diff options
| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-14 20:02:47 -0700 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-14 20:02:47 -0700 |
| commit | de8884465d1d00d4217f38d40716fe72994d8f54 (patch) | |
| tree | d32de9ef94ddeb380de26c3b9e674299fe086a80 | |
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 34975-8.txt | 6625 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 34975-8.zip | bin | 0 -> 100354 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 34975-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 308834 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 34975-h/34975-h.htm | 6228 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 34975-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 0 -> 28707 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 34975-h/images/front.png | bin | 0 -> 171590 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 34975.txt | 6625 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 34975.zip | bin | 0 -> 100333 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 |
11 files changed, 19494 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/34975-8.txt b/34975-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3f4e0ac --- /dev/null +++ b/34975-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6625 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Whispering Walls, 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: Whispering Walls + +Author: Mildred A. Wirt + +Release Date: January 15, 2011 [EBook #34975] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WHISPERING WALLS *** + + + + +Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Brenda Lewis and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + Whispering + Walls + + + _By_ + MILDRED A. WIRT + + _Author of_ + MILDRED A. WIRT MYSTERY STORIES + TRAILER STORIES FOR GIRLS + + _Illustrated_ + + CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY + _Publishers_ + NEW YORK + + + + + _PENNY PARKER_ + MYSTERY STORIES + + _Large 12 mo. Cloth Illustrated_ + + + TALE OF THE WITCH DOLL + THE VANISHING HOUSEBOAT + DANGER AT THE DRAWBRIDGE + BEHIND THE GREEN DOOR + CLUE OF THE SILKEN LADDER + THE SECRET PACT + THE CLOCK STRIKES THIRTEEN + THE WISHING WELL + SABOTEURS ON THE RIVER + GHOST BEYOND THE GATE + HOOFBEATS ON THE TURNPIKE + VOICE FROM THE CAVE + GUILT OF THE BRASS THIEVES + SIGNAL IN THE DARK + WHISPERING WALLS + SWAMP ISLAND + THE CRY AT MIDNIGHT + + + COPYRIGHT, 1946, BY CUPPLES AND LEON CO. + + Whispering Walls + + PRINTED IN U. S. A. + + + + + CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + 1 THE PLUMED SERPENT _1_ + 2 AN UNEXPLAINED DISAPPEARANCE _11_ + 3 A THATCHED ROOF COTTAGE _19_ + 4 BEHIND THE BUSHES _26_ + 5 AN EVIL CHARM _35_ + 6 MATCHES AND STRING _44_ + 7 WHISPERING WALLS _51_ + 8 GHOST OF THE DARK CORNERS _61_ + 9 JERRY ENTERS THE CASE _68_ + 10 CHEAP LODGING _79_ + 11 THE WOODEN DOLL _90_ + 12 SUPERSTITION _98_ + 13 MISSING FROM THE CHEST _106_ + 14 STORM WARNINGS _114_ + 15 MRS. RHETT'S ILLNESS _123_ + 16 AN OPEN WINDOW _133_ + 17 THE STOLEN WILL _139_ + 18 THROUGH THE WINDOW _147_ + 19 RISING WIND _154_ + 20 TWELVE STEPS DOWN _164_ + 21 CEREMONIAL CAVE _172_ + 22 STRANGER IN THE STORM _180_ + 23 IN THE PRESSROOM _188_ + 24 THE GRINNING GARGOYLE _196_ + 25 ON THE BALCONY _206_ + + + + + CHAPTER + 1 + _THE PLUMED SERPENT_ + + +Smoothly and with accurate aim, the slim girl in blue sweater and +swinging skirt sent the heavy ball crashing down the polished floor of +the bowling alley. + +"Another strike, Penny!" cried her school companion, Louise Sidell, +watching the tenpins topple helter skelter and vanish out of sight. +"You're certainly going like a house afire today!" + +"Lucky, that's all." Penny Parker's friendly grin widened as she chalked +up the score. Brushing aside a sandy-gold lock of hair which had dropped +over one eye, she suddenly squinted at the wall clock. "Ten minutes until +four o'clock!" she exclaimed. "Lou, unless we call it a day, I'll be late +for work!" + +"You and your work!" scoffed Louise, but she quickly sat down to remove +her bowling shoes. "Why spend all your spare time at that old newspaper?" + +"The _Riverview Star_ is the best daily in the city!" Penny shot back +proudly. "Anyway, I like being a reporter." + +"I'll give you no argument on that point, my pet. You love it! Especially +poking that freckled little nose of yours into every big story or mystery +that comes along! Confess now, isn't it the excitement you like, rather +than the work?" + +A twitch of Penny's lips acknowledged the truth of her chum's +observation. Off and on for several years she had served in many +capacities on the _Star_, a daily Riverview newspaper owned by her +father, Anthony Parker. + +Many of the publication's best stories had carried her name. Now that +school had started again, she was unable to work full time, but on this +particular Saturday afternoon she had promised Editor DeWitt she would +report at two o'clock. She had no intention of being late. + +"Let's go," she urged, picking up her coat. + +Louise trailed Penny to a desk where the cashier was absently listening +to a short wave radio. As they paid their bill, the instrument suddenly +blared a police order: + +"Patrol 34--First National Bank, Main and Front Streets. Repeating, First +National Bank, Main and Front Streets. See complainant. Patrol 34 in +service." + +To Louise it was only a meaningless jumble of words but Penny instantly +pricked up her ears. + +"Front and Main is just around the corner! Maybe there's been a robbery, +Lou!" + +"I hope not," laughed Louise. "The First National's where I keep my +money. All $28.50 of it!" + +Sweeping her change from the counter, Penny glanced again at the clock +and came to a quick decision. Doubtless, the _Star_ office would send a +reporter to check the police call, but considerable time might elapse +before anyone reached the bank. + +"Let's jog over there and see what's doing," she proposed. + +Louise nodded, hastily pulling a tight-fitting hat over her dark curls. +Penny was already out of the door, walking so fast that her chum was hard +pressed to overtake her. + +Rounding the corner at Main and Front Streets, the girls were just in +time to see a patrol car park at the curb in front of the bank. A police +sergeant was at the wheel, but before Penny could hail him, he and a +companion vanished into the building. A third man posted himself at the +door of the bank. + +Penny walked over to him. "Anything doing?" she inquired in a friendly, +off-hand way. "A robbery?" + +"I wouldn't know," he replied curtly. + +Fishing in a cluttered purse, Penny came up with a press card. "I'm from +the _Star_," she added, waving her credentials before him. + +"You'll have to talk to the sergeant if you want to get any information," +he said, relaxing slightly. "Go on in, if you want to." + +Louise kept close to Penny's side as they started into the bank. But the +policeman brought her up short by saying: "Just a minute, sister. Where's +your card?" + +"She's with me," said Penny with careless assurance. + +"So I see," observed the patrolman dryly. "She can't go in without a +card." + +Argument was useless. Decidedly crestfallen, Louise retreated to wait, +while Penny went on into the darkened building. Curtains had been drawn +in the big marble-floored bank, and the place appeared deserted. Teller +cages were locked and empty, for the bank had closed to the public at +noon. + +Pausing, Penny heard the faint and distant hum of voices. She glanced +upward to a second story gallery devoted to offices, and saw two +policemen talking to a third man who leaned against the iron railing. + +"Apparently this is no robbery," Penny thought, taking the marble steps +two at a time. "Wonder what has happened?" + +Breathlessly, she reached the top of the stairs. A short, thin man with +glasses and a noticeably nervous manner stood talking to the two +policemen. The sergeant, his back to Penny, started taking down notes. + +"I'm Sergeant Gray," the policeman said. "What's your name?" + +"Albert Potts," the man replied. + +"A clerk here?" + +"Secretary to Mr. Hamilton Rhett, the bank president. I called the police +because a situation has developed which worries me. This afternoon I +talked to Mrs. Rhett who gave me no satisfaction whatsoever. I said to +myself, 'Albert Potts, this is a case for the police.' But there must be +no publicity." + +"What's wrong?" Sergeant Gray asked impatiently. + +"Mr. Rhett has disappeared. Exactly nine days ago at three o'clock he put +on his hat, walked out of the bank and hasn't been seen since." + +Here indeed was news! Mr. Rhett was socially prominent and a very wealthy +banker. His disappearance would be certain to create a sensation in +Riverview. + +"So Mr. Rhett walked out of here nine days ago," Sergeant Gray commented. +"Why wasn't it reported earlier to the police?" + +"Because at first we thought nothing of it. If you will excuse me for +saying so, Mr. Rhett never has taken his bank duties very seriously. He +comes and goes very much as he pleases. Some days he fails to show up +until afternoon. On several occasions he has been absent for a week at a +time." + +"Then why does it seem so unusual now?" + +"Yesterday I telephoned Mrs. Rhett. She said she had no idea what has +become of her husband. I suggested notifying the police, but she +discouraged it. In fact, she hung up the receiver while I was talking to +her. Altogether, she acted in a most peculiar manner." + +"That was yesterday, you say?" + +"Yes, I told myself, 'Albert Potts, if Mrs. Rhett isn't worried about her +husband's absence, it's none of your business.' I should have dismissed +the matter thereupon, except that today I learned about the missing +bonds." + +"Missing bonds?" inquired the sergeant alertly. "Go on." + +"Mr. Rhett handles securities for various trust funds. At the time of his +disappearance, $250,000 in negotiable government bonds were in his +possession." + +"You're suggesting robbery?" + +"I don't know what to think. Mr. Rhett should have returned the +securities to our vault in the basement. I assumed he had done so, until +this morning in making a thorough check, I learned not a single bond had +been turned in. I can only conclude that Mr. Rhett had them in his +portfolio when he walked out of the bank." + +"So you decided to notify the police?" + +"Exactly. It was my duty. Understand I wish to bring no embarrassment to +Mrs. Rhett or to cast reflection upon my employer but--" + +Albert Potts broke off, his gaze focusing upon Penny who had edged +closer. + +"Now who are you?" he demanded suspiciously. + +Stepping forward, Penny introduced herself as a _Star_ reporter. + +"You have no business here!" the secretary snapped. "If you overheard +what I just said, you're not to print a line of it! Mrs. Rhett would +never approve." + +"I did hear what you told Sergeant Gray," replied Penny with dignity. +"However, any report to the police is a matter of public record. It is +for our editor to decide whether or not to use the story." + +Behind thick glasses, Mr. Potts' watery eyes glinted angrily. He appeared +on the verge of ordering the girl from the bank, but with an obvious +effort regained control of his temper, and said curtly: + +"If you must write a story, mind you keep the facts straight. Mr. Rhett +hasn't been seen in nine days and that's all I know. He may return +tomorrow. He may never appear." + +"Then you believe he's been kidnapped?" Penny asked. + +"I don't know. There's been no ransom demand." + +"Perhaps he absconded with the $250,000 in bonds." + +"Don't quote me as making such a statement even if it should prove true! +Mr. Rhett is a wealthy man--or rather, he acquired a fortune when he +married a rich widow who set him up here as bank president. But don't +quote me on that either!" he exclaimed as Penny jotted down a few notes. +"Leave my name out of it entirely!" + +"Let's have a look at Mr. Rhett's office," proposed Sergeant Gray. + +"Follow me, please." + +His poise regained, Albert Potts led the way down the gallery to a large, +spacious office room. On the polished mahogany desk rested a picture of +an attractive woman in her early forties whom Penny guessed to be Mrs. +Rhett. A door opened from the office into a directors' room, and another +onto a narrow outdoor balcony overlooking Front Street. + +Sergeant Gray and the patrolman made a thorough inspection of the two +rooms and Mr. Rhett's desk. + +"When last I saw the bonds, Mr. Rhett had them in the top drawer," the +secretary volunteered eagerly. "He should have returned them to the +vault, but he failed to do so. Now they're gone." + +"Then you examined the desk?" + +"Oh, yes, I considered it my duty." + +While Penny remained in the background, Sergeant Gray asked Mr. Potts a +number of questions about the bank president's habits, and particularly +his recent visitors. The secretary, whose fund of information seemed +inexhaustible, had ready answers at the tip of his tongue. He even +produced a memo pad upon which the names of several persons had been +written. + +"These were Mr. Rhett's visitors on his last day here," he explained. "So +far as I know, all were business acquaintances." + +Writing down the names for future checking, Sergeant Gray inquired if Mr. +Rhett had disagreed with any of the callers. + +"A quarrel, you mean?" Mr. Potts hesitated, then answered with +reluctance. "Only with his wife." + +"Mrs. Rhett came to the bank the day your employer last was seen?" + +"Yes, they were to have had lunch together. She came late and they +quarreled about Mr. Rhett's work here in the bank. Finally she went away +alone." + +"You heard the conversation between them?" + +"Well, no," Albert Potts said quickly. "Naturally I tried not to listen, +but I did hear some of it." + +"Mrs. Rhett may be able to explain her husband's absence," commented +Sergeant Gray. + +"She refused me any information when I telephoned. That was one reason I +decided to notify the police. The loss of $250,000 could be very +embarrassing to the bank." + +"Who owns the bonds?" + +"They belong to the Fred Harrington estate, 2756 Brightdale Avenue. If +they aren't produced soon, there will be trouble. I've worked here for 15 +years. You don't think anyone could possibly blame me, do you?" + +The sergeant gave him a quick glance, but made no reply as he reexamined +the mahogany desk. Finding nothing of interest, he slammed the top drawer +shut. + +From the back of the desk, a piece of paper fluttered to the floor, +almost at Penny's feet. Evidently it had jarred from the rear side of an +overflowing drawer, or had been held between desk and plaster wall. + +Without thinking, Penny stooped to retrieve the sheet. She glanced at it +carelessly, and then with a shock of surprise, really studied it. Drawn +across the center of the paper in black and red ink was a crude but +sinister-looking winged serpent. + +Raising her eyes, Penny saw Albert Potts' cold gaze upon her. Was it +imagination or did his shriveled face mirror fear? + +"What have you there?" he demanded. + +Penny gave the paper to Sergeant Gray. Mr. Potts moved quickly forward, +to peer over the man's shoulder. + +"A plumed serpent!" he exclaimed. + +"And read the words beneath it," directed Penny. + +Under the drawing in a cramped hand, had been scribbled: "_This shall be +the end._" + + + + + CHAPTER + 2 + _AN UNEXPLAINED DISAPPEARANCE_ + + +Sergeant Gray studied the strange drawing for a moment and then said to +Albert Potts: "Can you explain the meaning of this picture? And the words +written beneath it?" + +For the first time since the start of the interview, the bank secretary +seemed at a loss for words. Finally he stammered: "Why, no--I've never +seen the drawing before. I don't know how it got into Mr. Rhett's desk." + +"You seemed to recognize the picture," interposed Penny. "At least you +called it a plumed serpent." + +"It is the symbol of an ancient cult, or at least that is what I take it +to be. I've seen similar drawings in library books." + +"And the writing beneath it?" probed the sergeant. + +"I am not sure," the secretary murmured, ill at ease. "It slightly +resembles Mr. Rhett's writing." + +"You say you can't explain how the paper came to be in Mr. Rhett's desk?" + +"My employer's private life is none of my concern." + +"What do you mean--his private life?" + +"Well, I hadn't intended to tell you this," Potts said unwillingly. "The +truth is, Mr. Rhett was a strange man. He had queer interests and +hobbies. I have been told he collects weird trophies of ancient cults." + +"Then this drawing probably has a connection with your employer's hobby?" + +"I wouldn't know," shrugged Potts. "If it weren't for the handwriting, I +might think someone had sent a warning to him. As it is, I'm completely +in the dark." + +"Mr. Rhett had enemies?" + +"He was a ruthless man and many persons disliked him. His friends were +queer too. He preferred low class persons to people of culture and +refinement. Why, only two days before his disappearance, he deliberately +kept one of our largest stockholders waiting an hour while he chatted +with a building porter! It was very humiliating! I had to tell Mrs. Biggs +he was in conference, but I think she suspected the truth." + +"Do you have a photograph of Mr. Rhett?" the sergeant asked. + +"I deeply regret I haven't. For that matter, I never have seen a picture +of him." + +"But you can describe the man?" + +"Oh, yes. He is forty-five, though he looks older. His hair is gray at +the temples. He wore an expensive tailored suit--brown, I believe. One of +the most distinguishing marks I should say, is a scar on his left cheek." + +"I'll send one of the detectives around," Sergeant Gray promised. He had +completed his investigation and with the other patrolman, started to +leave the office. + +Albert Potts drew a deep breath and seemed to relax. Only then did it +occur to Penny that throughout the greater part of the interview he had +stood in front of the outside balcony door, as if to shield it from +attention. + +Taking the plumed serpent drawing with them, Sergeant Gray and the +patrolman left the office. Penny lingered, intending to ask Albert Potts +a few questions about Mr. Rhett. But the man gave her no opportunity. + +Barely had the others gone when he turned toward her, making no effort to +mask his dislike. + +"Now will you get out of here?" he demanded. + +His tone annoyed Penny, and perversely made her determined to take her +time in leaving. Deliberately she sidled over to the balcony door. + +"Where does this lead?" she inquired. + +"Outside." + +Penny opened the door, but Potts immediately barred the way. + +"There's nothing there except a balcony! Just get out of this office so I +can lock up and go home! I've had a hard day, and you're making it +worse!" + +For a reason she could not have explained, Penny felt a deep urge to +annoy the nervous little man further. Ignoring his protests, she pushed +past him out onto the balcony. + +Guarded by a high iron railing and fence, it extended for perhaps fifty +feet along several offices. At each end, projecting from the sloping +slate roof, was a grotesque decorative gargoyle. + +"You see!" rasped Potts. "There's nothing here. Now are you satisfied?" + +The gargoyle near the door had drawn Penny's attention. Its carved stone +body angled out from the building, terminating in a horned animal head +with massive open jaws. + +"Will it bite?" Grinning impishly at Potts she started to thrust an arm +between the stone teeth. + +To her astonishment, he suddenly seized her and gave her a hard shove +through the doorway into Mr. Rhett's office. She resisted and he +immediately released her. But he locked the balcony door. + +"You're driving me crazy!" he cried furiously. "Now get out of here! +Unless you do--" + +Potts was such a ridiculous little fellow that Penny could not be afraid +of him. However, she decided that her joke had been carried a trifle too +far. + +"Okay, I'm going," she muttered. "Thanks for all your courtesy." + +"Mind you print only the truth in your paper," Potts hurled after her as +she went out the door. "If you don't, you may have a lawsuit on your +hands!" + +Penny reached the street to find that the police car had gone and Louise +was nowhere to be seen. Deciding that her chum had grown tired of +waiting, she hastened to a nearby drugstore to telephone the _Star_ +office. + +Editor DeWitt answered, and Penny gave him the story straight and fast. + +"Hamilton Rhett, the banker!" he exclaimed. "Sure you got the name +right?" + +"Positive!" + +"This is apt to be a big story, especially if the man was kidnapped or +walked off with the bonds! Grab a taxi and run out to the Rhett estate. +Get all the dope you can from Mrs. Rhett, and don't forget pictures! +We'll want one of Rhett. Better take all she has of him to keep the +_Times_ from getting them! Got that straight?" + +"I think so." + +"Okay, go right to town on the old gal and learn everything you can about +her quarrel with Rhett! I'll send a photographer out there as soon as I +can round one up." + +Penny felt a trifle weak as she hung up the receiver. Editor DeWitt took +it for granted she would bring in a bang-up story when she returned to +the newspaper office. But from what she had learned of Mrs. Rhett, she +surmised that an interview might not be granted willingly. + +Looking up the address of the Rhett estate, Penny hailed a passing taxi. +As the cab sped along the winding river boulevard, she speculated upon +how best to approach Mrs. Rhett. + +"I wish I were more experienced as a reporter," she thought, nervously +examining her pocketbook to be certain she had paper and pencil. +"Something tells me this story will be hard to get." + +The only daughter of a distinguished newspaper owner and publisher, Penny +considered herself an essential part of the _Star_ office. Even as a +youngster in pigtails, she had haunted the big noisy newsroom, pecking at +the typewriters and making a pest of herself. + +From her father, Editor DeWitt, Jerry Livingston, a star reporter, and +the printers who adored her, the alert girl had gleaned much useful +information. But there were yawning gaps in her newspaper experience. No +one realized it better than she. + +Gazing thoughtfully toward the river, Penny recalled the first story she +ever had written, carried in the paper under the title, "Tale of the +Witch Doll." Another yarn, "The Vanishing Houseboat," also had been +bannered across the front page of the _Star_, but in acquiring that story +Penny and Jerry had nearly lost their lives. + +Slight wonder that Mrs. Maud Weems, the Parker housekeeper, was reluctant +to see the girl she loved so dearly take up a journalistic career. Sadly +she declared that Penny's nose for news and mystery would lead her into +serious trouble. Mr. Parker, however, did not worry. "Penny has good +horse sense," he said. "And she was born with printer's ink in her blood +stream!" + +The taxi stopped with a jerk in front of a large red brick mansion. Large +acreage was enclosed by a wooden rail fence flanked by tall untrimmed +bushes. + +"Shall I wait?" inquired the cab driver as Penny alighted. + +She shook her head, started to pay him, then thought of a better idea. +"Charge this to the _Star_," she instructed. + +The cab driver looked a trifle worried as if he were fearful of losing +the fare, so Penny flashed her press card again. It worked like magic. + +"Okay, a charge it is," he agreed. He shifted gears and drove away. + +No sooner had Penny dismissed the cab than she regretted it. Although she +expected to catch a ride with the _Star_ photographer back to the paper, +the mansion had a deserted look. As she walked up the gravel path, she +noticed that many of the shades were drawn. + +"There's no one here," she thought. "I've wasted my time coming." + +Nevertheless, Penny walked on to the front door to ring the doorbell. +Instead she found a brass knocker in the shape of an ugly carved face. +She stared at it a moment, then let it fall against the brass plate. + +As Penny had feared, no one came to admit her. She was turning away in +defeat, when she fancied she saw a shade move in one of the upstairs +rooms. Encouraged, she knocked again. + +Still there was no answer, but distinctly she saw the curtain flutter. +Stepping back a pace, she gazed upward. + +A dark face was visible in a circular window of one of the tower rooms. +For a moment appraising eyes focused upon her. Then the curtain jerked +convulsively, and the man was gone. + + + + + CHAPTER + 3 + _A THATCHED ROOF COTTAGE_ + + +Satisfied that the house was not deserted, Penny hammered harder on the +massive oaken door with the brass knocker. Still no one came to admit +her. + +"Someone is here," she thought, intensely annoyed. "Well, if he can be +stubborn, so can I! I'll make such a nuisance of myself, they'll have to +let me in." + +She hammered steadily with the knocker for a half minute, then she +experimented with pattern knocks, in interesting combinations of dots and +dashes. + +Suddenly, the window above her head flew open, and the same dark-faced +man peered angrily down at her. + +"What you want?" he demanded in an unpleasant voice. + +"Why, I should like to see Mrs. Rhett," Penny replied politely. "She's +here, isn't she?" + +"Maybe she is, maybe she isn't," was the sharp retort. "Who are you?" + +Resenting the man's unfriendly attitude, Penny nevertheless answered that +she was from the _Riverview Star_ and desired to interview Mrs. Rhett +about her missing husband. + +"Madam not seeing anyone. Go 'way now!" + +The window slammed shut. + +Convinced that the man, evidently a servant, had acted upon instructions +from Mrs. Rhett, Penny wondered what to do. She considered returning to +the _Star_ office to explain to Editor DeWitt. + +But in Mr. DeWitt's dictionary there was no such word as failure. He +would cock an eyebrow at her, growl: "So you couldn't get in, eh?" and +promptly send a more aggressive reporter to the mansion. + +"I could force my way in, but that's trespassing," she reflected with +deepening gloom. "If I were thrown into jail, Mr. DeWitt probably +wouldn't even bother to bail me out! He'd say I didn't use my head in an +emergency." + +Penny decided to wait for the _Star_ photographer, who also had been sent +out. In a tight pinch, photographers nearly always could come up with a +picture. Between them they might think of a means of getting into the +mansion. + +"I hope Salt Sommers is sent here," she thought. "He's a good scout. +He'll help me get the story." + +Penny glanced hopefully toward the highway, but the press car was not to +be seen. With a sigh, she slowly circled the house. + +The building, no longer new, once had been one of Riverview's finest +homes. Now the red brick exterior had become discolored, and trees and +bushes disclosed lack of skilled care. A hedge flanking the walk had been +trimmed unevenly. The lawn was badly mowed, with many weeds going to +seed. + +Nevertheless, the estate was impressive, and Penny walked along a sloping +path to a pool of water lilies. Seating herself on the cement rim, she +dabbled her hand in the water. A moment later, raising her eyes, she +caught a flash of color at one of the mansion windows. + +"I'm being watched," she thought. "Perhaps if I poke around here long +enough, Mrs. Rhett will decide to see me." + +However, there was no further movement at the window, and presently Penny +wandered around to the rear of the house. Two interesting architectural +features drew her attention. At each side of the house were circular +tower rooms, each with two tiny round windows which resembled human eyes. + +From the rear of the mansion, several paths led in diverse directions. +One, which was weed-choked, apparently angled toward the river beach. +Years before, when the Heights Yacht Club had been in operation, many +sailboats plied the waters at this particular point. + +Now, except for an occasional fisherman, few boats ever came so far +upstream. As the once fine neighborhood had deteriorated, householders +gradually had moved away. Penny judged that the Rhetts, isolated from +their neighbors, probably were the only socially prominent people +remaining. + +Selecting a path which led away from the river, deeper into the grounds, +Penny presently found herself some distance from the road and the +boundary fences. + +Hedging the cinder trail were high, untrimmed bushes which completely +screened her view. After walking a short distance, she paused, uncertain +whether to keep on or return to the road. + +"This exploration isn't helping me get a story," she reflected. "If the +_Star_ photographer should come while I'm here, I might miss him." + +However, the trail had a fascination for Penny and she was reluctant to +turn back. In a tiny clearing a short distance ahead, she saw what +appeared to be a thatched roof cottage. Only a moment or two would be +required to investigate it, she thought. Then she would return to the +road to await the photographer. + +As Penny started eagerly on, she stubbed the toe of her shoe on a stone, +and nearly tripped. By quick footwork, she saved herself a fall, but as +she paused to recover breath, she plainly saw the bushes at the left hand +side of the trail move convulsively. Only a slight breeze had rippled the +tree leaves. + +Penny was certain that someone stood behind the bush, watching her +movements. + +"Probably it's that dark skinned man who called to me from the window," +she thought. + +The knowledge that she was a trespasser on the Rhett property made Penny +slightly uneasy. Likewise, it was unnerving to know that her every move +was being watched. Admitting to herself that she should turn back, she +nevertheless kept on down the path. + +Without appearing to do so, she kept her eyes on the bushes at the left +hand side of the trail. Now and then a slight jerk of the foliage +convinced her that the one who watched was following and keeping pace +with her. + +Penny hastened her steps as she moved through a cool, densely shaded +woodland. Frost had tinted many of the leaves with red and gold, but the +arresting beauty of the foliage was completely lost upon her. She was +only aware of those soft footsteps behind her. + +Then unexpectedly, Penny came to the clearing. Scarcely seventy-five +yards ahead, stood the thatched roof cottage which had attracted her +interest from afar. + +So quaint was the building that for a moment she gave it her entire +attention, forgetting the one who watched from the bushes. + +From where she stood, the cottage appeared to be about the size of a +large room, and resembled a native hut. No windows were visible. The door +was closed, and across it was painted in black and red a symbol which +even from afar could be distinguished as a serpent-like figure. + +The cottage fascinated Penny. At first glance she assumed it to be a +large playhouse, but the serpent painting convinced her the building +never had been intended for use of children. + +A garden or tool house perhaps? She dismissed the thought as quickly as +it came. Into her mind flashed a recollection of the drawing that had +fallen from Mr. Rhett's desk in the First National Bank. The paper had +borne a plumed serpent, apparently a counterpart of the painting on the +door of the thatched roof cottage! + +Forgetful of the person who crouched in the bushes, Penny started eagerly +forward, intending to examine the strange drawing at close range. +Something whizzed past her, to embed itself in a tree trunk six inches +from her head. + +Brought up short, she saw that it was an arrow which had narrowly missed +her. Had it been shot from the bushes behind her, and by the person who +had stealthily followed her along the trail? + +In cold fury, Penny jerked the arrow from the tree. Only then did she +notice a folded sheet of notebook paper attached to it with a bit of +string. She broke the knot and freed the paper. Across its crumbled face +had been penciled a message. The lead had smeared and the words were hard +to read. But she made them out. + +The warning note said: "Do not approach the thatched roof cottage. To do +so is to endanger your life." + + + + + CHAPTER + 4 + _BEHIND THE BUSHES_ + + +Having read the warning message, Penny whirled around to gaze toward the +bushes on the left side of the path. All now was still, with not the +slightest movement of leaves to reveal the presence of the one who had +shot the arrow. + +"It's that man who talked so unpleasantly to me from the mansion window!" +she thought. "Why, he might have struck me with the arrow! I'll put an +end to his target practice!" + +Acting impulsively, she made a sudden dive for the bushes, jerking them +apart to expose the one who had followed her. No one was there. + +The grass, however, was trampled, and some distance away, she heard a +scurry of footsteps. + +"Trying to get away!" she thought grimly. "Not if I can prevent it! I'll +have it out with him and learn why he's warning me my life is +endangered!" + +The footsteps fast were dying away. Listening intently, Penny decided +that the person who had shot the arrow was stealing through the bushes +toward the river path. + +Seeking the intersection of the two paths, the girl stole noiselessly +down the cindered trail sloping toward the beach. She had guessed +correctly. In a moment she heard an agitation in the bushes nearby and +knew that the person she sought was struggling through a tangle of +underbrush. + +Soon the bushes parted and a thin girl in blue shirt and slacks stepped +out onto the cindered path. In one hand she carried an Indian bow with a +quiver of arrows, while with the other, she brushed dry leaves from her +long, dark hair. + +Having expected to see a man, Penny was startled. As she opened her lips +to speak, the girl saw her and was brought up short. She gasped in +dismay, turned, and with astonishing speed darted down the path leading +to the beach. + +"Wait!" called Penny. + +Keeping her face down, the girl raced on. + +Determining that she should not escape without an explanation, Penny gave +chase. The runner had an excellent start, but on coming to a series of +wooden steps, her heel caught in a small hole. Down she went, and before +she could arise, Penny had overtaken her. + +Observing that the fall had not injured the girl, she said sternly: + +"Now little Miss Robin Hood, will you kindly explain why you tried to +exterminate me with that arrow?" + +Sitting up, the girl ruefully rubbed an ankle and gazed at Penny with +hostile brown eyes. + +"Don't be ridiculous!" she retorted. "I had no intention of hitting you. +My aim is perfect." + +"Modest, at any rate," observed Penny, smiling despite a determination to +appear very stern. "You did write the warning note?" + +"Naturally." + +"Why, may I ask?" + +"Because in the first place, you have no business being on our property. +Secondly, I didn't want you to go to the thatched roof cottage." + +"May I ask your name?" + +"I'm Lorinda Rhett." + +"Hamilton Rhett's daughter!" + +"Stepdaughter," the girl corrected. + +"You're just the person I want to see!" exclaimed Penny, overjoyed at her +good fortune. "Your stepfather--" + +"I'll answer no questions about him," the girl interrupted. "You may as +well spare your breath. Mother and I want no reporters here." + +"So you know who I am?" + +"How could one help knowing? You nearly broke our door down with your +pounding, and I heard you talking to Antón." + +"Your servant?" + +"My stepfather's," Lorinda corrected with a slight inflection which +suggested that she did not entirely approve of Antón. "Now will you stop +asking questions and go away?" + +"All in good time. First, I'm relieved to know that the thatched cottage +isn't really dangerous. You only wrote that to be rid of me." + +Lorinda gave her a long, steady look but said not a word. + +"Or perhaps there is some mystery about the cottage," Penny went on. +"After all, your stepfather's disappearance was very queer. But the +police, no doubt, will get at the bottom of it when they come here." + +Lorinda scrambled to her feet. "The police!" she gasped. "We'll not have +them here prying around!" + +"Whether or not you like it, I'm afraid you will have the police on your +doorstep. A man of Mr. Rhett's prominence can't disappear without a few +questions being asked." + +Lorinda lost much of her defiance. "But this is our own private affair," +she protested. "My stepfather will return--at least, I think he will." + +"And the missing bonds?" + +"Missing bonds?" + +"Didn't Albert Potts, the bank secretary, inform your mother that +$250,000 in negotiable securities also had disappeared?" + +"Why, no! At least I knew nothing of it! Surely you don't think my +stepfather would stoop to the theft of bank securities?" + +"I have no opinion in the matter. I'm merely here to get the true story. +For some reason you and your mother have been unwilling to cooperate." + +Lorinda did not reply, but seemed to be thinking deeply. + +"Do you have any idea where your stepfather is now?" Penny inquired, +hoping that a direct approach might glean information. + +"No, of course not." + +"You haven't seen him for the past ten days?" + +"That is true," Lorinda acknowledged with great reluctance. "But it's not +so unusual. My stepfather frequently goes away on trips." + +"Without telling anyone where he is going?" + +"I'll not answer that question," Lorinda said with a proud uptilt of her +chin. + +"I'm afraid you don't like reporters very well," observed Penny +pleasantly. "Nor do you seem especially fond of your stepfather." + +"That's not true! I do like my stepfather. Why, he was the one who taught +me how to shoot with a bow and arrow! He gave me this bow which is a +valuable collector's item!" + +She offered it to Penny who inspected the fine workmanship with keen +interest. + +"Mr. Rhett is a collector?" she inquired. + +"Yes, he's traveled all over the world, but most of his time was spent in +the jungles of Africa, Brazil, and other places in South America. That +was before he married Mother, of course." + +"Your stepfather was especially interested in ancient religious cults?" + +"He made a study of it, and for a year gathered material by living in the +jungle." Lorinda suddenly broke off, aware that she was warming to Penny +and telling her entirely too much. + +"Then it was your father who built the thatched roof cottage?" + +"Please, let's not talk about it," Lorinda pleaded. "I don't like to be +unfriendly or impolite, but you must understand there are things I can't +tell you, and which must never be published." + +Taking the ancient bow from Penny's hand, the girl started up the path, +limping a trifle on her twisted ankle. + +"Only one more question, Lorinda. Please tell me the truth. Why were you +afraid to have me investigate the thatched roof cottage?" + +The girl paused on the path, gazing at Penny quite pathetically. + +"Don't ask me to tell you any more," she whispered. "The cottage is a +place of evil omen. Truly, I did you a favor in warning you away." + +"I saw a painting on the door--that of a winged or plumed serpent. Will +you explain its significance?" + +"I only know that my stepfather had it painted there when the cottage was +built soon after his marriage to my mother. It is a symbol of one of the +ancient cults he studied. Many of his trophies bear the same picture." + +The information was a little disappointing to Penny. "Then I suppose the +drawing that the police found in Mr. Rhett's office had no great +significance," she remarked. + +"Drawing?" + +Penny described the serpent picture which had been found, adding: "On the +sheet were written the words: 'This shall be the end.'" + +"You are certain?" + +"Oh, yes, I saw the paper myself." + +Lorinda was visibly disturbed. "I must see that writing! It may mean--" +she broke off and amended: "Tell me, where is the paper now?" + +"The police have it." + +"Oh!" + +"Why do you seem to fear the police?" inquired Penny curiously. + +"I am not afraid of them--certainly not. It's just that Mother and I +prefer to keep our lives private. Facts can be so easily misinterpreted." + +"Your reluctance to assist the police also can be misinterpreted," said +Penny. "For instance, it seems strange to me that your stepfather's +disappearance doesn't seem to disturb you." + +"Oh, it does! It's only--well, there are things I can't tell you without +my mother's permission. My stepfather is queer. Mother and I never liked +his interest in weird cult practices. He had so many strange +acquaintances and ties with the past. We always were afraid something +dreadful might happen." + +"Then he may have met foul play?" + +"I don't know what to think," Lorinda said miserably. "A ten-day +disappearance is not so serious. My stepfather occasionally went away +before without telling us, though never for such a long period. If it +weren't for the paper found in his desk, and the missing bonds, I would +say it's much ado about nothing." + +"As it is--?" + +"The loss of $250,000 could be a very serious matter. Tell me, what is +your name?" + +"Penny Parker." + +"You're here only to get a story for your paper?" + +"That was why I came, but since meeting you I truthfully can say I also +am very much interested in helping you if possible." + +"I like you," Lorinda declared with a quick smile. "I'm sorry about the +arrow. And I was very rude." + +"Not at all. I deliberately egged you on, hoping you would tell me about +your stepfather. I was sent here to get a picture of him, and I hate to +fail." + +"A picture? Mother has one, but I doubt that she would permit you to use +it." Lorinda considered a moment, then added: "Tell you what! I'll take +you to her, and perhaps, if you're a convincing talker, she'll agree to +your request." + +"Oh, Lorinda, that's fine!" + +The Rhett girl linked arms with Penny as they trudged up the path to the +house. + +"Don't count your chickens just yet," she warned. "Mother doesn't like +reporters. It will be sheer luck if she gives you the picture or any +information you can use in the paper." + + + + + CHAPTER + 5 + _AN EVIL CHARM_ + + +"Mother has disliked reporters ever since she married my stepfather, two +years ago," Lorinda confided as the girls approached the house. "We were +in the Eastern part of the country at the time, and papers played up the +story, suggesting that Mr. Rhett was a fortune hunter." + +"Then he had no money of his own?" + +"Not a great deal. You see, my stepfather loved travel, and until he met +Mother he never really settled down. He made a little by writing magazine +articles, and he spent it roving about the country and exploring far +corners of the world." + +"It must have been an interesting life," Penny commented politely. "Your +mother enjoyed travel too?" + +"Oh, mercy no! One hardly can get her away from Riverview. She and my +stepfather never traveled together after they were married." + +Penny gathered that Mr. and Mrs. Rhett were entirely different types of +individuals, but she asked no additional questions, for by this time, the +girls had reached the house. + +Crossing a stone terrace at the rear of the dwelling, they entered a +spacious living room furnished with elegant though formal furniture. +Shades were partially drawn, giving the interior a gloomy atmosphere, +despite the vases of brightly colored chrysanthemums which decorated the +tables. + +A woman with dark hair tinged with gray sat reading a book. She was +immaculately groomed, every curl of an elaborate hair-do in place, but +her face lacked tranquility. Her eyes were not on the page before her, +Penny noted, and as the two girls came in, she visibly started. + +"Oh, it's you, Lorinda," she murmured in relief. "I declare, I am getting +jumpy! For a moment I thought it might be the police or that inquisitive +reporter--" + +"Mother," interposed Lorinda hastily, "allow me to present Penny Parker, +from the _Riverview Star_." + +Mrs. Rhett laid aside the book and stared at Penny, her face without +expression. Her voice was cold as she spoke. + +"From the _Star_? Lorinda, I am _very_ sorry, but you know my feeling in +this matter." + +"Penny really is very nice, Mother," Lorinda said, flashing her companion +an encouraging smile. "She didn't want to come out here and question us +about father, but the editor sent her. He wants a picture, too." + +Mrs. Rhett arose to terminate an interview which had never really begun. +"I am sorry," she repeated with emphasis. "There are to be no pictures +taken." + +"The editor especially wanted a photograph of your husband," Penny said. +"By publishing it in the paper, it may be easier to trace him." + +"Miss Parker," replied Mrs. Rhett pleasantly but with no warmth, "if I +need assistance in locating my husband I shall request it. Meanwhile, I +do wish people would not concern themselves with our affairs." + +"Mother, we may not be able to avoid publicity," Lorinda rushed on. +"There's likely to be a scandal. You see, $250,000 in negotiable bonds +disappeared from the bank." + +For a moment, Mrs. Rhett did not speak. A dagger-type paper cutter lay on +the polished table beside her. Nervously her fingers closed upon it, and +unaware of the act, she jabbed the sharp point several times through a +lace doily centerpiece. + +"Mother, you're ruining that!" + +Mrs. Rhett dropped the paper cutter, which clattered on the table and +tumbled to the floor. Without picking it up, she moved restlessly to the +window, only to return. + +"What were you saying about $250,000 in bonds, Lorinda?" she asked. +"Surely you didn't mean--" + +"I only know what Penny told me. Soon after Father disappeared, Albert +Potts discovered the bonds also were missing." + +"There can be no connection. Why, even the suggestion that my husband +would steal is ridiculous! It's preposterous!" + +"No one has accused your husband," Penny said quietly. "Perhaps the bonds +will be found. Now that the police have stepped into the case, there +should be developments." + +"The police," repeated Mrs. Rhett with a shiver. "Oh, dear, must we +suffer their interference!" + +A telephone in an adjoining room rang and Lorinda started to answer it. +But her mother signalled to her. + +"Let it go, Lorinda. It may be the police now, or another reporter. We'll +have nothing to say." + +The telephone rang again. Footsteps were heard down a hallway and a +well-built, dark-skinned house-worker of middle age padded into the room. +She gazed with intent curiosity at Penny as she started toward the +library to answer the phone. + +"No, let it ring, Celeste," Mrs. Rhett directed. "And if anyone comes to +the door asking for me, remember, I am not at home." + +"Yes'm," mumbled the housekeeper. She bent to pick up the paper cutter +from the floor and as she did so an object which was tied about her neck +with a cord and kept hidden beneath her starched uniform, swung into +view. + +Penny obtained only a fleeting glimpse of the curious article, for the +woman hastily thrust it into her dress front again. However, it appeared +to be a tiny packet of cloth. + +Lorinda also had observed the object. Fixing the woman with a stern gaze +she said: "Celeste, you're wearing one of those heathenish _ouange_ +charms again! You promised Mother you wouldn't!" + +"This only keeps away bad sickness," the woman retorted, with a slight +accent which nevertheless made her words hard to understand. "A good +_ouange_. Now that my master is away, you are not to tell me what to do." + +"Lorinda, don't plague her," Mrs. Rhett said wearily. "We have enough +trouble as it is. Let her wear the charm, or a dozen of them, if it gives +her any satisfaction." + +Lorinda subsided into injured silence, while Celeste flashed a triumphant +smile. + +Mrs. Rhett turned again to Penny. In a tone which could be interpreted +only as a final dismissal she said: "I am sorry, Miss Parker, that I +cannot help you. At present I do not know my husband's whereabouts or why +he went away. If you will excuse me now, I shall go to my room for a +rest." + +With dignity she crossed the living room to a handsome circular stairway +with a railing of polished mahogany. Her head held proudly, she presented +a regal figure as she slowly climbed the steps. + +But half way up, she suddenly halted, her body jerking taut. Uttering a +low cry which was almost a scream, she stared at an object lying on the +step in front of her. + +"Why, Mother! What's wrong?" cried Lorinda. + +With Penny and Celeste, she hastened to the staircase. Mrs. Rhett's face +was as colorless as if she had seen a ghost. Her lips trembled. Without +speaking, she pointed to the stair carpet. + +There at her feet lay two burnt match ends tied together with a bit of +scarlet string. + +"An _ouange_! An evil _ouange_!" whispered Celeste in horror. + +Lorinda turned upon her angrily. + +"Celeste, don't say such things! You know how nervous Mother is, and how +easily she becomes upset! If this is one of your charms--" + +"No! No!" the woman protested. She stared fixedly at the object on the +floor. "This charm is not mine and it is not Antón's!" + +"Then how did it get here?" + +"I do not know. It is a sign of evil--a sign of death." + +"Superstition!" exclaimed Lorinda. + +Mrs. Rhett started on up the stairs, but as she would have stepped over +the burned matches, Celeste seized her by the skirt, pulling her +backwards. Frightened, the woman screamed and fell heavily against the +wall. + +Celeste kept her from collapsing, all the while muttering words Penny +could not understand. + +"Stop that gibberish!" Lorinda commanded. + +Mrs. Rhett broke away from Celeste, and with an hysterical cry, moved +down the stairway and into the library. Though she closed the door behind +her, the girls could hear her sobs. + +"Now see what you've done!" Lorinda accused Celeste. + +The woman paid no attention to her. Bending over the match sticks, she +swayed back and forth as she muttered a strange chant. As Lorinda sought +to pick up the charm, Celeste struck her wrist a sharp blow. + +"Fool!" she exclaimed. "Would you let your mother die a slow and painful +death? Do not touch this thing of evil until I have finished! If she had +stepped over it, nothing would have saved her." + +Celeste kept on with her mutterings until at last she was through. "I +have done all I can," she said with a deep sigh. Gingerly she picked up +the match ends and, dropping them into the living room fireplace, saw +them consumed by flame. + +"Now what is all this stupidity about Mother dying a slow death?" Lorinda +demanded sternly. "How did that thing get into this house, and what does +it mean?" + +"How it came here I do not know," replied the woman. "Its meaning is +simple. In the jungles such symbols are sometimes placed on new graves, +that the departing spirit may kindle a little fire and warm its cold +hands in the other world." + +"That's enough!" interrupted Lorinda. "Don't tell me any more. It's all +so silly." + +"It is the truth." + +"Well, true or false, Mother is not to be told such nonsense. She's upset +enough as it is." + +"Your mother already knows," said the housekeeper. "That is why she +weeps. She fears that even now the spell is upon her." + +"Celeste, you must be out of your mind!" Lorinda cried in exasperation. +"You never said such dreadful things or acted like this when Father was +here. What has taken possession of you?" + +"I fear for the family. It bodes ill that my master should remain away. +If only the Zudi drum were out of the house--destroyed--" + +Lorinda's patience had been overtaxed. "The Zudi drum!" she cried. "Oh, +Celeste, you're impossible! Go find Antón and if you must, talk such +nonsense to him! But not another word of it before us! Do you +understand?" + +Celeste stood facing the two girls defiantly. Her eyes burned with an +angry fire, and Penny expected her to make a bitter retort to Lorinda. +Instead, she seemed to withdraw into herself, and with downcast head, +scurried toward the kitchen. + + + + + CHAPTER + 6 + _MATCHES AND STRING_ + + +After Celeste had gone, Lorinda went quickly to the library. Speaking +soothingly to her mother, she urged her to go upstairs and lie down. + +"That dreadful thing on the steps!" Mrs. Rhett exclaimed with a shudder. +"Celeste jerked me back to keep me from walking past it, didn't she? The +charm has an evil significance--perhaps that I shall have a long +lingering illness or die." + +"You know better than that, Mother. It's all superstitious rot! What ever +gave you such an idea?" + +"Why, I don't really know, Lorinda. I suppose Hamilton told me about the +charm long ago. When I saw it on the step it gave me a deep shock and I +seemed to realize that it had been put there for me alone to find. +Lorinda, what if it should be a native death charm?" + +"Mother, I won't allow you to even think of such foolishness! You're just +upset because Father isn't here." + +"Yes, that must be it," Mrs. Rhett declared with a heavy sigh. "I have +such a headache. I'll go to my room now and try to sleep." + +Lorinda took her arm and helped her up the stairway. As they came to the +step where the burnt matches had been, Mrs. Rhett glanced down and +shivered. Then she laughed apologetically. + +"It really is silly of me to let a little thing upset me so," she +declared. "I'll be myself again as soon as I have slept." + +After helping her mother into bed, Lorinda returned to the living room +where Penny had waited. + +"I do hope you won't put any of this in the paper," she began earnestly. +"People wouldn't understand." + +"I'm afraid I don't myself," said Penny. "For instance, what did Celeste +mean when she spoke of the Zudi drum? And who is she anyhow?" + +"Oh, I forgot to tell you! Celeste and her husband Antón, are a couple my +stepfather brought to this country after spending a year studying ancient +cult practices. Celeste befriended him, I believe, and helped him gain +information about the tribesmen. Anyway, Father took a fancy to her, and +persuaded the couple to come with him." + +"That was before he married your mother?" + +"Oh, yes. After the wedding, my stepfather was unwilling to let Celeste +and Antón go, so Mother agreed that they might