“Can you get me out of here?”</p> +<p>“We’re going to try. You are handcuffed?”</p> +<p>“Yes, and my captor keeps the key in his pocket. +The room outside is always guarded. Did you bring +an implement to saw through the bars?”</p> +<p>“No, we have another scheme in mind. But you +must do exactly as we tell you.”</p> +<p>“Yes, yes!” the bridegroom whispered eagerly, his +pale cheeks flooding with color.</p> +<p>“Listen closely,” Penny instructed. “When your +captor comes back tell him you have decided to talk.”</p> +<p>“I know nothing about the cache of gold,” the man +protested.</p> +<p>“Tell your captor that the hiding place is on the +Kippenberg estate.”</p> +<p>“That would only involve Sylvia and Mrs. Kippenberg. +I’ll do nothing to get them into trouble.”</p> +<p>“You’ll have to obey instructions or no one can +help you,” Penny said severely. “Would you prefer +that those cruel men carry out their threat? They’ll +spirit Sylvia away and try to force the truth from +her.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_189">[189]</div> +<p>“I’ll do as you say.”</p> +<p>“Then tell your captor that the gold is hidden in a +specially constructed vault lying beneath the lily +pool.” Penny had resolved to act upon her hunch that +there was a trapdoor on the bottom of the pool. Now +as she issued instructions she wished that she might +have found some way of examining the pool to see if +she were right. However, she had to take a chance on +there being a vault beneath the pool.</p> +<p>Atherwald protested mildly. “He would never believe +such a fantastic story.”</p> +<p>“It is not as fantastic as it sounds,” replied Penny. +“You must convince him that it is true.”</p> +<p>“I will try.”</p> +<p>“Make the men understand that to get the gold +they must drain the pool and raise a trapdoor in the +cement bottom. Ask to be taken with the men when +they go there tonight and demand that you be given +your freedom as soon as the gold is found.”</p> +<p>“They will never let me go alive. An identification +from me would send them all to prison for life.”</p> +<p>“Do you know the men?”</p> +<p>“The ringleader is Aaron Dietz. At one time he +was employed by Mr. Kippenberg.”</p> +<p>“Just as I thought.”</p> +<p>“The other two call themselves Gus and Jake. I +don’t know their last names. Then there is a girl who +seems to be a sister to Gus.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_190">[190]</div> +<p>“How did they get you here?”</p> +<p>“On the day of the wedding I was handed a note +just as I reached the estate. It requested me to come at +once to the garden. While I waited there, two ruffians +sprang upon me from behind. Before I could cry out +they dragged me to their boat at the river’s edge. I +was handcuffed, blindfolded and brought to this +cabin.”</p> +<p>The slamming of an outside door warned Penny +that she was wasting precious time in talk.</p> +<p>“You understand your instructions?” she whispered +hurriedly.</p> +<p>“Yes.”</p> +<p>“Then goodbye. With luck we’ll have you free in +a few hours.”</p> +<p>“With luck is right,” Jerry muttered as Penny slid +to the ground.</p> +<p>Aaron Dietz stood on the front porch staring out +into the night. Seeing him there, Penny and Jerry +circled widely before attempting to return to the +river. Satisfied that they had not been observed, they +boarded the boat and descended to the cabin.</p> +<p>For possibly an hour they sat in the dark, waiting +anxiously.</p> +<p>“Looks as if my little plan didn’t work,” Penny +remarked. “I might have known it would be too +simple.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_191">[191]</div> +<p>Jerry had risen to his feet. He went to the window +and listened.</p> +<p>“Hear anything?” Penny whispered hopefully.</p> +<p>“Sounds like someone coming down the path. We +ought to get into our cubby-hole.”</p> +<p>They tiptoed to the closet and closed the door.</p> +<p>Within a few minutes they heard a confusion of +voices and the shuffle of feet as men boarded the +cruiser. Penny wondered if the group included Grant +Atherwald and was greatly relieved when she heard +him speak.</p> +<p>“I don’t see why you think I would double-cross +you,” he said distinctly. “I am considering my own +welfare. You promised that if the gold is found you’ll +give me my freedom.”</p> +<p>“Sure, you’ll get it. But if you’re lying about the +hiding place—”</p> +<p>The words were drowned out by the roar of the +motor boat engine. Penny and Jerry felt the floor beneath +them quiver and then gently roll. The cruiser +was under way.</p> +<p>“We’re heading for the Kippenberg estate!” Penny +whispered. “Oh, everything is starting out beautifully!”</p> +<p>“I only hope it ends the same way,” said Jerry +morosely. “I only hope it does.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_192">[192]</div> +<h2 id="c24"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">24</span> +<br /><i>SECRET OF THE LILY POOL</i></h2> +<p>The moon rode high in the heavens as the cabin +cruiser let go its anchor in a cove off the Kippenberg +estate. Penny who had been dozing for the past hour +in her self-imposed prison started up in alarm as Jerry +nudged her in the ribs.</p> +<p>“Wake up,” he whispered. “We’re here.”</p> +<p>“At the estate?”</p> +<p>“I think so.”</p> +<p>On the deck above their heads they could hear the +men talking together.</p> +<p>“You’ll come along with us, Atherwald,” Aaron +Dietz said. “Flora, you stay here and guard the boat. +If you see anyone watching or acting suspiciously, +blow the whistle two short blasts.”</p> +<p>“I don’t want to stay here alone,” the girl whimpered. +“I’m afraid.”</p> +<p>“You’ll do as I say,” the man ordered harshly. +“Get started, Gus. It’s two o’clock now. We won’t +have many hours before daylight.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_193">[193]</div> +<p>In making her plans Penny had not once considered +that the men might leave a guard on the +cruiser. With the girl posted as a lookout they were +still prisoners in the cabin.</p> +<p>“We have to get out of here now or never,” she +whispered. “What shall we do about Flora?”</p> +<p>“We’ll rush her and take a chance on the whistle.”</p> +<p>They slipped out of their hiding place and crawled +noiselessly up the steep stairway. Pausing there, they +watched the shadowy figure of the girl in the bow +of the boat. She was quite alone, for her companions +had disappeared into the woods.</p> +<p>“Now!” commanded Jerry in a whisper.</p> +<p>With a quick rush he and Penny were across the +deck. They approached Flora from behind and were +upon her before she could turn her head. Jerry grasped +her arms while Penny clapped a hand over her mouth +to prevent a scream. Although the girl fought fiercely, +she was no match for two persons.</p> +<p>Stripping off her sash, Penny gave it to Jerry to use +as a gag. They bound the girl’s wrists and ankles, then +carried her down into the cabin.</p> +<p>“I hate to leave her like that,” said Penny as they +went back on deck.</p> +<p>“Don’t waste your sympathy,” replied Jerry. “She +doesn’t deserve it. Anyway, we’ll soon set her free. +We must bring the police now.”</p> +<p>“The nearest house with a telephone is about a half +mile away.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_194">[194]</div> +<p>“It won’t take us long to cover the distance,” Jerry +said, helping her down from the boat.</p> +<p>“You go alone,” urged Penny. “I’ll stay here and +keep watch.”</p> +<p>“I don’t like to leave you.”</p> +<p>“Go on.” Penny gave him a little push. “And +hurry!”</p> +<p>After Jerry had reluctantly left, she plunged into +the trees, carefully picking her way along the path +which led to the lily pool. A short distance brought +her to the clearing. Halting, she saw the three men +and Grant Atherwald silhouetted in the bright moonlight. +The latter was still handcuffed, guarded by +Aaron Dietz who allowed his companions to do the +hard labor.</p> +<p>Gus and Jake had broken open the door of the stone +tower. The soft purr of a motor told Penny that they +had started draining the pool. She wondered what +the men would do when they discovered that the tank +contained a very live alligator.</p> +<p>“It ought to put a crimp in their work,” she +chuckled. “Mr. Kippenberg couldn’t have chosen a +more effective guard for his gold.”</p> +<p>But gradually as the pool drained lower and lower, +it struck Penny as odd that the men did not notice +the alligator. Belatedly, it occurred to her that the +Kippenberg gardener had probably succeeded in getting +rid of the monster since her visit to the garden +earlier in the day.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_195">[195]</div> +<p>“Something like that <i>would</i> happen,” she thought. +“Oh, well, even so Jerry ought to get here with the +police in ample time.”