work here. Antón is a +worthless servant. He allows the grounds to run down shamefully, and the +only time he ever really works is when someone stands over him!" + +"And Celeste?" + +"Oh, she is a hard worker, but I confess I don't understand her," Lorinda +replied. "We disliked each other on sight. In a way, I'm a little afraid +of her." + +"Why?" + +"I can't explain." Lorinda stirred restlessly. "She makes me feel uneasy +whenever I am near her--almost as if I were in the presence of Black +Magic." + +At Penny's expression of astonishment, she amended hastily: "Oh, I don't +mean that exactly. Celeste is devoted to my stepfather and I'm sure only +means to be helpful. But the truth is, she's steeped in a mysterious and +not too wholesome past. Superstition is the breath of life to her." + +"How did the match ends get on the stairway?" + +"I wish I knew." Lorinda's forehead wrinkled with anxiety. "Celeste may +have told the truth when she said neither she nor Antón had anything to +do with it." + +"Then how was the charm brought into the house?" + +"My stepfather had enemies. Something tells me all this may have a +connection with the Zudi drum." + +"Didn't Celeste suggest that idea to you? She hinted that the +drum--whatever it is--should be removed from the house." + +"I can see myself getting rid of the Zudi drum! Why, it is my +stepfather's most prized trophy! He took it from a native tribe, and as +you might imagine, there was plenty of trouble!" + +"Your stepfather didn't steal the drum?" + +"Not exactly, though tribesmen may have regarded it that way. The drum +was used in ceremonials and was highly treasured by natives. Father tried +to buy it. When he couldn't, he left money and trinkets and carried off +the drum. Natives pursued him for more than a hundred miles, but he got +away." + +"And your stepfather has the drum now?" + +"Yes, we keep it in the library wall safe. Want to see it?" + +"I'd love to, if it's not too much trouble." + +"The truth is I want to check to be certain the drum is still here," +Lorinda replied, leading the way into the adjoining room. "What Celeste +said made me uneasy." + +"You think your stepfather may have removed the drum from the wall safe?" + +"I can't imagine him doing that. However, his long absence is puzzling, +and finding the burnt match charm gives the whole situation a sinister +slant. It's barely possible some of those tribesmen followed him here, +hoping to recover the Zudi drum." + +"Why, that seems fantastic!" + +"Not if you understand tribal customs. From all my stepfather told me of +his experiences, I am sure members of the Zudi cult would stop at nothing +in trying to recover their ceremonial drum." + +Penny inquired if Mr. Rhett ever had received threats against his life. + +"Oh, dozens of them, but that was years ago. Since he married Mother, +I've not heard of any. But then, my stepfather was self-contained and +rather strange in many ways. If he had received threats, he might not +have told her." + +Becoming more interested in the story minute by minute, Penny longed to +ask if Mr. and Mrs. Rhett ever had had serious disagreements. However, +the question was a difficult one, and she knew of no way to phrase it +without risking offense to Lorinda. + +"I'd never admit it to Celeste," the Rhett girl went on, carefully +drawing heavy draperies across the arched doorway of the library and +closing another door which opened toward the stairs. "But seeing that +match and string _ouange_ gave me an unpleasant moment. I'm afraid my +stepfather's enemies may have picked up his trail. In that case--well, +the charm really could become an omen of evil." + +"You're becoming morbid," laughed Penny. "What is there to fear in two +burnt matches tied with a string?" + +"Nothing perhaps," replied Lorinda, though without firm conviction. +"Let's hope the Zudi drum is still here. I wish it had never been brought +into the house." + +A large painting of a Dutch windmill hung low on the north library wall. +To Penny's surprise, Lorinda gave one of its long gold cords a jerk. The +picture swung back to disclose a cleverly hidden safe. + +"Now I hope I haven't forgotten the combination," Lorinda murmured. + +Thinking a moment, she whirled the dials with an expert touch. The safe +failed to open. With an exclamation of annoyance, she tried again. This +time there was a sharp little click and as she turned the handle, the +circular door swung back. + +Lorinda thrust her arm deep into the opening. "It's here all right!" she +exclaimed. + +From the safe she drew forth a bowl-shaped drum, perhaps eight inches in +diameter at the opening. An animal skin was stretched over the framework +and the sides were decorated with symbols. + +"This probably is my stepfather's most valuable trophy," Lorinda +declared. "He treasures it above all else, because there is no other +exactly like it. But the drum never should have been taken from the +native tribe." + +With her fingers, the girl tapped out a rhythm on the drum. The first +three notes were slow and heavy, with a series of triplets coming as a +light splutter at the end. + + . . . ... . . . ... + . . . ... . . . ... + +Penny, who had a keen sense of the ludicrous, began to sway to the jungle +rhythm. Lorinda drummed with more energy, and they both burst into +laughter. + +But suddenly for no apparent reason, the mirth died from Lorinda's lips +and abruptly she ended the tapping. + +Tossing the Zudi drum into the wall safe, she closed the heavy door and +spun the dials. With another swift movement, she swung the picture into +place. + +Penny started to speak, but a significant glance from her companion +served as a warning to remain silent. + +Lorinda darted across the room, and jerked aside the heavy brocade +curtains which framed the arching doorway. Crouching behind the +protective folds was the same dark-skinned servant who had talked to +Penny from the upstairs window! + + + + + CHAPTER + 7 + _WHISPERING WALLS_ + + +"Antón!" Lorinda exclaimed in disapproval. "Why were you listening?" + +The servant, a man of perhaps forty whose well-cut livery was worn in a +sloppy manner, stared at her almost insolently and without the least +embarrassment. + +"Hear jungle drum," he said. + +"I was showing the Zudi to Miss Parker," Lorinda replied stiffly. + +"You keep him in wall safe?" inquired Antón. + +Lorinda bit her lip with annoyance. She made no answer. + +"Now that master gone, maybe much better you get rid of Zudi drum," Antón +advised. + +"Why do you say that?" + +"Zudi drum bring trouble. Antón tell master so when he bring it to this +country." + +"And what do you suggest we do with the drum?" + +"Antón take care of it," the servant offered eagerly. "Sink it deep in +river." + +Lorinda smiled and shook her head. "The Zudi drum is my stepfather's most +cherished possession. He never would forgive me if I disposed of it while +he's gone." + +"Maybe master never come back." + +"Antón!" Lorinda reproved. "You're not to make such remarks!" + +"Yes'm," the man muttered, but as he retreated from the library doorway +Penny fancied she saw him smile as if well pleased with himself. + +After the servant had gone, Lorinda remarked in a whisper: "I wish he +hadn't seen me put the drum away. Somehow I've never trusted Antón +although he's always been devoted to my stepfather. Sometimes I feel that +he hates me." + +"You say he didn't know until just now where the drum was kept?" + +"No, he may have suspected, but he never was certain. Antón always has +been deeply interested in that drum, which as I understand, belonged to +another tribe--sworn enemies of Antón's group. He and Celeste helped my +stepfather obtain the drum, or rather they told him about its existence, +so I suppose it's natural that they remain interested." + +"Antón seemed to believe the drum might bring trouble on the household." + +"Just stupid superstition! He's never worried about it before." Lorinda +was thoughtful a moment, then added: "Of course, there is a possibility +members of the Zudi tribe may have traced my stepfather here and intend +to avenge themselves. But that hardly seems likely." + +"What of the serpent drawing found in your stepfather's desk?" Penny +reminded her. "And the words, 'This Shall be the End?'" + +"I'd not venture an opinion until I have seen the handwriting," Lorinda +returned. + +As the girls were leaving the library, Penny heard an automobile rattle +up to the front of the mansion. Peering from a window, she saw Salt +Sommers climbing out of the car, camera and flashbulbs in his hand. + +His arrival reminded her that she was here to get a story for the _Star_. + +"The police aren't here?" Lorinda inquired tensely, moving to the window. + +"No, it's one of our photographers. He'll need a picture of you and your +mother. It will only take a minute." + +Lorinda, who had been growing more and more friendly, now became cold and +aloof. + +"No picture," she said firmly. "I thought you understood. My mother and I +wish no publicity whatsoever." + +"But--" + +"I am afraid I must ask you to leave now," Lorinda said. + +Deeply chagrined by her failure to obtain a picture, Penny followed the +Rhett girl to the front door. + +"I'm sorry," Lorinda said, observing the proud tilt of Penny's chin. +"It's nothing personal. I really like you very much and would like to +help you--but I can't." + +She opened the door and Penny went out. As the latch clicked behind her, +Salt, a tall young man with an aggressive walk, came toward the porch. + +"Hi, Penny!" he greeted her casually. "Sorry to be late, but I got tied +up in a traffic jam at Fulton Bridge. Everything lined up for the +pictures?" + +Penny told him the bad news. + +"Now see here, they can't do that to us," Salt said, knocking on the door +of the old mansion. "I'll catch the dickens from DeWitt if I go back to +the office without a picture. How about the story?" + +"Not much we can use. I talked to Mrs. Rhett and her daughter, but they +didn't give me any real information. Mr. Rhett's disappearance seems to +be as puzzling to them as anyone else." + +"You can hook your story onto that angle then. But me--I've got to come +up with a picture." Salt knocked again on the door. "Say, are they all +deaf in there?" + +"It's no use," Penny said. "I doubt if anyone will answer." + +Salt pounded a few more times, and then was forced to admit that he was +only wasting his energy. "I might take a shot of the house," he said. +"Gloomy old morgue, isn't it?" + +"That's about all you can do under the circumstances." + +"A picture of a house," Salt groaned. "DeWitt'll go for it like a ton o' +brick. He'll probably throw a typewriter at me!" + +"There's another place on the grounds that might be more interesting. +It's a sort of thatched roof cottage." + +Salt immediately brightened. "Let's have a look-see," he proposed. "Maybe +we can round up a gardener or someone who'll pose." + +Circling the house, Penny led the way down the graveled path. Salt took +such long strides it was hard to keep up with him. He'd had a tough day, +he told her. As if taking shots of society women at the Country Club +hadn't been bad enough, right on top of it he'd been sent to the airport +to catch a couple of prominent state officials. And then, before he'd had +a chance to get the pictures printed, DeWitt had ordered him to the +mansion. + +"It's just one thing after another," he muttered. "I wish someone would +tell me why I don't quit newspaper photography." + +"Because, no matter what you say, you like the excitement," Penny +supplied. "Remember those shots you took of the Governor that were +printed in the rotogravure section?" + +"Sure," grinned Salt, his good humor returning. "I also remember the time +I was sent to a furniture store to take some pictures for the advertising +department, and without me knowing it, the store closed for the night. I +telephoned DeWitt I was locked in, and what did the old crow do? 'Just +sit down and wait,' he says. 'I'll get hold of a watchman, and we'll have +you right out of there.'" + +Penny had heard the story several times but did not ruin the +photographer's pleasure by saying so. + +"DeWitt didn't do a doggone thing!" Salt went on. "He just told everyone +in the office. I cooled my heels in that place until nine o'clock at +night! A fire broke out across town then, and DeWitt needed another +photographer, so finally he got me out!" + +"Mr. DeWitt has a queer sense of humor," Penny acknowledged. "But he is a +good editor." + +"Best there is," Salt agreed loyally. "But wow! He's going to tear me +apart limb from limb when I come in with nothing but a picture of a +thatched roof cottage!" + +Penny was tempted to tell the photographer of Lorinda's strange action in +warning her not to approach the building. However, she felt sure he would +make light of the entire matter, so she remained silent. + +"Is that the place?" Glimpsing the thatched roof cottage through the +trees, Salt paused to stare at it. "Looks like a jungle hut." + +"A reproduction of one, I imagine," Penny said, "but it might be the +genuine product. Mr. Rhett, I've been told, was a world traveler and +brought home many relics and souvenirs of jungle and cult life." + +They approached closer and Salt stopped again, this time to take two +shots. + +"What's inside?" he asked. "Let's take a look." + +Penny was curious to see the interior of the cottage despite Lorinda's +warning. However, as she trotted along at Salt's heels, she experienced a +strange, uneasy feeling, as if she were intruding upon forbidden ground. + +The photographer was troubled by no such misgivings. Boldly he went to +the door and tried to thrust it open. It was locked and would not budge. + +Thwarted, he examined the painted plumed serpent which decorated the +door. + +"What's this thing?" he muttered. + +Penny told him about the similar design which had been found on a paper +in Mr. Rhett's office. + +"I'll take a close-up of the door then," Salt decided. "It will tie in +with your story, if you build up the mystery angle." + +While the photographer took two pictures of the door, Penny wandered +around to the back of the tiny cottage. Only one small window provided +light. It had been cut in the wall high toward the sloping thatched roof, +and to peer into the dark interior, Penny had to stand on tiptoe. + +Inside the room, a spot of light and flame drew her gaze. And at the same +instant, something jabbed her ribs from behind. With a startled cry, she +whirled around. + +Then she laughed, for it was Salt who had come up quietly. + +"You frightened me out of a year's growth!" she exclaimed. "Don't ever do +that again!" + +"What do you see? Anything interesting?" + +"It looks as if a lamp is burning inside. But the cottage must be +deserted!" + +Salt peeped through the window. "It is a light--an oil flame!" he +exclaimed. "But there's no one in the room." + +"Let's go," said Penny with a shiver. "It's getting late and we're due +back at the office." + +"Not scared, are you?" the photographer teased. + +"Of course not! But the door is locked, and we're not supposed to be +here." + +Salt tested the window. Surprisingly, it raised easily. + +"Here, I'll boost you in," he offered. "Up you go! Then you can unlock +the door and let me in." + +"Oh, Salt, should we?" + +"Why not?" he argued. "We were sent to get a story and pictures, weren't +we? Well, maybe what we're after is right here." + +Only half convinced, Penny permitted herself to be boosted through the +window. She dropped lightly onto a wooden floor. The interior of the +cottage was gloomy, brightened only by a flickering flame which came from +a floating wick in a cocoanut shell filled with oil. + +The atmosphere of the room, was sombre, almost terrifying. Taking no time +to look about, Penny scurried to unlock the door. She felt more at ease +as Salt sauntered in. + +"Well, this is a queer layout," he observed. "A regular jungle hut." + +The room was bare of furniture except for a low wooden table upon which +the cocoanut oil lamp burned. On one wall hung two black and red flags +with serpentine symbols sewn with metallic beads. + +Across the room, above the deep fireplace, two crossed machetes dangled +from cords attached to the wall. Beneath the table was a small, crude +wooden chest, and lying upon it was a rattle made from pebbles placed in +a painted canister. + +Salt shook the rattle several times. In the stillness of the room, the +clatter of the pebbles seemed almost deafening to Penny's sensitive ears. + +"Oh, please!" she pleaded. + +"Don't you like it?" he teased. + +Penny shook her head. With fascinated gaze, she stared at the flickering +oil light. + +"Do you suppose that thing burns all the time, Salt, or has someone just +been here?" + +"It couldn't burn very long, unless someone keeps refilling the shell +with oil. Wonder what's in this chest?" + +Salt stooped to raise the lid. As he did so, Penny, who stood close +beside him, suddenly clutched his arm. At his look of surprise, she +mumbled: + +"I thought I heard something just then--like the rustling of silk!" + +Salt listened a moment and chuckled. "That old imagination of yours is +working overtime, Penny! Relax!" + +"But I did hear a rustling sound as if someone were moving along the +wall. Listen! There it is again!" + +"No one could--" Salt began, and broke off. The queer look that came over +his face told Penny that he too had heard the sound. + +Then whispering began, and seemed to issue from the very cottage walls. +At first the stunned pair could not distinguish a word. But gradually the +words whispered in a throaty voice became audible. + +"Go!" the warning voice commanded. "All is forbidden!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 8 + _GHOST OF THE DARK CORNERS_ + + +Salt was the first to recover from surprise at the whispered warning. +Convinced that someone must be crouching beneath the open cottage window, +he strode across the room to peer outside. + +No one was in sight. + +"The voice seemed to come from the wall itself!" Penny murmured. She +added jokingly, "Maybe this place has a ghost who is annoyed because we +climbed in through the window!" + +"That whispered warning came from a very human ghost," the photographer +muttered. "We'll do a little annoying ourselves if we can find the bird!" + +Salt jerked open the door. Penny followed him outside. Behind them, the +door swung shut again, but neither noticed. + +Quickly they circled the cottage. No one was visible in the clearing nor +were leaves stirring in the bushes close by. + +Salt, however, remained convinced the warning had been whispered by +someone standing close to the window who then had quickly retreated to +the sheltering shrubbery. + +"The warning seemed to come from the very inside of the walls," Penny +repeated. + +"How could it? The walls are only average thickness, so the only place a +person could hide would be outside. It's a cinch no one was in the room +with us!" + +"Lorinda might have crept close to the cottage and whispered the +warning," Penny said thoughtfully, "but I doubt it very much." + +"Lorinda?" + +"Mrs. Rhett's daughter. She tried to prevent me investigating the cottage +before you arrived." + +"Then she may have followed us here." + +"The whispering voice didn't sound like hers," Penny insisted. "No, I +can't believe it was Lorinda." + +Salt started back toward the cottage. "Whoever it was, let's not be +bluffed out, Penny. We'll see what's inside the wooden chest." + +The cottage door was closed. To the photographer's annoyance, it refused +to open even when he thrust his weight against it. + +"Now what?" he demanded. "Did you close the door when you came out, +Penny?" + +"Not that I recall. The wind must have blown it shut." + +"Wind? What wind? Look at the trees." + +Scarcely a leaf was stirring. + +"Then I'm afraid it must have been the jungle ghost," Penny said with a +nervous giggle. She glanced at her wrist watch. "Salt, it's getting late. +We must go." + +"Not yet," retorted Salt grimly. + +Again he circled the thatched cottage, with Penny tagging none too +happily at his heels. As they saw the window, they both paused. + +"Why, it's closed now!" Penny gasped. "How did we leave it?" + +"Open. The cottage door may have blown shut by itself and locked with a +spring catch, but this window is a horse of a different color. It +couldn't have closed by itself." + +"Who could have lowered it? How was it done without our knowledge?" + +Salt had no explanation. Lifting Penny so that she could peer inside the +room again, he asked her what she could see. + +"Not a sign of anyone. But it's so dark--" + +"See anything now?" Salt demanded impatiently as her voice trailed off. + +"The cocoanut shell lamp! It's no longer burning!" + +"Sure?" + +"I couldn't see better if I wore bifocals! The room is dark." + +"An experience like this shouldn't happen to a dog," muttered Salt. +"We'll find out what's behind it! Raise the window and in we go." + +Penny tugged at the sill. "Locked," she reported. "From the inside." + +Disgusted, Salt allowed her to drop lightly to the ground. "Wait until I +find a rock," he instructed. "We'll get in!" + +Penny caught his arm. "No, Salt! We've already overstepped our rights. We +mustn't damage the Rhett property." + +"Well, someone is making a monkey of us," the photographer grumbled. "It +burns me up!" + +"There's more to it than meets the eyes, Salt. Even the atmosphere of +this place is sinister." + +"You say that, and yet you're willing to turn your back on an unsolved +mystery? How times have changed!" + +"Well--" Penny wavered, for it was true she loved mystery and adventure. +But she finished in a firm voice: "We were sent here to get a story and +picture for the _Star_! We'll miss the Green Streak edition if we don't +get back to the office _pronto_." + +She thrust her wrist watch beneath Salt's nose. He looked at the moving +hands and muttered: "Jeepers! We've got just thirty-five minutes to catch +our deadline! Let's go!" + +Hurriedly, they went up the path toward the mansion and the road. As they +approached the house, the rear door swung open and Lorinda came out on +the flagstone terrace. + +"There she is now!" Penny murmured in an undertone. "I don't believe she +could have been the one who whispered the warning at the cottage! It must +have been someone else." + +"Is she the Rhett girl?" Salt demanded, starting to adjust his camera. +"Maybe I can get a shot of her after all." + +Lorinda came directly toward the pair, but she raised a hand squarely in +front of her face as she saw that Salt meant to take her picture. + +"Please don't!" she pleaded. "I can't pose. I only came to ask you to +leave. Mother is so upset. The telephone is ringing constantly, and we +expect the police any minute." + +Lorinda obviously was on the verge of tears. Salt lowered his camera. + +"I do want to help you," Lorinda hastened on. "That's why I am giving you +this. Mother doesn't know about it, and she will be furious." + +Into Penny's hand, she thrust a small but clear photograph of a +middle-aged man who wore glasses. His left cheek was marred by a jagged +though not particularly disfiguring scar. + +"Your stepfather!" she exclaimed. + +"Yes, this is the only picture we have of him. He never liked to have his +photograph taken. If you use it, please take good care of the original +and see that we get it back." + +"Oh, we will!" Penny promised. "This photograph should help in tracing +Mr. Rhett." + +"Please go now," Lorinda urged again. She glanced uneasily down the path +toward the thatched-roof cottage, but if she knew what had transpired +there, she gave no sign. + +Elated to have obtained the photograph, Penny and Salt hastened on to the +parked press car. Starting the car with a jerk, Salt followed the winding +river road. + +Penny cast a glance over her shoulder. Through the trees she could see +only the roof-top of the thatched cottage in the clearing. + +The estate was bounded by a wooden rail fence, in many places fortified +with dense, tall shrubbery. The fall weather had tinted many of the +bushes scarlet, yellow or bronze. Gazing toward a patch of particularly +brilliant-colored leaves, Penny detected movement behind them. + +For a fleeting instant she thought she had seen a large, shaggy dog. Then +she became certain it was a man who crouched behind the screen of leaves. + +"Salt!" she exclaimed sharply. "Look at those bushes!" + +The photographer slowed the car, turning his head. + +"What about 'em, Penny?" + +"Someone is hiding there behind the fence! Perhaps it's the person who +whispered a warning at the thatched cottage!" + +"Oh, it's just a shadow," Salt began, only to change his mind. "You're +right! Someone is crouching there!" + +So suddenly that Penny was thrown sideways, the photographer swerved the +car to the curb. He swung the door open. + +"What are you going to do?" Penny demanded. + +The photographer did not take time to reply. Already he was out of the +car, running toward the hedge. + + + + + CHAPTER + 9 + _JERRY ENTERS THE CASE_ + + +As Salt ran toward him, the man who crouched behind the bushes began to +move stealthily away. From the car Penny could not see his face which was +screened by dense foliage. + +"Salt, he's getting away!" she shouted. + +Salt climbed over the fence. His clothing got snagged and by the time he +had freed himself and struggled through a tangle of vines and bushes, the +man he pursued had completely disappeared. + +"Which way did he go, Penny?" he called. + +"I lost sight of him after he ducked into a clump of shrubbery," she +replied regretfully. "It's useless to try to find him now." + +Salt came back to the car, and starting the engine, drove on. + +"You didn't see who it was?" Penny asked hopefully. + +"No, I think it was a man. Maybe the Rhett's gardener or a tramp." + +"Whoever it was, I'm sure he stood there watching us drive away from the +grounds," Penny declared. + +Until the car was far down the street, she alertly watched the Rhett +grounds. However, the one who had crouched by the fence now was well +hidden and on guard. Not a movement of the bushes betrayed his presence. + +As the Rhett mansion was lost completely from view, Penny's thoughts came +back to the story which she must write. Nervously she glanced at her +wrist watch. + +"What's the bad news?" Salt asked, stepping hard on the gasoline pedal. + +"Twenty-five minutes until deadline. Can you make it?" + +Salt's lips compressed into a grim line and he concentrated on his +driving, avoiding heavy traffic and red lights as they approached the +center of town. + +They came at last to the big stone building downtown which housed the +_Riverview Star_. As Salt pulled up at the curb, Penny leaped out and ran +inside. Without waiting for an elevator, she darted up the stairs to the +busy newsroom. + +Editor DeWitt was talking on a telephone, and, all about him, reporters +were tapping typewriters at a furious pace. + +Editor DeWitt held his hand over the phone mouthpiece and fixed Penny +with a gloomy eye. "Time you got here," he observed. "Anything new? Did +you get the pictures?" + +Penny produced the photograph of Mr. Rhett which the editor studied an +instant, then tossed to his assistant, with a terse: "Make it a one +column--rush!" + +Knowing that with a deadline practically at hand Mr. DeWitt was in no +mood for a lengthy tale, Penny told him only such facts as were pertinent +to Mr. Rhett's disappearance. + +"So the family won't talk?" DeWitt growled. "Well, play up that angle. +We've already set up everything you gave us over the phone. Make this an +add and get it right out." + +Penny nodded and slid into a chair behind the nearest typewriter. An +"add" she knew, was an addition to a story already set up in type. It was +easier to write than a "lead" which contained the main facts of all that +had happened, but even so, she would be hard pressed to make the +deadline. + +For a moment she concentrated, but the noises of the room distracted her +somewhat. Editor DeWitt was barking into the telephone again; a reporter +on her left side was clicking a pencil against the desk; the short-wave +radio blared a police call; and across the room someone bellowed: "Copy +boy!" + +Then Penny began to write, and the noises blanked out, until she was +aware only of the moving ribbon of words on the copy paper. She had +written perhaps four paragraphs when DeWitt ordered tersely: "Give me a +take." + +Without looking up, Penny nodded, wrote a few more words, then jerked the +copy from her machine. A boy snatched it from her hand and carried it to +DeWitt, who read it rapidly. Pencilling a few minor corrections, he shot +it to the copy desk. + +Meanwhile, with another sheet of paper rolled in her machine, Penny was +grinding out more of the story. Words flowed easily now, and she scarcely +paused to think. + +DeWitt called for more copy. Again she ripped it from the roller and gave +it to the boy. + +After the third "take," DeWitt called: "That's enough. Make her '30.'" + +Penny understood the term. It signified the end of the story, and usually +when reporters had completed an article, they wrote the figure at the +bottom of the copy sheet. + +Finishing the sentence she had started, she gave the last of her story to +the boy, and settling back, took a deep breath. DeWitt's chair was empty. +He had gone to the composing room, leaving his assistant to handle the +final copy that came through before the presses rolled. + +Penny knew that the last page she had written probably would not make the +edition, but it did not matter. She had crammed all the important and +most interesting of her information into the first part of the story. In +any event, everything she had written would be used in the second +edition, the Three Star, which followed the Green Streak by two hours. +The final edition rolled from the presses later in the evening and was +known as the Blue Streak. + +A well-built, good looking reporter with a pencil tucked behind one ear, +walked over to the desk. + +"Big day, Penny?" he inquired affectionately. + +Jerry Livingston, who rated as the _Star's_ best reporter, also stood at +the very top of Penny's long list of friends. + +With Jerry, Penny always felt comfortable and at ease. Now she found +herself telling him about the Rhett case, omitting few details of what +had occurred in the thatched roof cottage. It took longer to relate all +the events than Penny realized, for, before she had finished the story, +the Green Streak edition was up, and a boy was distributing papers about +the office. Penny reached eagerly for one, noting instantly that her +article appeared in good position on the front page. + +"Wonder who wrote the lead?" she asked. "You, Jerry?" + +"Guilty," he laughed. "Any mistakes?" + +Penny could find none. It was a perfect rewrite, based upon facts she had +telephoned to the office after leaving the bank. The story had a +professional swing she could not have achieved. Her own "add" went into +it very smoothly, however, so that few persons reading the account ever +would guess two reporters had contributed to the writing. + +Mr. DeWitt had returned from the composing room, and with a relaxed air +settled down to enjoy a cigarette. Now that the edition was rolling off +the press, he no longer seemed nervous or irritable. + +Presently he waved his hand toward Penny who went over to see what he +wanted. + +"This Rhett story is likely to develop into something," he said. "I'll +want double coverage, so I'm assigning Jerry to help you. He'll handle +the police angle." + +Penny nodded, secretly glad it was Jerry who had been directed to help +her instead of another reporter. Police work, particularly the checking +of routine reports, was vitally important but uninteresting. She was +pleased to escape it. + +"You're to keep close tab on the Rhett mansion," Mr. DeWitt instructed. +"Report everything of consequence that happens there. By tomorrow things +may start popping." + +The wire editor came swiftly to DeWitt's desk with a sheet of copy which +had just been torn from an Associated Press teletype. + +"Here's something," he said. "A few hours ago police published for all +state banks the numbers of those bonds stolen from the First National +Bank. According to this Culver City dispatch, one of the bonds, in $1,000 +denomination, turned up there yesterday." + +"Yesterday?" Penny inquired. + +"Sure, a Culver City bank took the bond in, not knowing it was one of the +missing ones. Late this afternoon, police sent out the numbers to every +bank in the state." + +DeWitt read the news item carefully his eyes glinting with interest. + +"Too bad Albert Potts didn't notify the police several days ago. Rhett +may be half way to the Mexican border by this time." + +"Then you believe he walked off with the bonds?" asked Penny. + +"Looks like it," shrugged the editor. "There's no other suspect. Or if +there is, the police aren't talking. More of those missing bonds may show +up. Jerry, get busy on the telephone!" he called to the reporter who sat +nearby. + +"What's doing?" Jerry inquired, getting up and coming to the desk. + +DeWitt thrust the dispatch into his hand. "Get hold of that Culver City +banker," he instructed. "Find out who turned the bond in, and if the +description fits Rhett." + +Jerry was occupied at the telephone for nearly fifteen minutes. He +returned to report: "The bond was turned in by a woman, and the bank +clerk didn't make a record of her name." + +"Any description?" + +"No, the clerk only remembers that she was a middle-aged woman." + +DeWitt sighed heavily and turned his attention to other matters. Penny +glanced at the clock. It was after six o'clock. Her father, she knew, +would have left the office nearly an hour earlier. She could catch a bus +home, but first a cup of coffee across the street might help to fortify +her until she could enjoy a home-cooked dinner by Mrs. Weems. + +As she started away from the office, Jerry followed her. + +"Going across the way for a bite to eat?" he asked. "Mind if I tag +along?" + +"I wish you would," she replied eagerly. "We can talk about the Rhett +case." + +"Oh, let's bury that until tomorrow. I'd rather talk about a dozen other +subjects--you, for instance." + +"Me?" + +"About that little curl behind your ear. Or the smudge of carbon on the +end of your nose!" + +"Oh! Why didn't you tell me before?" Indignantly, Penny peered at her +reflection in a hand mirror and rubbed vigorously with her handkerchief. + +Outside the _Star_ building, newsboys were shouting their wares. As Penny +and Jerry started to cross the street, one of the lads who had received a +job through the girl's influence, spied the pair. + +Approaching, he flashed a paper in front of their eyes. + +"See this bird who robbed the bank!" he exclaimed, pointing to the +picture of Hamilton Rhett. + +"Tommy, I'm afraid your reading is inaccurate," Penny laughed. "The story +doesn't say Mr. Rhett robbed a bank." + +"He must have done it," the newsboy insisted. "What's the reward for his +capture?" + +"Mr. Rhett is not listed as a criminal," Penny explained. "There is no +reward." + +Tommy's face dropped an inch. + +"What's the matter, son?" asked Jerry. "Figuring on cashing in?" + +"Well, sort of," the boy admitted. "I saw the fellow not an hour ago!" + +"He wasn't robbing another bank?" Jerry teased. + +"He was going into a house on Fulton Street. I didn't take down the +number 'cause when I saw him I didn't think nothin' of it. The Green +Streak wasn't out then, and I hadn't seen his picture in the paper." + +"Fulton Street?" repeated Penny, frowning. "What section?" + +"It was at the corner of Fulton and Cherry. He went into an old +three-story brick building with a sign: 'Rooms for rent--beds thirty +cents.'" + +"Why, Tommy means Riverview's cheapest flop house!" Jerry exclaimed. "I +can't imagine a bank president luxuriating in a Fulton Street dump." + +"All the same, I saw him. He wore old clothes, but it was the same bird." + +"Tommy, you'll grow up to be a police detective some day," Jerry +chuckled. He started to pull Penny along, but she held back. + +"Wait, Jerry, if there should be anything to it--" + +Jerry smiled indulgently. + +"Tell us more about the man you saw," Penny urged Tommy. "How was he +dressed?" + +"He wore old clothes and a floppy black hat. And there was a scar on his +cheek." + +"Jerry, Mr. Rhett had a similar scar!" + +"And so have dozens of other people. Did I ever show you the one I got +when I was a kid? Another boy socked me with a bottle and--" + +"Be serious, Jerry! Tommy, are you sure the man you saw looked like the +picture in the paper?" + +"Cross my heart and hope to die. It was the spitten image! If you catch +him, will you give me a reward?" + +"We'll split fifty-fifty," grinned Jerry, pulling Penny on by brute +force. + +But across the street he met unexpected opposition. Stopping dead in her +tracks, Penny announced: "This is where we part company. I'm going to +investigate that place on Fulton Street!" + +"Say, are you crazy? You can't go to a flop house alone!" + +"That's exactly what I shall do, unless you come with me." + +"It's a waste of time! You know these kids. Tommy read the story, and it +fired his imagination." + +"Maybe so," admitted Penny, unmoved. "All the same, I'm going there to +make certain. How about you?" + +Jerry looked longingly at the restaurant and drew a deep sigh. + +"Okay," he gave in, "I learned years ago that it's no use arguing with a +gal. Lead on, but don't say I didn't warn you!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 10 + _CHEAP LODGING_ + + +Street lights blinked on as Penny and Jerry reached the corner of Fulton +and Cherry Streets, in the poorer section of Riverview. + +"That must be the building," the reporter said, indicating an old, +discolored brick building with a faded sign which proclaimed it a cheap +rooming house of the type patronized by those who could afford only a few +cents for a bed. + +They crossed the street. Penny's courage faltered as she saw that they +must climb a long, dark stairway. Dust was very thick; the air inside was +stuffy. + +"You still can change your mind, you know," said Jerry. "Why not wait +outside, while I go up?" + +Penny shook her head. + +Climbing the stairs, they entered an open space from which branched +narrow corridors. The landing was even dirtier and darker than the +stairway, with a huge pasteboard carton standing in a corner filled with +empty bottles. + +In a little office room, behind a cage window, sat a plump middle-aged +woman with reddish frizzled hair. She eyed the pair suspiciously. To her +experienced eye, their manner and clothing immediately stamped them as +"outsiders," perhaps investigators. She smiled ingratiatingly at Jerry. + +"We're looking for a man," he said briefly. + +"You're from the police, ain't you?" she demanded. "We got nothin' to +hide. My husband and me run a respectable place for poor workin' men." + +"May we see your room register?" + +"Sure. Ever since that last copper was here I been keepin' it just like +he told me I had to do." + +Through the wooden slats of the cage, the woman thrust a grimy notebook +which had been ruled off to provide spaces for names, addresses and date +of registry. + +Rapidly Jerry scanned the entries for several days back. No one by the +name of Rhett had registered, but neither he nor Penny had expected the +banker would be stupid enough to use his real name, if indeed he had come +to such a place. + +As Penny glanced about the dingy, smoke-stained room, it seemed +impossible to her that Mr. Rhett, a man of culture and wealth, would +voluntarily seek such quarters. + +"The man we're looking for is middle-aged," Penny explained. "He wore +glasses and may have been well dressed. We were told he was seen here +earlier tonight." + +"They all look alike to me," the woman said wearily. "Most of my rooms +are empty now. We don't fill up until the coppers start runnin' loiterers +off Cherry Street around ten o'clock. It's still warm enough outside so's +a lot o' the cheap skates can sleep out on the river bank." + +"Isn't anyone here?" inquired Jerry. + +"Maybe one or two men. A fella name of Ben Smith came in about an hour or +two ago. He signed up for one of the flops. Come to think of it, maybe +he's the one you're after. He acted nervous like and I figured maybe he +was dodgin' the police. Another thing, he acted like he was used to +havin' money." + +"Did he have much on him?" + +"I couldn't see, but he paid me with a five dollar bill. And why would a +fella with even that much dough sleep in a flop if he wasn't tryin' to +dodge the cops?" + +"Suppose you describe the man." + +"He was about average height and middle-aged. No glasses, though. He +couldn't have been down and out very long, because he still wore a ring." + +"Describe it, please," requested Penny. + +"It was a gold ring with a picture of a snake on it--some sort of order +probably." + +"The plumed serpent!" exclaimed Penny. "Jerry, perhaps Tommy was right!" + +"Take us to this man," the reporter directed the landlady. + +"How do I know if he's still here? The men come and go and so long as +they're paid up, I don't pay no attention. What's he done anyhow?" + +"Nothing very serious," Jerry replied. "Anyway, we're not from the police +station." + +The woman's pretended friendliness vanished. "Then what you pryin' around +here for?" she demanded. "Who are you anyhow?" + +"We're newspaper reporters." + +"I don't want my name in the paper, and we don't want nothing written +about this place!" + +"Take it easy," Jerry advised. "Your name won't be in the paper. We're +only looking for a man. Now lead us to him." + +"When people take rooms or a bed in this place they got a right to +privacy," the woman argued unpleasantly. "It ain't none o' my business +what folks have done that come here." + +"We want to talk to this man who registered as Smith. Either take us to +him, or we'll have to call in the police. I'm a personal friend of Joe +Grabey, the patrolman on this beat." + +"I was only kiddin'," the woman said hastily. "You can talk to him if +he's here." + +Locking the office door behind her, the woman led the pair down a narrow +corridor with rooms on either side. A door stood open. Penny caught a +glimpse of a cell-like chamber, furnished only with a sagging bed, soiled +blankets, and a rickety dresser. The dingy walls were lined with pegs. + +"Those nails are for hanging up clothes, and symbolize a man's rise in +the world," Jerry pointed out to her. "Men who patronize the flops +usually have only the suit on their backs. But when they make a little +money and get two suits, they need a safe place to keep the extra clothes +during the day. So they rent one of these tiny rooms which can be +locked." + +Leading the way down a dark hall to the very end, the landlady opened a +door. This room with paper-thin walls, sheltered perhaps twenty men, each +cot jammed close to its neighbor. The air was disagreeable with the odor +of strong disinfectant which had been used on the bare wood floor. + +The room now was deserted save for a man in baggy black trousers who sat +on one of the cots, reading a comic magazine. Other beds were made up, +but empty. + +"Is that man Ben Smith?" Penny asked in disappointment, for he bore not +the slightest resemblance to the picture of Mr. Rhett. + +"No, I don't know what became of Smith, if he ain't here," the landlady +answered. She called to the man on the cot. "Jake, seen anyone in here +during the last hour?" + +He shook his head, staring curiously at the intruders. + +To Jerry the woman said: "You'll have to come back later if you want to +see Smith. Maybe after ten o'clock." + +Jerry scribbled his name and telephone number on a sheet of notebook +paper. + +"If he does show up, will you telephone me?" he requested. + +"Oh, sure," the woman replied, her careless tone making it clear she +would never put herself to so much trouble. + +Jerry gave her a five dollar bill. "This should make it worth your +while," he said. "You'll earn another five if we find the man." + +"I'll call you the minute he comes in," the woman promised with more +enthusiasm. + +Penny drew a deep breath as she and Jerry left the building, stepping out +into the cool, sweet air of the street. + +"I still doubt we're trailing the right man," remarked Jerry. "Why would +Hamilton Rhett hole in at a place like this?" + +"It does seem out of the picture. However, we know he wore a serpent ring +at the time of his disappearance." + +"The ring may not be the same. Also, if Rhett had been the victim of +violence, a bum might have stolen it from him." + +"I never thought of that. Should we report what we've learned to the +police?" + +"Not yet," advised Jerry. "Our clue is pretty flimsy. Let's watch and +wait. The landlady may call us, and in any case I'll keep my eye on this +place." + +It now was so late that Penny decided to return home immediately. Bidding +Jerry goodbye at the next corner, she boarded a bus and presently was +slipping quietly into her own home. + +If she had hoped to elude the watchful eye of Mrs. Maud Weems, the +housekeeper, she was doomed to disappointment. + +The plump, kindly lady who had looked after Penny since the death of Mrs. +Parker many years before, had finished the dishes and was sweeping the +kitchen. Fixing the girl with a stern eye, she observed: + +"You're later than ever tonight, Penny. When your father came home nearly +two hours ago, he had no idea what had become of you." + +"Then Dad isn't keeping tab on his employes," chuckled Penny. "I've been +working on a special story for the _Star_." + +"I've heard that one before," sighed the housekeeper. "In fact, I suspect +you charge a great many of your escapades to your work! If I had my way +you would give it up." + +"Oh, Mrs. Weems, don't be cross," Penny pleaded, giving her a squeeze. +"Newspaper work is wonderful! Next time I'll telephone you if I know I'll +be late." + +"Have you had anything to eat?" the housekeeper asked in a softened tone. +"Dinner was over an hour ago." + +"I'll dig up something for myself from the refrigerator. Where's Dad?" + +Even as Penny asked the question, Anthony Parker, a tall, lean man with +graying hair, came to the arched doorway of the kitchen. "Now what's all +this?" he inquired. "Penny off the reservation again?" + +Mrs. Weems made no reply, knowing only too well that in almost any +argument the publisher would support his daughter. Many times, and +without success, she had told him she disapproved of his system of +granting Penny almost unrestricted freedom. + +No one doubted that Mr. Parker was an over-indulgent father, but the +publisher had raised his daughter according to a strict code. He knew +that she had writing talent and a flair for tracking down a story. Only +because she had demonstrated that she could look after herself and think +clearly in an emergency, did he allow her to make most of her own +decisions. + +Now, Penny eagerly poured out an account of her experiences in trying to +get the Rhett story for the _Star_. Mr. Parker, who had read most of it +in the Green Streak edition, listened attentively, offering little +comment other than to say: + +"I met Rhett once at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Not a bad fellow." + +"What was he like?" Penny inquired eagerly. + +"Quiet and rather bored by the meeting. I don't recall that he said a +dozen words during the luncheon." + +"Did he look like a man who would walk off with $250,000 in bonds?" + +"Not that I noticed," commented the publisher dryly. "But then, nobody +can judge character by external appearances." + +Hat in hand, Mr. Parker moved toward the kitchen exit. + +"Are you going back to the _Star_ office?" his daughter asked with alert +interest. + +"No." Mr. Parker edged nearer the door, but Penny blocked the way. + +"Then where are you going, Dad? You're holding out!" + +"Must I give you a schedule of my life?" + +"You're slipping off somewhere, and you don't want me to go!" + +"If you must know, I thought I would drop in at the Gay Nineties, a new +night club that is opening tonight. The proprietor is one of our best +advertisers and he extended a special invitation to attend." + +"Fine!" chuckled Penny. "I'll be with you in five minutes. Just give me +time to wash my face and pull the snarls out of my hair." + +"I was afraid of it," groaned the publisher. "Haven't you any school work +to do?" + +"Nary a bit. Besides, it's Saturday night and I haven't had any dinner. +You can buy me a great big steak with all the trimmings. And perhaps you +will dance with me." + +Mr. Parker gazed helplessly at Mrs. Weems, but the housekeeper did not +come to his rescue. Her shrug indicated that the problem was entirely +his. + +"Well, all right," he gave in. "But I'll warn you now, this is no party. +We'll drop in for an hour or so, then come straight home." + +Penny was off like a shot, bounding upstairs to her room. There was no +time to change her dress, but she freshened up, and was ready by the time +her father had backed the car from the garage. + +The Gay Nineties on Euclid Avenue twinkled with lights, and many persons +in evening dress were entering beneath the bright red street canopy. + +"Looks like all the socialites of the city are here," Penny observed. +"Maybe I should have worn my pearls." + +"Or washed behind your ears," Mr. Parker chuckled, escorting her inside. + +Penny and her father were given one of the best tables in the night club. +Studying the menu, the girl was a trifle alarmed to note the prices. + +"I'm dreadfully hungry too," she declared. "Dad, I hope you're not +intending to charge this outing against my allowance." + +"I know I'd have no chance to collect," he teased. "Just relax and select +whatever you want. I can stand it this time." + +After the order had been given, Penny glanced about the dimly lighted +room. The floor show had not yet started. Everywhere she saw well-to-do +and prominent persons who had turned out for the gala opening. + +Suddenly her attention centered upon a couple who had just entered the +door. The woman wore an obviously new white evening gown, and behind her +came a short, stubby little man. + +"Dad!" she whispered, giving him a kick with the toe of her slipper. "See +that man who just came in?" + +"Where?" he asked, turning his head. + +"He's with the middle-aged woman in white." + +"Oh, yes, who are they?" Mr. Parker commented, only mildly interested. +"No one I know." + +"The man is Albert Potts, secretary to Mr. Rhett at the First National +Bank," Penny replied impressively. "How do you suppose he can afford to +come to such an expensive night club? If you ask me, Dad, it looks odd!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 11 + _THE WOODEN DOLL_ + + +Mr. Parker studied the bank secretary and his wife with more interest. +But he said mildly: + +"I see nothing especially significant in Potts coming here, Penny. The +club is public." + +"It's expensive too. The cover charge is two dollars, and you can't touch +a dinner for less than another four! How can Potts afford to pay such +prices?" + +"He may earn a good salary working for Mr. Rhett--probably does. Anyway, +folks don't always spend their money wisely, even if they have very +little of it." + +Potts and his wife swept past the Parker table without noticing Penny or +her father. A trifle self-consciously, as if unaccustomed to appearing in +such places, they sat down and studied the menu with concentrated +interest. + +Penny tried but could not keep her eyes from the pair. + +"Dad, I wonder if Potts has any more information about Mr. Rhett's +disappearance," she presently remarked. "I have a notion to go over there +and ask him." + +Mr. Parker nodded absently, so Penny started across the room. She was +only midway to Potts' table, when the bank secretary raised his eyes and +saw her approaching. + +A startled, almost dismayed expression came upon his face. He spoke +hurriedly to his wife. She looked puzzled, but both arose and walked +quickly toward the exit. + +Penny started to follow, then thought better of it. + +"Mr. Potts knows I'm a reporter," she reflected. "Probably he doesn't +care to be annoyed by having to answer questions. On the other hand, is +it possible he doesn't want to be recognized in this night club?" + +Mr. and Mrs. Potts obtained their wraps at the checkroom and left the +building. Somewhat crestfallen, Penny returned to her own table to find +her father chatting with acquaintances. + +Under the circumstance, she had no opportunity to speak of Mr. Potts' +queer behavior. Soon, dinners were brought and after that the floor show +began. + +Not wishing to keep his daughter out late, Mr. Parker insisted that they +leave in the middle of the entertainment. However, the drive home gave +Penny time to tell him about the bank secretary. The incident did not +seem to impress her father greatly. + +"If I were you I wouldn't pester Potts too much," he advised. "He +probably doesn't enjoy being the center of public attention." + +Penny slept late the next morning, and because it was Sunday, did not +visit the _Star_ office. The paper that day was voluminous. But in going +through it she could find no new facts about the Rhett case. No word had +been received from the missing banker; there had been no ransom demand +received; and neither had Albert Potts nor Mrs. Rhett shed the slightest +light on what might have become of him. + +After breakfast, Penny telephoned Jerry Livingston to inquire if he had +heard from the Cherry Street landlady. + +"Not a word," he reported. "I dropped back there late last night, but the +man we're looking for apparently never returned." + +Disappointed that the case had reached a dead end, Penny next telephoned +the Rhett home. No one answered. + +"I'm certain someone is there," she thought. "Mrs. Rhett probably has +given orders not to answer the phone." + +At a loss to know what to do, Penny spent the morning at home, had +dinner, then went down the street to see Louise Sidell. However, her chum +had gone to visit an aunt for the day. + +"What miserable luck!" Penny muttered. "No one with whom I can talk over +the Rhett case! Nothing to do!" + +Suddenly it dawned upon her, that she might call on Albert Potts at his +home, and perhaps induce him to reveal a few helpful facts about the +missing banker. + +From a telephone book she obtained the secretary's address. Thirty +minutes later found her standing before a modest cottage on Berdan +Avenue. In response to her knock, the same woman Penny had seen the +previous night at the Gay Nineties, came to the door. Now she looked very +plain and frowsy in a messy housedress, and her hair hung in untidy +streamers. + +The woman stared at Penny without recognition. + +"Is Mr. Potts here?" the girl inquired. + +"No, he's not," Mrs. Potts answered without cordiality, her voice coarse +and unattractive. "Anything I can do?" + +"I wanted to talk to him. Will he return soon?" Penny moved inside the +door. + +"When he goes off, I never know when he'll get back. He went to the bank, +I guess." + +"On Sunday?" + +"Al's had a lot of work lately. I tell him he ought to let up. He's +getting so jumpy he doesn't sleep at nights. Just tosses and keeps me +awake." + +Before Penny could ask another question, a boy of ten, who had Albert +Potts' sharp features, came racing across the yard up to the door. + +"Has the bicycle come yet, Ma?" he shouted. + +"No, it hasn't, and I wish you'd quit pestering me!" she snapped. "There +won't be any deliveries today." + +To Penny, the woman explained: "My husband bought Eddie a new bicycle and +he won't give us any peace until it comes. Deliveries take such a long +time these days. None of the things we bought have come yet." + +Penny did not mean to be inquisitive, but instantly it struck her as +unusual that the Potts' family should be indulging in a sudden orgy of +spending. Nor had she forgotten the couple's hasty departure from the Gay +Nineties club. + +"Eddie is getting quite a few new things, I take it," she observed +casually. + +The woman became more friendly. "Oh, yes, my husband ordered a trapeze +set for him, and an electric train. But he bought me a lot too! A new +piano and a living room rug. We have a new refrigerator on order, a +vacuum cleaner and a bedroom suite!" + +"Imagine!" exclaimed Penny. "Your husband must have come into a small +fortune." + +"He was given a raise last week at the bank. I don't know exactly how +much, but it must have been a big one, because Al says we'll have enough +now for everything we need." + +"I think I've seen you before, Mrs. Potts," Penny remarked, seeking +additional information. "Weren't you at the Gay Nineties last night?" + +"Yes, we were! But we didn't stay long. Before we had ordered our dinner, +my husband remembered an important appointment he had made. We had to +leave suddenly. It was awfully disappointing. I never went to a night +club before and I wanted to see the show!" + +Mrs. Potts paused, obviously waiting for Penny to leave. "I'll tell my +husband you called," she said. "You didn't give me your name." + +Edging out of the door, Penny pretended not to hear the latter remark. +Calling over her shoulder that she would try to see Mr. Potts at the bank +next day, she retreated before the woman could learn her identity. + +Walking toward the bus stop, the girl reflected upon what she had +learned. The financial good fortune of the Potts' family was very +puzzling. Apparently the bank secretary's salary had been increased since +the disappearance of his employer, Mr. Rhett. + +"It seems a queer time to raise the man," she mused. "If his duties have +become so much heavier, I suppose the bank board may have granted a +compensating wage increase. But it must have been an enormous one to +enable him to buy everything in the stores!" + +As Penny waited at the street corner for a home-bound bus, she saw one +approaching which was headed for the outlying section near the Rhett +estate area. Impulsively, she decided to go there to see Lorinda. + +"I may not get into the house," she thought. "My luck is running badly +today. Anyway, I'll give it a try." + +It was nearly four o'clock by the time Penny alighted from the bus and +walked to the Rhett estate. Her heart sank as she noticed that curtains +were drawn in nearly all of the front windows of the house. + +"No one here," she thought. "Lorinda and her mother may have left town to +escape questioning by reporters and the police." + +Because she had come so far, she knocked on the front door. No one came. +Giving it up, she wandered around the house, into the garden. + +Curiously she gazed toward the thatched roof cottage, wondering if anyone +were there. The whispered warning she and Salt had heard the previous +day, remained unexplained. She longed to investigate, yet hesitated to +trespass. + +As she debated, Penny observed a small column of black smoke rising from +amid the shrubbery. Someone apparently had built a bonfire on the beach. + +Seeking the steps which led down to the river, Penny presently saw that +her guess was correct. A small fire of driftwood had been built on the +sands. Lorinda, in slacks and an old sweater, was so engrossed in feeding +the flames that she did not hear when her name was called. + +Descending the steps, Penny hastened to the beach to join the Rhett girl. +Lorinda did not hear the approaching footsteps. Deeply absorbed in what +she was doing, she stirred the flames with a stick until they leaped +merrily. + +Then, from a paper sack she withdrew a queer wooden object which even +from the distance Penny could see was a doll. Its body appeared to be +tightly wound with scarlet thread. + +Lorinda held the doll gingerly in her fingers. She stared at it a moment, +shuddered, and then with a gesture of abhorrence, hurled it into the +crackling flames. + + + + + CHAPTER + 12 + _SUPERSTITION_ + + +Penny quickened her step. "Lorinda!" she called again. + +The girl at the bonfire whirled around. Seeing Penny, she gave the wooden +doll a shove with the toe of her shoe, trying to bury it beneath a pile +of burning wood. + +Penny was not to be so easily deceived. Reaching the fire, she asked +directly: "Lorinda, what in the world are you doing?" + +"Why, nothing." + +"You're burning something you don't want me to see!" + +"It's nothing. Just an old doll." + +The wooden object had not yet caught fire, and Penny could still see it +plainly. + +"Why, it's an effigy doll!" she exclaimed, then observing the face +clearly, she added in a shocked voice: "A likeness of your mother!" + +The scarlet string around the doll's body caught fire, and soon tongues +of flame began to consume the wood. Only then did Lorinda speak. + +"Now it is destroyed! But I cannot so easily destroy the evil that +threatens my mother!" + +"Why, Lorinda! What do you mean? Why are you burning this doll?" + +Lorinda sank down on the sand, her eyes upon the fire. "I hadn't intended +anyone to know. You swear you will never tell Mother?" + +"Of course not." + +"I found this doll in a downstairs coat closet. You saw for yourself that +it was an effigy of Mother and that it was wrapped with string?" + +"Yes, but I fail to understand its significance." + +"That scarlet wool string is known as a life-thread. Each day a little of +the thread is unwound until finally it all is gone. Then the person +dies." + +"Not your mother, Lorinda! Surely, you don't believe such a crazy +superstition!" + +"I don't," Lorinda answered, her voice barely above a whisper. "_But +Mother will_ if she learns about the doll. That is why she will die, +unless I can do something to break the spell." + +To Penny the words seemed fantastic, but she realized Lorinda was deadly +in earnest and convinced that she was speaking the truth. + +"Let's get to the bottom of this, Lorinda. How did the doll come into the +house?" + +"I only wish I knew. Obviously, it was brought by someone who hates my +mother. The doll was carved in her image, and no doubt deadly _basiko_ +and _dayama_ incantations were chanted as the string was wrapped tightly +about the body." + +"Who told you all this lingo?" Penny demanded suspiciously. "Your +stepfather?" + +"I learned a little of it from him," Lorinda admitted, "but most of my +knowledge came from Celeste and Antón." + +"Superstitious natives!" + +"Laugh if you like, but this form of dark magic which is practiced in the +jungles, is a sort of hypnotism. The victim weakens and dies because he +_believes that he is doomed_." + +"Then the antidote is simple. Just don't put any stock in such rot." + +"Easily said, but the victim _always believes_." + +"You think your mother will put faith in all this?" Penny scoffed. + +Lorinda gave her a strange look. "I know she will, if she learns about +the doll. That's why I'm burning it." + +"A very sensible act. The doll is destroyed. We'll keep this strictly to +ourselves, and the spell is broken!" + +"You make it sound very easy." + +"Your mother hasn't seen the doll?" + +"No, I only found it a few minutes ago." + +"Then she'll never hear about it. Haven't you any theory as to how the +effigy got into the house?" + +"No," Lorinda replied, after a slight hesitation. + +"Would your stepfather have had a hand in it?" + +"Oh, I don't think so! It would be such a vicious, wicked thing to do!" + +"He and your mother always got on well together?" + +"No, they had frequent disagreements," Lorinda admitted, squirming +uncomfortably. "All the same, my stepfather was not a cruel man." + +"Do you have utter confidence in Antón and Celeste?" + +"They have been fairly efficient servants. Mother always has treated them +well. What reason could they have for hating her?" + +"I'm sure I can't see any. Yet someone brought the doll into the house +after carving it in your mother's image." Penny thought a moment, and +then asked: "Could the Zudi drum have anything to do with it?" + +"That angle occurred to me," Lorinda nodded. "From the first, I've been +afraid that natives would trail my stepfather here and try to revenge +themselves upon him for taking the drum." + +"Celeste and Antón are not members of the Zudi cult?" + +"No, else they never would have aided my stepfather in acquiring the +drum. I understand he never would have heard of it if Celeste hadn't told +him of its existence." + +"It's all a queer puzzle," Penny commented. "While I suppose it's +possible natives could have followed your father to America and now seek +revenge upon his wife, such a theory doesn't quite ring the gong." + +"Celeste thinks we should get rid of the Zudi drum. Unless we do, she's +convinced Mother will die a slow lingering death." + +"Celeste seems to have implanted quite a few ideas in your mind," Penny +observed dryly. "If you ask me, I should say she's a sinister influence +on the household." + +"Oh, Celeste means no harm. And the last few days since my stepfather +disappeared, she's been very devoted to Mother, waiting on her as if she +were a baby." + +"Your mother must be terribly worried. You've heard nothing from your +stepfather?" + +"Not a word. Mother cries half the time, and this morning she refused to +leave her room. Even now I'm afraid she is ill." + +"Now Lorinda!" reproved Penny. "I'm afraid you're the one who has become +hypnotized by that doll!" + +"I hope it's just that I'm silly, and that there's nothing to it. But I'm +afraid--terribly afraid." + +Penny picked up a stick and poked the dying embers. She could find only a +charred piece of the doll left on the fire. Flames soon consumed it. + +"There, it's gone!" she exclaimed. "Take my advice, Lorinda, and forget +this entire incident. Don't tell your mother, Celeste, or anyone." + +Lorinda scrambled up, brushing sand from her slacks. + +"All right, I'll do as you say," she agreed. "This shall be our secret. +At any rate, by burning the doll, I should have put an end to its evil." + +Extinguishing the few remaining flames by covering them with sand, the +girls slowly climbed the steps. Penny inquired whether or not the police +had called at the mansion. Lorinda told her that they had spent nearly +two hours questioning Mrs. Rhett. + +"By the way," Penny remarked as they approached the house, "do you know +Albert Potts?" + +"My stepfather's secretary? I've met him a few times. Why?" + +"He was quite a favorite with your stepfather, I suppose?" + +"A favorite?" Lorinda chuckled. "On the contrary, he couldn't stand him! +Potts was always at his elbow, trying to tell him what to do, and what +not to do. In his way he was efficient--too efficient, if you know what I +mean." + +"I do," agreed Penny. "That was why I was surprised to learn he had been +granted a substantial salary increase after your stepfather disappeared." + +Lorinda turned her head quickly. "A pay raise? By the board, you mean?" + +"I don't know who gave it to him." + +"I can't imagine anyone giving old Potts a raise, certainly not the +board. The members meet only once a month, on the fifteenth. Of course, +it's possible a special session was called because of my stepfather's +absence." + +"That may have happened," agreed Penny. "At any rate, Mr. Potts seemingly +has come into money." + +Rounding a twist in the path, the girls came within view of the mansion +terrace where Mrs. Rhett, in white, reclined. + +"Why, Mother is downstairs!" Lorinda exclaimed in surprise. + +The woman did not see the girls until they were very close. But as they +reached the terrace, she raised her eyes, and smiled in a brief, sad +manner. Penny instantly noted the pallor of her face. + +"I appreciate your efforts, Lorinda," she said before either of the girls +spoke. "But it is useless." + +"What is useless, Mother?" inquired her daughter. + +"I saw smoke rising from your fire on the beach." + +Lorinda glanced quickly at Penny, laughed nervously and said: "Oh, that! +I was burning a little driftwood." + +Mrs. Rhett held her daughter's eyes in a steady, knowing gaze. + +"It is useless to try to deceive me," she said quietly. "I know you +burned the doll." + +"Whatever gave you such an idea, Mother?" + +"I know," replied the woman with quiet finality. "First the burnt match +ends and now the doll! My life thread is reaching its end, and I shall +slowly weaken and die." + + + + + CHAPTER + 13 + _MISSING FROM THE CHEST_ + + +"Mother, how did you learn about the wooden doll?" Lorinda gasped. "And +where did you get such a crazy idea that you will weaken and die?" + +"I have known it ever since my husband went away." + +"But that's impossible!" cried Lorinda, fairly beside herself with +anxiety. "I'm sure the doll wasn't in the house until today. Someone is +putting these notions in your head! Is it Celeste?" + +"Celeste is doing her best to help, but there is nothing she can do," +Mrs. Rhett said sadly. + +"Mother, snap out of this! You're worried about Father and it has made +you morbid. Nothing will happen to you. The doll has been destroyed, and +in any case, we know it's only a stupid effigy." + +Dropping her head wearily on the chair back, Mrs. Rhett smiled and said +nothing. Closing her eyes, she relaxed for a moment. Penny and Lorinda +thought she might be dropping off to sleep, so they moved quietly away. + +Mrs. Rhett's eyes opened then and she said: "Oh, Lorinda!" + +"Yes, Mother." + +"There's something I wish to mention--about my will." + +"Your will?" the girl repeated with distaste. "Why talk about that--now +of all times!" + +"There may be no better time," Mrs. Rhett said. "As you know, my will is +kept in the safe. It leaves this house and nearly all of my property to +Hamilton." + +"Let's not talk about it," Lorinda pleaded nervously. "At the time you +made the will, we decided it was very fair." + +"I thought so then, because you have substantial income in your own name. +Hamilton, on the other hand, has nothing--scarcely a penny except his +salary at the bank." + +"You were right in leaving money to him, Mother. I never objected." + +"The situation has changed now," Mrs. Rhett continued. "My husband may +never return. If I should die suddenly, the estate would be left to him, +but he might not appear to claim it. To my knowledge, he has no +relatives. It could all become an awkward legal muddle." + +"You certainly are borrowing trouble, Mother! Father will be found, and +everything will be the same as before." + +"I wish I could think so, Lorinda." + +"Forget about the will." + +Mrs. Rhett shook her head. "I think I shall change it. And soon. However, +at this moment, I don't know how I wish to dispose of some of my +property. Nearly everything I own is tied up in real estate." + +The woman arose, and remarking that she had a severe headache, started +into the house. + +"I'll lie down for a little while," she murmured. "I feel so weak and +tired." + +Lorinda waited until her mother was well beyond hearing. Then she turned +to Penny with stricken eyes. + +"You heard what she said! She must have learned about that hideous doll +from Celeste!" + +"But how did Celeste know of it? You told her?" + +"Oh, no! But Celeste has a way of knowing everything that goes on in this +household. What ought I to do?" + +"If I were in your place I would get rid of Celeste and Antón. Send them +packing!" + +The suggestion seemed almost shocking to Lorinda. + +"Oh, I couldn't do that," she answered. "In the first place, my +stepfather would be furious if he returned and found them gone. Secondly, +I doubt that they would go on my orders. They're very independent." + +"Then I don't see what you can do." + +"If only my stepfather were here! Unless he returns soon I'm afraid +something dreadful will happen to Mother. Did she look well to you?" + +"Well--" Penny hesitated, and then said truthfully: "She seemed pale and +listless. But one can understand that, considering what she has been +through." + +"I heard her give orders about her food this morning. She told Celeste +she would have trays served in her room, and _no food is to be cooked +with salt_." + +"Is that especially significant?" + +"My stepfather once told me natives who believe a hex or _ouange_ have +been put on them are afraid to eat salted food. The salt is supposed to +turn to poison in their bodies!" + +Penny would have laughed had the matter not been so serious. + +"Lorinda, you're as superstitious as a little savage!" + +"I don't believe such a thing myself," the girl denied. "But Mother +apparently does. She always was afraid of everything remotely connected +with cult practices. She never wanted my stepfather to have books on the +subject in the library, yet recently I saw her reading them." + +"You said they disagreed about his interest in ancient cult practices?" + +"Yes," Lorinda admitted. "Otherwise they got on quite well together. +Perhaps I shouldn't tell you this, but two days before he went away, they +had a violent disagreement. Mother wanted to discharge Antón and Celeste, +and he refused. Then on the last day my stepfather was seen, Mother went +to the bank to talk to him. She never told me what happened there." + +"According to Albert Potts, they had another quarrel." + +"I shouldn't wonder," Lorinda sighed. "And now Mother's attitude toward +Celeste is so changed--she actually clings to her. Oh dear, it's all so +upsetting." + +"You're trying to take too much upon your shoulders," Penny said kindly. + +Conversation lagged. Lorinda could not throw aside the deep mood of +depression which possessed her. Penny knew she no longer had an excuse to +linger, yet she was unwilling to leave without asking a few questions +about the thatched roof cottage. + +"Lorinda, why did you try to keep me from visiting it the other day?" she +inquired. + +"Well, I didn't know you then. My stepfather's trophies all are kept in +the cottage, and I didn't want anyone prying about." + +"Then actually it's not a place of evil?" + +Lorinda hesitated and answered indirectly: "I almost never go to the +cottage myself. Once I was badly frightened there--it was nothing--but +for a silly reason, I've always dreaded going back." + +"You didn't by chance hear whispering from within the walls?" + +Lorinda gave her companion a quick, startled look. "Why do you ask, +Penny?" + +"Because I visited the cottage yesterday with Salt Sommers. We distinctly +heard a voice which seemed to come from the wall itself. When we went +outside to investigate, the door slammed shut and locked." + +"It has an automatic catch," Lorinda explained. "I never heard voices +there, but I had a strange feeling when I was in the room--as if the +walls had eyes and I was being watched." + +"The cottage always is kept locked?" Penny inquired. + +"Yes, my stepfather's trophies are valuable, and we can't risk having +them stolen. How did you get inside?" + +Penny had the grace to blush. "Well, to make a long story short, we went +in through the window," she admitted. "It was a dreadful thing to do, and +I'm heartily ashamed." + +"I don't blame you," Lorinda laughed. "Naturally you were curious after I +tried so hard to keep you away. Would you like to see the cottage again?" + +"Indeed, yes!" + +"I'll get the key," Lorinda offered. + +She vanished into the house and was gone so long that Penny wondered what +could be delaying the girl. When she finally appeared on the veranda, her +face was as dark as a rain cloud. + +"The key is gone!" she exclaimed. "It's always been kept in the top +drawer of the dresser in my stepfather's room. I couldn't find it +anywhere." + +"Perhaps he took it with him that last day he went to the bank," +suggested Penny. + +"Possibly," agreed Lorinda, though without conviction. "I hope nothing +has been stolen from the cottage." + +Alarmed at being unable to find the key, the girls walked hurriedly along +the wooded path to the trophy house. From afar, Lorinda saw that the door +was open a tiny crack. + +"Either the place has been ransacked, or someone is there now!" she +declared excitedly. + +They approached swiftly but with noiseless tread. Lorinda suddenly flung +open the cottage door. + +The room was deserted. Trophies were exactly as Penny had seen them the +previous day. + +"That's funny," Lorinda commented, entering, "I was certain I'd find +someone here. Perhaps you and your friend failed to lock the door after +you left yesterday." + +"It locked itself. We tried it, and couldn't get in. Anyway, even if we +had left the door open, that still leaves the question of what became of +the missing key." + +Lorinda nodded thoughtfully as her gaze swept the room. + +"Everything seems to be here," she remarked. + +"What does the chest contain?" Penny inquired curiously. "Salt and I +wanted to peek inside yesterday, but didn't have a chance." + +"I'll show you," Lorinda offered. + +Pulling out the chest, she raised the lid. The top compartment tray was +empty. Looking a trifle puzzled, Lorinda jerked it from the wooden +container. The lower section of the chest also was empty. + +"Why, everything is gone!" she cried. "My stepfather kept an altar cloth, +a feathered head dress, two carved knives, several rattles, and I don't +know what all in this chest! They've been stolen!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 14 + _STORM WARNINGS_ + + +Penny dropped down on her knees beside Lorinda, peering into the empty +wooden box. + +"I hope you don't think Salt and I took anything when we were here," she +murmured uncomfortably. "We never even opened the chest." + +"Of course I know you didn't," Lorinda replied. "Such a thought never +entered my mind. But it's disturbing to know these things are gone. Why +weren't the other trophies taken also?" + +"Possibly, because the person who stole them thought the objects inside +the chest would not be so quickly missed." + +Lorinda nodded as if in agreement, and closed the chest. As she +straightened up, a tense, strained expression came over her face, and she +stiffened. + +"Listen!" she whispered. + +From behind the walls of the house came a muffled dum--dum--dum of a +drum. Even as the girls tensely listened, the sound died away. + +"Could this cottage have a secret panel?" Penny asked in an excited +voice. + +"I don't think so." Badly frightened, Lorinda tried not to show it. "At +least I never heard of one." + +Penny began tapping the walls, none of which gave off a hollow sound. The +section by the fireplace appeared somewhat thicker than the others. +However, if it contained a moveable panel, she could not locate it. + +Her gaze fell upon the cocoanut shell lamp, its bowl nearly exhausted of +oil. + +"Lorinda," she inquired, "is this room usually lighted?" + +"Why, no." + +"When Salt and I were here, we saw the cocoanut shell lamp burning. A +little oil is left in it now." + +"I can't imagine how it came to be there," Lorinda said in a hushed +voice. "My stepfather may have filled it long ago, but he certainly never +spoke of it." + +Hurriedly the girls left the cottage, closing the door tightly behind +them. Lorinda tested it twice to make certain the lock had caught. + +"The sound of those drums--" she murmured. "Penny, did I imagine it?" + +"I assure you, you didn't. I heard them too." + +"Then the sound came from the beach," Lorinda declared firmly. "It +couldn't have been otherwise. No one is anywhere around here." + +"Let's go to the beach and look around," Penny proposed. + +Almost at a run, they cut across the garden to the steps which led to the +river's edge. Reaching the beach they paused to listen. No sound of drums +could be heard and no one was in sight. + +"It couldn't have come from here," Penny said. "Lorinda, that drumming +definitely was tied up with the cottage." + +"But the sound was muffled and far away." + +"The cottage may have a passageway connection." + +"I never heard of such a thing." + +"How long ago was the cottage built, Lorinda?" + +"The summer after Mother and my stepfather were married. I remember, +Mother and I went away for a month to visit a cousin. When we returned, +the cottage was finished. My stepfather ordered it done while we were +away. Mother didn't like it one bit." + +"Then you actually weren't here when the cottage was built? For all you +know, a secret passageway or false panels in the walls, may have been put +in?" + +"I suppose it could have been done," Lorinda admitted reluctantly. + +"Who would know about the cottage except your stepfather? Did you learn +the builder's name?" + +"I'm not sure there was one. I think my stepfather and Antón did most of +the work themselves." + +"Let's talk to Antón," suggested Penny. "Perhaps he can shed light on the +mystery of those whispering, drum-pounding walls!" + +Antón, however, was nowhere to be found. After searching for him in the +house and on the grounds, the girls abandoned the search. + +By this time it was growing late, so Penny regretfully bade her friend +goodbye, and returned home. + +Try as she would, she could not forget the strange events of the +afternoon, nor Mrs. Rhett's obsession that she would have a long and +fatal illness. + +"Even now that woman is mentally ill," she thought. "I do hope Lorinda +calls in a doctor without delay." + +Although removed from the depressing mansion atmosphere, Penny found it +impossible to forget the effigy and the conviction Lorinda had of its +powers. + +"Dad," she said abruptly that night when dinner was over. "Do you believe +in black magic?" + +"I don't believe in any kind of magic, black, red, pink or green," he +answered absently. "What's on your mind now?" + +Penny told him of her adventure at the Rhett estate. She confidently +expected her father to make light of the entire affair, but to her +surprise he listened with flattering attention and asked many questions. + +"It's fantastic!" he exclaimed when she finished. "Utterly fantastic! Yet +I've read of cases where natives have been taken ill and although doctors +declared not a thing was the matter with them, they weakened and died. Is +Mrs. Rhett an hysterical type of woman?" + +"Yes, I think so." + +"Then she may be in real danger! Obviously, something underhanded is +going on at the mansion!" + +Pulling himself out of a comfortable chair, Mr. Parker went to the hall +closet for his hat, coat and cane. + +"You're not going to the police station, are you, Dad?" + +"No, I want to talk this over first with a man of my acquaintance who is +better versed in cult practices and superstitions than anyone I know. +He's Professor Kennedy of Riverview College. He spent many years in +Africa, Egypt and along the Amazon river." + +"May I go with you, Dad?" + +"Come along," he invited. "You know all the facts, and I may get them +mixed up." + +Twenty minutes later Penny and her father were in the cozy study of +Professor James Kennedy on Braemer Drive. An elderly man with a very soft +voice, he greeted the Parkers cordially and displayed keen interest as +they revealed the purpose of their call. + +"I once met Mr. Rhett at a dinner party," Professor Kennedy remarked. "He +is a highly intelligent gentleman and we had a very animated +conversation." + +"Did Rhett impress you as a man who might dabble in black magic practice +to gain his ends?" Mr. Parker inquired. + +Professor Kennedy dropped a log on the fire before he answered. +Considering his words carefully, he said: + +"Undoubtedly, Mr. Rhett would have the knowledge, but he struck me as a +man of unusual character. Suppose you explain more fully what you have in +mind." + +Professor Kennedy listened soberly as Penny recounted her many +observations while at the Rhett mansion. He frowned slightly as she told +how Mrs. Rhett had found the burnt match ends tied with scarlet string. +When she disclosed how Lorinda and she destroyed the wooden doll, he no +longer could remain silent. + +"Indeed, you are correct in thinking someone may be trying to practice a +little jungle magic!" he exclaimed. "Mrs. Rhett may be in grave danger +unless we take counter-measures." + +"But why should anyone seek to harm her?" Penny inquired. "You don't +think she'll actually be physically hurt?" + +"Her mind will be influenced--poisoned," the professor explained. "Oh, I +don't mean a drug will be used, but there are subtle and just as +effective ways. Now those burned match ends and the doll are only +symbols, harmless in themselves, yet they are a means by which Mrs. Rhett +may be made seriously ill." + +"Merely by the use of suggestion?" + +"Yes." + +"But it's all such nonsense!" Penny protested. + +"To you--yes. But not to Mrs. Rhett. Tell me, does she know that the doll +existed?" + +"Yes, she learned about it--probably from Antón or Celeste." + +The professor nodded. "The intended victim _always knows_," he declared. +"By one means or another he is informed through those who seek his ruin. +To be effective, the person must fear the mumbo-jumbo hocus-pocus." + +"Mrs. Rhett does fear it," Penny confirmed. "What's worse, she already +believes herself marked for long illness. She actually looked ill today." + +"She is mentally sick, and the symptoms will develop, unless +counter-measures quickly are adopted." + +"What do you advise, Professor?" asked Mr. Parker. "Perhaps if Mrs. Rhett +were sent away from Riverview for a short while--" + +"It would be of no avail, for the basic belief that she is ill would +remain in her mind. No, this thing, must be plucked out at the root. The +doll has been burned. That is good! Now the one who seeks to will this +sickness upon Mrs. Rhett must be found and confronted with his crime." + +"We don't know who is behind it," said Mr. Parker. + +"I read in the papers Mr. Rhett has vanished. However, I wonder, is it +not possible he actually is still in Riverview?" + +"But you said yourself, Mr. Rhett doesn't appear the type of man to do +such a ghastly thing," broke in Mr. Parker. + +"So I did, but we dare not close our eyes to such a possibility. I +believe you mentioned two servants, Antón and Celeste, who also are +versed in cult practices, no doubt." + +"Celeste is the one I suspect!" cried Penny. "But she has no good reason +for hating Mrs. Rhett who seemingly always has been kind to her." + +"Regardless, my advice is that the two servants be watched closely. And +when the guilty person is found, as he must be, ordinary threats or +punishments are likely to prove useless in dealing with him. He must be +fought with his own superstitious weapons." + +Mr. Parker and Penny talked on and on with the professor whose discussion +of the effects of auto-suggestion only served to heighten their anxiety +regarding Mrs. Rhett. When they left the house at midnight, Penny was +deeply depressed. + +"It's all very well for the professor to say 'find the guilty party and +fight him with his own weapons,'" she declared, "but how can we do it? In +the first place, Lorinda is our only contact with the Rhett household." + +"Secondly, we're not gifted in all this hocus-pocus. It's a case for the +police," added her father. + +"But we have no proof of anything," Penny pointed out. + +"True," agreed her father. "I may talk to the police chief about it. +Meanwhile, we're interested in keeping abreast of developments for the +_Star_. If you're sent out there again, be watchfully alert, but say +nothing to Lorinda or anyone else about your suspicions. The case could +take an ugly turn. In that event, I don't want you involved." + +"It's fun working on the story, Dad. But I also want to help Lorinda and +especially her mother." + +Penny realized her father had given excellent advice, and made up her +mind to follow it. She became thoughtfully silent as they motored home. + +"Wonder what the news is tonight?" Mr. Parker remarked, halting the car +at a street corner to buy a newspaper. + +Glaring headlines occupied the front page. Mr. Parker's first thought was +that the missing banker had been found. He snapped on the interior car +light to read the banner. + +His stunned silence as he stared at it, caused Penny to peer over his +shoulder. The lead story was not about Mr. Rhett's mysterious +disappearance. Instead, the bold black type proclaimed: + +"STORM WARNINGS POSTED. RIVERVIEW BELIEVED TO BE IN PATH OF APPROACHING +HURRICANE!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 15 + _MRS. RHETT'S ILLNESS_ + + +News that a violent storm was sweeping toward Riverview held the front +pages throughout Monday, and became almost the only topic of conversation +on the streets. + +Skies remained sunny, however, and presently fears were somewhat quieted +by national wire service reports that the hurricane was believed to be +veering eastward. Government observers now were quoted as predicting only +the edge of the hurricane would strike the coast, and inland states might +escape unscathed. + +Accordingly, business went on much the same as usual. Lulled by the +knowledge that never in the history of Riverview had a hurricane struck, +the citizens now and then glanced at the falling barometer, but otherwise +gave the matter little thought. + +Although the disappearance of Hamilton Rhett had been crowded completely +from the front pages, Penny did not lose interest in the case. Twice she +telephoned the mansion, only to receive no response. She did not visit +the estate, for Editor DeWitt kept her busy with special assignments. + +After school Tuesday, Penny was sent to the Hanover Steamship Co. offices +to interview a tugboat captain. Enroute she ran into Louise Sidell. Her +chum regarded her accusingly. + +"A great pal you turned out to be, Penny Parker! Remember--you left me +standing at the door of the First National." + +"I'm terribly sorry, Lou," Penny apologized. "I was inside much longer +than I expected to be and when I came out, you were gone." + +"You never even telephoned to tell me what happened, you egg! I read all +about it in the papers." + +"You may have read part of the story, but not all," Penny corrected. "I +called for you on Sunday when you were out, and since then I've been +busier than a hop toad. Right now I'm on my way to the steamship office. +Want to come along?" + +"I suppose it's the only way I'll get any information out of you," Louise +grumbled, falling into step. + +As they walked toward the docks, she asked leading questions and, by the +time they reached the steamship offices, had gleaned most of the story. + +"So you believe Mr. Rhett may be somewhere in Riverview?" she mused. + +"Jerry and I thought so at first, but we've nearly abandoned the idea. +The only clue we uncovered led to a dead end." + +Pausing near the tugboat office, the girls stood for a moment watching +waves pound against the docks. A chill, persistent wind had sprung up +which penetrated their light clothing. + +"B-r! It's getting colder!" Louise shivered, huddling close to Penny. +"Maybe that storm the newspapers predicted is heading in this direction +after all!" + +Entering the tugboat office, the girls sought Captain Dolphin. The genial +old fellow had been interviewed so many times that he knew the story of +his life almost by heart and recited it with great gusto. Penny took a +few notes and arose to leave. + +"What do you think of the weather, captain?" she inquired casually. + +His answer surprised her. "We don't like the look of 'er here," he said, +frowning. "Barometer's been falling all day. I'm callin' in all my tugs +off the river." + +"Then you believe the storm actually may strike here?" + +"We're not takin' any chances," replied the captain. "Once when I was a +young twirp shippin' on a freighter, a hurricane struck us off the +Florida Keys. We made port, but it was by the skin of a shark's tooth! +Never want to see another storm like that one!" + +Penny pocketed her notebook, and the girls went outside into the rising +wind. More conscious now of its icy bite, they huddled for a moment in +the shelter of the office doorway. + +Only a few doors away stood the Hartmann Steamship Company offices, whose +large river boats plied up the Coast and on to distant world ports. + +Through the plate glass window of the ticket office, Penny's attention +was attracted to a slightly stooped man in rumpled clothing who was +talking to the man in charge. He turned slightly, and as she saw his +profile, she was struck by his remarkable resemblance to the newspaper +photograph of Hamilton Rhett. + +"Lou, see that man in the ticket office!" she exclaimed. "Doesn't he look +like the missing banker?" + +Louise studied the stranger a moment and replied: "How should I know? +I've never seen him." + +"Surely you saw the picture the _Star_ published!" + +"Yes, but I didn't pay much attention." + +The man now was leaving the ticket office. Impulsively, Penny stepped +forward to intercept him. "I beg your pardon--" she began. + +Alert, wary eyes bore into her own as the stranger gazed straight at her +for an instant. He said nothing, waiting for her to continue. + +"Aren't you Hamilton Rhett?" Penny asked, deciding to make a direct +approach. + +"No, you are mistaken," the man replied. + +Pushing past Penny, he went hurriedly on down the street. + +"You see!" commented Louise. "That's what you get for jumping to such +rash conclusions!" + +Penny, however, was far from convinced that she had made a mistake. + +"If that man wasn't Mr. Rhett, it was his double! Lou, did you notice if +he wore a serpent ring?" + +"He kept both hands in his pockets." + +"That's so, he did!" agreed Penny. "Wait here for me! I'll ask the ticket +agent a few questions!" + +She was inside the office perhaps five minutes. When she returned, +visibly excited, she glanced anxiously up the street. The stranger had +vanished from view down the short street, apparently having turned at the +first corner. + +"We must overtake him!" Penny cried. "I have a hunch we let Mr. Rhett +pull a fast one!" + +Hurriedly, the girls walked to the corner. The stranger was nowhere to be +seen. Whether he had disappeared into a building, down an alley or +another street, they had no way of knowing. Penny stopped two pedestrians +to inquire, but no one had noticed the man. + +"We've lost him!" she exclaimed to Louise. "How disgusting!" + +"What did the ticket man tell you, Penny?" + +"That the man was inquiring about steamship accommodations to New +Orleans, and on to South America. He didn't give his name." + +"Then how can you be sure it was Mr. Rhett?" + +"It's only a hunch. But the agent said the man was wearing a ring--he +didn't notice the type." + +"Any number of men wear rings," Louise scoffed. "Penny, aren't you +indulging in a little wishful thinking? You want to find Mr. Rhett so +badly you're letting your imagination run riot." + +"Maybe you're right," Penny admitted with a sigh. "Anyway, we've lost the +fellow, so we may as well forget it." + +Saying goodbye to Louise, she hastened off to the _Star_ office to write +up the interview with the tugboat captain. However, she could not put her +mind on her work, and after making three false starts, she decided to +postpone the story until after dinner. + +Fortified by a good meal, she wrote the story much easier, but Penny was +far from satisfied when she turned her finished copy in at the desk. + +"Guess I'm off the beam tonight," she remarked to Jerry. "It took me an +age to write that story." + +Penny glanced at the clock. Time had passed swiftly for it was now after +nine. + +"You look tired," observed the night editor. "There's nothing more for +you to do. Why don't you skip out?" + +"Guess I will," agreed Penny, reaching for her hat. "I have a geometry +test coming up tomorrow." + +She was through the swinging barrier, and half way down the hall when +Jerry called to her: "Telephone for you, Penny." + +With a sigh, she returned to take the call. Weariness vanished and she +became wide-awake as she recognized Lorinda Rhett's voice at the other +end of the line. + +"Miss Parker?" the girl inquired in an agitated voice. + +"Speaking." + +"I'm sorry to bother you," Lorinda went on, "but could you possibly come +to our house right away?" + +"Why, I think so," Penny said, instantly divining that something was +amiss at the mansion. "Is anything wrong?" + +"Oh, yes! Everything! I can't tell you over the phone. Just come as +quickly as you can. I need your help." + +After hanging up the receiver, Penny related the conversation to the +night editor. "I don't know exactly what the call means," she added. +"Possibly, Lorinda has learned something about her missing stepfather. If +so, it should make a good story!" + +"Give us a ring from the mansion if any thing develops," the night editor +instructed. "Better take Jerry along with you. No telling what may turn +up." + +Jerry already was on his feet, reaching for his hat. His car was parked +on the street. Traffic flow had dwindled, enabling them to reach the +mansion in record time. + +The lower floor of the Rhett home was dark, but on the second floor, +nearly all the rooms were ablaze with light. + +"Wonder what's up!" mused Jerry, parking the car across the street. + +"Lorinda is expecting me alone," Penny said. "Maybe it would be better +for you to wait here until I have a chance to talk to her." + +"Sure. Just signal if you need me." + +Jerry switched off the car lights and settled himself for a lengthy +vigil. + +Penny ran up the walk and pounded on the door. In a moment, she heard +footsteps; the living room light flashed on; then the door was opened by +Lorinda. + +"Is anything the matter?" Penny inquired anxiously. + +"It's Mother," Lorinda explained. "She's very ill. We have the doctor +now. I'm dreadfully worried." + +Penny, at a loss to understand how she could be of help, nodded +sympathetically. + +"Come with me upstairs," Lorinda requested. "I want you to see and talk +to Mother, and then tell me what you think." + +"What seems to be the trouble?" + +"She refuses food and she has rapidly failed since you last saw her. I've +tried to reason with her, but it is useless. She is convinced she has a +fatal illness and will die!" + +Deeply troubled, Penny followed Lorinda upstairs to the luxuriously +furnished bed chamber. Celeste, in white starched uniform, was hovering +anxiously over the bed where Mrs. Rhett lay. Lorinda's mother looked ten +years older than when Penny had last seen her. Her face was pale and +shriveled, her eyes listless. + +"I don't want the food!" she said peevishly to Celeste, pushing aside a +spoonful of custard which was held to her lips. "It is useless to eat." + +On the other side of the bed stood a stout, middle-aged man whom Lorinda +introduced as Doctor Everett, a specialist. + +"Mrs. Rhett," he said sternly, "you are acting very foolish in refusing +food. I have made a careful examination and can find nothing whatsoever +the matter." + +"I didn't call you to this house," the woman retorted. "Please go away +and leave me alone. One has a right to die in peace." + +"You will not die," said the doctor patiently. "Your illness is only a +fancy of the mind." + +Mrs. Rhett tossed her head on the pillow. "Go away!" she ordered. "It was +my daughter who called you here--not I. No doctor can be of the slightest +aid to me." + +"Not unless you are willing to cooperate. Now I suggest that a trained +nurse be called in to--" + +"A trained nurse!" cried Celeste, straightening from the bedside. "Only I +will tend my mistress! We will have no stranger in the household!" + +"I want Celeste," agreed Mrs. Rhett, clinging to the servant's hand. "She +is the only one who understands my ailment. Celeste will take care of +me--no one else." + +The doctor shrugged. "Very well, it was only a suggestion. I should like +to help you, but under the circumstance, there is nothing I can do. Good +evening." + +As the doctor reached for his black bag, Lorinda moved quickly across the +room. Her eyes pleaded with him to understand. + +"Doctor Everett, you'll come again tomorrow?" she requested. + +He smiled, but shook his head. "You might call Doctor Fellows, a +psychiatrist," he advised. "There is nothing I can do." + +While Lorinda accompanied the doctor to the front door, Penny remained in +the bedroom. No sooner had the physician left than Celeste moved close to +the bed, muttering: + +"Good! He is gone! Only a fool would believe a doctor could help you. +Until the _ouange_ is broken, food will only turn to poison in your body! +You will weaken and die. But Celeste will save you--Celeste will find a +way to break the evil spell." + + + + + CHAPTER + 16 + _AN OPEN WINDOW_ + + +Unmindful of Penny, Celeste bent lower over her bed-ridden mistress, +whispering words into her ear. + +"Celeste! What are you saying?" Penny demanded. "Why, you're putting +dangerous ideas into Mrs. Rhett's mind!" + +The servant whirled toward her angrily. "Go away!" she ordered. "My +mistress does not want you here!" + +"Celeste!" reproved Mrs. Rhett, but in a mild voice. + +Penny stood her ground, stubbornly determined that a servant should not +order her away. For a moment she and Celeste measured each other with +steady gaze. Nothing more was said. Mrs. Rhett sighed, closed her eyes, +and seemed to drowse. + +Lorinda came bounding up the stairs two at a time. Unaware that anything +unpleasant had transpired during her absence, she said with forced +cheerfulness: + +"Now, Mother, let's have no more nonsense. You're to eat your food +without fuss. Here, let's try the custard again." + +Mrs. Rhett pushed away the spoon. "No, Lorinda, it is useless. But there +is something you may do for me." + +"Anything you wish, Mother." + +"Bring pen and ink." + +"Are you really strong enough to write a letter?" + +"I intend to change my will. Lorinda, we spoke of this the other day. +While I still have the strength I must revoke my former will and leave +all my property to you." + +"Oh, Mother, don't talk of such things! Why, the doctor says you're in +perfect physical condition. You'll be up and around in another day or +two. It's only worry about Father that has put you under the weather." + +"I have made up my mind, Lorinda. The will must be changed--now--tonight, +while I have the strength." + +"Very well, if it will make you rest easier," Lorinda said reluctantly. +"Celeste, bring ink, a pen and paper." + +Celeste made no move to obey. "My mistress is not strong enough to +write," she mumbled. + +"Mother wishes to change the will. Please bring the materials." + +"To change the will while one lies on a sick bed is to invite great +trouble." + +"Celeste! No more of such talk! Do as you are told!" + +Penny thought the servant would refuse to obey, but she shuffled off. +Many minutes passed before she returned with the requested materials. + +Lorinda sat down at the bedside, and wrote at her Mother's dictation. It +was a simple will in which Mrs. Rhett left all of her property to her +daughter. + +"If I thought my husband ever would return, I would want him to receive +all my holdings," she said. "As it is, I think the money should go to +you, Lorinda." + +Penny was tempted to speak of her own belief that Mr. Rhett might be +alive and in the city. However, realizing she had not a scrap of proof, +she wisely remained silent. + +Mrs. Rhett signed the will. Lorinda and Penny then added their names as +witnesses to the document. + +"Lock the will in the safe," Mrs. Rhett instructed her daughter. "Do it +now, before you forget." + +"Yes, Mother." + +Seemingly relieved that the matter had been accomplished, Mrs. Rhett +turned over in bed and tried to sleep. Leaving Celeste to look after her, +Penny and Lorinda went downstairs to the study. + +"Celeste seemed to be displeased because your mother changed the will," +Penny remarked. + +"Yes, Celeste has become a problem. I feel the doctor was right in +suggesting a nurse for Mother. Celeste _may_ mean well, but she is a +distinct influence for the worse." + +"Then why not get rid of her?" + +"How?" + +"Tell her to go." + +Lorinda laughed shortly. "You don't know Celeste if you think she would +take such an order from me!" + +"Then have your mother dismiss her." + +"I'm not sure she would do it. Furthermore, Celeste might defy her too. +She has the idea she'll take orders only from my stepfather." + +"I believe you're actually afraid of the woman," Penny commented. + +"In a way I am," Lorinda admitted. "Mother used to dislike her intensely. +Strangely, since she has become ill, she seems to depend more upon +Celeste than she does upon me." + +"Did it ever occur to you that Celeste might deliberately be planting +ideas in your mother's mind?" + +"Yes, I've thought of it. I don't believe Celeste would be evil enough to +do it on purpose, but she is highly superstitious. I wish she were out of +the house." + +"You could get rid of her if you really wanted to. Just call in the +police, and have them take over." + +"I couldn't do that. Mother would never forgive me." + +The girls entered the study, and Lorinda switched on a light. After +pulling the blinds, she removed the wall picture, and prepared to open +the safe. + +Before she could spin the dials, footsteps padded on the stairway. +Celeste appeared suddenly in the study doorway. + +"Come quick!" she pleaded. "Mistress much worse!" + +Lorinda dropped the will on the table, and with Penny close at her heels, +followed Celeste up the stairway. Expecting the worst, they peered +anxiously at Mrs. Rhett. She was tossing restlessly, but otherwise +appeared the same as when they had seen her a few minutes ago. + +"How do you feel, Mother?" Lorinda asked. + +"Just the same," Mrs. Rhett replied listlessly. + +Lorinda gazed questioningly at Celeste. + +"Mistress much better now," the servant said. "She had sinking spell +while you were downstairs." + +"I'm afraid you imagined it, Celeste," Lorinda replied severely. "This +really proves that we should have a trained nurse. Otherwise, you'll +frighten us all out of our wits." + +Celeste started to make a retort, but just then Mrs. Rhett spoke: +"Lorinda, did you put the will in the safe?" she asked. + +"I was doing it when Celeste called. I'll attend to it right away." + +Lorinda stooped to kiss her mother and offer a glass of water which was +declined. She then went downstairs once more with Penny. + +"What do you suppose possessed Celeste to frighten me so?" she remarked +thoughtfully. "Did Mother seem changed to you?" + +"Not a particle." + +Reaching the study, Lorinda went directly to the table where she had left +the signed will. The paper was not there. + +"Why, Penny, what did I do with it?" she demanded in bewilderment. "I was +certain I left it here." + +"I distinctly recall that you did," Penny replied, her gaze wandering to +an open window where a curtain fluttered in the breeze. "Lorinda, I think +while we were away, someone came in from outside and took the will!