</p> +<p>Only the waning of the moon gave indication of +how swiftly the night was passing. Penny became +alarmed as she observed how fast the pool emptied. +Jerry would not have as long as she had anticipated. +But surely, he would bring help before it was too late.</p> +<p>Presently, one of the men shut off the motor in the +stone tower, saying with quiet jubilance:</p> +<p>“There, she’s empty!”</p> +<p>He jumped down into the tank, and almost at once +uttered a cry of discovery.</p> +<p>“Here it is, just as he said! The ring to the trap! +Give us some help, Gus.”</p> +<p>With Aaron Dietz and the bewildered bridegroom +watching from above, the two men raised the heavy +block of cement. Penny drew closer for she did not +wish to miss anything. She stood in the shadow of a +tree scarcely fifteen yards from where the men +worked.</p> +<p>“A stairway leads down into an underground +vault!” Jake cried exultantly. “We’ve found the hiding +place of the gold.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_196">[196]</div> +<p>“Toss me your flashlight, Aaron,” called Gus. +“We’ll soon have all of the treasure out of here.”</p> +<p>The next ten minutes brought a confused whirl of +impressions. Penny’s thoughts were in turmoil. Why +didn’t Jerry come with the police? As soon as the +men carried the burden of gold to the boat they +would discover Flora, bound and gagged. Then they +would suspect that a trap had been laid. Oh, why +didn’t Jerry hurry?</p> +<p>Gus and Jake had descended into the underground +vault. As the light reappeared, Penny was dumbfounded +to see that the men were empty handed.</p> +<p>“Nothing down there,” Gus reported in disgust. +“Nothing!”</p> +<p>“Then we’ve been tricked!” Aaron Dietz turned +furiously upon his prisoner. “You’ll pay for this!”</p> +<p>“I thought the gold was here,” answered Grant +Atherwald.</p> +<p>“Lock him up in the vault and start the water running,” +advised Jake harshly. “It’s a good way to be +rid of him.”</p> +<p>The suggestion appealed to Aaron Dietz. At a +nod from him, Atherwald was seized and dragged +down into the pool. He was shoved into the vault, +but before the two men could lower the heavy +cement block into place, a signal from Dietz arrested +their action.</p> +<p>“Wait!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_197">[197]</div> +<p>In her anxiety over Grant Atherwald, Penny had +moved closer to the pool. Without realizing that she +was exposing herself, she stood so that her shadow +fell clearly across the open space. Before she comprehended +her danger, Dietz hurled himself upon her, +seizing her roughly by the arms.</p> +<p>Penny struggled to free herself but could not. The +man’s grip was like steel.</p> +<p>“So you were spying!” he exclaimed harshly.</p> +<p>“I—I was just watching,” Penny stammered. “Don’t +you remember me? I am the girl who pulled you out +of the river when your car went over the drawbridge.”</p> +<p>The man looked closely at her, and for an instant +she dared hope that he would recall her with gratitude. +But his face hardened again and he said unfeelingly:</p> +<p>“You know entirely too much, my little girl. This +is one story you will never write for your father’s +paper. Your curiosity has proven your undoing. You +share the fate of your very good friend.”</p> +<p>With a sinking heart Penny realized by the man’s +words that he knew her to be the daughter of a newspaper +publisher, and that he had guessed her part in +the trick played upon him.</p> +<p>“Down you go!” Dietz said harshly.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_198">[198]</div> +<p>As he dragged her toward the pool, Penny screamed +at the top of her lungs. A hand was clapped over her +mouth. She bit it savagely, but her efforts to free herself +were of no avail.</p> +<p>The men shoved her headlong down the stone stairway +into the pit.</p> +<p>“Now scream as much as you like,” Aaron Dietz +hurled after her. “No one will hear you.”</p> +<p>The heavy stone slab dropped into place.</p> +<p>Penny picked herself up from the steps. Terror +gripped her, and with a sob she called frantically:</p> +<p>“Mr. Atherwald! Mr. Atherwald!”</p> +<p>“Here at the bottom of the steps,” he answered with +a groan.</p> +<p>“Are you hurt?”</p> +<p>“Only bruised. But my hands are still in cuffs.”</p> +<p>Penny limped down the stairway and helped the +man to his feet.