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 17 + _THE STOLEN WILL_ + + +Penny darted to the open window, peering out onto the dark street. No one +was in sight, although Jerry's car with dimmed headlights still stood at +the curb. + +"Who could have taken the will?" Lorinda wailed. "I'm sure it didn't blow +out the window and it didn't sprout legs and walk off either!" + +"Perhaps Celeste--" + +"She was upstairs all the time we were out of this room," Lorinda +interrupted. + +"It seemed odd she called us just at the moment she did--particularly +when your mother had not suffered a relapse." + +Lorinda did not appear to hear Penny's remark. Half doubting that the +paper could be missing, she searched on the floor near the safe, under +the window and in every corner of the room. + +"I suspect someone deliberately stole that will!" Penny said with +conviction. "Wait here! I may be able to learn more about it!" + +Hastening outdoors, she gazed about the grounds. No one was in sight. She +went directly to the press car. The automobile was deserted. + +"Now what became of Jerry?" she asked herself impatiently. "Just when I +need him!" + +Disappointed, she turned toward the house again. Then she saw the +reporter coming up a dark path from the direction of the beach. + +"Jerry!" she called softly. + +"Hi, Penny!" he returned. "Ready to go?" + +"Oh, no! Everything is in a dreadful mess here. Lorinda's mother is very +sick. She made a will, and Lorinda started to put it in the safe. Then we +were called out of the room by the housekeeper, and when we returned, the +paper was gone!" + +"When did that happen, Penny?" + +"Just now." + +"Then that fellow I chased must have been the thief!" + +"You saw someone take the will, Jerry?" + +"I was sitting in the car," the reporter related. "A light was on in one +of the downstairs rooms, but I was too sleepy to pay much attention. +Suddenly though, I saw a man who apparently had been hiding in the +shrubbery, rise up and climb through an open window." + +"A man! Could you see who it was?" + +"No, it was too dark. I jumped out of the car, but before I could cross +the yard, the fellow climbed out through the window again, and started +off. I called to him. He covered his face and ran. I chased him, but the +fellow ducked down a path and I lost him." + +"He must have stolen the will, Jerry! But how did he know about it, and +why would it be of any value to him? Everything is so mixed up!" + +"Maybe we ought to give the police a buzz." + +Penny nodded. "I'll see what Lorinda wants to do," she replied. "Until +now, the Rhetts have studiously avoided telling their troubles to the +police--in fact, I am afraid Mrs. Rhett hasn't told everything she knows +about her husband's disappearance." + +"I'll wait in the car," Jerry said. + +Penny let herself into the house again and made her way through the dark +living room to the library where a light burned. + +"Lorinda--" she began, only to stop short. + +For it was not Lorinda who stood with her back toward the door, awkwardly +turning the dials of the wall safe. Instead, Celeste whirled around, +plainly dismayed by the girl's unexpected appearance in the doorway. + +"Celeste!" Penny said sharply. "What are you doing?" + +"Nothing," the woman muttered, her mouth sullen. + +"You were trying to get into that safe! Is it the will you want, or are +you after the Zudi drum?" + +Penny's words, shot blindly, struck the target. Celeste's eyes flashed +and she advanced a step toward the girl. + +"You go away from here! Never come back!" she ordered harshly. + +"Sorry, I'm not taking orders from you, Celeste. Why do you hate Lorinda +and Mrs. Rhett? What is your little game?" + +Celeste glared at Penny. She drew in her breath and expelled it with a +hissing sound through her yellow, crooked teeth. Her hand clutched at an +object hidden beneath her uniform and worn around her neck on a dirty +cord. + +With no warning, she broke into a jargon which Penny could not +understand. But the meaning was clear enough even if the words were +unintelligible. Celeste was calling down all manner of evil upon her +head! + +"Go!" Celeste cried in English. "You come here again--harm befall you!" + +"Celeste, all your jungle hocus-pocus doesn't impress me in the least. +I'll leave when I feel in the mood--not before. What were you after in +the safe?" + +The woman's eyes met Penny's defiantly. She reached out as if to strike +her, but at that moment footsteps padded on the stairway. Pushing past +Penny, Celeste retreated to the kitchen. + +Lorinda came into the library, gazing about curiously. "Thought I heard +voices," she commented. + +"You did. Celeste was here. Guess what? I found her tampering with the +wall safe." + +"She may have been trying to learn if the Zudi drum was stolen," Lorinda +said absently. "I'm far more worried about the will. What became of it?" + +Penny repeated what Jerry had witnessed, adding: "Obviously the will was +taken by the man who climbed through the window. Could it have been +Antón?" + +"Antón? Why, I doubt that he even knew about the will, because Mother +decided to change it at a moment's notice. What reason would he have for +taking it? Neither he nor Celeste figured in the terms of either +document." + +"It seemed to me Celeste was tremendously interested," Penny said. "Oh, +well, the loss shouldn't be of serious consequence. Your mother can draw +up another will." + +"That's exactly what she won't do. I told her about the will being taken, +Penny. She immediately decided it was another omen--a sign that she +should leave everything the way it is." + +"How foolish! Celeste must have put those notions in her head!" + +"I'm sure I don't know. As for the will, I never did encourage her to +change it, because not for a moment do I believe she is sick enough to +die. I don't want Mother's money. I only want her to get well and strong +and be happy again. Penny, you don't think she is seriously ill?" + +"The doctor said nothing is the matter with her." + +"Yet we both know something dreadful is wrong." Lorinda's finger tips +nervously tapped the table edge. "Oh, Penny, I'm scared--terribly scared. +I don't explain it, but I just _feel_ a sinister something in the air!" + +"You shouldn't be here alone with Celeste and Antón. Why not override +them and hire a nurse or companion for your mother?" + +"Maybe I will," Lorinda agreed. "I'll think it over until tomorrow." + +"You'll report the theft of the will to the police, of course?" + +"No," Lorinda decided instantly. "They would only ask embarrassing +questions." + +"Why are you so reluctant to take anyone into your confidence?" + +"We're in enough trouble now, Penny. Please, let's not talk about it any +more until tomorrow." + +Decidedly puzzled by Lorinda's attitude, Penny said goodbye and rejoined +Jerry in the car. He had seen no more of the mysterious prowler and was +convinced the man had fled the estate. + +"Let's go," he said, starting the car. + +As the automobile swung down the driveway, Penny peered intently at the +roadside shrubbery. The bushes were crashing back and forth in the rising +wind, but no one was visible anywhere near the estate. Chilled, she +closed the car window. + +"Do you think that hurricane really is heading our way?" she asked her +companion. + +"Didn't see the government report tonight," Jerry replied. "Probably at +the last minute, the storm will veer off and we'll escape. Riverview +never was struck by a hurricane. Too far inland." + +The car purred smoothly on, following the road which curled toward the +beach. Penny became silent. As they turned a corner, Jerry reached out to +give her hand a friendly squeeze. + +"Why so quiet, kitten?" he teased. + +"Just thinking, Jerry. There are so many things about the Rhett case I +can't understand." + +"Why trouble your little brain?" + +"Because this isn't just an ordinary story to me, Jerry. I like Lorinda, +and I feel that unless something is done, her mother may die." + +"Don't tell me you're becoming a superstitious little heathen!" + +"Certainly not! But from what the professor told us, it's a mistake to +underrate the power of suggestion. Mrs. Rhett is in real danger--" + +Penny broke off, listening intently. + +"What was that, Jerry?" she demanded. + +"Didn't hear anything. Only the wind." + +"No, I distinctly heard a sound like the throb of a drum!" Penny lowered +the car window. "There it is again!" + +This time Jerry, too, heard the sound, far away and indistinct. "You're +right!" he exclaimed, slowing the car. "From down the beach!" + +Penny grasped his arm excitedly. "Stop the car!" she exclaimed. "If we +can find the drummer, we may be able to solve part of the mystery!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 18 + _THROUGH THE WINDOW_ + + +Jerry slammed on the foot brake and the car came to a jerky halt at the +curb. Leaping out, they stood for a moment listening. + +"Don't hear anything now!" the reporter muttered. + +"Let's take a gander down the beach," Penny proposed. "The sound seemed +to come from that direction." + +Hand in hand they cut across a vacant lot where dead weeds came waist +high, then followed a sloping path to the beach. The long stretch of sand +was deserted. + +"We must have imagined those drums," Jerry said, pausing. "Or maybe it +was the Legion fife and drum corps having a night practice." + +"It was the beat of a jungle drum." Penny turned to gaze toward the Rhett +mansion on the wooded hillside. All the windows, save one in an upstairs +bedroom, now were dark. + +By the light of a three-quarters moon which was rising over the pines, +she could see the wooden steps that led from the estate down to the +beach. On either side extended tiers of twisted limestone rock. It +occurred to Penny that somewhere among the crannies, a cave might be +tucked away. She spoke of it to Jerry. + +"Maybe," he agreed, "but I never heard of one around here." + +A gust of wind caught Penny's felt hat, carrying it cartwheeling down the +beach. She and Jerry raced in pursuit, colliding as they pounced on it +together. They laughed, and as the reporter pulled the hat over Penny's +flying hair, he kissed her quickly on the cheek. + +Then before she could reprimand him, he exclaimed: "Wow! That wind really +is getting strong! Let's get back to the car before we blow away!" + +Penny liked Jerry and she liked the kiss. Best of all, she appreciated +his consideration in never forcing serious attentions upon her. With a +gay "I'll race you!", she ran ahead of him to the road. + +Jerry took Penny directly home. Mrs. Weems had gone to bed while Mr. +Parker had not returned from downtown. + +"Will you come in and have a cup of chocolate?" Penny invited the +reporter. + +"Not tonight, thanks," he declined. "See you tomorrow at the office." + +Penny went into the house, and after fixing herself a snack from the +refrigerator, switched on the radio to catch the weather report. The news +commentator, on a national hookup, warned that the hurricane continued to +sweep toward the Atlantic coast, and that inland cities also were +endangered. + +"It really sounds serious," she thought, turning off the radio. + +As she went upstairs, Mrs. Weems called to her in a sleepy voice, so +Penny stepped into the housekeeper's bedroom for a moment. + +"I'm glad you're home," Mrs. Weems said. "Is there any news about the +approaching storm?" + +"Nothing definite. The latest radio report said it's still heading this +way." + +"When will it strike?" + +"Late tomorrow unless it veers off. It may be quite serious," Penny said. + +Mrs. Weems sighed and settled beneath the covers again. "If it isn't one +thing it's another! First thing in the morning we must get the awning +down, and have all the shutters taken off." + +"If the center of the hurricane should hit here, everything will go," +Penny said cheerfully. "So why worry about shutters?" + +"The storm may be a severe one, but I don't believe it will strike with +hurricane force," Mrs. Weems insisted. "In any case, the shutters are +coming down, and I'll need your help! So don't try to skip out in the +morning!" + +Penny went to her own room, but before she could undress, she heard her +father's car on the driveway. He came into the house, locked the doors +for the night, then climbed the stairs. + +"Hello, Dad!" she called through the half open door of her bedroom. "Any +news?" + +"There will be by morning," he answered grimly. "The _Star_ is coming out +with front page headlines warning the city to prepare for the worst!" + +Penny stepped quickly out into the hall. + +"Then Riverview is in the path of the hurricane! Is there danger that the +city will be destroyed?" + +"Damage to property is almost certain to be extensive. I've just come +from a meeting with the mayor and City Council. While there's an outside +chance the city may be spared, it's folly not to prepare for the full +brunt of the storm. The mayor has issued a proclamation declaring an +emergency and advising everyone to keep off the streets after noon +tomorrow. Most businesses will close." + +"Then the _Star_ will shut down too?" + +"No. At such a time, folks depend more than ever upon their newspaper for +accurate information. We'll publish as long as we have a plant and our +trucks can keep delivering." + +Mr. Parker's information brought home to Penny the true seriousness of +the situation. However, as she peered out of her bedroom window a few +minutes later, the clear sky and bright stars belied an approaching +storm. + +Undressed, Penny sat for a time propped up in bed with pillows, trying to +read a book. The words held little meaning. Losing interest, she snapped +off the light, and snuggled down. + +But she could not sleep. The dark house was filled with many strange +sounds. The stairway creaked, the shutters rattled, and in the bathroom, +water dripped regularly from a faucet. + +Thoughts raced rampant through Penny's mind. She squirmed and tossed and +became increasingly aware of the rising wind. + +Suddenly she was startled by a loud crash in the yard below. Leaping out +of bed, she darted to the window. A large rotten tree limb had been +ripped from the backyard maple and now lay across the driveway. + +"Dad will have to move it before he can get the car out of the garage in +the morning," she thought. "Some fun!" + +Creeping back beneath the covers, she tried again to sleep. Instead, she +found herself thinking over everything that had occurred at the Rhett +mansion. Already the banker's disappearance was fading out of the +newspapers, and with a hurricane in the offing, the story would be +entirely forgotten. + +"The police haven't shown much interest," she reflected. "Unless definite +clues are obtained soon, Mr. Rhett may never be traced. The case will +die." + +Penny thought of the mysterious thatched roof cottage and the whispering +voices. + +"Those walls must have a secret panel," she reasoned. "I believe I might +find it if I had an opportunity to make a thorough investigation!" + +A flapping shutter reminded Penny once more of the storm. Then came the +discouraging thought that even if only the tail-end of the hurricane +struck Riverview, the flimsy thatched cottage undoubtedly would be +carried away and destroyed. + +"Unless I get out there tomorrow, I'll probably lose my chance!" she told +herself. "Oh, dear, how will I make it when I have a thousand other +things I'm supposed to do?" + +Dancing tree limbs cast weird shadows on the rough plaster wall. Penny +closed her eyes, but even then sleep would not come. + +Suddenly the window pane crashed, and glass clattered onto the floor. +Startled, Penny sat up and groped for the night table lamp. Her first +thought was that a tree branch had hurtled against the pane, breaking it. + +But as the light went on, she saw that only a small hole had been broken +in the glass. On the floor, scarcely two feet from the bed, lay a small +object wrapped in black cloth. + +Penny rolled out of bed and gingerly picked it up. Carefully and with a +feeling of revulsion, she untied the packet. + +Inside were two black feathers, the wing of a bird, herbs which Penny +could not identify, a bit of bone, and a small amount of damp earth. + +There was no warning message, nothing to identify the one who had thrown +the packet, yet Penny instantly knew its significance and from whence it +had come. + +"Either Antón or Celeste hurled it because I've cramped their style!" she +thought. "Well, their little hex won't work! I'll use this evil charm to +fashion their own undoing!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 19 + _RISING WIND_ + + +The sound of crashing glass brought both Mrs. Weems and Mr. Parker to the +bedroom. They found Penny standing at the window, the light off, peering +down into the yard. + +"What's coming off here?" Mr. Parker demanded, his voice cross because he +had been aroused from sound slumber. "Did something blow against the +window?" + +"This was thrown," Penny revealed, holding up the packet. "Dad, can you +see anyone hiding in the shrubbery?" + +Mr. Parker moved to the window, gazing intently about the yard. + +"I don't see anyone." + +"Whoever it was, he's probably gone now." Penny carefully drew the blinds +before snapping on the overhead light. She handed the packet to her +father. + +"What's this, Penny?" + +"It was thrown through the window. I suspect it's intended as a bad luck +omen, and to frighten me. Evidently my work on the Rhett case is not +appreciated." + +"A jungle charm!" exclaimed Mrs. Weems, horrified. "Oh, Penny, I knew no +good would come of your having anything to do with that queer family! +Here, give that horrid thing to me--I'll burn it in the furnace." + +"Not so fast," chuckled Penny. "I intend to keep it as evidence." + +"But it may bring you bad luck." + +"Why, Mrs. Weems, I'm surprised at you," teased Penny. "Surely you're not +superstitious?" + +"No," the housekeeper denied, "but from what you've told me about those +queer Rhett servants, I distrust them. I don't want you even to touch +that ugly package!" + +"These objects aren't harmful," Penny insisted, selecting the bit of bone +and offering it to Mrs. Weems. "Why attach special significance to them?" + +With a shudder, the housekeeper backed away. + +"Penny is right," declared Mr. Parker. "The packet is silly and has no +meaning unless we build it up in our own minds. That, of course, is +exactly what the one who hurled it intends us to do." + +"Penny mustn't go to that dreadful place again!" + +"Oh, Mrs. Weems! Don't you see, that's just what Antón and Celeste hope +to accomplish. If they can keep me away from the mansion merely by +throwing one of their stupid charms through my window, their trick has +been successful." + +"I quite agree with Penny," Mr. Parker declared. "In fact, I may call at +the mansion myself! I've become interested in Antón and Celeste--they're +a very successful pair of bluffers." + +"Oh, Dad! Will you go with me tomorrow?" + +"Perhaps," he promised vaguely. "We'll see, when the time comes. I +foresee any number of troubles far more serious than our concern with the +Rhett family." + +"With both of you against me, I'm only wasting my breath," Mrs. Weems +sighed, drawing her robe tightly about her. "I may as well go to bed." + +Penny put the black packet on the dresser after her father had finished +inspecting it. "I intend to wear this charm around my neck the next time +I go to the Rhetts'," she declared. "It will be fun to see how Celeste +and Antón react." + +"Don't carry your fun too far," her father advised. "While it's true this +charm has no significance or supernatural power, Antón and Celeste may be +dangerous characters. They'll bear watching." + +"And I'm the one to do it," Penny chuckled. "I'm not a bit afraid of +them, Dad. As you said, they're a couple of bluffers." + +"I may have used the word ill-advisedly," the publisher corrected. "Don't +make the mistake of underrating them. The case, as you well know, has +sinister aspects." + +"I'll be careful," Penny promised soberly. + +After her father had returned to his room, she went back to bed. A chill +wind whistled in through the hole in the window, but she burrowed deep +beneath the blankets and soon was sound asleep. + +Next morning, as Mr. Parker had predicted, newspapers carried screaming +headlines, announcing that the hurricane might reach Riverview by +nightfall. Householders were advised to take every precaution to protect +life and property. + +School opened and was promptly dismissed at nine o'clock. At home, Penny +helped Mrs. Weems carry in the porch awning, remove the shutters and all +loose objects which were likely to be torn free by the wind. + +By now, papers were blowing wildly, cluttering the yard. Each gust +brought sticks or small limbs crashing down into the street. + +Mrs. Weems, hovering near the radio to hear the last-minute reports, +declared that the barometer continued to fall. + +"The storm is steadily getting worse," she said nervously. + +After lunch, Penny went to the newspaper office to inquire if Mr. DeWitt +had any special assignment for her. + +"Nothing right now," he said, rapidly scanning a page of copy. "But stick +around. Anything may break." + +Penny waited, growing increasingly restless. She was certain DeWitt had +forgotten all about her, when he slammed down a telephone receiver and +glanced in her direction. + +"Go out on the street and see what's doing," he ordered. "Might check the +police station, too, on your way in." + +Penny nodded and went out through the barrier gate. The feel of the +approaching hurricane was in the air. Walking toward the river, she saw +blue-green water boiling into sinister white foam where it vaulted onto +the docks. + +Pedestrians were few in number and all hurrying. Business was at a +standstill. Shutters were going up over plate glass windows, and street +signs were being taken down. + +Penny wandered about for a time and then, as a fine rain began to fall, +sought the police station. Checking routine reports, she noted four +injury cases caused by flying objects, several thefts of property, and +more than the usual number of automobile accidents. + +At the office once more, she wrote an impressionist account of what she +had seen, then waited for another assignment. + +"Penny, you may as well go home while you can get there," DeWitt said +presently. "City Traction is shutting off service at six o'clock, and +after that you won't be able to take a bus." + +At another time Penny might have been disappointed to be sent home when +exciting news was breaking, but dismissal now fitted neatly into her +plans. She was determined to make one last investigation of the thatched +roof cottage at the Rhett mansion. However, to beat the storm, she must +move fast. + +Going out the door, Penny met Jerry who had just come in from the river +front. His felt hat was dripping wet. + +"It's getting nasty outside," he remarked. "How are you going home, +Penny? By bus?" + +"Eventually, but not just now," she grinned. "First, I have a little +errand at the Rhetts'." + +"Better skip it," he advised. "This storm is the real McCoy." + +"Can't afford to, Jerry. I want to look over that thatched cottage once +more. If I don't do it now, it probably won't be there by tomorrow." + +"If you're set on going out there, better make it a speedy trip," Jerry +returned. "The storm is rolling in fast." + +Reaching the mansion twenty minutes later, Penny was surprised to see an +unfamiliar automobile parked on the Rhett driveway. As she went up the +front walk, the door opened, and three men came outside. Without noticing +the girl, they entered the car and drove away. + +"Wonder who they are and what brought them here?" Penny mused. + +In response to her knock, Celeste opened the door. Seeing Penny, the +woman tried to close it in her face, but the girl pushed boldly past her +into the hallway. + +Penny purposely had worn the black packet on a string around her neck. +While Celeste was closing the door, she pulled it from her dress front, +and then opened her raincoat so that the housekeeper could not fail to +see the object. + +Celeste's eyes instantly riveted upon the dangling packet. + +"My good luck charm!" said Penny. "Someone gave it to me last night!" + +Celeste's lips dropped apart to show her uneven teeth. + +"It is an evil packet!" she hissed. "If you wear it, sickness and death +will pursue you!" + +"Not this cookie," chuckled Penny. "You see, I don't believe such +nonsense. Whoever tossed this thing through my window went to a lot of +trouble for nothing." + +Celeste's face, an interesting study in mixed emotions, suddenly became a +blank mask. Hearing footsteps, the woman mumbled something and scurried +away. + +Lorinda came down the stairway. "Oh, Penny!" she exclaimed, grasping her +hand. "I'm so glad you came! We're in such trouble!" + +"Your mother is worse?" + +"Yes, she is failing rapidly, and the visit of those three bankers upset +her dreadfully." + +"The men I met on the walk?" + +"Yes, they're members of the First National Bank board. They told Mother +she must make up the $250,000 bond loss within forty-eight hours, or my +stepfather will be exposed as a thief, and the estate sued! It seems Mr. +Potts convinced them my stepfather had the bonds when he disappeared." + +"What will your mother do?" + +"What can she do? Nearly all of her property is in real estate. She might +be able to raise $30,000 cash within the required time, but never the +amount they demand." + +"You've heard nothing from your stepfather?" + +"Not a word. The police haven't contributed any worthwhile clues either. +They didn't go deeply into the case." + +"Can you blame them? You and your mother withheld facts and discouraged +them at every turn." + +"I know." + +"Why did you do it?" + +"I thought you understood," Lorinda answered in a low voice. "Mother and +my stepfather quarreled violently on that last day at the bank. She +didn't want the truth to get out, so she tried to keep from answering +questions." + +"Then your stepfather disappeared as a result of the quarrel?" + +"I don't know. It is a possibility." + +"You believe your stepfather may have stolen the bonds?" + +"Oh, no! Never! He may have had them on his person when he went away or +was spirited off, but I am sure he is no thief!" + +Shutters were flapping in the wind. The porch furniture had not been +brought into the house, and through the window, Penny saw that many +loose, breakable objects remained in the garden. Abruptly changing the +subject, she said: + +"Lorinda, the storm is getting worse every minute. Can't we bring in the +porch furniture?" + +"I told Antón to do it early this morning. He went off somewhere. Celeste +has been no help either. They're both acting so independent." + +"We don't need their help. Come! We can do it together." + +Lorinda put on her rain cape and they went out onto the porch. Already +the rug was rain soaked. They rolled it up and carried it to the +basement, where they also took the furniture. Deciding it was too late to +do anything about nailing down the shutters or taking them off, they +brought in loose objects from the yard. + +In passing the library, Penny noticed that a window was open. The curtain +was drenched and rain was pouring in upon the floor. + +With a cry of dismay, she ran to close it. As she turned around, she saw +at once that the wall safe was exposed to view, and open. + +"Lorinda!" she called. + +Her friend came quickly to the doorway. "Anything wrong?" she inquired. + +Penny directed her gaze toward the safe. "Did you leave it open?" she +asked. + +"No!" With a startled exclamation, Lorinda darted across the room. She +thrust her arm into the circular opening, and withdrew it empty. + +"The Zudi drum is gone!" she announced. "It's been stolen!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 20 + _TWELVE STEPS DOWN_ + + +The news did not astonish Penny for she had anticipated it. She said +quietly: + +"Lorinda, surely now you'll call in the police? The Zudi drum must be a +very valuable trophy." + +"It is. Yes, I suppose the only thing to do is notify police +headquarters." + +Lorinda went to a telephone, but although she tried many times, she was +unable to contact the operator. "The line must be down," she reported. +"The wire sounds dead." + +"Then we're isolated here until after the storm. Lorinda, why don't you +question Celeste and Antón?" + +"It would be useless." + +"Let me do it." + +"Go ahead, but they'll not tell you anything," Lorinda said despairingly. +"Antón and Celeste have been interested in the Zudi drum ever since they +came here, but I've never known them to steal." + +"Did they know the safe combination?" + +"Not unless they learned it the last few days. I noticed that Celeste +watches lately whenever anyone enters or leaves the library." + +"Then she may have obtained the combination. I know she was tampering +with the dial yesterday. Where is she now?" + +"In the kitchen, I suppose." + +Celeste, however, was not to be found there, nor was she in any of the +upstairs bedrooms, or in her own room on the first floor adjoining the +garage. + +"I don't know where she and Antón went," Lorinda declared, deeply +troubled. "I hate to accuse them without proof, but it does look as if +they're the only ones who could have stolen the drum!" + +"How about the trophies at the thatched roof cottage? Are they safe?" + +"Let's find out," Lorinda proposed. "Wait, I'll get the key. +Incidentally, it was mysteriously returned to my stepfather's room +yesterday." + +She returned with the key in a moment, and the girls ran down the +slippery path through the falling rain. The whine of a steadily rising +wind was in their ears as they opened the cottage door and stepped +inside. + +Lorinda looked carefully about. "Everything seems to be here--" she +began, only to correct herself. "No, the crossed machetes which were on +the wall! They're gone!" + +"And the rattle!" exclaimed Penny. "Where is it?" + +Lorinda pulled out the wooden chest and raised the lid. "The altar cloth +is missing and any number of things! Almost everything has been taken!" + +In the midst of checking over the few remaining objects in the chest, +Lorinda suddenly raised her head. + +"Listen!" she commanded. + +At first, Penny could distinguish only the whistle of the wind, then she +became aware of a low rumbling murmur which seemed to come from the very +walls of the cottage. + +"It's a chant!" whispered Lorinda. "I can hear drums too, as if from a +long distance away!" + +A little frightened, neither girl spoke for a while. The strange sound +died away, then was resumed. This time they distinctly could hear the +thumping of drums. + +Penny went to the door of the cottage to listen. Outside there was only +the whine of the wind and the crashing of tree branches. + +"Lorinda, this cottage must have a secret passage!" she declared +excitedly. "I thought so before, and now I'm certain of it!" + +Already Lorinda was down on hands and knees before the fireplace, tapping +the tiles. They gave forth a hollow sound. However, she could find no +opening. + +Penny removed a huge black kettle from hanging chains, and peered up into +the chimney. Her groping hand encountered a rod which she assumed +controlled the draft. She pulled on it. The floor beneath her feet +suddenly gave way, and she would have pitched through the opening had not +Lorinda seized her arms and held her. + +Scrambling back to solid flooring, Penny peered down into the dark +opening where the hearth had been. The tiles were only a sham, she saw +now, fastened to a hinged rectangle of wood, which had fallen back like a +trap door. + +Steep stone steps led down into inky darkness. + +"Why, I never dreamed this was here!" Lorinda whispered. "It must have +been built that summer Mother and I were away!" + +The sound of drums and incantations came plainly now. Neither Penny nor +Lorinda was eager to investigate the passage. They feared that they might +encounter something with which they would be unable to cope. But to +retreat was equally unthinkable. + +Penny found the cocoanut shell lamp and lit the floating wick. Moving +ahead, she cautiously descended the stone steps. Lorinda kept close +beside her. + +Twelve steps led almost straight down. There the girls found themselves +in a bricked-over passageway, so narrow they could barely squeeze +through. However, after they had gone a few yards, it widened a little. + +"Where do you suppose this leads?" Penny whispered. "To the river?" + +"Probably. It seems to me the sound of the drums came from that +direction." + +The weird noises no longer could be heard and the silence disturbed the +girls. Could it be that in entering the tunnel they had revealed their +presence? Nervous and tense, they moved forward at a snail's pace, +feeling their way along the wall and taking care to make no betraying +sound. + +The tunnel led downhill. In places the roof was so low the girls were +forced to bend double to pass through. The walls were damp and crumbly +and, at points near the roof, water dripped steadily. + +Then presently Penny halted, shifting the lamp to her other hand. The +passage had widened into a tiny room from which two tunnels branched. + +"Which shall we take?" she asked Lorinda. + +They selected the wider of the two, which soon proved a deception. +Scarcely had they left the little dugout than it narrowed until they were +barely able to edge through. + +"Shall we turn back and try the other?" Penny suggested. + +Lorinda wanted to keep on. "We're moving uphill now," she pointed out. "I +suspect this must lead either to the house or the road." + +Her guess proved to be correct. Another twenty yards and the tunnel +terminated abruptly in front of a door. It opened readily. A dozen +roughly carved steps led upward to a trap door. Penny pushed it aside and +blinking owlishly, climbed out into a bedroom. + +She saw then that the trap door had been cut in the center of the room +floor, hidden from view by a large rag rug which now lay in an untidy +heap. + +"Why, we're in Celeste's room!" Lorinda exclaimed as she too emerged. +"Adjoining the garage!" + +"This explains quite a few things to me," remarked Penny. + +"And to me! Celeste must have known about this passage all the time, but +she never hinted of it to Mother or me!" + +"If you ask my opinion, Celeste not only has known about the passage, +she's been using it regularly," declared Penny, gazing curiously about +the room. + +The bed had been carelessly made, and a red bandana handkerchief had been +left hanging on one of the wooden posts. On the dresser were a number of +objects which drew the girls' attention. From the pin tray Penny picked +up a tiny black feather and there were strips of torn black cloth which +exactly matched the packet she wore about her neck. + +"This proves it!" she exclaimed. "Celeste made the evil charm which was +thrown through my window last night!" + +"Charm?" Lorinda inquired. "Penny, what are you talking about?" + +Penny showed her the packet and explained how it had been hurled through +the window pane. "I'm sure Celeste had Antón do it or perhaps she tossed +it herself. At any rate, she made the packet to frighten me, only it +didn't work." + +"Unless Celeste can explain matters satisfactorily, I'll turn her over to +the police!" Lorinda said angrily. + +"Finding her may not be so easy now. Also getting her into police custody +may take a little doing. I'm afraid we've waited too long, Lorinda." + +"No, we'll find her!" Lorinda announced with determination. "After all, +she doesn't know how much we have learned. Let's investigate the other +passageway." + +"All right," Penny agreed, "but this lamp isn't much good. We need a +flashlight." + +"I have one in my room. I'll get it, see if Mother is all right, and be +right back." + +Lorinda was gone less than five minutes. "Mother is sleeping, so it's +safe to leave her," she reported. "Here's the flash, but I couldn't find +an extra battery." + +Descending into the passageway, the girls retraced their steps to the +tiny dugout midway between the thatched roof cottage and the mansion. As +they entered the other tunnel, they again heard the throb of jungle +drums, and the weird incantation of many guttural voices. + +"A chant to the Serpent God!" whispered Lorinda. "Do you hear that +high-pitched drum which sounds above the others?" + +Penny nodded as she moved forward in the dark, narrow passage. + +"It is the Zudi," Lorinda added. "I would know its tone anywhere! We must +recover it, but if what I think is so, it will be a dangerous task!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 21 + _CEREMONIAL CAVE_ + + +The tunnel sloped gently downward, apparently toward the river beach. As +the girls moved along, the pulsing of the drums came with increasing +crescendo. They could hear the wailing chant plainly now, an incantation +in which many voices were united. + +"Better switch off the light," Lorinda advised in a whisper. "We're +getting close." + +Penny darkened the flashlight, groping her way along the damp, rocky +wall. The passage now had widened, and suddenly ahead, she saw the +flickering flame of a torch. + +In the shadowy light swayed a half dozen celebrants of the weird rites. +The room was circular, a cavern carved from the rocks years before by the +action of water. + +Penny's gaze focused upon the dancing figures. Antón, barefooted and +grotesque with a red turban wound about his head, led the procession, +beating out a rhythm and shaking the gourd rattle which had been stolen +from the thatched cottage. + +Behind him came a drummer Penny did not recognize, and three other +dancers, who carried aloft a banner upon which were metallic, glittering +serpentine symbols. + +But it was Celeste, garbed in scarlet with an embroidered stole over her +shoulders, who dominated the scene. Seated before an altar where two tall +candles burned, she pounded out the basic rhythm on a long, narrow drum. + +"The Zudi!" whispered Lorinda. "She stole it from the safe!" + +"Let's make her give it up!" + +"No! No!" Lorinda grasped Penny's arm, holding her back. "It would be +folly to show ourselves now. Antón, Celeste and their stupid converts are +hypnotized by their own music. If they knew we were watching their rites, +there's no telling what they would do." + +"Celeste is a cruel, dangerous woman." + +"We'll turn her over to the police. I realize now it's the only thing to +do." + +Fascinated, the girls watched the strange sight. The drums were beating +faster now, and at each boom of the Zudi, Antón leaped with frenzied glee +rigid as an arrow into the air. + +"Who are the others?" Penny whispered. + +Lorinda shook her head. "No-good friends of Antón and Celeste probably," +she returned. "Recruits from the slums of Riverview." + +On the altar were many objects, a basket of bread, a basin of cooked +fish, a carved wooden serpent and a wreath of feathers. A kettle +contained a brew from which the dancers at intervals dipped with a gourd +cup and drank. + +Outside the cave, the wind howled an accompaniment to the wild ceremony, +covering the shrill shrieks and savage laughter. + +"We've seen enough of this!" whispered Penny. "Let's get the police and +break it up!" + +"All right," agreed Lorinda. "I hate to turn Antón and Celeste over to +the authorities, but I'm convinced now they have reverted to heathen +ways, and may even be responsible for Mother's sickness." + +They started to retreat, making no sound. In the darkness Lorinda +stumbled over a small rock. She made no outcry as she saved herself from +a fall, but her shoes scuffed noisily and her body thudded heavily +against the wall. + +Instantly the Zudi drum ceased its rhythm. "What was that?" they heard +Celeste ask sharply. + +The girls huddled against the wall. An instant later, Antón, a torch in +his hand, peered down the tunnel. + +His cry told the girls they had been seen. In panic, they started down +the passageway with Antón in hot pursuit. And close at his heels came +Celeste and her followers. + +Escape was impossible. Before the girls had gone a half dozen yards they +were overtaken. Though they struggled to free themselves, Antón's grasp +was like a steel bracelet upon their arms. They were half dragged back to +the cave. + +"Antón! Celeste! What is the meaning of this?" Lorinda demanded, seeking +to regain control of the servants by sheer power of will. + +She tried to shake herself free, but Antón did not release her. He +awaited the word of his wife. + +"Tie them up!" said Celeste harshly. + +"Celeste, have you lost your mind!" Lorinda cried. + +In the flickering light of the torch, the woman's face was like a rigid +mask. Eyes burned with hatred; cheeks were deeply indrawn. Lorinda felt +as if she were gazing upon a stranger, and suddenly was afraid. + +"You dared to steal Father's drum!" she challenged. + +"It is now my drum," retorted Celeste. + +"You spied upon me many times until you learned the combination of the +safe!" Lorinda accused. + +Celeste did not deny the charge. She was burrowing behind the low altar +and from the box-like structure drew forth a long stout cord. Severing it +with the blade of a sharp knife, she handed the two pieces to Antón who +attempted to tie Lorinda's hands behind her. + +The girl fought like a wild cat, and Penny, held by one of Celeste's +followers, sought to free herself, but it was useless. She too was +tightly bound and thrown down on the floor of the cave. + +"Celeste, why are you doing this cruel thing?" Lorinda asked in a +pleading tone. "Does it mean nothing to you that Father brought you here, +fed you, clothed you--gave you many advantages?" + +For a moment Celeste softened and seemed to hesitate. Lorinda was quick +to press the advantage. + +"My father and my mother have been very kind to you--" + +Mention of her mother's name proved unfortunate. Celeste's face hardened +into rigid lines again and she said furiously: + +"I hate her! May her flesh rot away and her bones be torn asunder!" + +"Celeste! And to think we ever trusted you! Mother is ill because you +have willed it so--it was you who made the wicked effigy doll--you who +kept planting in her mind the idea that she would become ill and die!" + +"And I have the will too!" the woman said gleefully. "I told Antón to get +it from the library! Then I called you to your mother's room so he could +snatch it from the table!" + +"But why did you do it, Celeste? What have you gained?" + +"You will not steal my master's money! The will is destroyed--burned!" + +"Steal my stepfather's money? Indeed, you are out of your mind, Celeste! +My stepfather has disappeared and may never be seen again." + +"He lives." + +"How do you know?" Lorinda cried eagerly. + +"Celeste know--feel it here." The woman touched her breast. + +"You've seen him--talked to him since he went away!" Lorinda accused. + +"No!" + +"Then unless you've had a message from him, you couldn't know whether he +is alive or dead." + +"Celeste know," the woman replied stubbornly. "We save the money for +him." + +"If my stepfather returns I'll be perfectly happy for him to have +Mother's estate. You're all mixed up, Celeste. Now let's put an end to +this nonsense. Free us!" + +"No," retorted the grim woman. "Celeste and Antón go away now. Perhaps +find master. You will stay in cave." + +"Celeste, how did you know about this passage and cave?" Lorinda asked, +stalling for time. + +"Antón help build it." + +"But why should my stepfather build the passageway?" Lorinda murmured. +"It doesn't seem like him." + +Celeste did not answer. Gathering up the machete, the Zudi drum, the +embroidered altar cloth and other stolen treasures, she prepared to +leave. + +"It was you who whispered the warning at the thatched cottage!" accused +Penny. "You wanted to prevent discovery of this cave!" + +Celeste's cruel smile acknowledged the truth. Saying something to Antón +in their own language, she padded off down the passageway. + +All save Antón now had gone. He blew out the altar candles, picked up the +pine torch and would have blown out the cocoanut shell lamp, had Penny +not said pleadingly: + +"Please leave us a tiny light, Antón. It will be so dark here in the +cave." + +The man hesitated, glancing down the passage as if fearful Celeste would +punish him for such a display of weakness. But he did as Penny requested. +First, however, he noted that the lamp was nearly empty of oil and could +not burn many minutes. Without extinguishing it, he disappeared into the +tunnel. + +Waiting only until she was certain Celeste, Antón and their converts were +out of the passage, Lorinda said excitedly: + +"They forgot to gag us! We can shout for help!" + +"With a hurricane roaring outside, it's a waste of breath," replied +Penny. "No one will be on the beach tonight, and our voices wouldn't +carry a dozen yards." + +"Then what are we to do? Antón and Celeste mean to run away now. The +police never will be able to find them unless we act quickly." + +"I have an idea, but it may not work." + +Penny, her hands and feet securely tied, began to roll toward the +cocoanut oil lamp. + +"What are you trying to do?" Lorinda asked anxiously. + +"Maybe I can burn the cords on my wrists. That's why I asked Antón to +leave the lamp." + +"Perhaps you can!" cried Lorinda, taking hope. "But it will be dangerous +and very hard to do. The oil is almost gone. You'll have to work fast, +Penny, or you'll lose your chance!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 22 + _STRANGER IN THE STORM_ + + +Penny squirmed and rolled until her hands were very close to the cocoanut +oil lamp on the rocky floor of the cave. + +"Be careful!" Lorinda cried fearfully. "If your clothing should catch +fire, nothing could save you." + +Penny held her hands, which were bound behind her back, over the flame. +The heat seared her flesh and made her wince with pain. + +"Keep it up, Penny!" encouraged her companion. "The cord is catching +fire! But the lamp is almost out!" + +Penny gritted her teeth and endured the pain. Then the lamp sputtered and +went out, leaving the cave to darkness. + +"Oh!" wailed Lorinda in bitter disappointment. + +Penny tugged at the wrist cords. Although not severed, they were half +burned through and weakened. A hard jerk freed her hands. + +Only a moment then was required to untie the cords which held her feet. +Next she freed Lorinda. As the girls started to leave through the +passageway, Penny felt a cold blast of air upon her neck. Looking up, she +was able to distinguish a small opening in the wall of the cave. + +"Maybe we can get out there!" she exclaimed. "Give me a boost and I'll +see!" + +Lorinda lifted her up. Scrambling like a monkey, Penny secured a toe hold +and crammed her head and shoulders through the opening. A moment later +she ducked back to call to her friend: + +"We can get out all right! But the storm is getting awful! I'll crawl out +and then help you." + +Scrambling through the narrow opening, Penny found herself amid the high +rocks overlooking the beach. The wind was blowing in puffs, each so +powerful that she nearly was dislodged from her precarious perch. + +Reaching back through the hole, Penny offered her arms to Lorinda who +succeeded in joining her. They huddled in the lee of an overhanging rock, +rain driving into their faces. + +"We must get word to the police!" Penny said breathlessly. + +"And I must make certain Mother is safe!" Lorinda added. "She's been left +too long alone. Antón and Celeste may have gone back there, and in that +case, anything might happen!" + +Slipping and sliding, the girls descended the rocks to the beach. The +river, lashed by a sheet of rain, was dark and ugly. Much of the sand had +been inundated and water bubbled at their heels as they ran toward the +road. + +A car swung toward them, its headlights blurred by the rain. It parked at +the curb, and the driver tooted several times as if in signal. + +"That looks like Jerry's car!" Penny cried hopefully. + +It was, indeed, the reporter. He swung open the automobile door, and as +they recognized him, they dashed across the road and gratefully slid into +the shelter offered. + +"Don't you girls know better than to be running around at a time like +this?" Jerry demanded severely. "Lucky I saw you streaking up the beach!" + +"What brought you here?" Penny gasped, taking several deep breaths. + +"What brought me? Say, don't you realize we're in for a real storm, and +it's almost here! The radio ten minutes ago reported that Oelwein, on the +coast, has been completely destroyed! I knew you came here to do a little +sleuthing, Penny, and I figured someone ought to look after you." + +"Thanks, Jerry," she returned gratefully. "We were in trouble--plenty of +it." + +As the reporter drove on toward the Rhett mansion, Penny quickly revealed +what had happened. Jerry made little comment, but his expression was +grim. + +"Maybe Antón and Celeste are here," he said as the car reached the Rhett +home. "If they are, we'll round 'em up." + +Celeste and Antón, however, were not to be found in the mansion. Their +rooms remained deserted and there was no indication that they had +returned to the house after leaving the cave. + +Lorinda lost not a moment in hastening to her mother's bedroom. To her +relief, Mrs. Rhett was sleeping quietly and did not awaken. + +"Thank goodness, she is safe," the girl murmured. "After what happened in +the cave, I feared the worst." + +"We ought to get the police on the trail of Antón and Celeste before they +make their escape," Jerry urged. "Once the full force of this storm +strikes, no one will be able to stir outside." + +He tried the telephone but the line remained dead. "I'll drive to the +police station," he decided. "Are you girls coming along?" + +"I'll stay with Mother," Lorinda said. "She mustn't be left alone." + +Penny hesitated, intending to remain with her friend, but Jerry seized +her by the arm. "Your father sent me out here to round you up, so I'll +take you to the newspaper office," he declared. "Let's go!" + +As they opened the front door, rain poured in and a great blast of wind +nearly swept the pair from their feet. + +"Wow!" exclaimed the reporter, holding tight to Penny as with heads +lowered, they ran for the car. "This is it!" + +The air was filled with flying objects, and a shingle loosened from the +mansion roof, hurtled against Penny. Jerry pulled the car door open. The +wind seized it, nearly wrenching it off the hinges. Gusts were of greater +velocity now, with the intervals much shorter. + +For a dreadful moment, Penny and Jerry thought the car would not start. +The reporter jammed his foot on the starter again and again and gave it +the full choke. Suddenly, the motor caught. + +As they drove off along the river road, the force of the wind was so +great it required all of Jerry's strength to keep the car straight on the +road. + +"We'll be lucky if we reach the police station!" he exclaimed. "This is a +lot worse than I figured." + +"Jerry!" + +Seizing the reporter's arm, Penny pointed to a crouched figure visible on +the road ahead. The woman, hair flying in wild streamers, clutched a +large object in her arms, and was bent almost double as she sought to +move against the wind. + +"It's Celeste!" Penny cried. + +Jerry brought the car to the roadside almost beside the servant. Not +until Penny and the reporter were out of the automobile and almost upon +her, did she see them. Then with a startled cry, she turned to flee. But +it was too late. Jerry seized her by the arm. + +"You're coming with us!" he ordered sharply. + +Battered and frightened by the force of the wind, Celeste, surprisingly, +made no protest. Clutching the big Zudi drum, she allowed Jerry and Penny +to pull her into the shelter of the car. + +"Where is Antón?" the reporter demanded. + +Celeste's answer was a shrug. She gazed toward the mansion grounds, and +ignored the pair. + +Jerry drove on. He glanced significantly at Penny who guessed that he +intended to take Celeste directly to the police station. + +However, as they approached the downtown section, the wind blew with even +greater power. Not a vehicle was to be seen on the streets. The _Star_ +building loomed up, but the police station was six blocks away. + +"We can't make it," Jerry decided. "I'm turning in here." + +One of the double doors of the _Star_ garage, where trucks were usually +loaded with their papers, stood open. He drove inside, pulling up near +the entrance to the newspaper pressroom on the ground floor. + +Celeste stirred to life, and made a move to get out of the car. + +"Oh, no you don't!" said Jerry, pushing her back. "You and that drum stay +with us." + +Celeste was of a different opinion. Glaring at Jerry, she slapped at him, +and again tried to get her hand on the door handle. + +"We can't hold her here," Jerry said. "But I have an idea! Penny, see if +the pressroom door is unlocked." + +Penny ran to test it and found it unlocked. Now that the extra was out, +the pressmen had gathered in a far corner of the big room filled with +giant rotary presses, to smoke and watch the storm. + +Racing back to the car, Penny made her report. + +"Good!" exclaimed Jerry. + +With Penny's help, he got Celeste out of the car, separating her from the +Zudi drum which they left in the automobile. The woman stubbornly refused +to walk, so Jerry lifted her bodily and carried her kicking and +struggling into the pressroom. + +Near the door was a large storage closet where tools and oil for the +presses were kept. Jerry shoved Celeste into this room and turned a key +in the lock. + +"That will hold her," he observed. "While you lock the Zudi drum in the +car, I'll talk to the press foreman and tell him what we've done. Then +Celeste can squawk her head off and it will do no good. We'll keep her +here until the storm lets up and we can get a police squad to pick her +up." + +Penny ran back to the loading garage. It was deserted now save for a lone +delivery truck which stood directly in front of the paper chute. Although +his cargo was loaded, the driver hesitated to try to deliver until the +storm abated. + +Locking the car, Penny decided she would close the one big double garage +door where rain was blowing in. + +The hurricane now roared in full fury. Peering out into the deserted +street, it seemed to Penny that no person could stand against its +strength. Yet as she closed the doors, she was amazed to see a scurrying +figure. + +The man, his hat gone, overcoat whipped between his legs, grasped a +corner of the building for support. + +Seeing his face, Penny drew in her breath sharply. A small jagged scar +disfigured one cheek. As he struggled past the door, she reached out and +grasped his arm. + +"Come in here out of the wind," she urged. As she gazed directly into his +eyes, she added distinctly: "We have been looking for you a long while, +Mr. Rhett!