</p> +<p>“We’re done for now,” he said. “No one will ever +look for us down in this vault. And our cries will +never be heard.”</p> +<p>“Don’t give up,” Penny murmured encouragingly. +“We may be able to lift the stone. Come let’s try.”</p> +<p>Mounting the stairs, they applied their shoulders +to the massive door, but their best efforts did not +raise it an inch.</p> +<p>“Listen!” cried Atherwald suddenly.</p> +<p>They both could hear the sound of water running +into the empty pool.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_199">[199]</div> +<p>“In an hour’s time no one will ever guess that a +hidden vault lies beneath the tank!” Atherwald +groaned. “We’re doomed!”</p> +<p>“If we can hear the water splashing above us, our +voices might carry!” Penny reasoned. “Let’s cry out +for help. Now, together!”</p> +<p>They shouted over and over until their voices failed +them. Then, completely discouraged, they sagged +down on the stairway to rest.</p> +<p>“Nothing went as I planned,” Penny said dismally. +“I really thought the gold was hidden in this vault. +If the men had found it, they would have spent hours +removing the loot to their boat. Jerry would have +come with the police and everything would have +been all right.”</p> +<p>Grant Atherwald was not listening to the girl’s +words. He struggled to his feet, pressing his ear against +the trapdoor.</p> +<p>“The water has stopped running!”</p> +<p>“Are you sure?” Penny sprang up and stood beside +him, listening.</p> +<p>“Yes, and I hear voices!”</p> +<p>With one accord, they shouted for help. Could it +be imagination or did they hear an answering cry? +As they repeated their frantic call, there was a scraping +on the stone above their heads.</p> +<p>“Stand away,” ordered a muffled voice.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_200">[200]</div> +<p>Before Penny and the bridegroom could obey, the +great door lifted. A deluge of water poured in, its +force nearly washing them from the steps. But in another +moment the passage was clear and they stumbled +up through the rectangular opening.</p> +<p>Jerry grasped Penny’s hand, helping her out of the +vault. One of the blue-coated policemen aided Atherwald, +unfastening the handcuffs which held him a +prisoner.</p> +<p>“You’re all right, Penny?” the reporter asked anxiously.</p> +<p>“I—I feel like a drowned rat,” she laughed, shaking +water out of her hair. Then, with a quick change of +mood she asked: “Did you get Aaron Dietz and his +men?”</p> +<p>“No,” Jerry answered in disgust. “When we crossed +the river five minutes ago, the cruiser was still there. +No sign of anyone around. I brought the police here, +and now I suppose they’ve made their get-away.”</p> +<p>“Oh, Jerry, we can’t let them escape! Send the +police—”</p> +<p>“Now don’t get worked up,” the reporter soothed. +“A squad started back just as soon as we found out +what had happened here.”</p> +<p>“Dietz and his men must have seen the police crossing +the river,” speculated Penny. “They may have +hidden in the bushes, biding their time. By now +they’ve slipped away in their boat.”</p> +<p>“I’m afraid of it,” Jerry admitted. “I traveled as +fast as I could.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_201">[201]</div> +<p>As one of the policemen lifted Penny out of the +pool, a noise which sounded like the back-firing of +an automobile, broke the stillness of the night. It was +followed by a volley of similar sounds.</p> +<p>“Gunfire!” exclaimed Penny.</p> +<p>The policemen started at a run through the woods +toward the place where the white cruiser had last +been seen. Penny hesitated, and then took the opposite +direction, coming out of the woods at a point +directly opposite the drawbridge.</p> +<p>Gazing far up the river she could see the white +cruiser, flashes of fire coming from the cabin window +as the desperadoes exchanged shots with the police, +who were concealed in the woods.</p> +<p>“That boat will try to run for it in another minute,” +Penny thought. “If only the drawbridge were down!”</p> +<p>Kicking off her shoes, she dived into the water, +swimming diagonally across the river to take advantage +of the swift current. Her powerful strokes +brought her to shallow water and she waded ashore +through ankle-deep mud. As she scrambled up the +slippery bank, her wet clothing plastered to her body, +she heard the roar of the cruiser’s motor.</p> +<p>“They’ve started the engine!” she thought. “In another +minute the boat will be at the bridge. Hurry! +Hurry!