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 23 + _IN THE PRESSROOM_ + + +"You have made a mistake," the man mumbled. "I am not Mr. Rhett. My name +is Brown--Edgar Brown." + +Penny, none too certain of the identification, gazed at the man's hands. +They were soft and white as if unaccustomed to hard work, but he wore no +serpent ring on any of his fingers. She felt certain this was the man she +had met at the steamship office. + +The stranger pulled gently away from her grasp, ready to start out into +the howling wind once more. + +"You'll be swept off your feet if you try to battle that storm!" Penny +protested. "You must stay here until the worst of it is over!" + +"But I am not Mr. Rhett." + +"Never mind about that," said Penny. "I mistook you for someone else. +Just come inside and I'll close the doors." + +The man peered outside once more, and noting the intensity of the storm, +lost all desire to leave the shelter. He moved away from the entrance, +and Penny closed the big, heavy door. + +"Come along with me into the pressroom where it is warm," she invited. + +Without comment, the man followed her across the cement toward the +loading docks. At the other end of the drive, someone opened the doors +for a moment to allow a truck to roll inside. A great gust of wind tore +through the passage, and sent the stranger's hat careening into a corner. + +He darted to recapture it. As he stooped to pick it up, an object on a +string which he wore about his neck, swung from beneath his sport shirt. +Quickly he pushed it out of sight again, but not before Penny had seen +the ring and recognized the serpent design. + +"He _is_ Mr. Rhett!" she thought, her pulse pounding. + +Wisely, she pretended to have observed nothing, and invited him into the +pressroom where Jerry was waiting. Celeste, still locked in the storage +closet, was rattling the door knob and kicking on the panel with all her +strength. + +"Jerry," said Penny, dropping her bombshell. "This is Mr. Rhett." + +The reporter's mouth dropped agape, while the stranger plainly showed his +annoyance. + +"I told you I am not Mr. Rhett." + +"Then kindly explain the significance of that ring you wear around your +neck. I saw it only a moment ago." + +The stranger became confused. "My ring--" he stammered. "Oh, that! An +heirloom. I have had it for years." + +"Please tell us the truth," pleaded Penny. + +"I know nothing about this man you call Mr. Rhett," he replied, avoiding +her direct gaze. "Evidently you have someone locked up here. Suppose you +explain the meaning." + +"Gladly," replied Penny. "We do have someone imprisoned in the storage +room ready to turn over to the police as soon as the storm lets up. It is +Celeste." + +"Celeste!" The stranger's amazed expression betrayed him. Although he +added: "And who is she?" it was unconvincing. + +"Mr. Rhett, why pretend?" Penny demanded. "We know who you are." + +"Very well," said the man, smiling faintly. "So I am Mr. Rhett! I assume +you two are reporters for the _Star_." + +"Right," agreed Jerry. + +"And you want a story. Well, there's no story. Since you have me dead to +rights as they say, I'll not deny I am Hamilton Rhett. However, my +identity is my own affair. I stepped out of my old life--the bank and my +home--because I was tired of a very boring existence. I never was cut to +the cloth of a banker. I dislike being shut up indoors even for an hour. +Probably I shall return to South America." + +"You say it is your own affair," Penny remarked pointedly. "I am afraid +it isn't. Aren't you forgetting a little matter of $250,000?" + +"I don't know what you mean." + +"I refer to that sum in negotiable bonds which you had in your possession +at the time you left the bank." + +Mr. Rhett did not seem to understand for a moment. Then he exclaimed: +"Oh, the bonds! I was to have returned them to the vault, but it slipped +my mind. You will find them in the top desk drawer in my office." + +"The desk has been carefully searched. The bonds are not there." + +"Not there?" For the first time Mr. Rhett seemed disturbed. "But they +must be, unless they were stolen after I went away!" + +"The bonds have not been found, and the bank trustees are pressing your +family to make restitution. Furthermore, your wife is dangerously ill." + +"My wife sick? What is wrong?" + +"The doctors do not know. However, Lorinda burned an effigy doll made in +your wife's image--she found it in the house. Two burned match sticks +tied together also were found by Mrs. Rhett. For some reason she became +obsessed with the idea she was doomed to a lingering fatal illness. She +began to refuse food and since then has gone steadily downhill." + +"The work of Celeste!" + +"We think so. Tonight she stole the Zudi drum, and Lorinda and I found +her with Antón and other followers celebrating their rites in a cave near +the beach." + +"Then they have reverted to their heathen ways!" the banker exclaimed. +"My wife always said Celeste hated her, but I, like a blind fool, refused +to see it. Once during the years I spent in the jungle, Celeste saved my +life and I always felt grateful to her. Now I must forget that, for she +is a dangerous woman if she seeks to practice her jungle magic." + +"You don't actually believe Celeste could make your wife ill merely by +suggestion?" Jerry inquired in amazement. + +"In the jungles I have seen a native die from superficial wounds. If told +the spear which struck him had been sung over by an enemy, the native +would simply lie down, refuse food and pine away. My wife is in great +danger!" + +"Can nothing be done?" cried Penny. + +Mr. Rhett's face tightened into hard, grim lines. "A great deal can be +done," he said. "But Celeste must be fought with her own jungle weapons. +To turn her over to the police will not be sufficient. She is inside the +closet you say--let me talk to her." + +"Okay," agreed Jerry, "but Celeste in her present mood is a pretty brisk +customer. To make sure she doesn't get away, I'll lock the pressroom door +before letting her out of her cage." + +As the reporter went to the exit, Penny heard the pressmen at the other +end of the room shout that the storm had abated. + +"The hurricane has not passed," corrected Mr. Rhett quietly. "This lull +merely marks the end of the first phase. The wind will return harder than +ever in a few minutes from another quarter." + +Jerry returned, and taking the key to the storage room from his pocket, +cautiously unlocked the door. Celeste, blinking like an owl as she +staggered out under the electric lights, gasped as she saw Mr. Rhett. + +"Master!" she exclaimed worshipfully. "You come back!" + +Mr. Rhett's face showed no trace of the affection he had felt for his +servant. "Celeste," he said, "you've been dabbling in magic again! What's +this nonsense about my wife being ill and going to die?" + +"The truth, Master. Antón and I try hard to save her, but no use. She die +next month. Maybe sooner." + +"Get this through your head, Celeste. My wife will not die. She will be +as well as you are within two days. All your incantations over the doll +were wasted. You plotted to no avail. I am home now, and if you persist +in your wickedness, I will meet your so-called magic with stronger magic +of my own!" + +"Celeste sorry," the old woman whimpered. "Do it only to get money for +master." + +"I need no money and want none. You have been very wicked, Celeste, and +must be turned over to the police for safe keeping." + +"Oh, no, Master! Not the police!" + +"Yes, and now is the time to take you there during this lull in the +storm." + +Celeste's wild eyes darted about the room, searching for a means of +escape. With a savage lunge, she reached the door only to find it locked. + +As Jerry and Mr. Rhett bore down upon her, she scurried frantically along +the outer room wall, coming to the metal paper chute through which +packages of freshly-printed papers were tossed for delivery. + +Quick as a cat, Celeste scrambled into the chute, crawling through on all +fours. At the chute's exit on the sheltered cement drive, stood the +waiting paper truck, its rear door ajar. Already loaded, the driver +awaited only this lull in the storm before setting off to deliver his +cargo. + +Even as Celeste crawled through the chute, the man started the truck +engine. The woman did not hesitate. Leaping into the rear of the vehicle, +she slammed the door. + +Hearing it close, the driver assumed another workman had shut it as a +signal for him to pull out. Shifting gears, he drove away with his cargo +of papers--and Celeste. + + + + + CHAPTER + 24 + _THE GRINNING GARGOYLE_ + + +By the time Jerry, Penny and Mr. Rhett unlocked the pressroom door and +reached the loading dock, the truck bearing Celeste was far down the +street. + +"Hey, where'd that truck go?" the reporter shouted to another workman at +the far end of the drive. + +"Docks at the end of Basset Street," he answered. "A batch o' papers go +aboard the _Monclove_ for shipment to Presque Isle." + +Jerry's car stood close by. He sprang in, making room for Penny and Mr. +Rhett. + +The newspaper truck had disappeared by the time they drove out on the +street. Jerry took a short-cut route to the Basset Street docks. Signs +and debris of all description cluttered the roadway. Rain had ceased, but +the ominous quiet, the heaviness of the air, was even more frightening +than the wind had been. + +In a distant section of the city they heard the high-pitched whistle of a +police siren; otherwise, the streets were as silent as the tomb. + +The car turned a corner, and directly ahead Penny glimpsed the newspaper +truck. + +"There it is!" she cried, but Jerry also had seen the vehicle. + +He put on speed, and was close behind as the truck pulled up with a jerk +at Dock 12. Green water whipped to foam, crashed with heavy impact +against the dock posts and flooded out on the slippery planking. + +"We won't have much time!" Mr. Rhett exclaimed. "When the next phase of +the storm comes--and it's close now--the wind will be terrific!" + +The men, with Penny close behind, leaped from the car. Quick as they +were, Celeste was out of the truck before they could reach its door. + +She stopped short as she saw the trio, then like a trapped animal, turned +and fled in the opposite direction. + +"Celeste!" Mr. Rhett shouted. "Wait!" + +The woman paid no attention. Splashing ankle-deep through water that +washed the dock planks, she ran precariously close to the river's edge. + +A hoarse shout from behind caused Penny to turn. The driver of the truck +was gesturing and pointing first to the dark sky and then to an open +shed. For a moment she did not understand, but as he ran for the shelter, +she heard the deep-throated roar of the hurricane as it returned for its +final onslaught. + +"Quick!" cried Mr. Rhett who also recognized the danger. "Inside!" + +The three ran back to the shed where the truck-driver had taken shelter. +Although they shouted again and again to Celeste, she ignored their +warnings. + +As the wind struck, they saw her at the very edge of the dock. She half +turned toward the shed as if debating whether or not to seek its shelter, +then took a step or two in the opposite direction. + +A great gust lifted off a section of the shed roof and whirled it away. +As the full impact of the wind swept around the building, Celeste clung +to a dock post for an instant; then her fingers lost their grip, and with +a scream, she toppled over the edge into the churning water. + +Jerry started toward the door, but Mr. Rhett seized his arm, dragging him +back. + +"Don't be a fool! Celeste is beyond help! You'll only lose your own life +if you venture out there now!" + +Already Celeste had disappeared beneath the turbulent waters, leaving no +trace. Anxiously those in the shed watched but her head never appeared +above the surface. + +"Poor Celeste," said Mr. Rhett sadly. "She meant well, but she was +superstitious and misguided. However, she would have pined away in +captivity. Perhaps she went the best way." + +The servant's startling death placed a pall upon the four who huddled in +the shed. Close together, they flattened themselves against the wall, +expecting at any moment that the entire building would be lifted from its +foundation and hurled into the river. The force of the wind was almost +unbelievable. + +After nearly a half hour, the gusts lost their strength and Mr. Rhett +declared that the greatest danger had been passed. + +"Tell me everything that happened while I was away," he requested Penny +and Jerry. + +"We will," promised Penny, "but first, suppose you explain why you went +away." + +"I thought I did tell you." Mr. Rhett drew a deep sigh. "For many months +I considered retiring from the bank. I discussed it with my wife, but she +failed to see my viewpoint and insisted that I remain. We became +deadlocked, so to speak. + +"I tried for her sake to force myself to like bank work, but it was +utterly impossible. Each day I found myself longing for the old carefree +adventurous days." + +"So you quietly walked out?" Jerry supplied. + +"Something like that. My actions weren't premeditated. One thing led to +another. I had a quarrel with my wife over neglect of bank duties. As I +sat thinking it over at my desk, it struck me that Lorinda and her mother +probably would be happier if I removed myself from the picture." + +"Did you write anything as you sat there?" Penny interposed eagerly. + +"I'm not sure I know what you mean." + +"Did you draw a picture of a plumed serpent?" + +"Yes, I believe so, though it was only absent-minded doodling." + +"And beneath the drawing you wrote, 'This shall be the end.'" + +"Why, yes, I did," the man acknowledged. "I had decided to walk out and +those words expressed the conclusion I reached. I wrote the thought +absent-mindedly and never intended it to fall into anyone's hands. Did I +leave the paper in the desk?" + +"The police found it there." + +"I must have been quite upset," Mr. Rhett said, frowning. "At any rate, I +walked out with less than three dollars in my pocket, and didn't realize +until later that I was without funds." + +"So you took lodging in a cheap flop house on Cherry Street?" Jerry +interposed. + +"Yes, you seem to have followed my actions very closely. Although the +lodgings were hardly deluxe, I did not mind the experience. I frequently +have slept on the ground or in native huts." + +"You stayed there only one night?" Penny inquired. + +"Another lodger told me two persons had come to ask questions about a man +who wore a serpent ring," Mr. Rhett said. "Not wishing to be found, I +removed the ring from my finger, and found another lodging place. When my +money ran out, I picked up a little work as a laborer at one of the +mills." + +"I saw you inquiring at one of the steamship ticket offices," Penny +reminded him. "You remember that, I'm sure." + +"I sought to work my passage on a boat going to South America," Mr. Rhett +explained. + +"All this time, didn't you read the newspapers?" Jerry asked curiously. +"Didn't you know the bonds were missing and that your wife was ill?" + +Mr. Rhett shook his head. "I purposely avoided looking at the newspapers. +I was afraid if I did I might be tempted to return to my old life." + +"And now?" asked Penny softly. + +"I have no future, only the present. Before making any plans, I must +return home to see that my wife frees her mind from Celeste's evil +suggestions. I made a great mistake in bringing Celeste and Antón into +the household. But once my wife knows Celeste is dead, I am confident she +will quickly recover." + +"You still love your wife?" + +"I shall always love her," he returned quietly, "but she has no use for +me. I've been a drag on her since the day we were married." + +"She doesn't feel that way, I'm sure," Penny corrected. "Since you went +away, she's been heartbroken. Lorinda needs you too." + +"I can never return to the bank," Mr. Rhett repeated. "And there are the +stolen bonds to be considered. Why, the police may even arrest me! I'm +all mixed up." + +"Matters will straighten out as soon as you see your wife," Penny +declared. "However, I'll admit recovering the bonds may not be so easy. +To my knowledge, the police haven't a single clue." + +Jerry was peering out the open shed door. "The storm is letting up," he +called. "We'll soon be able to get out of here." + +Another half hour and the wind died sufficiently so that the party could +safely leave the shelter. The truck driver returned to the newspaper +office, while Jerry and Penny drove Mr. Rhett to his home. + +The mansion yard was cluttered with uprooted trees, boards and debris. +Penny ran down the path a short distance and returned to report that the +thatched roof cottage had vanished without a trace. + +"Perhaps it is just as well," said Mr. Rhett. "It was a mistake to build +the cottage, but Celeste first put the idea in my head. I intended to use +it only as a trophy room, but to Celeste it became a living symbol of the +life she had left behind." + +"Why did you build the passageway leading to the cave and to Celeste's +room?" Penny inquired. + +Mr. Rhett's blank expression told her that he did not understand. After +she had explained, he said grimly: "Antón and Celeste must have dug the +tunnel without my knowledge! Oh, they were a cunning pair!" + +"And Antón still is on the loose," Jerry reminded the banker. "We'll have +to notify the police to pick him up." + +Mr. Rhett and the young people entered the house. Lorinda, startled by +hearing the front door open, ran to the head of the stairway. Seeing her +stepfather, she gave a cry of joy and raced to meet him. + +"You've come back! Oh, Mother needs you so badly. Do go to her at once." + +Mr. Rhett needed no urging. He was up the steps two at a time. Jerry and +Penny, not wishing to intrude, remained in the living room, but a few +minutes later, Lorinda called them. + +"Oh, everything is wonderful!" she exclaimed. "Mother and Father have +adjusted all their differences. And best of all, she's already half over +the idea she is going to die. Why, he just told her Celeste was dead and +that she could never do any further harm. Mother snapped right out of +it!" + +Lorinda insisted that Jerry and Penny go upstairs. Mrs. Rhett was sitting +up in bed, and her eyes were shining. + +"How silly I've been," she declared. "As I look back, I realize Celeste +hated me and kept putting ideas in my mind. Why, I feel much better +already." + +"Hungry?" asked Lorinda. + +"Indeed, I am. I must have a gigantic dinner tonight." Mrs. Rhett laughed +and added: "With everything well salted!" + +"About the bank--" began Mr. Rhett. + +"Let's not talk about it now," his wife pleaded. "I was wrong about that +too. I'll never ask you to go back there, for it isn't your type of life. +Instead, perhaps we can go away somewhere on a long trip--South America, +would that appeal to you, Hamilton?" + +"Would it?" he chuckled. "Someone has been putting ideas in your head, +and this time it wasn't Celeste!" + +Anxious to return to the newspaper office and to stop at the police +station, Jerry and Penny soon took leave of the Rhetts, after receiving +urgent invitations to return later that night. + +"Well, it appears everything is turning out hunkey dorey for the Rhetts," +Jerry observed as he and Penny drove away from the mansion. "Antón is +certain to be caught by the police, and those followers of his will be +jailed too if they ever show their faces again." + +"Everything _might_ be fine for the Rhetts except for one thing," Penny +returned. "Mrs. Rhett doesn't have much ready cash available, and there +still remains a little matter of $250,000 in missing bonds." + +"I'd forgotten about that. You're right, Rhett still is in an awkward +spot." + +The car drove into the downtown section where a few vehicles now were +moving. Under the glow of the street lights, workmen were clearing the +debris away. + +As the car approached the First National Bank, Penny chanced to raise her +eyes toward the second story balcony fronting the street. The grinning +gargoyles stood out in dark relief, and as she gazed at them, she +suddenly saw a shadowy figure moving stealthily toward the one nearest +the open door leading from Mr. Rhett's private office. + +"Why, that looks like Albert Potts!" she exclaimed. + +As she watched in amazement, the man approached the gargoyle. Reaching +his hand far in between the open jaws, he removed something which he +thrust into his overcoat pocket. Then, with a nervous glance down upon +the deserted street, he stepped back into Mr. Rhett's office, and closed +the door. + + + + + CHAPTER + 25 + _ON THE BALCONY_ + + +"Jerry, that was Albert Potts on the balcony!" Penny cried excitedly. +"I'm sure I saw him remove an object from inside the gargoyle!" + +"Maybe he was just looking to see what damage was done by the storm," +commented the reporter. + +"He took something out and put it in his overcoat pocket! Jerry, now that +I think back, Potts acted queerly that first day when the police +investigated Mr. Rhett's office. He didn't want anyone to go near the +gargoyle! Another thing, he's been spending money as if it were +rainwater!" + +"You're suggesting--" + +"That it was Albert Potts who stole the bonds! Weren't they left in Mr. +Rhett's desk? Potts knew it and had a perfect chance to take them! He +implied that Rhett walked off with them! Actually, he hid the bonds in +the gargoyle, knowing that if they were found there, no blame would be +likely to fall upon him. Whenever he needed money, he cashed a +bond--that's why only a few have shown up at out of town banks!" + +"Say, maybe you have something!" exclaimed Jerry, pulling up at the curb. +"If he had hid the bonds in the gargoyle, it would be natural for him to +wonder if they still were safe after this storm! He might have decided to +shift them to another place." + +"My idea exactly! Jerry, let's nab him and turn him over to the police!" + +"Not quite so fast, my little chickadee. If we accuse Potts, and it turns +out we're wrong, well, he could make it hot for us." + +"We'll have to take a chance," Penny urged. + +Leaving the car at the curb, the pair walked hurriedly to the bank. The +building was dark and the lights were off inside. + +"Sure you saw Potts on the balcony?" Jerry asked as they huddled against +the wall for protection against the biting wind. + +"Yes, and I think he's coming now!" + +Penny was correct. They heard footsteps coming down the marble stairway, +and a moment later, the bank secretary unlocked the door. The waiting +couple made no move until he had locked himself out, but as he started +away, Jerry tapped him on the shoulder. + +Potts whirled around, obviously startled. His face blanched. + +"Hello, Potts," said Jerry. "Working late, aren't you?" + +"Why, yes," stammered the man, edging away. + +"Can you spare a match?" + +Potts half reached into his pocket as if to proffer one, then said +testily: "I haven't any. Sorry." + +"Sure now, you must have a match," said Jerry, brushing against him. +"Maybe in your overcoat pocket." + +Before Potts could prevent it, he had thrust his hands deep into each of +the outside pockets. The bank clerk jerked angrily away. However, it was +too late. Jerry triumphantly brought to light a heavy manila envelope. + +"Give that to me!" Potts cried furiously. + +Sidestepping him, Jerry pulled several bonds of large denomination from +the envelope. + +"The stolen bonds!" exclaimed Penny. "Mr. Potts, whatever possessed you +to do it?" + +The bank secretary never answered the question. Instead, he wheeled and +started at a run down the street. As he reached the corner, a policeman +who had just finished making a report to headquarters, turned from his +phone box. + +"Stop that man!" yelled Jerry. + +The policeman grasped Potts, bringing him up short. After that, the bank +secretary did his explaining to the desk sergeant at police headquarters. +So unconvincing was his story, that he was immediately locked in a cell. + +Meanwhile, Jerry and Penny related all they knew about the case. All +scout cars were ordered to be on the alert to pick up Antón. Mr. Rhett +was brought to the station within the hour, and promptly identified the +recovered bonds as those he had left in his office desk. + +At first, Potts firmly maintained his innocence, but after police had +subjected him to a lie detector test, he realized his case was lost. When +one of the detectives who was questioning him, remarked that his wife +likely would be implicated in the theft, Potts broke completely: + +"No! No! My wife had nothing to do with it," he insisted. "I wanted to +give my family better things--that was why I took the bonds. I thought +Mr. Rhett would never return and that he would be blamed for the theft." + +"How did you cash the bonds?" he was asked. + +"I was afraid to take them to a bank myself," Potts confessed. "Instead, +I paid a woman in another town to do it for me. But she did it only as a +favor, and had no idea the bonds were stolen. I alone am to blame." + +A check by police revealed that Potts had spent only $2,000 of the total +amount stolen. Mr. Rhett declared that this sum easily could be made up, +so that the bank would sustain no loss. He was inclined to be lenient +with his secretary, but police were insistent that the man be brought to +trial. + +Jerry and Penny, knowing that they had a big story to write, did not +tarry long at the police station. However, the police desk sergeant +promised to keep them informed of any new developments in the case. True +to his word, he called them soon after they reached the _Star_ office. +His news was that Antón had been captured by the police and now was +safely locked in a jail cell. + +"Well, that rings the gong on the case," Jerry announced as he hung up +the telephone. "Thanks to you, Penny, it's all wound up." + +"And it's nearly edition time!" barked the city editor. "Let's get going +on that story." + +He looked at Jerry who was known as the best writer on the paper, and +then his eyes moved on to Penny who waited with bated breath. + +"This was her story from start to finish," said Jerry as the editor +hesitated. + +"Get going!" ordered the editor again, and now he looked straight at +Penny. "Give it to me in takes." + +Penny hurried to a typewriter. The lead, telling of Mr. Rhett's return, +Potts' arrest and recovery of the stolen bonds, almost wrote itself. +Keeping her own part and Jerry's entirely out of the story, she wrote +smoothly and with speed. + +When she had finished half a page, she called: "Copy boy!" and ripping +the sheet of paper from the typewriter gave it to him to carry to the +editor's desk. + +With a fresh sheet in the machine, she wrote on until she had a second +"take" ready. Again she called the copy boy and, as he snatched it from +her hand, rolled still another sheet into the typewriter. + +At last she was on the final page and glanced over it before she typed +"30" at the end. The story had been well told, written tersely in the +manner DeWitt liked. With a feeling of exultation, she realized she had +done a good job. + +Getting to her feet, she dropped the last page into the copy basket. +Earlier sheets already had been copy-read and were in the process of +being set into type. Any moment now, the edition would roll and papers +would be on the street. + +Penny turned from the desk to see Jerry sitting with his feet propped up +on one of the tables. He was gazing at her quizzically and grinning. + +"Well, you did it again, Penny!" he remarked. + +"We did it together," she corrected. + +"With the help of our silent partner," he added lightly. + +"Silent partner?" + +"The hurricane. It damaged a lot of Riverview property, but on the other +side of the ledger, it helped write '30' to the Rhett case." + +Penny nodded as she reached for her hat and raincoat. Just then, a copy +boy ran up. + +"Telephone for you," he said. "It's your housekeeper, Mrs. Weems. She +wants to know if you're safe." + +"Safe and sound and on my way home," laughed Penny. "Tell her I've +already started." + +"And that she's being driven by her faithful chauffeur," chuckled Jerry, +as he reached for his hat. "Which reminds me, we have a little package to +deliver to the Rhetts'." + +"The Zudi drum! I forgot all about it!" + +"Haven't you forgotten another important matter too?" teased Jerry, +escorting her through the swinging gate. "Me, for instance." + +"You?" + +"My reward for tonight's work. Girl reporters, even cute little numbers +like you, can't snatch my bylines without paying the piper!" + +"And what fee do you require?" Penny asked with pretended innocence. + +"We'll go into that later," he chuckled, pinning her neatly into a +shadowy corner of the vestibule. "Just now, I'll take a little kiss on +deposit!" + + THE END + + + + + Transcriber's Notes + + +--Replaced the list of books in the series by the complete list, as in + the final book, "The Cry at Midnight". + +--Silently corrected a handful of palpable typos. + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Whispering Walls, by Mildred A. Wirt + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WHISPERING WALLS *** + +***** This file should be named 34975-8.txt or 34975-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/9/7/34975/ + +Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Brenda Lewis and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/34975-8.zip b/34975-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..72d2811 --- /dev/null +++ b/34975-8.zip diff --git a/34975-h.zip b/34975-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..16da06a --- /dev/null +++ b/34975-h.zip diff --git a/34975-h/34975-h.htm b/34975-h/34975-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6125c6a --- /dev/null +++ b/34975-h/34975-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6228 @@ +<?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>Whispering Walls, 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.verse { max-width:25em; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } + div.bq { margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; max-width:23em; margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:2em; } + .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; } + .ws2 { margin-left:1em; } + .ws3 { margin-left:1.5em; } + .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; } + .poem { margin-bottom:1em; margin-top:1em; max-width:25em; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } + p.t0 { margin-bottom:0em; margin-top:0em; margin-left:2em; } + p.t { margin-bottom:0em; margin-top:0em; margin-left:3em; } +</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Whispering Walls, 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: Whispering Walls + +Author: Mildred A. Wirt + +Release Date: January 15, 2011 [EBook #34975] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WHISPERING WALLS *** + + + + +Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Brenda Lewis and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + +<div id="cover" class="img"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Whispering Walls" width="366" height="500" /> +</div> +<div class="box"> +<h1>Whispering +<br />Walls</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, 1946, BY CUPPLES AND LEON CO.</span></p> +<p class="center">Whispering Walls</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 floor beneath her feet suddenly gave way." width="388" height="601" /> +<p class="center"><span class="small">The floor beneath her feet suddenly gave way. +<br />“<i>Whispering Walls</i>” <span class="gsw">(<a href="#Page_167">See Page 167</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 THE PLUMED SERPENT</a> <i>1</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c2">2 AN UNEXPLAINED DISAPPEARANCE</a> <i>11</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c3">3 A THATCHED ROOF COTTAGE</a> <i>19</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c4">4 BEHIND THE BUSHES</a> <i>26</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c5">5 AN EVIL CHARM</a> <i>35</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c6">6 MATCHES AND STRING</a> <i>44</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c7">7 WHISPERING WALLS</a> <i>51</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c8">8 GHOST OF THE DARK CORNERS</a> <i>61</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c9">9 JERRY ENTERS THE CASE</a> <i>68</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c10">10 CHEAP LODGING</a> <i>79</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c11">11 THE WOODEN DOLL</a> <i>90</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c12">12 SUPERSTITION</a> <i>98</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c13">13 MISSING FROM THE CHEST</a> <i>106</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c14">14 STORM WARNINGS</a> <i>114</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c15">15 MRS. RHETT’S ILLNESS</a> <i>123</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c16">16 AN OPEN WINDOW</a> <i>133</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c17">17 THE STOLEN WILL</a> <i>139</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c18">18 THROUGH THE WINDOW</a> <i>147</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c19">19 RISING WIND</a> <i>154</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c20">20 TWELVE STEPS DOWN</a> <i>164</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c21">21 CEREMONIAL CAVE</a> <i>172</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c22">22 STRANGER IN THE STORM</a> <i>180</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c23">23 IN THE PRESSROOM</a> <i>188</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c24">24 THE GRINNING GARGOYLE</a> <i>196</i></dt> +<dt><a href="#c25">25 ON THE BALCONY</a> <i>206</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>THE PLUMED SERPENT</i></h2> +<p>Smoothly and with accurate aim, the slim girl +in blue sweater and swinging skirt sent the heavy ball +crashing down the polished floor of the bowling alley.</p> +<p>“Another strike, Penny!” cried her school companion, +Louise Sidell, watching the tenpins topple +helter skelter and vanish out of sight. “You’re certainly +going like a house afire today!”</p> +<p>“Lucky, that’s all.” Penny Parker’s friendly grin +widened as she chalked up the score. Brushing aside +a sandy-gold lock of hair which had dropped over +one eye, she suddenly squinted at the wall clock. +“Ten minutes until four o’clock!” she exclaimed. +“Lou, unless we call it a day, I’ll be late for work!”</p> +<p>“You and your work!” scoffed Louise, but she +quickly sat down to remove her bowling shoes. +“Why spend all your spare time at that old newspaper?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_2">[2]</div> +<p>“The <i>Riverview Star</i> is the best daily in the city!” +Penny shot back proudly. “Anyway, I like being a +reporter.”</p> +<p>“I’ll give you no argument on that point, my pet. +You love it! Especially poking that freckled little +nose of yours into every big story or mystery that +comes along! Confess now, isn’t it the excitement +you like, rather than the work?”</p> +<p>A twitch of Penny’s lips acknowledged the truth of +her chum’s observation. Off and on for several years +she had served in many capacities on the <i>Star</i>, a daily +Riverview newspaper owned by her father, Anthony +Parker.</p> +<p>Many of the publication’s best stories had carried +her name. Now that school had started again, she +was unable to work full time, but on this particular +Saturday afternoon she had promised Editor DeWitt +she would report at two o’clock. She had no intention +of being late.</p> +<p>“Let’s go,” she urged, picking up her coat.</p> +<p>Louise trailed Penny to a desk where the cashier +was absently listening to a short wave radio. As they +paid their bill, the instrument suddenly blared a police +order:</p> +<p>“Patrol 34—First National Bank, Main and Front +Streets. Repeating, First National Bank, Main and +Front Streets. See complainant. Patrol 34 in service.”</p> +<p>To Louise it was only a meaningless jumble of +words but Penny instantly pricked up her ears.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_3">[3]</div> +<p>“Front and Main is just around the corner! Maybe +there’s been a robbery, Lou!”</p> +<p>“I hope not,” laughed Louise. “The First National’s +where I keep my money. All $28.50 of it!”</p> +<p>Sweeping her change from the counter, Penny +glanced again at the clock and came to a quick decision. +Doubtless, the <i>Star</i> office would send a reporter +to check the police call, but considerable time +might elapse before anyone reached the bank.</p> +<p>“Let’s jog over there and see what’s doing,” she proposed.</p> +<p>Louise nodded, hastily pulling a tight-fitting hat +over her dark curls. Penny was already out of the +door, walking so fast that her chum was hard pressed +to overtake her.</p> +<p>Rounding the corner at Main and Front Streets, the +girls were just in time to see a patrol car park at the +curb in front of the bank. A police sergeant was at +the wheel, but before Penny could hail him, he and a +companion vanished into the building. A third man +posted himself at the door of the bank.</p> +<p>Penny walked over to him. “Anything doing?” +she inquired in a friendly, off-hand way. “A robbery?”</p> +<p>“I wouldn’t know,” he replied curtly.</p> +<p>Fishing in a cluttered purse, Penny came up with a +press card. “I’m from the <i>Star</i>,” she added, waving +her credentials before him.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_4">[4]</div> +<p>“You’ll have to talk to the sergeant if you want to +get any information,” he said, relaxing slightly. “Go +on in, if you want to.”</p> +<p>Louise kept close to Penny’s side as they started +into the bank. But the policeman brought her up +short by saying: “Just a minute, sister. Where’s your +card?”</p> +<p>“She’s with me,” said Penny with careless assurance.</p> +<p>“So I see,” observed the patrolman dryly. “She +can’t go in without a card.”</p> +<p>Argument was useless. Decidedly crestfallen, Louise +retreated to wait, while Penny went on into the +darkened building. Curtains had been drawn in the +big marble-floored bank, and the place appeared deserted. +Teller cages were locked and empty, for the +bank had closed to the public at noon.</p> +<p>Pausing, Penny heard the faint and distant hum of +voices. She glanced upward to a second story gallery +devoted to offices, and saw two policemen talking to +a third man who leaned against the iron railing.</p> +<p>“Apparently this is no robbery,” Penny thought, +taking the marble steps two at a time. “Wonder what +has happened?”</p> +<p>Breathlessly, she reached the top of the stairs. A +short, thin man with glasses and a noticeably nervous +manner stood talking to the two policemen. The +sergeant, his back to Penny, started taking down notes.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_5">[5]</div> +<p>“I’m Sergeant Gray,” the policeman said. “What’s +your name?”</p> +<p>“Albert Potts,” the man replied.</p> +<p>“A clerk here?”</p> +<p>“Secretary to Mr. Hamilton Rhett, the bank president. +I called the police because a situation has developed +which worries me. This afternoon I talked to +Mrs. Rhett who gave me no satisfaction whatsoever. +I said to myself, ‘Albert Potts, this is a case for the +police.’ But there must be no publicity.”</p> +<p>“What’s wrong?” Sergeant Gray asked impatiently.</p> +<p>“Mr. Rhett has disappeared. Exactly nine days ago +at three o’clock he put on his hat, walked out of the +bank and hasn’t been seen since.”</p> +<p>Here indeed was news! Mr. Rhett was socially +prominent and a very wealthy banker. His disappearance +would be certain to create a sensation in Riverview.</p> +<p>“So Mr. Rhett walked out of here nine days ago,” +Sergeant Gray commented. “Why wasn’t it reported +earlier to the police?”</p> +<p>“Because at first we thought nothing of it. If you +will excuse me for saying so, Mr. Rhett never has +taken his bank duties very seriously. He comes and +goes very much as he pleases. Some days he fails to +show up until afternoon. On several occasions he has +been absent for a week at a time.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_6">[6]</div> +<p>“Then why does it seem so unusual now?”</p> +<p>“Yesterday I telephoned Mrs. Rhett. She said she +had no idea what has become of her husband. I suggested +notifying the police, but she discouraged it. +In fact, she hung up the receiver while I was talking to +her. Altogether, she acted in a most peculiar manner.”</p> +<p>“That was yesterday, you say?”</p> +<p>“Yes, I told myself, ‘Albert Potts, if Mrs. Rhett isn’t +worried about her husband’s absence, it’s none of your +business.’ I should have dismissed the matter thereupon, +except that today I learned about the missing +bonds.”</p> +<p>“Missing bonds?” inquired the sergeant alertly. +“Go on.”</p> +<p>“Mr. Rhett handles securities for various trust funds. +At the time of his disappearance, $250,000 in negotiable +government bonds were in his possession.”</p> +<p>“You’re suggesting robbery?”</p> +<p>“I don’t know what to think. Mr. Rhett should +have returned the securities to our vault in the basement. +I assumed he had done so, until this morning in +making a thorough check, I learned not a single bond +had been turned in. I can only conclude that Mr. +Rhett had them in his portfolio when he walked out +of the bank.”</p> +<p>“So you decided to notify the police?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_7">[7]</div> +<p>“Exactly. It was my duty. Understand I wish to +bring no embarrassment to Mrs. Rhett or to cast reflection +upon my employer but—”</p> +<p>Albert Potts broke off, his gaze focusing upon +Penny who had edged closer.</p> +<p>“Now who are you?” he demanded suspiciously.</p> +<p>Stepping forward, Penny introduced herself as a +<i>Star</i> reporter.</p> +<p>“You have no business here!” the secretary snapped. +“If you overheard what I just said, you’re not to print +a line of it! Mrs. Rhett would never approve.”</p> +<p>“I did hear what you told Sergeant Gray,” replied +Penny with dignity. “However, any report to the +police is a matter of public record. It is for our editor +to decide whether or not to use the story.”</p> +<p>Behind thick glasses, Mr. Potts’ watery eyes glinted +angrily. He appeared on the verge of ordering the +girl from the bank, but with an obvious effort regained +control of his temper, and said curtly:</p> +<p>“If you must write a story, mind you keep the facts +straight. Mr. Rhett hasn’t been seen in nine days and +that’s all I know. He may return tomorrow. He may +never appear.”</p> +<p>“Then you believe he’s been kidnapped?” Penny +asked.</p> +<p>“I don’t know. There’s been no ransom demand.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps he absconded with the $250,000 in bonds.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_8">[8]</div> +<p>“Don’t quote me as making such a statement even if +it should prove true! Mr. Rhett is a wealthy man—or +rather, he acquired a fortune when he married a +rich widow who set him up here as bank president. +But don’t quote me on that either!” he exclaimed as +Penny jotted down a few notes. “Leave my name +out of it entirely!”</p> +<p>“Let’s have a look at Mr. Rhett’s office,” proposed +Sergeant Gray.</p> +<p>“Follow me, please.”</p> +<p>His poise regained, Albert Potts led the way down +the gallery to a large, spacious office room. On the +polished mahogany desk rested a picture of an attractive +woman in her early forties whom Penny +guessed to be Mrs. Rhett. A door opened from the +office into a directors’ room, and another onto a narrow +outdoor balcony overlooking Front Street.</p> +<p>Sergeant Gray and the patrolman made a thorough +inspection of the two rooms and Mr. Rhett’s desk.</p> +<p>“When last I saw the bonds, Mr. Rhett had them in +the top drawer,” the secretary volunteered eagerly. +“He should have returned them to the vault, but he +failed to do so. Now they’re gone.”</p> +<p>“Then you examined the desk?”</p> +<p>“Oh, yes, I considered it my duty.”</p> +<p>While Penny remained in the background, Sergeant +Gray asked Mr. Potts a number of questions +about the bank president’s habits, and particularly his +recent visitors. The secretary, whose fund of information +seemed inexhaustible, had ready answers +at the tip of his tongue. He even produced a memo +pad upon which the names of several persons had been +written.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_9">[9]</div> +<p>“These were Mr. Rhett’s visitors on his last day +here,” he explained. “So far as I know, all were business +acquaintances.”</p> +<p>Writing down the names for future checking, Sergeant +Gray inquired if Mr. Rhett had disagreed with +any of the callers.</p> +<p>“A quarrel, you mean?” Mr. Potts hesitated, then +answered with reluctance. “Only with his wife.”</p> +<p>“Mrs. Rhett came to the bank the day your employer +last was seen?”</p> +<p>“Yes, they were to have had lunch together. She +came late and they quarreled about Mr. Rhett’s work +here in the bank. Finally she went away alone.”</p> +<p>“You heard the conversation between them?”</p> +<p>“Well, no,” Albert Potts said quickly. “Naturally +I tried not to listen, but I did hear some of it.”</p> +<p>“Mrs. Rhett may be able to explain her husband’s +absence,” commented Sergeant Gray.</p> +<p>“She refused me any information when I telephoned. +That was one reason I decided to notify the +police. The loss of $250,000 could be very embarrassing +to the bank.”</p> +<p>“Who owns the bonds?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_10">[10]</div> +<p>“They belong to the Fred Harrington estate, 2756 +Brightdale Avenue. If they aren’t produced soon, +there will be trouble. I’ve worked here for 15 years. +You don’t think anyone could possibly blame me, do +you?”</p> +<p>The sergeant gave him a quick glance, but made no +reply as he reexamined the mahogany desk. Finding +nothing of interest, he slammed the top drawer shut.</p> +<p>From the back of the desk, a piece of paper fluttered +to the floor, almost at Penny’s feet. Evidently +it had jarred from the rear side of an overflowing +drawer, or had been held between desk and plaster +wall.</p> +<p>Without thinking, Penny stooped to retrieve the +sheet. She glanced at it carelessly, and then with a +shock of surprise, really studied it. Drawn across the +center of the paper in black and red ink was a crude +but sinister-looking winged serpent.</p> +<p>Raising her eyes, Penny saw Albert Potts’ cold gaze +upon her. Was it imagination or did his shriveled +face mirror fear?</p> +<p>“What have you there?” he demanded.</p> +<p>Penny gave the paper to Sergeant Gray. Mr. Potts +moved quickly forward, to peer over the man’s shoulder.</p> +<p>“A plumed serpent!” he exclaimed.</p> +<p>“And read the words beneath it,” directed Penny.</p> +<p>Under the drawing in a cramped hand, had been +scribbled: “<i>This shall be the end.</i>”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_11">[11]</div> +<h2 id="c2"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">2</span> +<br /><i>AN UNEXPLAINED DISAPPEARANCE</i></h2> +<p>Sergeant Gray studied the strange drawing for +a moment and then said to Albert Potts: “Can you +explain the meaning of this picture? And the words +written beneath it?”</p> +<p>For the first time since the start of the interview, +the bank secretary seemed at a loss for words. Finally +he stammered: “Why, no—I’ve never seen the +drawing before. I don’t know how it got into Mr. +Rhett’s desk.”</p> +<p>“You seemed to recognize the picture,” interposed +Penny. “At least you called it a plumed serpent.”</p> +<p>“It is the symbol of an ancient cult, or at least that +is what I take it to be. I’ve seen similar drawings in +library books.”</p> +<p>“And the writing beneath it?” probed the sergeant.</p> +<p>“I am not sure,” the secretary murmured, ill at ease. +“It slightly resembles Mr. Rhett’s writing.”</p> +<p>“You say you can’t explain how the paper came to +be in Mr. Rhett’s desk?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_12">[12]</div> +<p>“My employer’s private life is none of my concern.”</p> +<p>“What do you mean—his private life?”</p> +<p>“Well, I hadn’t intended to tell you this,” Potts said +unwillingly. “The truth is, Mr. Rhett was a strange +man. He had queer interests and hobbies. I have +been told he collects weird trophies of ancient cults.”</p> +<p>“Then this drawing probably has a connection +with your employer’s hobby?”</p> +<p>“I wouldn’t know,” shrugged Potts. “If it weren’t +for the handwriting, I might think someone had sent a +warning to him. As it is, I’m completely in the dark.”</p> +<p>“Mr. Rhett had enemies?”</p> +<p>“He was a ruthless man and many persons disliked +him. His friends were queer too. He preferred low +class persons to people of culture and refinement. +Why, only two days before his disappearance, he deliberately +kept one of our largest stockholders waiting +an hour while he chatted with a building porter! It +was very humiliating! I had to tell Mrs. Biggs he was +in conference, but I think she suspected the truth.”</p> +<p>“Do you have a photograph of Mr. Rhett?” the sergeant +asked.</p> +<p>“I deeply regret I haven’t. For that matter, I never +have seen a picture of him.”</p> +<p>“But you can describe the man?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_13">[13]</div> +<p>“Oh, yes. He is forty-five, though he looks older. +His hair is gray at the temples. He wore an expensive +tailored suit—brown, I believe. One of the most distinguishing +marks I should say, is a scar on his left +cheek.”</p> +<p>“I’ll send one of the detectives around,” Sergeant +Gray promised. He had completed his investigation +and with the other patrolman, started to leave the office.</p> +<p>Albert Potts drew a deep breath and seemed to relax. +Only then did it occur to Penny that throughout +the greater part of the interview he had stood in front +of the outside balcony door, as if to shield it from attention.</p> +<p>Taking the plumed serpent drawing with them, Sergeant +Gray and the patrolman left the office. Penny +lingered, intending to ask Albert Potts a few questions +about Mr. Rhett. But the man gave her no opportunity.</p> +<p>Barely had the others gone when he turned toward +her, making no effort to mask his dislike.</p> +<p>“Now will you get out of here?” he demanded.</p> +<p>His tone annoyed Penny, and perversely made her +determined to take her time in leaving. Deliberately +she sidled over to the balcony door.</p> +<p>“Where does this lead?” she inquired.</p> +<p>“Outside.”</p> +<p>Penny opened the door, but Potts immediately +barred the way.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_14">[14]</div> +<p>“There’s nothing there except a balcony! Just get +out of this office so I can lock up and go home! I’ve +had a hard day, and you’re making it worse!”</p> +<p>For a reason she could not have explained, Penny +felt a deep urge to annoy the nervous little man further. +Ignoring his protests, she pushed past him out +onto the balcony.</p> +<p>Guarded by a high iron railing and fence, it extended +for perhaps fifty feet along several offices. At +each end, projecting from the sloping slate roof, was +a grotesque decorative gargoyle.</p> +<p>“You see!” rasped Potts. “There’s nothing here. +Now are you satisfied?”</p> +<p>The gargoyle near the door had drawn Penny’s +attention. Its carved stone body angled out from the +building, terminating in a horned animal head with +massive open jaws.</p> +<p>“Will it bite?” Grinning impishly at Potts she +started to thrust an arm between the stone teeth.</p> +<p>To her astonishment, he suddenly seized her and +gave her a hard shove through the doorway into Mr. +Rhett’s office. She resisted and he immediately released +her. But he locked the balcony door.</p> +<p>“You’re driving me crazy!” he cried furiously. +“Now get out of here! Unless you do—”</p> +<p>Potts was such a ridiculous little fellow that Penny +could not be afraid of him. However, she decided +that her joke had been carried a trifle too far.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_15">[15]</div> +<p>“Okay, I’m going,” she muttered. “Thanks for all +your courtesy.”</p> +<p>“Mind you print only the truth in your paper,” +Potts hurled after her as she went out the door. “If +you don’t, you may have a lawsuit on your hands!”</p> +<p>Penny reached the street to find that the police car +had gone and Louise was nowhere to be seen. Deciding +that her chum had grown tired of waiting, she +hastened to a nearby drugstore to telephone the <i>Star</i> +office.</p> +<p>Editor DeWitt answered, and Penny gave him the +story straight and fast.</p> +<p>“Hamilton Rhett, the banker!” he exclaimed. +“Sure you got the name right?”</p> +<p>“Positive!”</p> +<p>“This is apt to be a big story, especially if the man +was kidnapped or walked off with the bonds! Grab +a taxi and run out to the Rhett estate. Get all the +dope you can from Mrs. Rhett, and don’t forget +pictures! We’ll want one of Rhett. Better take all +she has of him to keep the <i>Times</i> from getting them! +Got that straight?”</p> +<p>“I think so.”</p> +<p>“Okay, go right to town on the old gal and learn +everything you can about her quarrel with Rhett! +I’ll send a photographer out there as soon as I can +round one up.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_16">[16]</div> +<p>Penny felt a trifle weak as she hung up the receiver. +Editor DeWitt took it for granted she would bring in +a bang-up story when she returned to the newspaper +office. But from what she had learned of Mrs. Rhett, +she surmised that an interview might not be granted +willingly.</p> +<p>Looking up the address of the Rhett estate, Penny +hailed a passing taxi. As the cab sped along the winding +river boulevard, she speculated upon how best to +approach Mrs. Rhett.</p> +<p>“I wish I were more experienced as a reporter,” she +thought, nervously examining her pocketbook to be +certain she had paper and pencil. “Something tells +me this story will be hard to get.”</p> +<p>The only daughter of a distinguished newspaper +owner and publisher, Penny considered herself an +essential part of the <i>Star</i> office. Even as a youngster +in pigtails, she had haunted the big noisy newsroom, +pecking at the typewriters and making a pest of herself.</p> +<p>From her father, Editor DeWitt, Jerry Livingston, +a star reporter, and the printers who adored her, the +alert girl had gleaned much useful information. But +there were yawning gaps in her newspaper experience. +No one realized it better than she.</p> +<p>Gazing thoughtfully toward the river, Penny recalled +the first story she ever had written, carried in +the paper under the title, “Tale of the Witch Doll.” +Another yarn, “The Vanishing Houseboat,” also had +been bannered across the front page of the <i>Star</i>, but in +acquiring that story Penny and Jerry had nearly lost +their lives.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_17">[17]</div> +<p>Slight wonder that Mrs. Maud Weems, the Parker +housekeeper, was reluctant to see the girl she loved so +dearly take up a journalistic career. Sadly she declared +that Penny’s nose for news and mystery would +lead her into serious trouble. Mr. Parker, however, +did not worry. “Penny has good horse sense,” he +said. “And she was born with printer’s ink in her +blood stream!”