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_202">[202]</div> +<p>Penny could force herself to no greater effort. +Breathless, she reached the gearhouse and groped +frantically under the door. Had Thorny failed to +hide the key there? No, her fingers seized upon it.</p> +<p>Trembling with excitement, she turned it in the +lock. The door of the gearhouse swung open. Now +could she remember how to lower the bridge? Any +mistake would be costly, for by this time she could +hear the cruiser racing down the river at full speed. +If only it were light enough so that she could see the +gears!</p> +<p>She pulled a lever and her heart leaped as the motor +responded with a pleasant purr. The power was on!</p> +<p>“Now to lower the bridge!” thought Penny. “But +which lever is the right one? I’m not sure.”</p> +<p>With a prayer in her heart she grasped the one +closest at hand and eased it forward. There was a +grinding of gears as the tall cantilevers began to move. +They were coming down, but oh, so slowly!</p> +<p>“Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!” Penny whispered, as if +her words could speed the bridge on its journey.</p> +<p>The white cruiser drove onward at full speed. +Lower came the bridge. Penny held her breath, knowing +it would be a matter of inches whether or not the +boat would clear. The man at the wheel, aware of the +danger, did not swerve from his course.</p> +<p>The bridge settled into place. As the crash came, +Penny closed her eyes.</p> +<p>“<i>I did it! I’ve stopped them!</i>” she thought, and +sagged weakly against the gear house.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_203">[203]</div> +<h2 id="c25"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">25</span> +<br /><i>VICTORY FOR PENNY</i></h2> +<p>Minutes later Penny was still leaning limply +against the building when a car drove up to the bridge. +Her father, Salt, and a bevy of policemen and government +representatives sprang out and ran to her +side.</p> +<p>“Penny, what happened?” Mr. Parker clasped his +daughter in his arms. “You’re soaking wet! Didn’t we +hear gunfire as we turned in here?”</p> +<p>Penny waved her hand weakly toward the river +below.</p> +<p>“There’s your story, Dad. Pictures galore. Boat +smashes into dangerous drawbridge. Police pursue and +shoot it out with desperadoes, taking what’s left of +’em into custody. I’m afraid to look.”</p> +<p>“And what were you doing while all this was going +on?” demanded her father.</p> +<p>“Me? I was just waiting for the drawbridge to go +down.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_204">[204]</div> +<p>Mr. Parker, Salt, and the policemen he had brought +to the scene, rushed to the edge of the bridge. A +police boat had drawn up beside the badly listing +cruiser, and three men prisoners and a girl were being +taken off.</p> +<p>“How bad is it?” Penny called anxiously.</p> +<p>“All captured alive,” answered her father. “Salt, get +that camera of yours into action! Where’s Jerry? He +would be missing at a time like this! What happened +anyhow? Can’t someone tell me?”</p> +<p>Penny had fully recovered the power of speech, +and with a most flattering audience, she recounted her +adventures.</p> +<p>“Excuse me just a minute,” she interrupted herself.</p> +<p>Turning her back, she pulled a sodden photograph +from the front of her dress and handed it to her +father.</p> +<p>“This picture is in pretty bad shape,” she said, “but +it’s clue number one. You see, it’s a photograph of +Miss Kippenberg, and on the back is written, ‘To +Father, with all my love.’ I found the picture this +afternoon in Room 381 at the Colonial Hotel.”</p> +<p>“Then you’ve located Kippenberg?” one of the G +men demanded.</p> +<p>“I have. He’s been masquerading as the Kippenberg +gardener, coming back here no doubt to witness the +marriage of his daughter.”</p> +<p>“We’ll arrest him right away,” said the government +man, turning to leave. “Thanks for the tip.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_205">[205]</div> +<p>“I am confident Miss Kippenberg and her mother +had nothing to do with Grant Atherwald’s disappearance,” +Penny went on. “Aaron Dietz plotted the +whole affair himself. I guess he must have learned +about Kippenberg’s cache of gold while he worked +for the man. He believed that Grant Atherwald shared +the secret and could tell where the money was hidden.”