</p> +<p>The taxi stopped with a jerk in front of a large red +brick mansion. Large acreage was enclosed by a +wooden rail fence flanked by tall untrimmed bushes.</p> +<p>“Shall I wait?” inquired the cab driver as Penny +alighted.</p> +<p>She shook her head, started to pay him, then +thought of a better idea. “Charge this to the <i>Star</i>,” +she instructed.</p> +<p>The cab driver looked a trifle worried as if he were +fearful of losing the fare, so Penny flashed her press +card again. It worked like magic.</p> +<p>“Okay, a charge it is,” he agreed. He shifted gears +and drove away.</p> +<p>No sooner had Penny dismissed the cab than she +regretted it. Although she expected to catch a ride +with the <i>Star</i> photographer back to the paper, the +mansion had a deserted look. As she walked up the +gravel path, she noticed that many of the shades were +drawn.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_18">[18]</div> +<p>“There’s no one here,” she thought. “I’ve wasted +my time coming.”</p> +<p>Nevertheless, Penny walked on to the front door +to ring the doorbell. Instead she found a brass +knocker in the shape of an ugly carved face. She +stared at it a moment, then let it fall against the brass +plate.</p> +<p>As Penny had feared, no one came to admit her. +She was turning away in defeat, when she fancied she +saw a shade move in one of the upstairs rooms. Encouraged, +she knocked again.</p> +<p>Still there was no answer, but distinctly she saw +the curtain flutter. Stepping back a pace, she gazed +upward.</p> +<p>A dark face was visible in a circular window of +one of the tower rooms. For a moment appraising +eyes focused upon her. Then the curtain jerked convulsively, +and the man was gone.</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>A THATCHED ROOF COTTAGE</i></h2> +<p>Satisfied that the house was not deserted, +Penny hammered harder on the massive oaken door +with the brass knocker. Still no one came to admit +her.</p> +<p>“Someone is here,” she thought, intensely annoyed. +“Well, if he can be stubborn, so can I! I’ll make +such a nuisance of myself, they’ll have to let me in.”</p> +<p>She hammered steadily with the knocker for a half +minute, then she experimented with pattern knocks, +in interesting combinations of dots and dashes.</p> +<p>Suddenly, the window above her head flew open, +and the same dark-faced man peered angrily down at +her.</p> +<p>“What you want?” he demanded in an unpleasant +voice.</p> +<p>“Why, I should like to see Mrs. Rhett,” Penny replied +politely. “She’s here, isn’t she?”</p> +<p>“Maybe she is, maybe she isn’t,” was the sharp retort. +“Who are you?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_20">[20]</div> +<p>Resenting the man’s unfriendly attitude, Penny +nevertheless answered that she was from the <i>Riverview +Star</i> and desired to interview Mrs. Rhett about +her missing husband.</p> +<p>“Madam not seeing anyone. Go ’way now!”</p> +<p>The window slammed shut.</p> +<p>Convinced that the man, evidently a servant, had +acted upon instructions from Mrs. Rhett, Penny wondered +what to do. She considered returning to the +<i>Star</i> office to explain to Editor DeWitt.</p> +<p>But in Mr. DeWitt’s dictionary there was no such +word as failure. He would cock an eyebrow at her, +growl: “So you couldn’t get in, eh?” and promptly +send a more aggressive reporter to the mansion.</p> +<p>“I could force my way in, but that’s trespassing,” +she reflected with deepening gloom. “If I were +thrown into jail, Mr. DeWitt probably wouldn’t even +bother to bail me out! He’d say I didn’t use my head +in an emergency.”</p> +<p>Penny decided to wait for the <i>Star</i> photographer, +who also had been sent out. In a tight pinch, photographers +nearly always could come up with a picture. +Between them they might think of a means of getting +into the mansion.</p> +<p>“I hope Salt Sommers is sent here,” she thought. +“He’s a good scout. He’ll help me get the story.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_21">[21]</div> +<p>Penny glanced hopefully toward the highway, but +the press car was not to be seen. With a sigh, she +slowly circled the house.</p> +<p>The building, no longer new, once had been one of +Riverview’s finest homes. Now the red brick exterior +had become discolored, and trees and bushes +disclosed lack of skilled care. A hedge flanking the +walk had been trimmed unevenly. The lawn was +badly mowed, with many weeds going to seed.</p> +<p>Nevertheless, the estate was impressive, and Penny +walked along a sloping path to a pool of water lilies. +Seating herself on the cement rim, she dabbled her +hand in the water. A moment later, raising her eyes, +she caught a flash of color at one of the mansion windows.</p> +<p>“I’m being watched,” she thought. “Perhaps if I +poke around here long enough, Mrs. Rhett will decide +to see me.”</p> +<p>However, there was no further movement at the +window, and presently Penny wandered around to +the rear of the house. Two interesting architectural +features drew her attention. At each side of the house +were circular tower rooms, each with two tiny round +windows which resembled human eyes.</p> +<p>From the rear of the mansion, several paths led in +diverse directions. One, which was weed-choked, +apparently angled toward the river beach. Years before, +when the Heights Yacht Club had been in operation, +many sailboats plied the waters at this particular +point.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_22">[22]</div> +<p>Now, except for an occasional fisherman, few boats +ever came so far upstream. As the once fine neighborhood +had deteriorated, householders gradually had +moved away. Penny judged that the Rhetts, isolated +from their neighbors, probably were the only socially +prominent people remaining.</p> +<p>Selecting a path which led away from the river, +deeper into the grounds, Penny presently found herself +some distance from the road and the boundary +fences.</p> +<p>Hedging the cinder trail were high, untrimmed +bushes which completely screened her view. After +walking a short distance, she paused, uncertain +whether to keep on or return to the road.</p> +<p>“This exploration isn’t helping me get a story,” she +reflected. “If the <i>Star</i> photographer should come +while I’m here, I might miss him.”</p> +<p>However, the trail had a fascination for Penny and +she was reluctant to turn back. In a tiny clearing a +short distance ahead, she saw what appeared to be a +thatched roof cottage. Only a moment or two would +be required to investigate it, she thought. Then she +would return to the road to await the photographer.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_23">[23]</div> +<p>As Penny started eagerly on, she stubbed the toe of +her shoe on a stone, and nearly tripped. By quick +footwork, she saved herself a fall, but as she paused +to recover breath, she plainly saw the bushes at the +left hand side of the trail move convulsively. Only +a slight breeze had rippled the tree leaves.</p> +<p>Penny was certain that someone stood behind the +bush, watching her movements.</p> +<p>“Probably it’s that dark skinned man who called +to me from the window,” she thought.</p> +<p>The knowledge that she was a trespasser on the +Rhett property made Penny slightly uneasy. Likewise, +it was unnerving to know that her every move +was being watched. Admitting to herself that she +should turn back, she nevertheless kept on down the +path.</p> +<p>Without appearing to do so, she kept her eyes on +the bushes at the left hand side of the trail. Now and +then a slight jerk of the foliage convinced her that +the one who watched was following and keeping pace +with her.</p> +<p>Penny hastened her steps as she moved through a +cool, densely shaded woodland. Frost had tinted +many of the leaves with red and gold, but the arresting +beauty of the foliage was completely lost upon +her. She was only aware of those soft footsteps behind +her.</p> +<p>Then unexpectedly, Penny came to the clearing. +Scarcely seventy-five yards ahead, stood the thatched +roof cottage which had attracted her interest from +afar.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_24">[24]</div> +<p>So quaint was the building that for a moment she +gave it her entire attention, forgetting the one who +watched from the bushes.</p> +<p>From where she stood, the cottage appeared to be +about the size of a large room, and resembled a native +hut. No windows were visible. The door was +closed, and across it was painted in black and red a +symbol which even from afar could be distinguished +as a serpent-like figure.</p> +<p>The cottage fascinated Penny. At first glance she +assumed it to be a large playhouse, but the serpent +painting convinced her the building never had been +intended for use of children.</p> +<p>A garden or tool house perhaps? She dismissed +the thought as quickly as it came. Into her mind +flashed a recollection of the drawing that had fallen +from Mr. Rhett’s desk in the First National Bank. +The paper had borne a plumed serpent, apparently a +counterpart of the painting on the door of the +thatched roof cottage!</p> +<p>Forgetful of the person who crouched in the bushes, +Penny started eagerly forward, intending to examine +the strange drawing at close range. Something +whizzed past her, to embed itself in a tree trunk six +inches from her head.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_25">[25]</div> +<p>Brought up short, she saw that it was an arrow +which had narrowly missed her. Had it been shot +from the bushes behind her, and by the person who +had stealthily followed her along the trail?</p> +<p>In cold fury, Penny jerked the arrow from the +tree. Only then did she notice a folded sheet of notebook +paper attached to it with a bit of string. +She broke the knot and freed the paper. Across +its crumbled face had been penciled a message. The +lead had smeared and the words were hard to read. +But she made them out.</p> +<p>The warning note said: “Do not approach the +thatched roof cottage. To do so is to endanger your +life.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_26">[26]</div> +<h2 id="c4"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">4</span> +<br /><i>BEHIND THE BUSHES</i></h2> +<p>Having read the warning message, Penny +whirled around to gaze toward the bushes on the left +side of the path. All now was still, with not the +slightest movement of leaves to reveal the presence of +the one who had shot the arrow.</p> +<p>“It’s that man who talked so unpleasantly to me +from the mansion window!” she thought. “Why, he +might have struck me with the arrow! I’ll put an end +to his target practice!”</p> +<p>Acting impulsively, she made a sudden dive for the +bushes, jerking them apart to expose the one who had +followed her. No one was there.</p> +<p>The grass, however, was trampled, and some distance +away, she heard a scurry of footsteps.</p> +<p>“Trying to get away!” she thought grimly. “Not +if I can prevent it! I’ll have it out with him and learn +why he’s warning me my life is endangered!”</p> +<p>The footsteps fast were dying away. Listening intently, +Penny decided that the person who had shot +the arrow was stealing through the bushes toward the +river path.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_27">[27]</div> +<p>Seeking the intersection of the two paths, the girl +stole noiselessly down the cindered trail sloping toward +the beach. She had guessed correctly. In a +moment she heard an agitation in the bushes nearby +and knew that the person she sought was struggling +through a tangle of underbrush.</p> +<p>Soon the bushes parted and a thin girl in blue shirt +and slacks stepped out onto the cindered path. In +one hand she carried an Indian bow with a quiver of +arrows, while with the other, she brushed dry leaves +from her long, dark hair.</p> +<p>Having expected to see a man, Penny was startled. +As she opened her lips to speak, the girl saw her and +was brought up short. She gasped in dismay, turned, +and with astonishing speed darted down the path leading +to the beach.</p> +<p>“Wait!” called Penny.</p> +<p>Keeping her face down, the girl raced on.</p> +<p>Determining that she should not escape without an +explanation, Penny gave chase. The runner had an +excellent start, but on coming to a series of wooden +steps, her heel caught in a small hole. Down she went, +and before she could arise, Penny had overtaken her.</p> +<p>Observing that the fall had not injured the girl, she +said sternly:</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_28">[28]</div> +<p>“Now little Miss Robin Hood, will you kindly explain +why you tried to exterminate me with that arrow?”</p> +<p>Sitting up, the girl ruefully rubbed an ankle and +gazed at Penny with hostile brown eyes.</p> +<p>“Don’t be ridiculous!” she retorted. “I had no intention +of hitting you. My aim is perfect.”</p> +<p>“Modest, at any rate,” observed Penny, smiling +despite a determination to appear very stern. “You +did write the warning note?”</p> +<p>“Naturally.”</p> +<p>“Why, may I ask?”</p> +<p>“Because in the first place, you have no business +being on our property. Secondly, I didn’t want you to +go to the thatched roof cottage.”</p> +<p>“May I ask your name?”</p> +<p>“I’m Lorinda Rhett.”</p> +<p>“Hamilton Rhett’s daughter!”</p> +<p>“Stepdaughter,” the girl corrected.</p> +<p>“You’re just the person I want to see!” exclaimed +Penny, overjoyed at her good fortune. “Your stepfather—”</p> +<p>“I’ll answer no questions about him,” the girl interrupted. +“You may as well spare your breath. +Mother and I want no reporters here.”</p> +<p>“So you know who I am?”</p> +<p>“How could one help knowing? You nearly broke +our door down with your pounding, and I heard you +talking to Antón.”</p> +<p>“Your servant?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_29">[29]</div> +<p>“My stepfather’s,” Lorinda corrected with a slight +inflection which suggested that she did not entirely +approve of Antón. “Now will you stop asking questions +and go away?”</p> +<p>“All in good time. First, I’m relieved to know that +the thatched cottage isn’t really dangerous. You only +wrote that to be rid of me.”</p> +<p>Lorinda gave her a long, steady look but said not +a word.</p> +<p>“Or perhaps there is some mystery about the cottage,” +Penny went on. “After all, your stepfather’s +disappearance was very queer. But the police, no +doubt, will get at the bottom of it when they come +here.”</p> +<p>Lorinda scrambled to her feet. “The police!” she +gasped. “We’ll not have them here prying around!”</p> +<p>“Whether or not you like it, I’m afraid you will have +the police on your doorstep. A man of Mr. Rhett’s +prominence can’t disappear without a few questions +being asked.”</p> +<p>Lorinda lost much of her defiance. “But this is +our own private affair,” she protested. “My stepfather +will return—at least, I think he will.”</p> +<p>“And the missing bonds?”</p> +<p>“Missing bonds?”</p> +<p>“Didn’t Albert Potts, the bank secretary, inform +your mother that $250,000 in negotiable securities +also had disappeared?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_30">[30]</div> +<p>“Why, no! At least I knew nothing of it! Surely +you don’t think my stepfather would stoop to the +theft of bank securities?”</p> +<p>“I have no opinion in the matter. I’m merely here +to get the true story. For some reason you and your +mother have been unwilling to cooperate.”</p> +<p>Lorinda did not reply, but seemed to be thinking +deeply.</p> +<p>“Do you have any idea where your stepfather is +now?” Penny inquired, hoping that a direct approach +might glean information.</p> +<p>“No, of course not.”</p> +<p>“You haven’t seen him for the past ten days?”</p> +<p>“That is true,” Lorinda acknowledged with great +reluctance. “But it’s not so unusual. My stepfather +frequently goes away on trips.”</p> +<p>“Without telling anyone where he is going?”</p> +<p>“I’ll not answer that question,” Lorinda said with +a proud uptilt of her chin.</p> +<p>“I’m afraid you don’t like reporters very well,” observed +Penny pleasantly. “Nor do you seem especially +fond of your stepfather.”</p> +<p>“That’s not true! I do like my stepfather. Why, +he was the one who taught me how to shoot with a +bow and arrow! He gave me this bow which is a +valuable collector’s item!”</p> +<p>She offered it to Penny who inspected the fine +workmanship with keen interest.</p> +<p>“Mr. Rhett is a collector?” she inquired.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_31">[31]</div> +<p>“Yes, he’s traveled all over the world, but most of +his time was spent in the jungles of Africa, Brazil, and +other places in South America. That was before he +married Mother, of course.”</p> +<p>“Your stepfather was especially interested in ancient +religious cults?”</p> +<p>“He made a study of it, and for a year gathered +material by living in the jungle.” Lorinda suddenly +broke off, aware that she was warming to Penny and +telling her entirely too much.</p> +<p>“Then it was your father who built the thatched +roof cottage?”</p> +<p>“Please, let’s not talk about it,” Lorinda pleaded. +“I don’t like to be unfriendly or impolite, but you +must understand there are things I can’t tell you, and +which must never be published.”</p> +<p>Taking the ancient bow from Penny’s hand, the girl +started up the path, limping a trifle on her twisted +ankle.</p> +<p>“Only one more question, Lorinda. Please tell me +the truth. Why were you afraid to have me investigate +the thatched roof cottage?”</p> +<p>The girl paused on the path, gazing at Penny quite +pathetically.</p> +<p>“Don’t ask me to tell you any more,” she whispered. +“The cottage is a place of evil omen. Truly, I did +you a favor in warning you away.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_32">[32]</div> +<p>“I saw a painting on the door—that of a winged or +plumed serpent. Will you explain its significance?”</p> +<p>“I only know that my stepfather had it painted +there when the cottage was built soon after his marriage +to my mother. It is a symbol of one of the ancient +cults he studied. Many of his trophies bear the +same picture.”</p> +<p>The information was a little disappointing to +Penny. “Then I suppose the drawing that the police +found in Mr. Rhett’s office had no great significance,” +she remarked.</p> +<p>“Drawing?”</p> +<p>Penny described the serpent picture which had been +found, adding: “On the sheet were written the words: +‘This shall be the end.’”</p> +<p>“You are certain?”</p> +<p>“Oh, yes, I saw the paper myself.”</p> +<p>Lorinda was visibly disturbed. “I must see that +writing! It may mean—” she broke off and amended: +“Tell me, where is the paper now?”</p> +<p>“The police have it.”</p> +<p>“Oh!”</p> +<p>“Why do you seem to fear the police?” inquired +Penny curiously.</p> +<p>“I am not afraid of them—certainly not. It’s just +that Mother and I prefer to keep our lives private. +Facts can be so easily misinterpreted.”</p> +<p>“Your reluctance to assist the police also can be misinterpreted,” +said Penny. “For instance, it seems +strange to me that your stepfather’s disappearance +doesn’t seem to disturb you.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_33">[33]</div> +<p>“Oh, it does! It’s only—well, there are things I +can’t tell you without my mother’s permission. My +stepfather is queer. Mother and I never liked his interest +in weird cult practices. He had so many strange +acquaintances and ties with the past. We always +were afraid something dreadful might happen.”</p> +<p>“Then he may have met foul play?”</p> +<p>“I don’t know what to think,” Lorinda said miserably. +“A ten-day disappearance is not so serious. +My stepfather occasionally went away before without +telling us, though never for such a long period. +If it weren’t for the paper found in his desk, and the +missing bonds, I would say it’s much ado about nothing.”</p> +<p>“As it is—?”</p> +<p>“The loss of $250,000 could be a very serious matter. +Tell me, what is your name?”</p> +<p>“Penny Parker.”</p> +<p>“You’re here only to get a story for your paper?”</p> +<p>“That was why I came, but since meeting you I +truthfully can say I also am very much interested in +helping you if possible.”</p> +<p>“I like you,” Lorinda declared with a quick smile. +“I’m sorry about the arrow. And I was very rude.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_34">[34]</div> +<p>“Not at all. I deliberately egged you on, hoping +you would tell me about your stepfather. I was sent +here to get a picture of him, and I hate to fail.”</p> +<p>“A picture? Mother has one, but I doubt that she +would permit you to use it.” Lorinda considered a +moment, then added: “Tell you what! I’ll take you +to her, and perhaps, if you’re a convincing talker, +she’ll agree to your request.”</p> +<p>“Oh, Lorinda, that’s fine!”</p> +<p>The Rhett girl linked arms with Penny as they +trudged up the path to the house.</p> +<p>“Don’t count your chickens just yet,” she warned. +“Mother doesn’t like reporters. It will be sheer luck +if she gives you the picture or any information you +can use in the paper.”</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>AN EVIL CHARM</i></h2> +<p>“Mother has disliked reporters ever since she +married my stepfather, two years ago,” Lorinda confided +as the girls approached the house. “We were in +the Eastern part of the country at the time, and papers +played up the story, suggesting that Mr. Rhett +was a fortune hunter.”</p> +<p>“Then he had no money of his own?”</p> +<p>“Not a great deal. You see, my stepfather loved +travel, and until he met Mother he never really settled +down. He made a little by writing magazine articles, +and he spent it roving about the country and exploring +far corners of the world.”</p> +<p>“It must have been an interesting life,” Penny commented +politely. “Your mother enjoyed travel too?”</p> +<p>“Oh, mercy no! One hardly can get her away +from Riverview. She and my stepfather never traveled +together after they were married.”</p> +<p>Penny gathered that Mr. and Mrs. Rhett were entirely +different types of individuals, but she asked no +additional questions, for by this time, the girls had +reached the house.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_36">[36]</div> +<p>Crossing a stone terrace at the rear of the dwelling, +they entered a spacious living room furnished with +elegant though formal furniture. Shades were partially +drawn, giving the interior a gloomy atmosphere, +despite the vases of brightly colored chrysanthemums +which decorated the tables.</p> +<p>A woman with dark hair tinged with gray sat reading +a book. She was immaculately groomed, every +curl of an elaborate hair-do in place, but her face +lacked tranquility. Her eyes were not on the page +before her, Penny noted, and as the two girls came in, +she visibly started.</p> +<p>“Oh, it’s you, Lorinda,” she murmured in relief. +“I declare, I am getting jumpy! For a moment I +thought it might be the police or that inquisitive reporter—”</p> +<p>“Mother,” interposed Lorinda hastily, “allow me to +present Penny Parker, from the <i>Riverview Star</i>.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Rhett laid aside the book and stared at Penny, +her face without expression. Her voice was cold as +she spoke.</p> +<p>“From the <i>Star</i>? Lorinda, I am <i>very</i> sorry, but you +know my feeling in this matter.”</p> +<p>“Penny really is very nice, Mother,” Lorinda said, +flashing her companion an encouraging smile. “She +didn’t want to come out here and question us about +father, but the editor sent her. He wants a picture, +too.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_37">[37]</div> +<p>Mrs. Rhett arose to terminate an interview which +had never really begun. “I am sorry,” she repeated +with emphasis. “There are to be no pictures taken.”</p> +<p>“The editor especially wanted a photograph of +your husband,” Penny said. “By publishing it in the +paper, it may be easier to trace him.”</p> +<p>“Miss Parker,” replied Mrs. Rhett pleasantly but +with no warmth, “if I need assistance in locating my +husband I shall request it. Meanwhile, I do wish +people would not concern themselves with our affairs.”</p> +<p>“Mother, we may not be able to avoid publicity,” +Lorinda rushed on. “There’s likely to be a scandal. +You see, $250,000 in negotiable bonds disappeared +from the bank.”</p> +<p>For a moment, Mrs. Rhett did not speak. A dagger-type +paper cutter lay on the polished table beside +her. Nervously her fingers closed upon it, and unaware +of the act, she jabbed the sharp point several +times through a lace doily centerpiece.</p> +<p>“Mother, you’re ruining that!”</p> +<p>Mrs. Rhett dropped the paper cutter, which clattered +on the table and tumbled to the floor. Without +picking it up, she moved restlessly to the window, +only to return.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_38">[38]</div> +<p>“What were you saying about $250,000 in bonds, +Lorinda?” she asked. “Surely you didn’t mean—”</p> +<p>“I only know what Penny told me. Soon after +Father disappeared, Albert Potts discovered the bonds +also were missing.”</p> +<p>“There can be no connection. Why, even the suggestion +that my husband would steal is ridiculous! +It’s preposterous!”</p> +<p>“No one has accused your husband,” Penny said +quietly. “Perhaps the bonds will be found. Now +that the police have stepped into the case, there should +be developments.”</p> +<p>“The police,” repeated Mrs. Rhett with a shiver. +“Oh, dear, must we suffer their interference!”</p> +<p>A telephone in an adjoining room rang and Lorinda +started to answer it. But her mother signalled to her.</p> +<p>“Let it go, Lorinda. It may be the police now, or +another reporter. We’ll have nothing to say.”</p> +<p>The telephone rang again. Footsteps were heard +down a hallway and a well-built, dark-skinned house-worker +of middle age padded into the room. She +gazed with intent curiosity at Penny as she started +toward the library to answer the phone.</p> +<p>“No, let it ring, Celeste,” Mrs. Rhett directed. +“And if anyone comes to the door asking for me, remember, +I am not at home.”</p> +<p>“Yes’m,” mumbled the housekeeper. She bent to +pick up the paper cutter from the floor and as she did +so an object which was tied about her neck with a +cord and kept hidden beneath her starched uniform, +swung into view.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_39">[39]</div> +<p>Penny obtained only a fleeting glimpse of the curious +article, for the woman hastily thrust it into her +dress front again. However, it appeared to be a tiny +packet of cloth.</p> +<p>Lorinda also had observed the object. Fixing the +woman with a stern gaze she said: “Celeste, you’re +wearing one of those heathenish <i>ouange</i> charms again! +You promised Mother you wouldn’t!”</p> +<p>“This only keeps away bad sickness,” the woman +retorted, with a slight accent which nevertheless made +her words hard to understand. “A good <i>ouange</i>. +Now that my master is away, you are not to tell me +what to do.”</p> +<p>“Lorinda, don’t plague her,” Mrs. Rhett said +wearily. “We have enough trouble as it is. Let her +wear the charm, or a dozen of them, if it gives her any +satisfaction.”</p> +<p>Lorinda subsided into injured silence, while Celeste +flashed a triumphant smile.</p> +<p>Mrs. Rhett turned again to Penny. In a tone which +could be interpreted only as a final dismissal she said: +“I am sorry, Miss Parker, that I cannot help you. At +present I do not know my husband’s whereabouts or +why he went away. If you will excuse me now, I +shall go to my room for a rest.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_40">[40]</div> +<p>With dignity she crossed the living room to a handsome +circular stairway with a railing of polished +mahogany. Her head held proudly, she presented a +regal figure as she slowly climbed the steps.</p> +<p>But half way up, she suddenly halted, her body +jerking taut. Uttering a low cry which was almost +a scream, she stared at an object lying on the step in +front of her.</p> +<p>“Why, Mother! What’s wrong?” cried Lorinda.</p> +<p>With Penny and Celeste, she hastened to the staircase. +Mrs. Rhett’s face was as colorless as if she had +seen a ghost. Her lips trembled. Without speaking, +she pointed to the stair carpet.</p> +<p>There at her feet lay two burnt match ends tied +together with a bit of scarlet string.</p> +<p>“An <i>ouange</i>! An evil <i>ouange</i>!” whispered Celeste +in horror.</p> +<p>Lorinda turned upon her angrily.</p> +<p>“Celeste, don’t say such things! You know how +nervous Mother is, and how easily she becomes upset! +If this is one of your charms—”</p> +<p>“No! No!” the woman protested. She stared +fixedly at the object on the floor. “This charm is not +mine and it is not Antón’s!”</p> +<p>“Then how did it get here?”</p> +<p>“I do not know. It is a sign of evil—a sign of +death.”</p> +<p>“Superstition!” exclaimed Lorinda.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_41">[41]</div> +<p>Mrs. Rhett started on up the stairs, but as she would +have stepped over the burned matches, Celeste seized +her by the skirt, pulling her backwards. Frightened, +the woman screamed and fell heavily against the wall.</p> +<p>Celeste kept her from collapsing, all the while muttering +words Penny could not understand.</p> +<p>“Stop that gibberish!” Lorinda commanded.</p> +<p>Mrs. Rhett broke away from Celeste, and with an +hysterical cry, moved down the stairway and into the +library. Though she closed the door behind her, the +girls could hear her sobs.</p> +<p>“Now see what you’ve done!” Lorinda accused +Celeste.</p> +<p>The woman paid no attention to her. Bending over +the match sticks, she swayed back and forth as she +muttered a strange chant. As Lorinda sought to pick +up the charm, Celeste struck her wrist a sharp blow.</p> +<p>“Fool!” she exclaimed. “Would you let your +mother die a slow and painful death? Do not touch +this thing of evil until I have finished! If she had +stepped over it, nothing would have saved her.”</p> +<p>Celeste kept on with her mutterings until at last she +was through. “I have done all I can,” she said with a +deep sigh. Gingerly she picked up the match ends +and, dropping them into the living room fireplace, +saw them consumed by flame.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_42">[42]</div> +<p>“Now what is all this stupidity about Mother dying +a slow death?” Lorinda demanded sternly. “How did +that thing get into this house, and what does it mean?”</p> +<p>“How it came here I do not know,” replied the +woman. “Its meaning is simple. In the jungles such +symbols are sometimes placed on new graves, that the +departing spirit may kindle a little fire and warm its +cold hands in the other world.”</p> +<p>“That’s enough!” interrupted Lorinda. “Don’t tell +me any more. It’s all so silly.”</p> +<p>“It is the truth.”</p> +<p>“Well, true or false, Mother is not to be told such +nonsense. She’s upset enough as it is.”</p> +<p>“Your mother already knows,” said the housekeeper. +“That is why she weeps. She fears that even +now the spell is upon her.”</p> +<p>“Celeste, you must be out of your mind!” Lorinda +cried in exasperation. “You never said such dreadful +things or acted like this when Father was here. What +has taken possession of you?”</p> +<p>“I fear for the family. It bodes ill that my master +should remain away. If only the Zudi drum were out +of the house—destroyed—”</p> +<p>Lorinda’s patience had been overtaxed. “The Zudi +drum!” she cried. “Oh, Celeste, you’re impossible! +Go find Antón and if you must, talk such nonsense +to him! But not another word of it before us! Do +you understand?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_43">[43]</div> +<p>Celeste stood facing the two girls defiantly. Her +eyes burned with an angry fire, and Penny expected +her to make a bitter retort to Lorinda. Instead, she +seemed to withdraw into herself, and with downcast +head, scurried toward the kitchen.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_44">[44]</div> +<h2 id="c6"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">6</span> +<br /><i>MATCHES AND STRING</i></h2> +<p>After Celeste had gone, Lorinda went quickly +to the library. Speaking soothingly to her mother, she +urged her to go upstairs and lie down.</p> +<p>“That dreadful thing on the steps!” Mrs. Rhett +exclaimed with a shudder. “Celeste jerked me back +to keep me from walking past it, didn’t she? The +charm has an evil significance—perhaps that I shall +have a long lingering illness or die.”</p> +<p>“You know better than that, Mother. It’s all superstitious +rot! What ever gave you such an idea?”</p> +<p>“Why, I don’t really know, Lorinda. I suppose +Hamilton told me about the charm long ago. When +I saw it on the step it gave me a deep shock and I +seemed to realize that it had been put there for me +alone to find. Lorinda, what if it should be a native +death charm?”</p> +<p>“Mother, I won’t allow you to even think of such +foolishness! You’re just upset because Father isn’t +here.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_45">[45]</div> +<p>“Yes, that must be it,” Mrs. Rhett declared with a +heavy sigh. “I have such a headache. I’ll go to my +room now and try to sleep.”</p> +<p>Lorinda took her arm and helped her up the stairway. +As they came to the step where the burnt +matches had been, Mrs. Rhett glanced down and +shivered. Then she laughed apologetically.</p> +<p>“It really is silly of me to let a little thing upset me +so,” she declared. “I’ll be myself again as soon as I +have slept.”</p> +<p>After helping her mother into bed, Lorinda returned +to the living room where Penny had waited.</p> +<p>“I do hope you won’t put any of this in the paper,” +she began earnestly. “People wouldn’t understand.”</p> +<p>“I’m afraid I don’t myself,” said Penny. “For instance, +what did Celeste mean when she spoke of the +Zudi drum? And who is she anyhow?”</p> +<p>“Oh, I forgot to tell you! Celeste and her husband +Antón, are a couple my stepfather brought to this +country after spending a year studying ancient cult +practices. Celeste befriended him, I believe, and +helped him gain information about the tribesmen. +Anyway, Father took a fancy to her, and persuaded +the couple to come with him.”</p> +<p>“That was before he married your mother?”</p> +<p>“Oh, yes. After the wedding, my stepfather was +unwilling to let Celeste and Antón go, so Mother +agreed that they might work here. Antón is a worthless +servant. He allows the grounds to run down +shamefully, and the only time he ever really works +is when someone stands over him!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_46">[46]</div> +<p>“And Celeste?”</p> +<p>“Oh, she is a hard worker, but I confess I don’t +understand her,” Lorinda replied. “We disliked each +other on sight. In a way, I’m a little afraid of her.”</p> +<p>“Why?”</p> +<p>“I can’t explain.” Lorinda stirred restlessly. “She +makes me feel uneasy whenever I am near her—almost +as if I were in the presence of Black Magic.”</p> +<p>At Penny’s expression of astonishment, she amended +hastily: “Oh, I don’t mean that exactly. Celeste is +devoted to my stepfather and I’m sure only means to +be helpful. But the truth is, she’s steeped in a mysterious +and not too wholesome past. Superstition is the +breath of life to her.”</p> +<p>“How did the match ends get on the stairway?”</p> +<p>“I wish I knew.” Lorinda’s forehead wrinkled with +anxiety. “Celeste may have told the truth when she +said neither she nor Antón had anything to do with it.”</p> +<p>“Then how was the charm brought into the house?”</p> +<p>“My stepfather had enemies. Something tells me +all this may have a connection with the Zudi drum.”</p> +<p>“Didn’t Celeste suggest that idea to you? She +hinted that the drum—whatever it is—should be removed +from the house.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_47">[47]</div> +<p>“I can see myself getting rid of the Zudi drum! +Why, it is my stepfather’s most prized trophy! He +took it from a native tribe, and as you might imagine, +there was plenty of trouble!”</p> +<p>“Your stepfather didn’t steal the drum?”</p> +<p>“Not exactly, though tribesmen may have regarded +it that way. The drum was used in ceremonials and +was highly treasured by natives. Father tried to buy +it. When he couldn’t, he left money and trinkets and +carried off the drum. Natives pursued him for more +than a hundred miles, but he got away.”</p> +<p>“And your stepfather has the drum now?”</p> +<p>“Yes, we keep it in the library wall safe. Want to +see it?”</p> +<p>“I’d love to, if it’s not too much trouble.”</p> +<p>“The truth is I want to check to be certain the +drum is still here,” Lorinda replied, leading the way +into the adjoining room. “What Celeste said made +me uneasy.”</p> +<p>“You think your stepfather may have removed the +drum from the wall safe?”</p> +<p>“I can’t imagine him doing that. However, his +long absence is puzzling, and finding the burnt match +charm gives the whole situation a sinister slant. It’s +barely possible some of those tribesmen followed him +here, hoping to recover the Zudi drum.”</p> +<p>“Why, that seems fantastic!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_48">[48]</div> +<p>“Not if you understand tribal customs. From all +my stepfather told me of his experiences, I am sure +members of the Zudi cult would stop at nothing in trying +to recover their ceremonial drum.”</p> +<p>Penny inquired if Mr. Rhett ever had received +threats against his life.</p> +<p>“Oh, dozens of them, but that was years ago. Since +he married Mother, I’ve not heard of any. But then, +my stepfather was self-contained and rather strange +in many ways. If he had received threats, he might +not have told her.”</p> +<p>Becoming more interested in the story minute by +minute, Penny longed to ask if Mr. and Mrs. Rhett +ever had had serious disagreements. However, the +question was a difficult one, and she knew of no way +to phrase it without risking offense to Lorinda.</p> +<p>“I’d never admit it to Celeste,” the Rhett girl went +on, carefully drawing heavy draperies across the +arched doorway of the library and closing another +door which opened toward the stairs. “But seeing +that match and string <i>ouange</i> gave me an unpleasant +moment. I’m afraid my stepfather’s enemies may +have picked up his trail. In that case—well, the charm +really could become an omen of evil.”</p> +<p>“You’re becoming morbid,” laughed Penny. +“What is there to fear in two burnt matches tied with +a string?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_49">[49]</div> +<p>“Nothing perhaps,” replied Lorinda, though without +firm conviction. “Let’s hope the Zudi drum is +still here. I wish it had never been brought into the +house.”</p> +<p>A large painting of a Dutch windmill hung low on +the north library wall. To Penny’s surprise, Lorinda +gave one of its long gold cords a jerk. The picture +swung back to disclose a cleverly hidden safe.</p> +<p>“Now I hope I haven’t forgotten the combination,” +Lorinda murmured.</p> +<p>Thinking a moment, she whirled the dials with an +expert touch. The safe failed to open. With an +exclamation of annoyance, she tried again. This time +there was a sharp little click and as she turned the +handle, the circular door swung back.</p> +<p>Lorinda thrust her arm deep into the opening. “It’s +here all right!” she exclaimed.</p> +<p>From the safe she drew forth a bowl-shaped drum, +perhaps eight inches in diameter at the opening. +An animal skin was stretched over the framework and +the sides were decorated with symbols.</p> +<p>“This probably is my stepfather’s most valuable +trophy,” Lorinda declared. “He treasures it above +all else, because there is no other exactly like it. But +the drum never should have been taken from the +native tribe.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_50">[50]</div> +<p>With her fingers, the girl tapped out a rhythm +on the drum. The first three notes were slow and +heavy, with a series of triplets coming as a light splutter +at the end.</p> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">. <span class="ws2">.</span> <span class="ws2">.</span> <span class="ws2">...</span> <span class="ws3">.</span> <span class="ws2">.</span> <span class="ws2">.</span> <span class="ws2">...</span></p> +<p class="t0">. <span class="ws2">.</span> <span class="ws2">.</span> <span class="ws2">...</span> <span class="ws3">.</span> <span class="ws2">.</span> <span class="ws2">.</span> <span class="ws2">...</span></p> +</div> +<p>Penny, who had a keen sense of the ludicrous, +began to sway to the jungle rhythm. Lorinda +drummed with more energy, and they both burst into +laughter.</p> +<p>But suddenly for no apparent reason, the mirth died +from Lorinda’s lips and abruptly she ended the tapping.</p> +<p>Tossing the Zudi drum into the wall safe, she closed +the heavy door and spun the dials. With another +swift movement, she swung the picture into place.</p> +<p>Penny started to speak, but a significant glance from +her companion served as a warning to remain silent.</p> +<p>Lorinda darted across the room, and jerked aside +the heavy brocade curtains which framed the arching +doorway. Crouching behind the protective folds +was the same dark-skinned servant who had talked to +Penny from the upstairs window!</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_51">[51]</div> +<h2 id="c7"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">7</span> +<br /><i>WHISPERING WALLS</i></h2> +<p>“Antón!” Lorinda exclaimed in disapproval. +“Why were you listening?”</p> +<p>The servant, a man of perhaps forty whose well-cut +livery was worn in a sloppy manner, stared at her almost +insolently and without the least embarrassment.</p> +<p>“Hear jungle drum,” he said.</p> +<p>“I was showing the Zudi to Miss Parker,” Lorinda +replied stiffly.</p> +<p>“You keep him in wall safe?” inquired Antón.</p> +<p>Lorinda bit her lip with annoyance. She made no +answer.</p> +<p>“Now that master gone, maybe much better you +get rid of Zudi drum,” Antón advised.</p> +<p>“Why do you say that?”</p> +<p>“Zudi drum bring trouble. Antón tell master so +when he bring it to this country.”</p> +<p>“And what do you suggest we do with the drum?”</p> +<p>“Antón take care of it,” the servant offered eagerly. +“Sink it deep in river.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_52">[52]</div> +<p>Lorinda smiled and shook her head. “The Zudi +drum is my stepfather’s most cherished possession. +He never would forgive me if I disposed of it while +he’s gone.”</p> +<p>“Maybe master never come back.”</p> +<p>“Antón!” Lorinda reproved. “You’re not to make +such remarks!”</p> +<p>“Yes’m,” the man muttered, but as he retreated +from the library doorway Penny fancied she saw him +smile as if well pleased with himself.</p> +<p>After the servant had gone, Lorinda remarked in +a whisper: “I wish he hadn’t seen me put the drum +away. Somehow I’ve never trusted Antón although +he’s always been devoted to my stepfather. Sometimes +I feel that he hates me.”</p> +<p>“You say he didn’t know until just now where the +drum was kept?”</p> +<p>“No, he may have suspected, but he never was +certain. Antón always has been deeply interested in +that drum, which as I understand, belonged to another +tribe—sworn enemies of Antón’s group. He and +Celeste helped my stepfather obtain the drum, or +rather they told him about its existence, so I suppose +it’s natural that they remain interested.”</p> +<p>“Antón seemed to believe the drum might bring +trouble on the household.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_53">[53]</div> +<p>“Just stupid superstition! He’s never worried about +it before.” Lorinda was thoughtful a moment, then +added: “Of course, there is a possibility members of +the Zudi tribe may have traced my stepfather here +and intend to avenge themselves. But that hardly +seems likely.”</p> +<p>“What of the serpent drawing found in your stepfather’s +desk?” Penny reminded her. “And the words, +‘This Shall be the End?’”</p> +<p>“I’d not venture an opinion until I have seen the +handwriting,” Lorinda returned.</p> +<p>As the girls were leaving the library, Penny heard +an automobile rattle up to the front of the mansion. +Peering from a window, she saw Salt Sommers climbing +out of the car, camera and flashbulbs in his hand.</p> +<p>His arrival reminded her that she was here to get a +story for the <i>Star</i>.</p> +<p>“The police aren’t here?” Lorinda inquired tensely, +moving to the window.</p> +<p>“No, it’s one of our photographers. He’ll need a +picture of you and your mother. It will only take a +minute.”</p> +<p>Lorinda, who had been growing more and more +friendly, now became cold and aloof.</p> +<p>“No picture,” she said firmly. “I thought you understood. +My mother and I wish no publicity whatsoever.”</p> +<p>“But—”</p> +<p>“I am afraid I must ask you to leave now,” Lorinda +said.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_54">[54]</div> +<p>Deeply chagrined by her failure to obtain a picture, +Penny followed the Rhett girl to the front door.</p> +<p>“I’m sorry,” Lorinda said, observing the proud tilt +of Penny’s chin. “It’s nothing personal. I really like +you very much and would like to help you—but I +can’t.”</p> +<p>She opened the door and Penny went out. As the +latch clicked behind her, Salt, a tall young man with +an aggressive walk, came toward the porch.</p> +<p>“Hi, Penny!” he greeted her casually. “Sorry to be +late, but I got tied up in a traffic jam at Fulton Bridge. +Everything lined up for the pictures?”</p> +<p>Penny told him the bad news.</p> +<p>“Now see here, they can’t do that to us,” Salt said, +knocking on the door of the old mansion. “I’ll catch +the dickens from DeWitt if I go back to the office +without a picture. How about the story?”</p> +<p>“Not much we can use. I talked to Mrs. Rhett and +her daughter, but they didn’t give me any real information. +Mr. Rhett’s disappearance seems to be as +puzzling to them as anyone else.”</p> +<p>“You can hook your story onto that angle then. +But me—I’ve got to come up with a picture.” Salt +knocked again on the door. “Say, are they all deaf in +there?”</p> +<p>“It’s no use,” Penny said. “I doubt if anyone will +answer.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_55">[55]</div> +<p>Salt pounded a few more times, and then was forced +to admit that he was only wasting his energy. “I +might take a shot of the house,” he said. “Gloomy +old morgue, isn’t it?”</p> +<p>“That’s about all you can do under the circumstances.”</p> +<p>“A picture of a house,” Salt groaned. “DeWitt’ll +go for it like a ton o’ brick. He’ll probably throw a +typewriter at me!”</p> +<p>“There’s another place on the grounds that might +be more interesting. It’s a sort of thatched roof cottage.”</p> +<p>Salt immediately brightened. “Let’s have a look-see,” +he proposed. “Maybe we can round up a +gardener or someone who’ll pose.”</p> +<p>Circling the house, Penny led the way down the +graveled path. Salt took such long strides it was hard +to keep up with him. He’d had a tough day, he told +her. As if taking shots of society women at the Country +Club hadn’t been bad enough, right on top of it +he’d been sent to the airport to catch a couple of +prominent state officials. And then, before he’d had +a chance to get the pictures printed, DeWitt had ordered +him to the mansion.</p> +<p>“It’s just one thing after another,” he muttered. “I +wish someone would tell me why I don’t quit newspaper +photography.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_56">[56]</div> +<p>“Because, no matter what you say, you like the +excitement,” Penny supplied. “Remember those shots +you took of the Governor that were printed in the +rotogravure section?”</p> +<p>“Sure,” grinned Salt, his good humor returning. +“I also remember the time I was sent to a furniture +store to take some pictures for the advertising department, +and without me knowing it, the store closed for +the night. I telephoned DeWitt I was locked in, and +what did the old crow do? ‘Just sit down and wait,’ +he says. ‘I’ll get hold of a watchman, and we’ll have +you right out of there.’”</p> +<p>Penny had heard the story several times but did not +ruin the photographer’s pleasure by saying so.</p> +<p>“DeWitt didn’t do a doggone thing!” Salt went on. +“He just told everyone in the office. I cooled my +heels in that place until nine o’clock at night! A fire +broke out across town then, and DeWitt needed another +photographer, so finally he got me out!”</p> +<p>“Mr. DeWitt has a queer sense of humor,” Penny +acknowledged. “But he is a good editor.”</p> +<p>“Best there is,” Salt agreed loyally. “But wow! +He’s going to tear me apart limb from limb when I +come in with nothing but a picture of a thatched roof +cottage!”</p> +<p>Penny was tempted to tell the photographer of +Lorinda’s strange action in warning her not to approach +the building. However, she felt sure he +would make light of the entire matter, so she remained +silent.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_57">[57]</div> +<p>“Is that the place?” Glimpsing the thatched roof +cottage through the trees, Salt paused to stare at it. +“Looks like a jungle hut.”</p> +<p>“A reproduction of one, I imagine,” Penny said, +“but it might be the genuine product. Mr. Rhett, I’ve +been told, was a world traveler and brought home +many relics and souvenirs of jungle and cult life.”</p> +<p>They approached closer and Salt stopped again, this +time to take two shots.</p> +<p>“What’s inside?” he asked. “Let’s take a look.”</p> +<p>Penny was curious to see the interior of the cottage +despite Lorinda’s warning. However, as she trotted +along at Salt’s heels, she experienced a strange, uneasy +feeling, as if she were intruding upon forbidden +ground.</p> +<p>The photographer was troubled by no such misgivings. +Boldly he went to the door and tried to +thrust it open. It was locked and would not budge.</p> +<p>Thwarted, he examined the painted plumed serpent +which decorated the door.</p> +<p>“What’s this thing?” he muttered.</p> +<p>Penny told him about the similar design which had +been found on a paper in Mr. Rhett’s office.</p> +<p>“I’ll take a close-up of the door then,” Salt decided. +“It will tie in with your story, if you build up the +mystery angle.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_58">[58]</div> +<p>While the photographer took two pictures of the +door, Penny wandered around to the back of the tiny +cottage. Only one small window provided light. It +had been cut in the wall high toward the sloping +thatched roof, and to peer into the dark interior, +Penny had to stand on tiptoe.</p> +<p>Inside the room, a spot of light and flame drew her +gaze. And at the same instant, something jabbed her +ribs from behind. With a startled cry, she whirled +around.</p> +<p>Then she laughed, for it was Salt who had come up +quietly.</p> +<p>“You frightened me out of a year’s growth!” she +exclaimed. “Don’t ever do that again!”</p> +<p>“What do you see? Anything interesting?”</p> +<p>“It looks as if a lamp is burning inside. But the cottage +must be deserted!”</p> +<p>Salt peeped through the window. “It is a light—an +oil flame!” he exclaimed. “But there’s no one in the +room.”</p> +<p>“Let’s go,” said Penny with a shiver. “It’s getting +late and we’re due back at the office.”</p> +<p>“Not scared, are you?” the photographer teased.</p> +<p>“Of course not! But the door is locked, and we’re +not supposed to be here.”</p> +<p>Salt tested the window. Surprisingly, it raised +easily.</p> +<p>“Here, I’ll boost you in,” he offered. “Up you go! +Then you can unlock the door and let me in.”</p> +<p>“Oh, Salt, should we?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_59">[59]</div> +<p>“Why not?” he argued. “We were sent to get a +story and pictures, weren’t we? Well, maybe what +we’re after is right here.”</p> +<p>Only half convinced, Penny permitted herself to +be boosted through the window. She dropped lightly +onto a wooden floor. The interior of the cottage was +gloomy, brightened only by a flickering flame which +came from a floating wick in a cocoanut shell filled +with oil.</p> +<p>The atmosphere of the room, was sombre, almost +terrifying. Taking no time to look about, Penny +scurried to unlock the door. She felt more at ease as +Salt sauntered in.</p> +<p>“Well, this is a queer layout,” he observed. “A +regular jungle hut.”</p> +<p>The room was bare of furniture except for a low +wooden table upon which the cocoanut oil lamp +burned. On one wall hung two black and red flags +with serpentine symbols sewn with metallic beads.</p> +<p>Across the room, above the deep fireplace, two +crossed machetes dangled from cords attached to the +wall. Beneath the table was a small, crude wooden +chest, and lying upon it was a rattle made from pebbles +placed in a painted canister.</p> +<p>Salt shook the rattle several times. In the stillness +of the room, the clatter of the pebbles seemed almost +deafening to Penny’s sensitive ears.</p> +<p>“Oh, please!” she pleaded.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_60">[60]</div> +<p>“Don’t you like it?” he teased.</p> +<p>Penny shook her head. With fascinated gaze, she +stared at the flickering oil light.</p> +<p>“Do you suppose that thing burns all the time, Salt, +or has someone just been here?”</p> +<p>“It couldn’t burn very long, unless someone keeps +refilling the shell with oil. Wonder what’s in this +chest?”</p> +<p>Salt stooped to raise the lid. As he did so, Penny, +who stood close beside him, suddenly clutched his +arm. At his look of surprise, she mumbled:</p> +<p>“I thought I heard something just then—like the +rustling of silk!”</p> +<p>Salt listened a moment and chuckled. “That old +imagination of yours is working overtime, Penny! +Relax!”</p> +<p>“But I did hear a rustling sound as if someone were +moving along the wall. Listen! There it is again!”</p> +<p>“No one could—” Salt began, and broke off. The +queer look that came over his face told Penny that +he too had heard the sound.</p> +<p>Then whispering began, and seemed to issue from +the very cottage walls. At first the stunned pair could +not distinguish a word. But gradually the words +whispered in a throaty voice became audible.