</p> +<p>“You’ve located the gold, too, I suppose,” Mr. +Parker remarked whimsically.</p> +<p>“No, Dad, I slipped up there. I thought the gold +was in a secret vault under the alligator pool, but I +was wrong. I don’t know where it is.”</p> +<p>“We’ll let the G men solve that mystery when they +take Kippenberg into custody,” replied her father. +“Our work is cut out for us now. We’ll find Jerry, +talk with young Atherwald, and rout Miss Kippenberg +and her mother out of bed for an exclusive interview.”</p> +<p>“And this time I am sure they’ll answer questions,” +declared Penny.</p> +<p>During the next hour the “story” was taken entirely +from her hands. Jerry, her father and Salt, knew +exactly how to gather every fact of interest to the +readers of the <i>Star</i>. Sylvia Kippenberg, overjoyed to +find her fiancé alive, posed for pictures with him, +and answered all questions save those which concerned +her father.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_206">[206]</div> +<p>Not until a telephone call came from the Colonial +Hotel, saying that Mr. Kippenberg had been taken +into custody, would either Sylvia or her mother admit +that the man had posed as the gardener.</p> +<p>“Very well, it is true,” Mrs. Kippenberg acknowledged +at last. “James has been trying to avoid government +men for over a year. Wishing to return for +Sylvia’s wedding, he disguised himself as a gardener. +Then after Grant’s disappearance, he remained here +trying to help.”</p> +<p>“And it was your husband who managed to get rid +of the alligator?” Penny interposed.</p> +<p>“Yes, we were afraid police might ask embarrassing +questions. James disposed of it to a zoo late yesterday +afternoon.”</p> +<p>“And the cache of gold under the lily pool,” said +Mr. Parker. “What became of that?”</p> +<p>“There is no gold.”</p> +<p>“None at all?”</p> +<p>“None.”</p> +<p>“And there never was any?” questioned Penny incredulously. +“Then why was the vault ever built?”</p> +<p>“Tell her the truth, Mother,” Sylvia urged. “She +deserves to know. Anyway, it can do Father no harm +now.”</p> +<p>“At one time my husband did have a considerable +supply of gold,” Mrs. Kippenberg admitted. “Since +he could not trust a bank he constructed his own +vault under the pool and placed the alligator there +as a precaution against prying persons.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_207">[207]</div> +<p>“My father really did nothing so very wrong,” +Sylvia broke in. “The gold was bought with his own +money. If he chose to sell it later at a profit it was +his own affair.”</p> +<p>“Not in the opinion of the government,” Mr. +Parker said with a smile. “He held the gold illegally. +So your father disposed of it?”</p> +<p>“Yes, he shipped it out of the country months ago. +And no one will ever be able to prove anything +against him.”</p> +<p>“My husband is a very clever man,” added Mrs. +Kippenberg proudly.</p> +<p>“That remains to be seen,” said Mr. Parker. “I +know a number of very clever government men, too.”</p> +<p>Later, in dry clothing loaned to her by Miss Kippenberg, +Penny motored back to Corbin with her +father, Jerry, and Salt. There they learned that the +three prisoners had been locked up in jail, while +James Kippenberg was being questioned by government +operatives. He readily admitted that he had +disguised himself as the gardener but defied anyone +to prove he ever had disposed of illegal gold.</p> +<p>Mr. Parker did not wait to learn the outcome of the +interview. Instead he telephoned the big story to +DeWitt and arranged for complete coverage on every +new angle of the case. Satisfied that no more could be +learned that night, the party sped back toward Riverview.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_208">[208]</div> +<p>“Aaron Dietz and his confederates ought to get +long prison sentences,” Penny remarked as they drove +through the night. “But what will happen to Mr. +Kippenberg, Dad? Do you think he will escape punishment +as his wife believes?”</p> +<p>“He’ll get what is coming to him,” replied Mr. +Parker. “A government man told me tonight that +Kippenberg’s income tax reports have been falsified. +And Kippenberg knew they had evidence against +him or he never would have gone into hiding. No, +even if it can’t be proven that he held gold illegally, +he’ll certainly be fined and given a year or so in +prison for tax evasion.”</p> +<p>“I hope he receives a light sentence for Sylvia’s +sake,” said Penny. After a moment she added: “Sylvia +and Grant Atherwald are going to be married tomorrow. +They told me so.”</p> +<p>“There’s a fact we missed,” declared Jerry. “Penny +always is showing us up.”</p> +<p>“Oh, I didn’t prove myself so brilliant tonight,” +responded Penny. “When I was down in that vault I +decided I was just plain dumb. If you hadn’t had sense +enough to guess where Grant Atherwald and I were +being held—well, Dad would have had to adopt a new +daughter.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_209">[209]</div> +<p>“It was easy enough to tell what had happened,” +said Jerry. “You had told me you thought there was a +secret vault beneath the pool. Then, too, I found +your handkerchief floating in the bottom. The water +had only been running in a few minutes.” He fished +in his pocket and brought out a pin which he handed +to Penny. “I also found this.”</p> +<p>“Thanks, Jerry,” said Penny. “That’s Louise’s +cameo pin. She dropped it the day we were on the +Kippenberg estate together.”</p> +<p>“The police gave you full credit for the capture of +those men, Penny,” said her father with pride. “You +yanked the drawbridge just in time to trap them.”</p> +<p>“Salt did his share, too,” mentioned Penny generously. +“He went for the police just as soon as he +realized Jerry and I had been carried away on the +cruiser.”</p> +<p>“The only trouble was that the cops wasted too +much time searching for you down river,” the photographer +drawled. “We finally went back to Corbin +and ran into Mr. Parker who suggested we come to +the estate.”</p> +<p>“How did you happen to be in Corbin, Dad?” +asked Penny curiously.</p> +<p>“You might know—I was looking for you. Isn’t +that my usual occupation?”</p> +<p>“You’re not provoked at me, Dad?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_210">[210]</div> +<p>“No, of course not,” the publisher answered +warmly. “You’ve all done fine work tonight. This is +the biggest story we’ve run into in over a year! We’ll +score a beat on the rival papers.”</p> +<p>“Then don’t you think Jerry and Salt have earned +a raise?” suggested Penny.</p> +<p>“Yes,” agreed her father absently, “I’ll take care of +it tomorrow.”</p> +<p>“And you might tack on another dollar to my allowance, +Dad. I’ll also have a small bill to present. +There will be several dollars for gasoline, lunches going +and coming from Corbin, two ruined dresses, a +pair of torn silk stockings, and—”</p> +<p>“That’s enough,” broke in Mr. Parker with a laugh. +“If you keep on listing your expenses, I’ll be broke. +You turned out to be an expensive reporter.”</p> +<p>“It was worth it, wasn’t it?” Penny demanded, +placing her hands on her hips.</p> +<p>Her father agreed heartily. “It certainly was, +Penny. The <i>Riverview Star</i> obtained a smashing story +to scoop all the other newspapers, and I’ve got my +elusive daughter back again safe and sound.”</p> +<p>Penny moved closer to her father. She grasped the +lapels of his coat in her slender fingers and tipped her +weary but still lovely face toward him.</p> +<p>“Dad, will you promise me one thing?”</p> +<p>“That depends on what you are after,” Mr. Parker +told her gravely.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_211">[211]</div> +<p>“Whenever the <i>Riverview Star</i> has a baffling +mystery to be run down to earth, will you promise to +call in your ace sleuth?”</p> +<p>“And who would that be?” demanded Mr. Parker +with a puzzled frown. Then as Penny laughed gaily, +he also started to grin. “So you are the ace sleuth? I +guess I was a little slow in understanding. But you +seem to be right. This is the third mystery you’ve +solved. Maybe we will use you on the next mystery.”</p> +<p>“Thanks, Dad,” said Penny. “I just hope I won’t +have to wait too long for the next mystery to come +along.”</p> +<p class="center"><span class="small">THE END</span></p> +<h2>Transcriber’s Notes</h2> +<ul> +<li>Replaced the list of books in the series by the complete list, +as in the final book, “The Cry at Midnight”.</li> +<li>Silently corrected a handful of palpable typos.</li> +<li>Conforming to later volumes, standardized on “DeWitt” +as the name of the city editor.</li> +</ul> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Danger at the Drawbridge, by Mildred A. 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