</p> +<p>“Go!” the warning voice commanded. “All is forbidden!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_61">[61]</div> +<h2 id="c8"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">8</span> +<br /><i>GHOST OF THE DARK CORNERS</i></h2> +<p>Salt was the first to recover from surprise at +the whispered warning. Convinced that someone +must be crouching beneath the open cottage window, +he strode across the room to peer outside.</p> +<p>No one was in sight.</p> +<p>“The voice seemed to come from the wall itself!” +Penny murmured. She added jokingly, “Maybe this +place has a ghost who is annoyed because we climbed +in through the window!”</p> +<p>“That whispered warning came from a very human +ghost,” the photographer muttered. “We’ll do a little +annoying ourselves if we can find the bird!”</p> +<p>Salt jerked open the door. Penny followed him +outside. Behind them, the door swung shut again, +but neither noticed.</p> +<p>Quickly they circled the cottage. No one was +visible in the clearing nor were leaves stirring in the +bushes close by.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_62">[62]</div> +<p>Salt, however, remained convinced the warning +had been whispered by someone standing close to the +window who then had quickly retreated to the sheltering +shrubbery.</p> +<p>“The warning seemed to come from the very inside +of the walls,” Penny repeated.</p> +<p>“How could it? The walls are only average thickness, +so the only place a person could hide would be +outside. It’s a cinch no one was in the room with +us!”</p> +<p>“Lorinda might have crept close to the cottage and +whispered the warning,” Penny said thoughtfully, +“but I doubt it very much.”</p> +<p>“Lorinda?”</p> +<p>“Mrs. Rhett’s daughter. She tried to prevent me +investigating the cottage before you arrived.”</p> +<p>“Then she may have followed us here.”</p> +<p>“The whispering voice didn’t sound like hers,” +Penny insisted. “No, I can’t believe it was Lorinda.”</p> +<p>Salt started back toward the cottage. “Whoever it +was, let’s not be bluffed out, Penny. We’ll see what’s +inside the wooden chest.”</p> +<p>The cottage door was closed. To the photographer’s +annoyance, it refused to open even when he +thrust his weight against it.</p> +<p>“Now what?” he demanded. “Did you close the +door when you came out, Penny?”</p> +<p>“Not that I recall. The wind must have blown it +shut.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_63">[63]</div> +<p>“Wind? What wind? Look at the trees.”</p> +<p>Scarcely a leaf was stirring.</p> +<p>“Then I’m afraid it must have been the jungle +ghost,” Penny said with a nervous giggle. She glanced +at her wrist watch. “Salt, it’s getting late. We +must go.”</p> +<p>“Not yet,” retorted Salt grimly.</p> +<p>Again he circled the thatched cottage, with Penny +tagging none too happily at his heels. As they saw +the window, they both paused.</p> +<p>“Why, it’s closed now!” Penny gasped. “How did +we leave it?”</p> +<p>“Open. The cottage door may have blown shut +by itself and locked with a spring catch, but this +window is a horse of a different color. It couldn’t +have closed by itself.”</p> +<p>“Who could have lowered it? How was it done +without our knowledge?”</p> +<p>Salt had no explanation. Lifting Penny so that she +could peer inside the room again, he asked her what +she could see.</p> +<p>“Not a sign of anyone. But it’s so dark—”</p> +<p>“See anything now?” Salt demanded impatiently as +her voice trailed off.</p> +<p>“The cocoanut shell lamp! It’s no longer burning!”</p> +<p>“Sure?”</p> +<p>“I couldn’t see better if I wore bifocals! The room +is dark.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_64">[64]</div> +<p>“An experience like this shouldn’t happen to a dog,” +muttered Salt. “We’ll find out what’s behind it! +Raise the window and in we go.”</p> +<p>Penny tugged at the sill. “Locked,” she reported. +“From the inside.”</p> +<p>Disgusted, Salt allowed her to drop lightly to the +ground. “Wait until I find a rock,” he instructed. +“We’ll get in!”</p> +<p>Penny caught his arm. “No, Salt! We’ve already +overstepped our rights. We mustn’t damage the +Rhett property.”</p> +<p>“Well, someone is making a monkey of us,” the +photographer grumbled. “It burns me up!”</p> +<p>“There’s more to it than meets the eyes, Salt. Even +the atmosphere of this place is sinister.”</p> +<p>“You say that, and yet you’re willing to turn your +back on an unsolved mystery? How times have +changed!”</p> +<p>“Well—” Penny wavered, for it was true she loved +mystery and adventure. But she finished in a firm +voice: “We were sent here to get a story and picture +for the <i>Star</i>! We’ll miss the Green Streak edition if +we don’t get back to the office <i>pronto</i>.”</p> +<p>She thrust her wrist watch beneath Salt’s nose. He +looked at the moving hands and muttered: “Jeepers! +We’ve got just thirty-five minutes to catch our deadline! +Let’s go!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_65">[65]</div> +<p>Hurriedly, they went up the path toward the +mansion and the road. As they approached the house, +the rear door swung open and Lorinda came out on +the flagstone terrace.</p> +<p>“There she is now!” Penny murmured in an undertone. +“I don’t believe she could have been the one +who whispered the warning at the cottage! It must +have been someone else.”</p> +<p>“Is she the Rhett girl?” Salt demanded, starting to +adjust his camera. “Maybe I can get a shot of her +after all.”</p> +<p>Lorinda came directly toward the pair, but she +raised a hand squarely in front of her face as she saw +that Salt meant to take her picture.</p> +<p>“Please don’t!” she pleaded. “I can’t pose. I only +came to ask you to leave. Mother is so upset. The +telephone is ringing constantly, and we expect the +police any minute.”</p> +<p>Lorinda obviously was on the verge of tears. Salt +lowered his camera.</p> +<p>“I do want to help you,” Lorinda hastened on. +“That’s why I am giving you this. Mother doesn’t +know about it, and she will be furious.”</p> +<p>Into Penny’s hand, she thrust a small but clear +photograph of a middle-aged man who wore glasses. +His left cheek was marred by a jagged though not +particularly disfiguring scar.</p> +<p>“Your stepfather!” she exclaimed.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_66">[66]</div> +<p>“Yes, this is the only picture we have of him. He +never liked to have his photograph taken. If you use +it, please take good care of the original and see that +we get it back.”</p> +<p>“Oh, we will!” Penny promised. “This photograph +should help in tracing Mr. Rhett.”</p> +<p>“Please go now,” Lorinda urged again. She glanced +uneasily down the path toward the thatched-roof cottage, +but if she knew what had transpired there, she +gave no sign.</p> +<p>Elated to have obtained the photograph, Penny and +Salt hastened on to the parked press car. Starting the +car with a jerk, Salt followed the winding river road.</p> +<p>Penny cast a glance over her shoulder. Through +the trees she could see only the roof-top of the +thatched cottage in the clearing.</p> +<p>The estate was bounded by a wooden rail fence, in +many places fortified with dense, tall shrubbery. The +fall weather had tinted many of the bushes scarlet, yellow +or bronze. Gazing toward a patch of particularly +brilliant-colored leaves, Penny detected movement +behind them.</p> +<p>For a fleeting instant she thought she had seen a +large, shaggy dog. Then she became certain it was a +man who crouched behind the screen of leaves.</p> +<p>“Salt!” she exclaimed sharply. “Look at those +bushes!”</p> +<p>The photographer slowed the car, turning his head.</p> +<p>“What about ’em, Penny?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_67">[67]</div> +<p>“Someone is hiding there behind the fence! Perhaps +it’s the person who whispered a warning at the +thatched cottage!”</p> +<p>“Oh, it’s just a shadow,” Salt began, only to change +his mind. “You’re right! Someone is crouching +there!”</p> +<p>So suddenly that Penny was thrown sideways, the +photographer swerved the car to the curb. He swung +the door open.</p> +<p>“What are you going to do?” Penny demanded.</p> +<p>The photographer did not take time to reply. +Already he was out of the car, running toward the +hedge.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_68">[68]</div> +<h2 id="c9"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">9</span> +<br /><i>JERRY ENTERS THE CASE</i></h2> +<p>As Salt ran toward him, the man who crouched +behind the bushes began to move stealthily away. +From the car Penny could not see his face which was +screened by dense foliage.</p> +<p>“Salt, he’s getting away!” she shouted.</p> +<p>Salt climbed over the fence. His clothing got +snagged and by the time he had freed himself and +struggled through a tangle of vines and bushes, the +man he pursued had completely disappeared.</p> +<p>“Which way did he go, Penny?” he called.</p> +<p>“I lost sight of him after he ducked into a clump of +shrubbery,” she replied regretfully. “It’s useless to +try to find him now.”</p> +<p>Salt came back to the car, and starting the engine, +drove on.</p> +<p>“You didn’t see who it was?” Penny asked hopefully.</p> +<p>“No, I think it was a man. Maybe the Rhett’s +gardener or a tramp.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_69">[69]</div> +<p>“Whoever it was, I’m sure he stood there watching +us drive away from the grounds,” Penny declared.</p> +<p>Until the car was far down the street, she alertly +watched the Rhett grounds. However, the one who +had crouched by the fence now was well hidden and +on guard. Not a movement of the bushes betrayed his +presence.</p> +<p>As the Rhett mansion was lost completely from +view, Penny’s thoughts came back to the story which +she must write. Nervously she glanced at her wrist +watch.</p> +<p>“What’s the bad news?” Salt asked, stepping hard +on the gasoline pedal.</p> +<p>“Twenty-five minutes until deadline. Can you +make it?”</p> +<p>Salt’s lips compressed into a grim line and he concentrated +on his driving, avoiding heavy traffic and +red lights as they approached the center of town.</p> +<p>They came at last to the big stone building downtown +which housed the <i>Riverview Star</i>. As Salt +pulled up at the curb, Penny leaped out and ran inside. +Without waiting for an elevator, she darted up the +stairs to the busy newsroom.</p> +<p>Editor DeWitt was talking on a telephone, and, all +about him, reporters were tapping typewriters at a +furious pace.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_70">[70]</div> +<p>Editor DeWitt held his hand over the phone mouthpiece +and fixed Penny with a gloomy eye. “Time +you got here,” he observed. “Anything new? Did +you get the pictures?”</p> +<p>Penny produced the photograph of Mr. Rhett +which the editor studied an instant, then tossed to his +assistant, with a terse: “Make it a one column—rush!”</p> +<p>Knowing that with a deadline practically at hand +Mr. DeWitt was in no mood for a lengthy tale, Penny +told him only such facts as were pertinent to Mr. +Rhett’s disappearance.</p> +<p>“So the family won’t talk?” DeWitt growled. +“Well, play up that angle. We’ve already set up +everything you gave us over the phone. Make this +an add and get it right out.”</p> +<p>Penny nodded and slid into a chair behind the +nearest typewriter. An “add” she knew, was an addition +to a story already set up in type. It was easier to +write than a “lead” which contained the main facts +of all that had happened, but even so, she would be +hard pressed to make the deadline.</p> +<p>For a moment she concentrated, but the noises of +the room distracted her somewhat. Editor DeWitt +was barking into the telephone again; a reporter on her +left side was clicking a pencil against the desk; the +short-wave radio blared a police call; and across the +room someone bellowed: “Copy boy!”</p> +<p>Then Penny began to write, and the noises blanked +out, until she was aware only of the moving ribbon of +words on the copy paper. She had written perhaps +four paragraphs when DeWitt ordered tersely: “Give +me a take.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_71">[71]</div> +<p>Without looking up, Penny nodded, wrote a few +more words, then jerked the copy from her machine. +A boy snatched it from her hand and carried it to +DeWitt, who read it rapidly. Pencilling a few minor +corrections, he shot it to the copy desk.</p> +<p>Meanwhile, with another sheet of paper rolled in +her machine, Penny was grinding out more of the +story. Words flowed easily now, and she scarcely +paused to think.</p> +<p>DeWitt called for more copy. Again she ripped it +from the roller and gave it to the boy.</p> +<p>After the third “take,” DeWitt called: “That’s +enough. Make her ‘30.’”</p> +<p>Penny understood the term. It signified the end of +the story, and usually when reporters had completed +an article, they wrote the figure at the bottom of the +copy sheet.</p> +<p>Finishing the sentence she had started, she gave the +last of her story to the boy, and settling back, took a +deep breath. DeWitt’s chair was empty. He had +gone to the composing room, leaving his assistant to +handle the final copy that came through before the +presses rolled.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_72">[72]</div> +<p>Penny knew that the last page she had written +probably would not make the edition, but it did not +matter. She had crammed all the important and most +interesting of her information into the first part of the +story. In any event, everything she had written +would be used in the second edition, the Three Star, +which followed the Green Streak by two hours. The +final edition rolled from the presses later in the evening +and was known as the Blue Streak.</p> +<p>A well-built, good looking reporter with a pencil +tucked behind one ear, walked over to the desk.</p> +<p>“Big day, Penny?” he inquired affectionately.</p> +<p>Jerry Livingston, who rated as the <i>Star’s</i> best reporter, +also stood at the very top of Penny’s long list +of friends.</p> +<p>With Jerry, Penny always felt comfortable and at +ease. Now she found herself telling him about the +Rhett case, omitting few details of what had occurred +in the thatched roof cottage. It took longer to relate +all the events than Penny realized, for, before she had +finished the story, the Green Streak edition was up, +and a boy was distributing papers about the office. +Penny reached eagerly for one, noting instantly that +her article appeared in good position on the front +page.</p> +<p>“Wonder who wrote the lead?” she asked. “You, +Jerry?”</p> +<p>“Guilty,” he laughed. “Any mistakes?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_73">[73]</div> +<p>Penny could find none. It was a perfect rewrite, +based upon facts she had telephoned to the office after +leaving the bank. The story had a professional swing +she could not have achieved. Her own “add” went +into it very smoothly, however, so that few persons +reading the account ever would guess two reporters +had contributed to the writing.</p> +<p>Mr. DeWitt had returned from the composing +room, and with a relaxed air settled down to enjoy a +cigarette. Now that the edition was rolling off the +press, he no longer seemed nervous or irritable.</p> +<p>Presently he waved his hand toward Penny who +went over to see what he wanted.</p> +<p>“This Rhett story is likely to develop into something,” +he said. “I’ll want double coverage, so I’m assigning +Jerry to help you. He’ll handle the police +angle.”</p> +<p>Penny nodded, secretly glad it was Jerry who had +been directed to help her instead of another reporter. +Police work, particularly the checking of routine reports, +was vitally important but uninteresting. She +was pleased to escape it.</p> +<p>“You’re to keep close tab on the Rhett mansion,” +Mr. DeWitt instructed. “Report everything of consequence +that happens there. By tomorrow things +may start popping.”</p> +<p>The wire editor came swiftly to DeWitt’s desk with +a sheet of copy which had just been torn from an Associated +Press teletype.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_74">[74]</div> +<p>“Here’s something,” he said. “A few hours ago +police published for all state banks the numbers of +those bonds stolen from the First National Bank. According +to this Culver City dispatch, one of the bonds, +in $1,000 denomination, turned up there yesterday.”</p> +<p>“Yesterday?” Penny inquired.</p> +<p>“Sure, a Culver City bank took the bond in, not +knowing it was one of the missing ones. Late this +afternoon, police sent out the numbers to every bank +in the state.”</p> +<p>DeWitt read the news item carefully his eyes +glinting with interest.</p> +<p>“Too bad Albert Potts didn’t notify the police several +days ago. Rhett may be half way to the Mexican +border by this time.”</p> +<p>“Then you believe he walked off with the bonds?” +asked Penny.</p> +<p>“Looks like it,” shrugged the editor. “There’s no +other suspect. Or if there is, the police aren’t talking. +More of those missing bonds may show up. Jerry, +get busy on the telephone!” he called to the reporter +who sat nearby.</p> +<p>“What’s doing?” Jerry inquired, getting up and +coming to the desk.</p> +<p>DeWitt thrust the dispatch into his hand. “Get +hold of that Culver City banker,” he instructed. +“Find out who turned the bond in, and if the description +fits Rhett.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_75">[75]</div> +<p>Jerry was occupied at the telephone for nearly +fifteen minutes. He returned to report: “The bond +was turned in by a woman, and the bank clerk didn’t +make a record of her name.”</p> +<p>“Any description?”</p> +<p>“No, the clerk only remembers that she was a middle-aged +woman.”</p> +<p>DeWitt sighed heavily and turned his attention to +other matters. Penny glanced at the clock. It was +after six o’clock. Her father, she knew, would have +left the office nearly an hour earlier. She could catch +a bus home, but first a cup of coffee across the street +might help to fortify her until she could enjoy a home-cooked +dinner by Mrs. Weems.</p> +<p>As she started away from the office, Jerry followed +her.</p> +<p>“Going across the way for a bite to eat?” he asked. +“Mind if I tag along?”</p> +<p>“I wish you would,” she replied eagerly. “We can +talk about the Rhett case.”</p> +<p>“Oh, let’s bury that until tomorrow. I’d rather +talk about a dozen other subjects—you, for instance.”</p> +<p>“Me?”</p> +<p>“About that little curl behind your ear. Or the +smudge of carbon on the end of your nose!”</p> +<p>“Oh! Why didn’t you tell me before?” Indignantly, +Penny peered at her reflection in a hand mirror +and rubbed vigorously with her handkerchief.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_76">[76]</div> +<p>Outside the <i>Star</i> building, newsboys were shouting +their wares. As Penny and Jerry started to cross the +street, one of the lads who had received a job through +the girl’s influence, spied the pair.</p> +<p>Approaching, he flashed a paper in front of their +eyes.</p> +<p>“See this bird who robbed the bank!” he exclaimed, +pointing to the picture of Hamilton Rhett.</p> +<p>“Tommy, I’m afraid your reading is inaccurate,” +Penny laughed. “The story doesn’t say Mr. Rhett +robbed a bank.”</p> +<p>“He must have done it,” the newsboy insisted. +“What’s the reward for his capture?”</p> +<p>“Mr. Rhett is not listed as a criminal,” Penny explained. +“There is no reward.”</p> +<p>Tommy’s face dropped an inch.</p> +<p>“What’s the matter, son?” asked Jerry. “Figuring +on cashing in?”</p> +<p>“Well, sort of,” the boy admitted. “I saw the fellow +not an hour ago!”</p> +<p>“He wasn’t robbing another bank?” Jerry teased.</p> +<p>“He was going into a house on Fulton Street. I +didn’t take down the number ’cause when I saw him I +didn’t think nothin’ of it. The Green Streak wasn’t +out then, and I hadn’t seen his picture in the paper.”</p> +<p>“Fulton Street?” repeated Penny, frowning. +“What section?”</p> +<p>“It was at the corner of Fulton and Cherry. He +went into an old three-story brick building with a +sign: ‘Rooms for rent—beds thirty cents.’”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_77">[77]</div> +<p>“Why, Tommy means Riverview’s cheapest flop +house!” Jerry exclaimed. “I can’t imagine a bank +president luxuriating in a Fulton Street dump.”</p> +<p>“All the same, I saw him. He wore old clothes, but +it was the same bird.”</p> +<p>“Tommy, you’ll grow up to be a police detective +some day,” Jerry chuckled. He started to pull Penny +along, but she held back.</p> +<p>“Wait, Jerry, if there should be anything to it—”</p> +<p>Jerry smiled indulgently.</p> +<p>“Tell us more about the man you saw,” Penny +urged Tommy. “How was he dressed?”</p> +<p>“He wore old clothes and a floppy black hat. And +there was a scar on his cheek.”</p> +<p>“Jerry, Mr. Rhett had a similar scar!”</p> +<p>“And so have dozens of other people. Did I ever +show you the one I got when I was a kid? Another +boy socked me with a bottle and—”</p> +<p>“Be serious, Jerry! Tommy, are you sure the man +you saw looked like the picture in the paper?”</p> +<p>“Cross my heart and hope to die. It was the spitten +image! If you catch him, will you give me a reward?”</p> +<p>“We’ll split fifty-fifty,” grinned Jerry, pulling +Penny on by brute force.</p> +<p>But across the street he met unexpected opposition. +Stopping dead in her tracks, Penny announced: “This +is where we part company. I’m going to investigate +that place on Fulton Street!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_78">[78]</div> +<p>“Say, are you crazy? You can’t go to a flop house +alone!”</p> +<p>“That’s exactly what I shall do, unless you come +with me.”</p> +<p>“It’s a waste of time! You know these kids. +Tommy read the story, and it fired his imagination.”</p> +<p>“Maybe so,” admitted Penny, unmoved. “All the +same, I’m going there to make certain. How about +you?”</p> +<p>Jerry looked longingly at the restaurant and drew +a deep sigh.</p> +<p>“Okay,” he gave in, “I learned years ago that it’s no +use arguing with a gal. Lead on, but don’t say I didn’t +warn you!”</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>CHEAP LODGING</i></h2> +<p>Street lights blinked on as Penny and Jerry +reached the corner of Fulton and Cherry Streets, in +the poorer section of Riverview.</p> +<p>“That must be the building,” the reporter said, indicating +an old, discolored brick building with a faded +sign which proclaimed it a cheap rooming house of +the type patronized by those who could afford only a +few cents for a bed.</p> +<p>They crossed the street. Penny’s courage faltered +as she saw that they must climb a long, dark stairway. +Dust was very thick; the air inside was stuffy.</p> +<p>“You still can change your mind, you know,” said +Jerry. “Why not wait outside, while I go up?”</p> +<p>Penny shook her head.</p> +<p>Climbing the stairs, they entered an open space from +which branched narrow corridors. The landing was +even dirtier and darker than the stairway, with a huge +pasteboard carton standing in a corner filled with +empty bottles.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_80">[80]</div> +<p>In a little office room, behind a cage window, sat +a plump middle-aged woman with reddish frizzled +hair. She eyed the pair suspiciously. To her experienced +eye, their manner and clothing immediately +stamped them as “outsiders,” perhaps investigators. +She smiled ingratiatingly at Jerry.</p> +<p>“We’re looking for a man,” he said briefly.</p> +<p>“You’re from the police, ain’t you?” she demanded. +“We got nothin’ to hide. My husband and me run a +respectable place for poor workin’ men.”</p> +<p>“May we see your room register?”</p> +<p>“Sure. Ever since that last copper was here I been +keepin’ it just like he told me I had to do.”</p> +<p>Through the wooden slats of the cage, the woman +thrust a grimy notebook which had been ruled off to +provide spaces for names, addresses and date of registry.</p> +<p>Rapidly Jerry scanned the entries for several days +back. No one by the name of Rhett had registered, +but neither he nor Penny had expected the banker +would be stupid enough to use his real name, if indeed +he had come to such a place.</p> +<p>As Penny glanced about the dingy, smoke-stained +room, it seemed impossible to her that Mr. Rhett, a +man of culture and wealth, would voluntarily seek +such quarters.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_81">[81]</div> +<p>“The man we’re looking for is middle-aged,” +Penny explained. “He wore glasses and may have +been well dressed. We were told he was seen here +earlier tonight.”</p> +<p>“They all look alike to me,” the woman said wearily. +“Most of my rooms are empty now. We don’t fill +up until the coppers start runnin’ loiterers off Cherry +Street around ten o’clock. It’s still warm enough outside +so’s a lot o’ the cheap skates can sleep out on the +river bank.”</p> +<p>“Isn’t anyone here?” inquired Jerry.</p> +<p>“Maybe one or two men. A fella name of Ben +Smith came in about an hour or two ago. He signed +up for one of the flops. Come to think of it, maybe +he’s the one you’re after. He acted nervous like and +I figured maybe he was dodgin’ the police. Another +thing, he acted like he was used to havin’ money.”</p> +<p>“Did he have much on him?”</p> +<p>“I couldn’t see, but he paid me with a five dollar bill. +And why would a fella with even that much dough +sleep in a flop if he wasn’t tryin’ to dodge the cops?”</p> +<p>“Suppose you describe the man.”</p> +<p>“He was about average height and middle-aged. +No glasses, though. He couldn’t have been down and +out very long, because he still wore a ring.”</p> +<p>“Describe it, please,” requested Penny.</p> +<p>“It was a gold ring with a picture of a snake on it—some +sort of order probably.”</p> +<p>“The plumed serpent!” exclaimed Penny. “Jerry, +perhaps Tommy was right!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_82">[82]</div> +<p>“Take us to this man,” the reporter directed the +landlady.</p> +<p>“How do I know if he’s still here? The men come +and go and so long as they’re paid up, I don’t pay no +attention. What’s he done anyhow?”</p> +<p>“Nothing very serious,” Jerry replied. “Anyway, +we’re not from the police station.”</p> +<p>The woman’s pretended friendliness vanished. +“Then what you pryin’ around here for?” she demanded. +“Who are you anyhow?”</p> +<p>“We’re newspaper reporters.”</p> +<p>“I don’t want my name in the paper, and we don’t +want nothing written about this place!”</p> +<p>“Take it easy,” Jerry advised. “Your name won’t +be in the paper. We’re only looking for a man. Now +lead us to him.”</p> +<p>“When people take rooms or a bed in this place +they got a right to privacy,” the woman argued unpleasantly. +“It ain’t none o’ my business what folks +have done that come here.”</p> +<p>“We want to talk to this man who registered as +Smith. Either take us to him, or we’ll have to call in +the police. I’m a personal friend of Joe Grabey, the +patrolman on this beat.”</p> +<p>“I was only kiddin’,” the woman said hastily. “You +can talk to him if he’s here.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_83">[83]</div> +<p>Locking the office door behind her, the woman led +the pair down a narrow corridor with rooms on either +side. A door stood open. Penny caught a glimpse of +a cell-like chamber, furnished only with a sagging bed, +soiled blankets, and a rickety dresser. The dingy walls +were lined with pegs.</p> +<p>“Those nails are for hanging up clothes, and symbolize +a man’s rise in the world,” Jerry pointed out to +her. “Men who patronize the flops usually have only +the suit on their backs. But when they make a little +money and get two suits, they need a safe place to keep +the extra clothes during the day. So they rent one of +these tiny rooms which can be locked.”</p> +<p>Leading the way down a dark hall to the very end, +the landlady opened a door. This room with paper-thin +walls, sheltered perhaps twenty men, each cot +jammed close to its neighbor. The air was disagreeable +with the odor of strong disinfectant which had +been used on the bare wood floor.</p> +<p>The room now was deserted save for a man in +baggy black trousers who sat on one of the cots, reading +a comic magazine. Other beds were made up, but +empty.</p> +<p>“Is that man Ben Smith?” Penny asked in disappointment, +for he bore not the slightest resemblance +to the picture of Mr. Rhett.</p> +<p>“No, I don’t know what became of Smith, if he +ain’t here,” the landlady answered. She called to the +man on the cot. “Jake, seen anyone in here during the +last hour?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_84">[84]</div> +<p>He shook his head, staring curiously at the intruders.</p> +<p>To Jerry the woman said: “You’ll have to come +back later if you want to see Smith. Maybe after ten +o’clock.”</p> +<p>Jerry scribbled his name and telephone number on +a sheet of notebook paper.</p> +<p>“If he does show up, will you telephone me?” he +requested.</p> +<p>“Oh, sure,” the woman replied, her careless tone +making it clear she would never put herself to so much +trouble.</p> +<p>Jerry gave her a five dollar bill. “This should make +it worth your while,” he said. “You’ll earn another +five if we find the man.”</p> +<p>“I’ll call you the minute he comes in,” the woman +promised with more enthusiasm.</p> +<p>Penny drew a deep breath as she and Jerry left the +building, stepping out into the cool, sweet air of the +street.</p> +<p>“I still doubt we’re trailing the right man,” remarked +Jerry. “Why would Hamilton Rhett hole in +at a place like this?”</p> +<p>“It does seem out of the picture. However, we +know he wore a serpent ring at the time of his disappearance.”</p> +<p>“The ring may not be the same. Also, if Rhett had +been the victim of violence, a bum might have stolen +it from him.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_85">[85]</div> +<p>“I never thought of that. Should we report what +we’ve learned to the police?”</p> +<p>“Not yet,” advised Jerry. “Our clue is pretty +flimsy. Let’s watch and wait. The landlady may call +us, and in any case I’ll keep my eye on this place.”</p> +<p>It now was so late that Penny decided to return +home immediately. Bidding Jerry goodbye at the +next corner, she boarded a bus and presently was slipping +quietly into her own home.</p> +<p>If she had hoped to elude the watchful eye of +Mrs. Maud Weems, the housekeeper, she was doomed +to disappointment.</p> +<p>The plump, kindly lady who had looked after +Penny since the death of Mrs. Parker many years before, +had finished the dishes and was sweeping the +kitchen. Fixing the girl with a stern eye, she observed:</p> +<p>“You’re later than ever tonight, Penny. When +your father came home nearly two hours ago, he had +no idea what had become of you.”</p> +<p>“Then Dad isn’t keeping tab on his employes,” +chuckled Penny. “I’ve been working on a special +story for the <i>Star</i>.”</p> +<p>“I’ve heard that one before,” sighed the housekeeper. +“In fact, I suspect you charge a great many +of your escapades to your work! If I had my way +you would give it up.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_86">[86]</div> +<p>“Oh, Mrs. Weems, don’t be cross,” Penny pleaded, +giving her a squeeze. “Newspaper work is wonderful! +Next time I’ll telephone you if I know I’ll be +late.”</p> +<p>“Have you had anything to eat?” the housekeeper +asked in a softened tone. “Dinner was over an hour +ago.”</p> +<p>“I’ll dig up something for myself from the refrigerator. +Where’s Dad?”</p> +<p>Even as Penny asked the question, Anthony Parker, +a tall, lean man with graying hair, came to the arched +doorway of the kitchen. “Now what’s all this?” he +inquired. “Penny off the reservation again?”</p> +<p>Mrs. Weems made no reply, knowing only too well +that in almost any argument the publisher would support +his daughter. Many times, and without success, +she had told him she disapproved of his system of +granting Penny almost unrestricted freedom.</p> +<p>No one doubted that Mr. Parker was an over-indulgent +father, but the publisher had raised his daughter +according to a strict code. He knew that she had +writing talent and a flair for tracking down a story. +Only because she had demonstrated that she could +look after herself and think clearly in an emergency, +did he allow her to make most of her own decisions.</p> +<p>Now, Penny eagerly poured out an account of her +experiences in trying to get the Rhett story for the +<i>Star</i>. Mr. Parker, who had read most of it in the +Green Streak edition, listened attentively, offering +little comment other than to say:</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_87">[87]</div> +<p>“I met Rhett once at a Chamber of Commerce +luncheon. Not a bad fellow.”</p> +<p>“What was he like?” Penny inquired eagerly.</p> +<p>“Quiet and rather bored by the meeting. I don’t +recall that he said a dozen words during the luncheon.”</p> +<p>“Did he look like a man who would walk off with +$250,000 in bonds?”</p> +<p>“Not that I noticed,” commented the publisher +dryly. “But then, nobody can judge character by +external appearances.”</p> +<p>Hat in hand, Mr. Parker moved toward the kitchen +exit.</p> +<p>“Are you going back to the <i>Star</i> office?” his daughter +asked with alert interest.</p> +<p>“No.” Mr. Parker edged nearer the door, but +Penny blocked the way.</p> +<p>“Then where are you going, Dad? You’re holding +out!”</p> +<p>“Must I give you a schedule of my life?”</p> +<p>“You’re slipping off somewhere, and you don’t +want me to go!”</p> +<p>“If you must know, I thought I would drop in at +the Gay Nineties, a new night club that is opening +tonight. The proprietor is one of our best advertisers +and he extended a special invitation to attend.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_88">[88]</div> +<p>“Fine!” chuckled Penny. “I’ll be with you in five +minutes. Just give me time to wash my face and pull +the snarls out of my hair.”</p> +<p>“I was afraid of it,” groaned the publisher. “Haven’t +you any school work to do?”</p> +<p>“Nary a bit. Besides, it’s Saturday night and I +haven’t had any dinner. You can buy me a great big +steak with all the trimmings. And perhaps you will +dance with me.”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker gazed helplessly at Mrs. Weems, but +the housekeeper did not come to his rescue. Her +shrug indicated that the problem was entirely his.</p> +<p>“Well, all right,” he gave in. “But I’ll warn you +now, this is no party. We’ll drop in for an hour or +so, then come straight home.”</p> +<p>Penny was off like a shot, bounding upstairs to her +room. There was no time to change her dress, but she +freshened up, and was ready by the time her father +had backed the car from the garage.</p> +<p>The Gay Nineties on Euclid Avenue twinkled with +lights, and many persons in evening dress were entering +beneath the bright red street canopy.</p> +<p>“Looks like all the socialites of the city are here,” +Penny observed. “Maybe I should have worn my +pearls.”</p> +<p>“Or washed behind your ears,” Mr. Parker chuckled, +escorting her inside.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_89">[89]</div> +<p>Penny and her father were given one of the best +tables in the night club. Studying the menu, the girl +was a trifle alarmed to note the prices.</p> +<p>“I’m dreadfully hungry too,” she declared. “Dad, +I hope you’re not intending to charge this outing +against my allowance.”</p> +<p>“I know I’d have no chance to collect,” he teased. +“Just relax and select whatever you want. I can stand +it this time.”</p> +<p>After the order had been given, Penny glanced +about the dimly lighted room. The floor show had +not yet started. Everywhere she saw well-to-do and +prominent persons who had turned out for the gala +opening.</p> +<p>Suddenly her attention centered upon a couple who +had just entered the door. The woman wore an obviously +new white evening gown, and behind her +came a short, stubby little man.</p> +<p>“Dad!” she whispered, giving him a kick with the +toe of her slipper. “See that man who just came in?”</p> +<p>“Where?” he asked, turning his head.</p> +<p>“He’s with the middle-aged woman in white.”</p> +<p>“Oh, yes, who are they?” Mr. Parker commented, +only mildly interested. “No one I know.”</p> +<p>“The man is Albert Potts, secretary to Mr. Rhett +at the First National Bank,” Penny replied impressively. +“How do you suppose he can afford to come +to such an expensive night club? If you ask me, Dad, +it looks odd!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_90">[90]</div> +<h2 id="c11"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">11</span> +<br /><i>THE WOODEN DOLL</i></h2> +<p>Mr. Parker studied the bank secretary and his wife +with more interest. But he said mildly:</p> +<p>“I see nothing especially significant in Potts coming +here, Penny. The club is public.”</p> +<p>“It’s expensive too. The cover charge is two dollars, +and you can’t touch a dinner for less than another +four! How can Potts afford to pay such prices?”</p> +<p>“He may earn a good salary working for Mr. Rhett—probably +does. Anyway, folks don’t always spend +their money wisely, even if they have very little of it.”</p> +<p>Potts and his wife swept past the Parker table without +noticing Penny or her father. A trifle self-consciously, +as if unaccustomed to appearing in such +places, they sat down and studied the menu with concentrated +interest.</p> +<p>Penny tried but could not keep her eyes from the +pair.</p> +<p>“Dad, I wonder if Potts has any more information +about Mr. Rhett’s disappearance,” she presently remarked. +“I have a notion to go over there and ask +him.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_91">[91]</div> +<p>Mr. Parker nodded absently, so Penny started across +the room. She was only midway to Potts’ table, when +the bank secretary raised his eyes and saw her approaching.</p> +<p>A startled, almost dismayed expression came upon +his face. He spoke hurriedly to his wife. She looked +puzzled, but both arose and walked quickly toward +the exit.</p> +<p>Penny started to follow, then thought better of it.</p> +<p>“Mr. Potts knows I’m a reporter,” she reflected. +“Probably he doesn’t care to be annoyed by having +to answer questions. On the other hand, is it possible +he doesn’t want to be recognized in this night club?”</p> +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Potts obtained their wraps at the +checkroom and left the building. Somewhat crestfallen, +Penny returned to her own table to find her +father chatting with acquaintances.</p> +<p>Under the circumstance, she had no opportunity to +speak of Mr. Potts’ queer behavior. Soon, dinners +were brought and after that the floor show began.</p> +<p>Not wishing to keep his daughter out late, Mr. +Parker insisted that they leave in the middle of the +entertainment. However, the drive home gave Penny +time to tell him about the bank secretary. The incident +did not seem to impress her father greatly.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_92">[92]</div> +<p>“If I were you I wouldn’t pester Potts too much,” +he advised. “He probably doesn’t enjoy being the +center of public attention.”</p> +<p>Penny slept late the next morning, and because it +was Sunday, did not visit the <i>Star</i> office. The paper +that day was voluminous. But in going through it +she could find no new facts about the Rhett case. No +word had been received from the missing banker; +there had been no ransom demand received; and +neither had Albert Potts nor Mrs. Rhett shed the +slightest light on what might have become of him.</p> +<p>After breakfast, Penny telephoned Jerry Livingston +to inquire if he had heard from the Cherry Street +landlady.</p> +<p>“Not a word,” he reported. “I dropped back there +late last night, but the man we’re looking for apparently +never returned.”</p> +<p>Disappointed that the case had reached a dead end, +Penny next telephoned the Rhett home. No one +answered.</p> +<p>“I’m certain someone is there,” she thought. “Mrs. +Rhett probably has given orders not to answer the +phone.”</p> +<p>At a loss to know what to do, Penny spent the +morning at home, had dinner, then went down the +street to see Louise Sidell. However, her chum had +gone to visit an aunt for the day.</p> +<p>“What miserable luck!” Penny muttered. “No +one with whom I can talk over the Rhett case! +Nothing to do!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_93">[93]</div> +<p>Suddenly it dawned upon her, that she might call +on Albert Potts at his home, and perhaps induce him +to reveal a few helpful facts about the missing banker.</p> +<p>From a telephone book she obtained the secretary’s +address. Thirty minutes later found her standing before +a modest cottage on Berdan Avenue. In response +to her knock, the same woman Penny had seen the +previous night at the Gay Nineties, came to the door. +Now she looked very plain and frowsy in a messy +housedress, and her hair hung in untidy streamers.</p> +<p>The woman stared at Penny without recognition.</p> +<p>“Is Mr. Potts here?” the girl inquired.</p> +<p>“No, he’s not,” Mrs. Potts answered without cordiality, +her voice coarse and unattractive. “Anything +I can do?”</p> +<p>“I wanted to talk to him. Will he return soon?” +Penny moved inside the door.</p> +<p>“When he goes off, I never know when he’ll get +back. He went to the bank, I guess.”</p> +<p>“On Sunday?”</p> +<p>“Al’s had a lot of work lately. I tell him he ought +to let up. He’s getting so jumpy he doesn’t sleep at +nights. Just tosses and keeps me awake.”</p> +<p>Before Penny could ask another question, a boy of +ten, who had Albert Potts’ sharp features, came racing +across the yard up to the door.</p> +<p>“Has the bicycle come yet, Ma?” he shouted.</p> +<p>“No, it hasn’t, and I wish you’d quit pestering me!” +she snapped. “There won’t be any deliveries today.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_94">[94]</div> +<p>To Penny, the woman explained: “My husband +bought Eddie a new bicycle and he won’t give us any +peace until it comes. Deliveries take such a long time +these days. None of the things we bought have come +yet.”</p> +<p>Penny did not mean to be inquisitive, but instantly +it struck her as unusual that the Potts’ family should +be indulging in a sudden orgy of spending. Nor had +she forgotten the couple’s hasty departure from the +Gay Nineties club.</p> +<p>“Eddie is getting quite a few new things, I take it,” +she observed casually.</p> +<p>The woman became more friendly. “Oh, yes, my +husband ordered a trapeze set for him, and an electric +train. But he bought me a lot too! A new piano and +a living room rug. We have a new refrigerator on +order, a vacuum cleaner and a bedroom suite!”</p> +<p>“Imagine!” exclaimed Penny. “Your husband must +have come into a small fortune.”</p> +<p>“He was given a raise last week at the bank. I don’t +know exactly how much, but it must have been a big +one, because Al says we’ll have enough now for everything +we need.”</p> +<p>“I think I’ve seen you before, Mrs. Potts,” Penny +remarked, seeking additional information. “Weren’t +you at the Gay Nineties last night?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_95">[95]</div> +<p>“Yes, we were! But we didn’t stay long. Before +we had ordered our dinner, my husband remembered +an important appointment he had made. We had to +leave suddenly. It was awfully disappointing. I +never went to a night club before and I wanted to see +the show!”</p> +<p>Mrs. Potts paused, obviously waiting for Penny to +leave. “I’ll tell my husband you called,” she said. +“You didn’t give me your name.”</p> +<p>Edging out of the door, Penny pretended not to +hear the latter remark. Calling over her shoulder that +she would try to see Mr. Potts at the bank next day, +she retreated before the woman could learn her +identity.</p> +<p>Walking toward the bus stop, the girl reflected +upon what she had learned. The financial good +fortune of the Potts’ family was very puzzling. Apparently +the bank secretary’s salary had been increased +since the disappearance of his employer, Mr. Rhett.</p> +<p>“It seems a queer time to raise the man,” she mused. +“If his duties have become so much heavier, I suppose +the bank board may have granted a compensating +wage increase. But it must have been an enormous +one to enable him to buy everything in the stores!”</p> +<p>As Penny waited at the street corner for a home-bound +bus, she saw one approaching which was +headed for the outlying section near the Rhett estate +area. Impulsively, she decided to go there to see +Lorinda.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_96">[96]</div> +<p>“I may not get into the house,” she thought. “My +luck is running badly today. Anyway, I’ll give it a +try.”</p> +<p>It was nearly four o’clock by the time Penny +alighted from the bus and walked to the Rhett estate. +Her heart sank as she noticed that curtains were +drawn in nearly all of the front windows of the house.</p> +<p>“No one here,” she thought. “Lorinda and her +mother may have left town to escape questioning by +reporters and the police.”</p> +<p>Because she had come so far, she knocked on the +front door. No one came. Giving it up, she wandered +around the house, into the garden.</p> +<p>Curiously she gazed toward the thatched roof cottage, +wondering if anyone were there. The whispered +warning she and Salt had heard the previous day, remained +unexplained. She longed to investigate, yet +hesitated to trespass.</p> +<p>As she debated, Penny observed a small column of +black smoke rising from amid the shrubbery. Someone +apparently had built a bonfire on the beach.</p> +<p>Seeking the steps which led down to the river, +Penny presently saw that her guess was correct. A +small fire of driftwood had been built on the sands. +Lorinda, in slacks and an old sweater, was so engrossed +in feeding the flames that she did not hear when her +name was called.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_97">[97]</div> +<p>Descending the steps, Penny hastened to the beach +to join the Rhett girl. Lorinda did not hear the approaching +footsteps. Deeply absorbed in what she +was doing, she stirred the flames with a stick until they +leaped merrily.</p> +<p>Then, from a paper sack she withdrew a queer +wooden object which even from the distance Penny +could see was a doll. Its body appeared to be tightly +wound with scarlet thread.</p> +<p>Lorinda held the doll gingerly in her fingers. She +stared at it a moment, shuddered, and then with a +gesture of abhorrence, hurled it into the crackling +flames.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_98">[98]</div> +<h2 id="c12"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">12</span> +<br /><i>SUPERSTITION</i></h2> +<p>Penny quickened her step. “Lorinda!” she +called again.</p> +<p>The girl at the bonfire whirled around. Seeing +Penny, she gave the wooden doll a shove with the toe +of her shoe, trying to bury it beneath a pile of burning +wood.</p> +<p>Penny was not to be so easily deceived. Reaching +the fire, she asked directly: “Lorinda, what in the +world are you doing?”</p> +<p>“Why, nothing.”</p> +<p>“You’re burning something you don’t want me to +see!”</p> +<p>“It’s nothing. Just an old doll.”</p> +<p>The wooden object had not yet caught fire, and +Penny could still see it plainly.</p> +<p>“Why, it’s an effigy doll!” she exclaimed, then observing +the face clearly, she added in a shocked voice: +“A likeness of your mother!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_99">[99]</div> +<p>The scarlet string around the doll’s body caught +fire, and soon tongues of flame began to consume the +wood. Only then did Lorinda speak.</p> +<p>“Now it is destroyed! But I cannot so easily destroy +the evil that threatens my mother!”</p> +<p>“Why, Lorinda! What do you mean? Why are +you burning this doll?”</p> +<p>Lorinda sank down on the sand, her eyes upon the +fire. “I hadn’t intended anyone to know. You swear +you will never tell Mother?”</p> +<p>“Of course not.”</p> +<p>“I found this doll in a downstairs coat closet. You +saw for yourself that it was an effigy of Mother and +that it was wrapped with string?”</p> +<p>“Yes, but I fail to understand its significance.”</p> +<p>“That scarlet wool string is known as a life-thread. +Each day a little of the thread is unwound until finally +it all is gone. Then the person dies.”</p> +<p>“Not your mother, Lorinda! Surely, you don’t +believe such a crazy superstition!”</p> +<p>“I don’t,” Lorinda answered, her voice barely above +a whisper. “<i>But Mother will</i> if she learns about the +doll. That is why she will die, unless I can do something +to break the spell.”</p> +<p>To Penny the words seemed fantastic, but she realized +Lorinda was deadly in earnest and convinced that +she was speaking the truth.</p> +<p>“Let’s get to the bottom of this, Lorinda. How did +the doll come into the house?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_100">[100]</div> +<p>“I only wish I knew. Obviously, it was brought +by someone who hates my mother. The doll was +carved in her image, and no doubt deadly <i>basiko</i> and +<i>dayama</i> incantations were chanted as the string was +wrapped tightly about the body.”</p> +<p>“Who told you all this lingo?” Penny demanded +suspiciously. “Your stepfather?”</p> +<p>“I learned a little of it from him,” Lorinda admitted, +“but most of my knowledge came from Celeste and +Antón.”</p> +<p>“Superstitious natives!”</p> +<p>“Laugh if you like, but this form of dark magic +which is practiced in the jungles, is a sort of hypnotism. +The victim weakens and dies because he <i>believes +that he is doomed</i>.”</p> +<p>“Then the antidote is simple. Just don’t put any +stock in such rot.”</p> +<p>“Easily said, but the victim <i>always believes</i>.”</p> +<p>“You think your mother will put faith in all this?” +Penny scoffed.</p> +<p>Lorinda gave her a strange look. “I know she will, +if she learns about the doll. That’s why I’m burning +it.”</p> +<p>“A very sensible act. The doll is destroyed. We’ll +keep this strictly to ourselves, and the spell is broken!”</p> +<p>“You make it sound very easy.”</p> +<p>“Your mother hasn’t seen the doll?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_101">[101]</div> +<p>“No, I only found it a few minutes ago.”</p> +<p>“Then she’ll never hear about it. Haven’t you any +theory as to how the effigy got into the house?”</p> +<p>“No,” Lorinda replied, after a slight hesitation.</p> +<p>“Would your stepfather have had a hand in it?”</p> +<p>“Oh, I don’t think so! It would be such a vicious, +wicked thing to do!”</p> +<p>“He and your mother always got on well together?”</p> +<p>“No, they had frequent disagreements,” Lorinda +admitted, squirming uncomfortably. “All the same, +my stepfather was not a cruel man.”</p> +<p>“Do you have utter confidence in Antón and +Celeste?”</p> +<p>“They have been fairly efficient servants. Mother +always has treated them well. What reason could +they have for hating her?”</p> +<p>“I’m sure I can’t see any. Yet someone brought the +doll into the house after carving it in your mother’s +image.” Penny thought a moment, and then asked: +“Could the Zudi drum have anything to do with it?”</p> +<p>“That angle occurred to me,” Lorinda nodded. +“From the first, I’ve been afraid that natives would +trail my stepfather here and try to revenge themselves +upon him for taking the drum.”</p> +<p>“Celeste and Antón are not members of the Zudi +cult?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_102">[102]</div> +<p>“No, else they never would have aided my stepfather +in acquiring the drum. I understand he never +would have heard of it if Celeste hadn’t told him of its +existence.”</p> +<p>“It’s all a queer puzzle,” Penny commented. “While +I suppose it’s possible natives could have followed +your father to America and now seek revenge upon +his wife, such a theory doesn’t quite ring the gong.”</p> +<p>“Celeste thinks we should get rid of the Zudi drum. +Unless we do, she’s convinced Mother will die a slow +lingering death.”</p> +<p>“Celeste seems to have implanted quite a few ideas +in your mind,” Penny observed dryly. “If you ask +me, I should say she’s a sinister influence on the household.”</p> +<p>“Oh, Celeste means no harm. And the last few days +since my stepfather disappeared, she’s been very devoted +to Mother, waiting on her as if she were a +baby.”</p> +<p>“Your mother must be terribly worried. You’ve +heard nothing from your stepfather?”</p> +<p>“Not a word. Mother cries half the time, and this +morning she refused to leave her room. Even now I’m +afraid she is ill.”</p> +<p>“Now Lorinda!” reproved Penny. “I’m afraid +you’re the one who has become hypnotized by that +doll!”</p> +<p>“I hope it’s just that I’m silly, and that there’s nothing +to it. But I’m afraid—terribly afraid.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_103">[103]</div> +<p>Penny picked up a stick and poked the dying embers. +She could find only a charred piece of the doll +left on the fire. Flames soon consumed it.</p> +<p>“There, it’s gone!” she exclaimed. “Take my advice, +Lorinda, and forget this entire incident. Don’t +tell your mother, Celeste, or anyone.”</p> +<p>Lorinda scrambled up, brushing sand from her +slacks.</p> +<p>“All right, I’ll do as you say,” she agreed. “This +shall be our secret. At any rate, by burning the doll, +I should have put an end to its evil.”</p> +<p>Extinguishing the few remaining flames by covering +them with sand, the girls slowly climbed the steps. +Penny inquired whether or not the police had called +at the mansion. Lorinda told her that they had spent +nearly two hours questioning Mrs. Rhett.</p> +<p>“By the way,” Penny remarked as they approached +the house, “do you know Albert Potts?”</p> +<p>“My stepfather’s secretary? I’ve met him a few +times. Why?”</p> +<p>“He was quite a favorite with your stepfather, I +suppose?”</p> +<p>“A favorite?” Lorinda chuckled. “On the contrary, +he couldn’t stand him! Potts was always at his +elbow, trying to tell him what to do, and what not to +do. In his way he was efficient—too efficient, if you +know what I mean.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_104">[104]</div> +<p>“I do,” agreed Penny. “That was why I was surprised +to learn he had been granted a substantial salary +increase after your stepfather disappeared.”</p> +<p>Lorinda turned her head quickly. “A pay raise? +By the board, you mean?”</p> +<p>“I don’t know who gave it to him.”</p> +<p>“I can’t imagine anyone giving old Potts a raise, +certainly not the board. The members meet only +once a month, on the fifteenth. Of course, it’s possible +a special session was called because of my stepfather’s +absence.”</p> +<p>“That may have happened,” agreed Penny. “At +any rate, Mr. Potts seemingly has come into money.”</p> +<p>Rounding a twist in the path, the girls came within +view of the mansion terrace where Mrs. Rhett, in +white, reclined.</p> +<p>“Why, Mother is downstairs!” Lorinda exclaimed +in surprise.</p> +<p>The woman did not see the girls until they were +very close. But as they reached the terrace, she raised +her eyes, and smiled in a brief, sad manner. Penny +instantly noted the pallor of her face.</p> +<p>“I appreciate your efforts, Lorinda,” she said before +either of the girls spoke. “But it is useless.”</p> +<p>“What is useless, Mother?” inquired her daughter.</p> +<p>“I saw smoke rising from your fire on the beach.”</p> +<p>Lorinda glanced quickly at Penny, laughed nervously +and said: “Oh, that! I was burning a little driftwood.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_105">[105]</div> +<p>Mrs. Rhett held her daughter’s eyes in a steady, +knowing gaze.</p> +<p>“It is useless to try to deceive me,” she said quietly. +“I know you burned the doll.”</p> +<p>“Whatever gave you such an idea, Mother?”</p> +<p>“I know,” replied the woman with quiet finality. +“First the burnt match ends and now the doll! My +life thread is reaching its end, and I shall slowly +weaken and die.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_106">[106]</div> +<h2 id="c13"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">13</span> +<br /><i>MISSING FROM THE CHEST</i></h2> +<p>“Mother, how did you learn about the wooden +doll?” Lorinda gasped. “And where did you get such +a crazy idea that you will weaken and die?”</p> +<p>“I have known it ever since my husband went +away.”</p> +<p>“But that’s impossible!” cried Lorinda, fairly beside +herself with anxiety. “I’m sure the doll wasn’t in +the house until today. Someone is putting these notions +in your head! Is it Celeste?”</p> +<p>“Celeste is doing her best to help, but there is nothing +she can do,” Mrs. Rhett said sadly.</p> +<p>“Mother, snap out of this! You’re worried about +Father and it has made you morbid. Nothing will +happen to you. The doll has been destroyed, and in +any case, we know it’s only a stupid effigy.”</p> +<p>Dropping her head wearily on the chair back, Mrs. +Rhett smiled and said nothing. Closing her eyes, she +relaxed for a moment. Penny and Lorinda thought +she might be dropping off to sleep, so they moved +quietly away.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_107">[107]</div> +<p>Mrs. Rhett’s eyes opened then and she said: “Oh, +Lorinda!”</p> +<p>“Yes, Mother.”</p> +<p>“There’s something I wish to mention—about my +will.”</p> +<p>“Your will?” the girl repeated with distaste. “Why +talk about that—now of all times!”</p> +<p>“There may be no better time,” Mrs. Rhett said. +“As you know, my will is kept in the safe. It leaves +this house and nearly all of my property to Hamilton.”</p> +<p>“Let’s not talk about it,” Lorinda pleaded nervously. +“At the time you made the will, we decided it +was very fair.”</p> +<p>“I thought so then, because you have substantial +income in your own name. Hamilton, on the other +hand, has nothing—scarcely a penny except his salary +at the bank.”</p> +<p>“You were right in leaving money to him, Mother. +I never objected.”</p> +<p>“The situation has changed now,” Mrs. Rhett continued. +“My husband may never return. If I should +die suddenly, the estate would be left to him, but he +might not appear to claim it. To my knowledge, he +has no relatives. It could all become an awkward +legal muddle.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_108">[108]</div> +<p>“You certainly are borrowing trouble, Mother! +Father will be found, and everything will be the same +as before.”</p> +<p>“I wish I could think so, Lorinda.”</p> +<p>“Forget about the will.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Rhett shook her head. “I think I shall change +it. And soon. However, at this moment, I don’t +know how I wish to dispose of some of my property. +Nearly everything I own is tied up in real estate.”</p> +<p>The woman arose, and remarking that she had a +severe headache, started into the house.</p> +<p>“I’ll lie down for a little while,” she murmured. “I +feel so weak and tired.”</p> +<p>Lorinda waited until her mother was well beyond +hearing. Then she turned to Penny with stricken +eyes.</p> +<p>“You heard what she said! She must have learned +about that hideous doll from Celeste!”</p> +<p>“But how did Celeste know of it? You told her?”</p> +<p>“Oh, no! But Celeste has a way of knowing everything +that goes on in this household. What ought I +to do?”</p> +<p>“If I were in your place I would get rid of Celeste +and Antón. Send them packing!”</p> +<p>The suggestion seemed almost shocking to Lorinda.</p> +<p>“Oh, I couldn’t do that,” she answered. “In the first +place, my stepfather would be furious if he returned +and found them gone. Secondly, I doubt that they +would go on my orders. They’re very independent.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_109">[109]</div> +<p>“Then I don’t see what you can do.”</p> +<p>“If only my stepfather were here! Unless he returns +soon I’m afraid something dreadful will happen +to Mother. Did she look well to you?”</p> +<p>“Well—” Penny hesitated, and then said truthfully: +“She seemed pale and listless. But one can understand +that, considering what she has been through.”</p> +<p>“I heard her give orders about her food this morning. +She told Celeste she would have trays served in +her room, and <i>no food is to be cooked with salt</i>.”</p> +<p>“Is that especially significant?”</p> +<p>“My stepfather once told me natives who believe a +hex or <i>ouange</i> have been put on them are afraid to eat +salted food. The salt is supposed to turn to poison in +their bodies!”</p> +<p>Penny would have laughed had the matter not been +so serious.</p> +<p>“Lorinda, you’re as superstitious as a little savage!”</p> +<p>“I don’t believe such a thing myself,” the girl denied. +“But Mother apparently does. She always was afraid +of everything remotely connected with cult practices. +She never wanted my stepfather to have books on the +subject in the library, yet recently I saw her reading +them.”</p> +<p>“You said they disagreed about his interest in +ancient cult practices?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_110">[110]</div> +<p>“Yes,” Lorinda admitted. “Otherwise they got on +quite well together. Perhaps I shouldn’t tell you this, +but two days before he went away, they had a violent +disagreement. Mother wanted to discharge Antón +and Celeste, and he refused. Then on the last day my +stepfather was seen, Mother went to the bank to talk +to him. She never told me what happened there.”</p> +<p>“According to Albert Potts, they had another quarrel.”</p> +<p>“I shouldn’t wonder,” Lorinda sighed. “And now +Mother’s attitude toward Celeste is so changed—she +actually clings to her. Oh dear, it’s all so upsetting.”</p> +<p>“You’re trying to take too much upon your shoulders,” +Penny said kindly.</p> +<p>Conversation lagged. Lorinda could not throw +aside the deep mood of depression which possessed +her. Penny knew she no longer had an excuse to +linger, yet she was unwilling to leave without asking +a few questions about the thatched roof cottage.</p> +<p>“Lorinda, why did you try to keep me from visiting +it the other day?” she inquired.</p> +<p>“Well, I didn’t know you then. My stepfather’s +trophies all are kept in the cottage, and I didn’t want +anyone prying about.”</p> +<p>“Then actually it’s not a place of evil?”</p> +<p>Lorinda hesitated and answered indirectly: “I almost +never go to the cottage myself. Once I was +badly frightened there—it was nothing—but for a +silly reason, I’ve always dreaded going back.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_111">[111]</div> +<p>“You didn’t by chance hear whispering from within +the walls?”</p> +<p>Lorinda gave her companion a quick, startled look. +“Why do you ask, Penny?”</p> +<p>“Because I visited the cottage yesterday with Salt +Sommers. We distinctly heard a voice which seemed +to come from the wall itself. When we went outside +to investigate, the door slammed shut and locked.”</p> +<p>“It has an automatic catch,” Lorinda explained. “I +never heard voices there, but I had a strange feeling +when I was in the room—as if the walls had eyes and +I was being watched.”</p> +<p>“The cottage always is kept locked?” Penny inquired.</p> +<p>“Yes, my stepfather’s trophies are valuable, and we +can’t risk having them stolen. How did you get inside?”</p> +<p>Penny had the grace to blush. “Well, to make a +long story short, we went in through the window,” +she admitted. “It was a dreadful thing to do, and I’m +heartily ashamed.”</p> +<p>“I don’t blame you,” Lorinda laughed. “Naturally +you were curious after I tried so hard to keep you +away. Would you like to see the cottage again?”</p> +<p>“Indeed, yes!”</p> +<p>“I’ll get the key,” Lorinda offered.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_112">[112]</div> +<p>She vanished into the house and was gone so long +that Penny wondered what could be delaying the girl. +When she finally appeared on the veranda, her face +was as dark as a rain cloud.</p> +<p>“The key is gone!” she exclaimed. “It’s always +been kept in the top drawer of the dresser in my stepfather’s +room. I couldn’t find it anywhere.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps he took it with him that last day he went +to the bank,” suggested Penny.</p> +<p>“Possibly,” agreed Lorinda, though without conviction. +“I hope nothing has been stolen from the cottage.”</p> +<p>Alarmed at being unable to find the key, the girls +walked hurriedly along the wooded path to the trophy +house. From afar, Lorinda saw that the door was +open a tiny crack.</p> +<p>“Either the place has been ransacked, or someone is +there now!” she declared excitedly.</p> +<p>They approached swiftly but with noiseless tread. +Lorinda suddenly flung open the cottage door.</p> +<p>The room was deserted. Trophies were exactly as +Penny had seen them the previous day.</p> +<p>“That’s funny,” Lorinda commented, entering, “I +was certain I’d find someone here. Perhaps you and +your friend failed to lock the door after you left +yesterday.”</p> +<p>“It locked itself. We tried it, and couldn’t get in. +Anyway, even if we had left the door open, that still +leaves the question of what became of the missing +key.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_113">[113]</div> +<p>Lorinda nodded thoughtfully as her gaze swept the +room.</p> +<p>“Everything seems to be here,” she remarked.</p> +<p>“What does the chest contain?” Penny inquired +curiously. “Salt and I wanted to peek inside yesterday, +but didn’t have a chance.”</p> +<p>“I’ll show you,” Lorinda offered.</p> +<p>Pulling out the chest, she raised the lid. The top +compartment tray was empty. Looking a trifle puzzled, +Lorinda jerked it from the wooden container. +The lower section of the chest also was empty.</p> +<p>“Why, everything is gone!” she cried. “My stepfather +kept an altar cloth, a feathered head dress, two +carved knives, several rattles, and I don’t know what +all in this chest! They’ve been stolen!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_114">[114]</div> +<h2 id="c14"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">14</span> +<br /><i>STORM WARNINGS</i></h2> +<p>Penny dropped down on her knees beside Lorinda, +peering into the empty wooden box.</p> +<p>“I hope you don’t think Salt and I took anything +when we were here,” she murmured uncomfortably. +“We never even opened the chest.”</p> +<p>“Of course I know you didn’t,” Lorinda replied. +“Such a thought never entered my mind. But it’s +disturbing to know these things are gone. Why +weren’t the other trophies taken also?”</p> +<p>“Possibly, because the person who stole them +thought the objects inside the chest would not be so +quickly missed.”</p> +<p>Lorinda nodded as if in agreement, and closed the +chest. As she straightened up, a tense, strained expression +came over her face, and she stiffened.</p> +<p>“Listen!” she whispered.</p> +<p>From behind the walls of the house came a muffled +dum—dum—dum of a drum. Even as the girls tensely +listened, the sound died away.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_115">[115]</div> +<p>“Could this cottage have a secret panel?” Penny +asked in an excited voice.</p> +<p>“I don’t think so.” Badly frightened, Lorinda tried +not to show it. “At least I never heard of one.”</p> +<p>Penny began tapping the walls, none of which gave +off a hollow sound. The section by the fireplace appeared +somewhat thicker than the others. However, +if it contained a moveable panel, she could not locate +it.</p> +<p>Her gaze fell upon the cocoanut shell lamp, its bowl +nearly exhausted of oil.</p> +<p>“Lorinda,” she inquired, “is this room usually +lighted?”</p> +<p>“Why, no.”</p> +<p>“When Salt and I were here, we saw the cocoanut +shell lamp burning. A little oil is left in it now.”</p> +<p>“I can’t imagine how it came to be there,” Lorinda +said in a hushed voice. “My stepfather may have +filled it long ago, but he certainly never spoke of it.”</p> +<p>Hurriedly the girls left the cottage, closing the door +tightly behind them. Lorinda tested it twice to make +certain the lock had caught.</p> +<p>“The sound of those drums—” she murmured. +“Penny, did I imagine it?”</p> +<p>“I assure you, you didn’t. I heard them too.”</p> +<p>“Then the sound came from the beach,” Lorinda +declared firmly. “It couldn’t have been otherwise. +No one is anywhere around here.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_116">[116]</div> +<p>“Let’s go to the beach and look around,” Penny +proposed.</p> +<p>Almost at a run, they cut across the garden to the +steps which led to the river’s edge. Reaching the +beach they paused to listen. No sound of drums +could be heard and no one was in sight.</p> +<p>“It couldn’t have come from here,” Penny said. +“Lorinda, that drumming definitely was tied up with +the cottage.”</p> +<p>“But the sound was muffled and far away.”</p> +<p>“The cottage may have a passageway connection.”</p> +<p>“I never heard of such a thing.”</p> +<p>“How long ago was the cottage built, Lorinda?”</p> +<p>“The summer after Mother and my stepfather were +married. I remember, Mother and I went away for a +month to visit a cousin. When we returned, the cottage +was finished. My stepfather ordered it done +while we were away. Mother didn’t like it one bit.”</p> +<p>“Then you actually weren’t here when the cottage +was built? For all you know, a secret passageway or +false panels in the walls, may have been put in?”</p> +<p>“I suppose it could have been done,” Lorinda admitted +reluctantly.</p> +<p>“Who would know about the cottage except your +stepfather? Did you learn the builder’s name?”</p> +<p>“I’m not sure there was one. I think my stepfather +and Antón did most of the work themselves.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_117">[117]</div> +<p>“Let’s talk to Antón,” suggested Penny. “Perhaps +he can shed light on the mystery of those whispering, +drum-pounding walls!”</p> +<p>Antón, however, was nowhere to be found. After +searching for him in the house and on the grounds, +the girls abandoned the search.</p> +<p>By this time it was growing late, so Penny regretfully +bade her friend goodbye, and returned home.</p> +<p>Try as she would, she could not forget the strange +events of the afternoon, nor Mrs. Rhett’s obsession +that she would have a long and fatal illness.</p> +<p>“Even now that woman is mentally ill,” she thought. +“I do hope Lorinda calls in a doctor without delay.”</p> +<p>Although removed from the depressing mansion +atmosphere, Penny found it impossible to forget the +effigy and the conviction Lorinda had of its powers.</p> +<p>“Dad,” she said abruptly that night when dinner +was over. “Do you believe in black magic?”</p> +<p>“I don’t believe in any kind of magic, black, red, +pink or green,” he answered absently. “What’s on +your mind now?”</p> +<p>Penny told him of her adventure at the Rhett estate. +She confidently expected her father to make light of +the entire affair, but to her surprise he listened with +flattering attention and asked many questions.</p> +<p>“It’s fantastic!” he exclaimed when she finished. +“Utterly fantastic! Yet I’ve read of cases where +natives have been taken ill and although doctors declared +not a thing was the matter with them, they +weakened and died. Is Mrs. Rhett an hysterical type +of woman?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_118">[118]</div> +<p>“Yes, I think so.”</p> +<p>“Then she may be in real danger! Obviously, something +underhanded is going on at the mansion!”</p> +<p>Pulling himself out of a comfortable chair, Mr. +Parker went to the hall closet for his hat, coat and +cane.</p> +<p>“You’re not going to the police station, are you, +Dad?”</p> +<p>“No, I want to talk this over first with a man of my +acquaintance who is better versed in cult practices +and superstitions than anyone I know. He’s Professor +Kennedy of Riverview College. He spent many years +in Africa, Egypt and along the Amazon river.”</p> +<p>“May I go with you, Dad?”</p> +<p>“Come along,” he invited. “You know all the +facts, and I may get them mixed up.”</p> +<p>Twenty minutes later Penny and her father were +in the cozy study of Professor James Kennedy on +Braemer Drive. An elderly man with a very soft +voice, he greeted the Parkers cordially and displayed +keen interest as they revealed the purpose of their +call.</p> +<p>“I once met Mr. Rhett at a dinner party,” Professor +Kennedy remarked. “He is a highly intelligent gentleman +and we had a very animated conversation.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_119">[119]</div> +<p>“Did Rhett impress you as a man who might dabble +in black magic practice to gain his ends?” Mr. Parker +inquired.</p> +<p>Professor Kennedy dropped a log on the fire before +he answered. Considering his words carefully, he +said:</p> +<p>“Undoubtedly, Mr. Rhett would have the knowledge, +but he struck me as a man of unusual character. +Suppose you explain more fully what you have in +mind.”</p> +<p>Professor Kennedy listened soberly as Penny recounted +her many observations while at the Rhett +mansion. He frowned slightly as she told how Mrs. +Rhett had found the burnt match ends tied with +scarlet string. When she disclosed how Lorinda and +she destroyed the wooden doll, he no longer could +remain silent.</p> +<p>“Indeed, you are correct in thinking someone may +be trying to practice a little jungle magic!” he exclaimed. +“Mrs. Rhett may be in grave danger unless +we take counter-measures.”</p> +<p>“But why should anyone seek to harm her?” Penny +inquired. “You don’t think she’ll actually be physically +hurt?”</p> +<p>“Her mind will be influenced—poisoned,” the professor +explained. “Oh, I don’t mean a drug will be +used, but there are subtle and just as effective ways. +Now those burned match ends and the doll are only +symbols, harmless in themselves, yet they are a means +by which Mrs. Rhett may be made seriously ill.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_120">[120]</div> +<p>“Merely by the use of suggestion?”</p> +<p>“Yes.”</p> +<p>“But it’s all such nonsense!” Penny protested.</p> +<p>“To you—yes. But not to Mrs. Rhett. Tell me, +does she know that the doll existed?”</p> +<p>“Yes, she learned about it—probably from Antón +or Celeste.”</p> +<p>The professor nodded. “The intended victim <i>always +knows</i>,” he declared. “By one means or another +he is informed through those who seek his ruin. To +be effective, the person must fear the mumbo-jumbo +hocus-pocus.”</p> +<p>“Mrs. Rhett does fear it,” Penny confirmed. +“What’s worse, she already believes herself marked +for long illness. She actually looked ill today.”</p> +<p>“She is mentally sick, and the symptoms will develop, +unless counter-measures quickly are adopted.”</p> +<p>“What do you advise, Professor?” asked Mr. +Parker. “Perhaps if Mrs. Rhett were sent away from +Riverview for a short while—”</p> +<p>“It would be of no avail, for the basic belief that +she is ill would remain in her mind. No, this thing, +must be plucked out at the root. The doll has been +burned. That is good! Now the one who seeks to +will this sickness upon Mrs. Rhett must be found and +confronted with his crime.”</p> +<p>“We don’t know who is behind it,” said Mr. Parker.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_121">[121]</div> +<p>“I read in the papers Mr. Rhett has vanished. However, +I wonder, is it not possible he actually is still in +Riverview?”</p> +<p>“But you said yourself, Mr. Rhett doesn’t appear +the type of man to do such a ghastly thing,” broke in +Mr. Parker.</p> +<p>“So I did, but we dare not close our eyes to such a +possibility. I believe you mentioned two servants, +Antón and Celeste, who also are versed in cult practices, +no doubt.”</p> +<p>“Celeste is the one I suspect!” cried Penny. “But +she has no good reason for hating Mrs. Rhett who +seemingly always has been kind to her.”</p> +<p>“Regardless, my advice is that the two servants be +watched closely. And when the guilty person is +found, as he must be, ordinary threats or punishments +are likely to prove useless in dealing with him. He +must be fought with his own superstitious weapons.”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker and Penny talked on and on with the +professor whose discussion of the effects of auto-suggestion +only served to heighten their anxiety regarding +Mrs. Rhett. When they left the house at midnight, +Penny was deeply depressed.</p> +<p>“It’s all very well for the professor to say ‘find the +guilty party and fight him with his own weapons,’” +she declared, “but how can we do it? In the first +place, Lorinda is our only contact with the Rhett +household.”</p> +<p>“Secondly, we’re not gifted in all this hocus-pocus. +It’s a case for the police,” added her father.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_122">[122]</div> +<p>“But we have no proof of anything,” Penny +pointed out.</p> +<p>“True,” agreed her father. “I may talk to the police +chief about it. Meanwhile, we’re interested in +keeping abreast of developments for the <i>Star</i>. If +you’re sent out there again, be watchfully alert, but +say nothing to Lorinda or anyone else about your suspicions. +The case could take an ugly turn. In that +event, I don’t want you involved.”</p> +<p>“It’s fun working on the story, Dad. But I also +want to help Lorinda and especially her mother.”</p> +<p>Penny realized her father had given excellent advice, +and made up her mind to follow it. She became +thoughtfully silent as they motored home.</p> +<p>“Wonder what the news is tonight?” Mr. Parker +remarked, halting the car at a street corner to buy a +newspaper.</p> +<p>Glaring headlines occupied the front page. Mr. +Parker’s first thought was that the missing banker had +been found. He snapped on the interior car light to +read the banner.</p> +<p>His stunned silence as he stared at it, caused Penny +to peer over his shoulder. The lead story was not +about Mr. Rhett’s mysterious disappearance. Instead, +the bold black type proclaimed:</p> +<p>“STORM WARNINGS POSTED. RIVERVIEW +BELIEVED TO BE IN PATH OF APPROACHING +HURRICANE!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_123">[123]</div> +<h2 id="c15"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">15</span> +<br /><i>MRS. RHETT’S ILLNESS</i></h2> +<p>News that a violent storm was sweeping toward +Riverview held the front pages throughout Monday, +and became almost the only topic of conversation on +the streets.</p> +<p>Skies remained sunny, however, and presently fears +were somewhat quieted by national wire service reports +that the hurricane was believed to be veering +eastward. Government observers now were quoted +as predicting only the edge of the hurricane would +strike the coast, and inland states might escape unscathed.</p> +<p>Accordingly, business went on much the same as +usual. Lulled by the knowledge that never in the history +of Riverview had a hurricane struck, the citizens +now and then glanced at the falling barometer, but +otherwise gave the matter little thought.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_124">[124]</div> +<p>Although the disappearance of Hamilton Rhett had +been crowded completely from the front pages, +Penny did not lose interest in the case. Twice she +telephoned the mansion, only to receive no response. +She did not visit the estate, for Editor DeWitt kept +her busy with special assignments.</p> +<p>After school Tuesday, Penny was sent to the Hanover +Steamship Co. offices to interview a tugboat captain. +Enroute she ran into Louise Sidell. Her chum +regarded her accusingly.</p> +<p>“A great pal you turned out to be, Penny Parker! +Remember—you left me standing at the door of the +First National.”</p> +<p>“I’m terribly sorry, Lou,” Penny apologized. “I +was inside much longer than I expected to be and +when I came out, you were gone.”</p> +<p>“You never even telephoned to tell me what happened, +you egg! I read all about it in the papers.”</p> +<p>“You may have read part of the story, but not all,” +Penny corrected. “I called for you on Sunday when +you were out, and since then I’ve been busier than a +hop toad. Right now I’m on my way to the steamship +office. Want to come along?”</p> +<p>“I suppose it’s the only way I’ll get any information +out of you,” Louise grumbled, falling into step.</p> +<p>As they walked toward the docks, she asked leading +questions and, by the time they reached the steamship +offices, had gleaned most of the story.</p> +<p>“So you believe Mr. Rhett may be somewhere in +Riverview?” she mused.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_125">[125]</div> +<p>“Jerry and I thought so at first, but we’ve nearly +abandoned the idea. The only clue we uncovered +led to a dead end.”</p> +<p>Pausing near the tugboat office, the girls stood for +a moment watching waves pound against the docks. +A chill, persistent wind had sprung up which penetrated +their light clothing.</p> +<p>“B-r! It’s getting colder!” Louise shivered, huddling +close to Penny. “Maybe that storm the newspapers +predicted is heading in this direction after all!”</p> +<p>Entering the tugboat office, the girls sought Captain +Dolphin. The genial old fellow had been interviewed +so many times that he knew the story of his +life almost by heart and recited it with great gusto. +Penny took a few notes and arose to leave.</p> +<p>“What do you think of the weather, captain?” she +inquired casually.</p> +<p>His answer surprised her. “We don’t like the look +of ’er here,” he said, frowning. “Barometer’s been +falling all day. I’m callin’ in all my tugs off the river.”</p> +<p>“Then you believe the storm actually may strike +here?”</p> +<p>“We’re not takin’ any chances,” replied the captain. +“Once when I was a young twirp shippin’ on +a freighter, a hurricane struck us off the Florida Keys. +We made port, but it was by the skin of a shark’s +tooth! Never want to see another storm like that +one!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_126">[126]</div> +<p>Penny pocketed her notebook, and the girls went +outside into the rising wind. More conscious now of +its icy bite, they huddled for a moment in the shelter +of the office doorway.</p> +<p>Only a few doors away stood the Hartmann Steamship +Company offices, whose large river boats plied up +the Coast and on to distant world ports.</p> +<p>Through the plate glass window of the ticket office, +Penny’s attention was attracted to a slightly +stooped man in rumpled clothing who was talking to +the man in charge. He turned slightly, and as she +saw his profile, she was struck by his remarkable resemblance +to the newspaper photograph of Hamilton +Rhett.</p> +<p>“Lou, see that man in the ticket office!” she exclaimed. +“Doesn’t he look like the missing banker?”</p> +<p>Louise studied the stranger a moment and replied: +“How should I know? I’ve never seen him.”</p> +<p>“Surely you saw the picture the <i>Star</i> published!”</p> +<p>“Yes, but I didn’t pay much attention.”</p> +<p>The man now was leaving the ticket office. Impulsively, +Penny stepped forward to intercept him. +“I beg your pardon—” she began.</p> +<p>Alert, wary eyes bore into her own as the stranger +gazed straight at her for an instant. He said nothing, +waiting for her to continue.</p> +<p>“Aren’t you Hamilton Rhett?” Penny asked, deciding +to make a direct approach.</p> +<p>“No, you are mistaken,” the man replied.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_127">[127]</div> +<p>Pushing past Penny, he went hurriedly on down +the street.</p> +<p>“You see!” commented Louise. “That’s what you +get for jumping to such rash conclusions!”</p> +<p>Penny, however, was far from convinced that she +had made a mistake.</p> +<p>“If that man wasn’t Mr. Rhett, it was his double! +Lou, did you notice if he wore a serpent ring?”</p> +<p>“He kept both hands in his pockets.”</p> +<p>“That’s so, he did!” agreed Penny. “Wait here for +me! I’ll ask the ticket agent a few questions!”</p> +<p>She was inside the office perhaps five minutes. +When she returned, visibly excited, she glanced anxiously +up the street. The stranger had vanished from +view down the short street, apparently having turned +at the first corner.</p> +<p>“We must overtake him!” Penny cried. “I have a +hunch we let Mr. Rhett pull a fast one!”</p> +<p>Hurriedly, the girls walked to the corner. The +stranger was nowhere to be seen. Whether he had +disappeared into a building, down an alley or another +street, they had no way of knowing. Penny stopped +two pedestrians to inquire, but no one had noticed +the man.</p> +<p>“We’ve lost him!” she exclaimed to Louise. “How +disgusting!”</p> +<p>“What did the ticket man tell you, Penny?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_128">[128]</div> +<p>“That the man was inquiring about steamship accommodations +to New Orleans, and on to South +America. He didn’t give his name.”</p> +<p>“Then how can you be sure it was Mr. Rhett?”</p> +<p>“It’s only a hunch. But the agent said the man was +wearing a ring—he didn’t notice the type.”</p> +<p>“Any number of men wear rings,” Louise scoffed. +“Penny, aren’t you indulging in a little wishful thinking? +You want to find Mr. Rhett so badly you’re letting +your imagination run riot.”</p> +<p>“Maybe you’re right,” Penny admitted with a sigh. +“Anyway, we’ve lost the fellow, so we may as well +forget it.”</p> +<p>Saying goodbye to Louise, she hastened off to the +<i>Star</i> office to write up the interview with the tugboat +captain. However, she could not put her mind on +her work, and after making three false starts, she decided +to postpone the story until after dinner.</p> +<p>Fortified by a good meal, she wrote the story much +easier, but Penny was far from satisfied when she +turned her finished copy in at the desk.</p> +<p>“Guess I’m off the beam tonight,” she remarked to +Jerry. “It took me an age to write that story.”</p> +<p>Penny glanced at the clock. Time had passed +swiftly for it was now after nine.</p> +<p>“You look tired,” observed the night editor. +“There’s nothing more for you to do. Why don’t +you skip out?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_129">[129]</div> +<p>“Guess I will,” agreed Penny, reaching for her hat. +“I have a geometry test coming up tomorrow.”</p> +<p>She was through the swinging barrier, and half way +down the hall when Jerry called to her: “Telephone +for you, Penny.”</p> +<p>With a sigh, she returned to take the call. Weariness +vanished and she became wide-awake as she recognized +Lorinda Rhett’s voice at the other end of the +line.</p> +<p>“Miss Parker?” the girl inquired in an agitated voice.</p> +<p>“Speaking.”</p> +<p>“I’m sorry to bother you,” Lorinda went on, “but +could you possibly come to our house right away?”</p> +<p>“Why, I think so,” Penny said, instantly divining +that something was amiss at the mansion. “Is anything +wrong?”</p> +<p>“Oh, yes! Everything! I can’t tell you over the +phone. Just come as quickly as you can. I need your +help.”</p> +<p>After hanging up the receiver, Penny related the +conversation to the night editor. “I don’t know exactly +what the call means,” she added. “Possibly, +Lorinda has learned something about her missing stepfather. +If so, it should make a good story!”</p> +<p>“Give us a ring from the mansion if any thing develops,” +the night editor instructed. “Better take +Jerry along with you. No telling what may turn up.”</p> +<p>Jerry already was on his feet, reaching for his hat. +His car was parked on the street. Traffic flow had +dwindled, enabling them to reach the mansion in record +time.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_130">[130]</div> +<p>The lower floor of the Rhett home was dark, but +on the second floor, nearly all the rooms were ablaze +with light.</p> +<p>“Wonder what’s up!” mused Jerry, parking the car +across the street.</p> +<p>“Lorinda is expecting me alone,” Penny said. +“Maybe it would be better for you to wait here until +I have a chance to talk to her.”</p> +<p>“Sure. Just signal if you need me.”</p> +<p>Jerry switched off the car lights and settled himself +for a lengthy vigil.</p> +<p>Penny ran up the walk and pounded on the door. +In a moment, she heard footsteps; the living room +light flashed on; then the door was opened by Lorinda.</p> +<p>“Is anything the matter?” Penny inquired anxiously.</p> +<p>“It’s Mother,” Lorinda explained. “She’s very ill. +We have the doctor now. I’m dreadfully worried.”</p> +<p>Penny, at a loss to understand how she could be of +help, nodded sympathetically.</p> +<p>“Come with me upstairs,” Lorinda requested. “I +want you to see and talk to Mother, and then tell me +what you think.”</p> +<p>“What seems to be the trouble?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_131">[131]</div> +<p>“She refuses food and she has rapidly failed since +you last saw her. I’ve tried to reason with her, but it +is useless. She is convinced she has a fatal illness and +will die!”</p> +<p>Deeply troubled, Penny followed Lorinda upstairs +to the luxuriously furnished bed chamber. Celeste, +in white starched uniform, was hovering anxiously +over the bed where Mrs. Rhett lay. Lorinda’s mother +looked ten years older than when Penny had last seen +her. Her face was pale and shriveled, her eyes listless.</p> +<p>“I don’t want the food!” she said peevishly to Celeste, +pushing aside a spoonful of custard which was +held to her lips. “It is useless to eat.”</p> +<p>On the other side of the bed stood a stout, middle-aged +man whom Lorinda introduced as Doctor Everett, +a specialist.</p> +<p>“Mrs. Rhett,” he said sternly, “you are acting very +foolish in refusing food. I have made a careful examination +and can find nothing whatsoever the matter.”</p> +<p>“I didn’t call you to this house,” the woman retorted. +“Please go away and leave me alone. One +has a right to die in peace.”</p> +<p>“You will not die,” said the doctor patiently. +“Your illness is only a fancy of the mind.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Rhett tossed her head on the pillow. “Go +away!” she ordered. “It was my daughter who called +you here—not I. No doctor can be of the slightest +aid to me.”</p> +<p>“Not unless you are willing to cooperate. Now I +suggest that a trained nurse be called in to—”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_132">[132]</div> +<p>“A trained nurse!” cried Celeste, straightening from +the bedside. “Only I will tend my mistress! We will +have no stranger in the household!”</p> +<p>“I want Celeste,” agreed Mrs. Rhett, clinging to +the servant’s hand. “She is the only one who understands +my ailment. Celeste will take care of me—no +one else.”</p> +<p>The doctor shrugged. “Very well, it was only a +suggestion. I should like to help you, but under the +circumstance, there is nothing I can do. Good evening.”</p> +<p>As the doctor reached for his black bag, Lorinda +moved quickly across the room. Her eyes pleaded +with him to understand.</p> +<p>“Doctor Everett, you’ll come again tomorrow?” +she requested.</p> +<p>He smiled, but shook his head. “You might call +Doctor Fellows, a psychiatrist,” he advised. “There +is nothing I can do.”</p> +<p>While Lorinda accompanied the doctor to the front +door, Penny remained in the bedroom. No sooner +had the physician left than Celeste moved close to the +bed, muttering:</p> +<p>“Good! He is gone! Only a fool would believe +a doctor could help you. Until the <i>ouange</i> is broken, +food will only turn to poison in your body! You will +weaken and die. But Celeste will save you—Celeste +will find a way to break the evil spell.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_133">[133]</div> +<h2 id="c16"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">16</span> +<br /><i>AN OPEN WINDOW</i></h2> +<p>Unmindful of Penny, Celeste bent lower over +her bed-ridden mistress, whispering words into her +ear.</p> +<p>“Celeste! What are you saying?” Penny demanded. +“Why, you’re putting dangerous ideas into +Mrs. Rhett’s mind!”</p> +<p>The servant whirled toward her angrily. “Go +away!” she ordered. “My mistress does not want +you here!”</p> +<p>“Celeste!” reproved Mrs. Rhett, but in a mild voice.</p> +<p>Penny stood her ground, stubbornly determined +that a servant should not order her away. For a moment +she and Celeste measured each other with steady +gaze. Nothing more was said. Mrs. Rhett sighed, +closed her eyes, and seemed to drowse.</p> +<p>Lorinda came bounding up the stairs two at a time. +Unaware that anything unpleasant had transpired during +her absence, she said with forced cheerfulness:</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_134">[134]</div> +<p>“Now, Mother, let’s have no more nonsense. +You’re to eat your food without fuss. Here, let’s try +the custard again.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Rhett pushed away the spoon. “No, Lorinda, +it is useless. But there is something you may do +for me.”</p> +<p>“Anything you wish, Mother.”</p> +<p>“Bring pen and ink.”</p> +<p>“Are you really strong enough to write a letter?”</p> +<p>“I intend to change my will. Lorinda, we spoke of +this the other day. While I still have the strength I +must revoke my former will and leave all my property +to you.”</p> +<p>“Oh, Mother, don’t talk of such things! Why, the +doctor says you’re in perfect physical condition. +You’ll be up and around in another day or two. It’s +only worry about Father that has put you under the +weather.”</p> +<p>“I have made up my mind, Lorinda. The will +must be changed—now—tonight, while I have the +strength.”</p> +<p>“Very well, if it will make you rest easier,” Lorinda +said reluctantly. “Celeste, bring ink, a pen and paper.”</p> +<p>Celeste made no move to obey. “My mistress is +not strong enough to write,” she mumbled.</p> +<p>“Mother wishes to change the will. Please bring +the materials.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_135">[135]</div> +<p>“To change the will while one lies on a sick bed is +to invite great trouble.”</p> +<p>“Celeste! No more of such talk! Do as you are +told!”</p> +<p>Penny thought the servant would refuse to obey, +but she shuffled off. Many minutes passed before she +returned with the requested materials.</p> +<p>Lorinda sat down at the bedside, and wrote at her +Mother’s dictation. It was a simple will in which +Mrs. Rhett left all of her property to her daughter.</p> +<p>“If I thought my husband ever would return, I +would want him to receive all my holdings,” she said. +“As it is, I think the money should go to you, Lorinda.”</p> +<p>Penny was tempted to speak of her own belief that +Mr. Rhett might be alive and in the city. However, +realizing she had not a scrap of proof, she wisely remained +silent.</p> +<p>Mrs. Rhett signed the will. Lorinda and Penny +then added their names as witnesses to the document.</p> +<p>“Lock the will in the safe,” Mrs. Rhett instructed +her daughter. “Do it now, before you forget.”</p> +<p>“Yes, Mother.”</p> +<p>Seemingly relieved that the matter had been accomplished, +Mrs. Rhett turned over in bed and tried to +sleep. Leaving Celeste to look after her, Penny and +Lorinda went downstairs to the study.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_136">[136]</div> +<p>“Celeste seemed to be displeased because your +mother changed the will,” Penny remarked.</p> +<p>“Yes, Celeste has become a problem. I feel the doctor +was right in suggesting a nurse for Mother. Celeste +<i>may</i> mean well, but she is a distinct influence for +the worse.”</p> +<p>“Then why not get rid of her?”</p> +<p>“How?”</p> +<p>“Tell her to go.”</p> +<p>Lorinda laughed shortly. “You don’t know Celeste +if you think she would take such an order +from me!”</p> +<p>“Then have your mother dismiss her.”</p> +<p>“I’m not sure she would do it. Furthermore, Celeste +might defy her too. She has the idea she’ll take +orders only from my stepfather.”</p> +<p>“I believe you’re actually afraid of the woman,” +Penny commented.</p> +<p>“In a way I am,” Lorinda admitted. “Mother used +to dislike her intensely. Strangely, since she has become +ill, she seems to depend more upon Celeste than +she does upon me.”</p> +<p>“Did it ever occur to you that Celeste might deliberately +be planting ideas in your mother’s mind?”</p> +<p>“Yes, I’ve thought of it. I don’t believe Celeste +would be evil enough to do it on purpose, but she is +highly superstitious. I wish she were out of the +house.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_137">[137]</div> +<p>“You could get rid of her if you really wanted to. +Just call in the police, and have them take over.”</p> +<p>“I couldn’t do that. Mother would never forgive +me.”</p> +<p>The girls entered the study, and Lorinda switched +on a light. After pulling the blinds, she removed the +wall picture, and prepared to open the safe.</p> +<p>Before she could spin the dials, footsteps padded on +the stairway. Celeste appeared suddenly in the study +doorway.</p> +<p>“Come quick!” she pleaded. “Mistress much +worse!”</p> +<p>Lorinda dropped the will on the table, and with +Penny close at her heels, followed Celeste up the stairway. +Expecting the worst, they peered anxiously at +Mrs. Rhett. She was tossing restlessly, but otherwise +appeared the same as when they had seen her a +few minutes ago.</p> +<p>“How do you feel, Mother?” Lorinda asked.</p> +<p>“Just the same,” Mrs. Rhett replied listlessly.</p> +<p>Lorinda gazed questioningly at Celeste.</p> +<p>“Mistress much better now,” the servant said. +“She had sinking spell while you were downstairs.”</p> +<p>“I’m afraid you imagined it, Celeste,” Lorinda replied +severely. “This really proves that we should +have a trained nurse. Otherwise, you’ll frighten us +all out of our wits.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_138">[138]</div> +<p>Celeste started to make a retort, but just then Mrs. +Rhett spoke: “Lorinda, did you put the will in the +safe?” she asked.</p> +<p>“I was doing it when Celeste called. I’ll attend to +it right away.”</p> +<p>Lorinda stooped to kiss her mother and offer a glass +of water which was declined. She then went downstairs +once more with Penny.</p> +<p>“What do you suppose possessed Celeste to frighten +me so?” she remarked thoughtfully. “Did Mother +seem changed to you?”</p> +<p>“Not a particle.”</p> +<p>Reaching the study, Lorinda went directly to the +table where she had left the signed will. The paper +was not there.</p> +<p>“Why, Penny, what did I do with it?” she demanded +in bewilderment. “I was certain I left it +here.”</p> +<p>“I distinctly recall that you did,” Penny replied, +her gaze wandering to an open window where a curtain +fluttered in the breeze. “Lorinda, I think while +we were away, someone came in from outside and +took the will!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_139">[139]</div> +<h2 id="c17"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">17</span> +<br /><i>THE STOLEN WILL</i></h2> +<p>Penny darted to the open window, peering out +onto the dark street. No one was in sight, although +Jerry’s car with dimmed headlights still stood at the +curb.</p> +<p>“Who could have taken the will?” Lorinda wailed. +“I’m sure it didn’t blow out the window and it didn’t +sprout legs and walk off either!”</p> +<p>“Perhaps Celeste—”</p> +<p>“She was upstairs all the time we were out of this +room,” Lorinda interrupted.</p> +<p>“It seemed odd she called us just at the moment she +did—particularly when your mother had not suffered +a relapse.”</p> +<p>Lorinda did not appear to hear Penny’s remark. +Half doubting that the paper could be missing, she +searched on the floor near the safe, under the window +and in every corner of the room.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_140">[140]</div> +<p>“I suspect someone deliberately stole that will!” +Penny said with conviction. “Wait here! I may be +able to learn more about it!”</p> +<p>Hastening outdoors, she gazed about the grounds. +No one was in sight. She went directly to the press +car. The automobile was deserted.</p> +<p>“Now what became of Jerry?” she asked herself +impatiently. “Just when I need him!”</p> +<p>Disappointed, she turned toward the house again. +Then she saw the reporter coming up a dark path +from the direction of the beach.</p> +<p>“Jerry!” she called softly.</p> +<p>“Hi, Penny!” he returned. “Ready to go?”</p> +<p>“Oh, no! Everything is in a dreadful mess here. +Lorinda’s mother is very sick. She made a will, and +Lorinda started to put it in the safe. Then we were +called out of the room by the housekeeper, and when +we returned, the paper was gone!”</p> +<p>“When did that happen, Penny?”</p> +<p>“Just now.”</p> +<p>“Then that fellow I chased must have been the +thief!”</p> +<p>“You saw someone take the will, Jerry?”</p> +<p>“I was sitting in the car,” the reporter related. “A +light was on in one of the downstairs rooms, but I was +too sleepy to pay much attention. Suddenly though, +I saw a man who apparently had been hiding in the +shrubbery, rise up and climb through an open window.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_141">[141]</div> +<p>“A man! Could you see who it was?”</p> +<p>“No, it was too dark. I jumped out of the car, but +before I could cross the yard, the fellow climbed out +through the window again, and started off. I called +to him. He covered his face and ran. I chased him, +but the fellow ducked down a path and I lost him.”</p> +<p>“He must have stolen the will, Jerry! But how did +he know about it, and why would it be of any value +to him? Everything is so mixed up!”</p> +<p>“Maybe we ought to give the police a buzz.”</p> +<p>Penny nodded. “I’ll see what Lorinda wants to +do,” she replied. “Until now, the Rhetts have studiously +avoided telling their troubles to the police—in +fact, I am afraid Mrs. Rhett hasn’t told everything she +knows about her husband’s disappearance.”</p> +<p>“I’ll wait in the car,” Jerry said.</p> +<p>Penny let herself into the house again and made her +way through the dark living room to the library +where a light burned.</p> +<p>“Lorinda—” she began, only to stop short.</p> +<p>For it was not Lorinda who stood with her back +toward the door, awkwardly turning the dials of the +wall safe. Instead, Celeste whirled around, plainly +dismayed by the girl’s unexpected appearance in the +doorway.</p> +<p>“Celeste!” Penny said sharply. “What are you +doing?”</p> +<p>“Nothing,” the woman muttered, her mouth sullen.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_142">[142]</div> +<p>“You were trying to get into that safe! Is it the +will you want, or are you after the Zudi drum?”</p> +<p>Penny’s words, shot blindly, struck the target. Celeste’s +eyes flashed and she advanced a step toward the +girl.</p> +<p>“You go away from here! Never come back!” she +ordered harshly.</p> +<p>“Sorry, I’m not taking orders from you, Celeste. +Why do you hate Lorinda and Mrs. Rhett? What is +your little game?”</p> +<p>Celeste glared at Penny. She drew in her breath +and expelled it with a hissing sound through her yellow, +crooked teeth. Her hand clutched at an object +hidden beneath her uniform and worn around her +neck on a dirty cord.</p> +<p>With no warning, she broke into a jargon which +Penny could not understand. But the meaning was +clear enough even if the words were unintelligible. +Celeste was calling down all manner of evil upon her +head!</p> +<p>“Go!” Celeste cried in English. “You come here +again—harm befall you!”</p> +<p>“Celeste, all your jungle hocus-pocus doesn’t impress +me in the least. I’ll leave when I feel in the +mood—not before. What were you after in the +safe?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_143">[143]</div> +<p>The woman’s eyes met Penny’s defiantly. She +reached out as if to strike her, but at that moment +footsteps padded on the stairway. Pushing past +Penny, Celeste retreated to the kitchen.</p> +<p>Lorinda came into the library, gazing about curiously. +“Thought I heard voices,” she commented.</p> +<p>“You did. Celeste was here. Guess what? I +found her tampering with the wall safe.”</p> +<p>“She may have been trying to learn if the Zudi +drum was stolen,” Lorinda said absently. “I’m far +more worried about the will. What became of it?”</p> +<p>Penny repeated what Jerry had witnessed, adding: +“Obviously the will was taken by the man who +climbed through the window. Could it have been +Antón?”</p> +<p>“Antón? Why, I doubt that he even knew about +the will, because Mother decided to change it at a moment’s +notice. What reason would he have for taking +it? Neither he nor Celeste figured in the terms +of either document.”</p> +<p>“It seemed to me Celeste was tremendously interested,” +Penny said. “Oh, well, the loss shouldn’t be +of serious consequence. Your mother can draw up +another will.”</p> +<p>“That’s exactly what she won’t do. I told her +about the will being taken, Penny. She immediately +decided it was another omen—a sign that she should +leave everything the way it is.”</p> +<p>“How foolish! Celeste must have put those notions +in her head!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_144">[144]</div> +<p>“I’m sure I don’t know. As for the will, I never +did encourage her to change it, because not for a moment +do I believe she is sick enough to die. I don’t +want Mother’s money. I only want her to get well +and strong and be happy again. Penny, you don’t +think she is seriously ill?”</p> +<p>“The doctor said nothing is the matter with her.”</p> +<p>“Yet we both know something dreadful is wrong.” +Lorinda’s finger tips nervously tapped the table edge. +“Oh, Penny, I’m scared—terribly scared. I don’t explain +it, but I just <i>feel</i> a sinister something in the air!”</p> +<p>“You shouldn’t be here alone with Celeste and +Antón. Why not override them and hire a nurse or +companion for your mother?”</p> +<p>“Maybe I will,” Lorinda agreed. “I’ll think it over +until tomorrow.”</p> +<p>“You’ll report the theft of the will to the police, of +course?”</p> +<p>“No,” Lorinda decided instantly. “They would +only ask embarrassing questions.”</p> +<p>“Why are you so reluctant to take anyone into +your confidence?”</p> +<p>“We’re in enough trouble now, Penny. Please, +let’s not talk about it any more until tomorrow.”</p> +<p>Decidedly puzzled by Lorinda’s attitude, Penny +said goodbye and rejoined Jerry in the car. He had +seen no more of the mysterious prowler and was convinced +the man had fled the estate.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_145">[145]</div> +<p>“Let’s go,” he said, starting the car.</p> +<p>As the automobile swung down the driveway, +Penny peered intently at the roadside shrubbery. +The bushes were crashing back and forth in the rising +wind, but no one was visible anywhere near the +estate. Chilled, she closed the car window.</p> +<p>“Do you think that hurricane really is heading our +way?” she asked her companion.</p> +<p>“Didn’t see the government report tonight,” Jerry +replied. “Probably at the last minute, the storm will +veer off and we’ll escape. Riverview never was struck +by a hurricane. Too far inland.”</p> +<p>The car purred smoothly on, following the road +which curled toward the beach. Penny became silent. +As they turned a corner, Jerry reached out to +give her hand a friendly squeeze.</p> +<p>“Why so quiet, kitten?” he teased.</p> +<p>“Just thinking, Jerry. There are so many things +about the Rhett case I can’t understand.”</p> +<p>“Why trouble your little brain?”</p> +<p>“Because this isn’t just an ordinary story to me, +Jerry. I like Lorinda, and I feel that unless something +is done, her mother may die.”</p> +<p>“Don’t tell me you’re becoming a superstitious little +heathen!”</p> +<p>“Certainly not! But from what the professor told +us, it’s a mistake to underrate the power of suggestion. +Mrs. Rhett is in real danger—”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_146">[146]</div> +<p>Penny broke off, listening intently.</p> +<p>“What was that, Jerry?” she demanded.</p> +<p>“Didn’t hear anything. Only the wind.”</p> +<p>“No, I distinctly heard a sound like the throb of a +drum!” Penny lowered the car window. “There it +is again!”</p> +<p>This time Jerry, too, heard the sound, far away and +indistinct. “You’re right!” he exclaimed, slowing the +car. “From down the beach!”</p> +<p>Penny grasped his arm excitedly. “Stop the car!” +she exclaimed. “If we can find the drummer, we may +be able to solve part of the mystery!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_147">[147]</div> +<h2 id="c18"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">18</span> +<br /><i>THROUGH THE WINDOW</i></h2> +<p>Jerry slammed on the foot brake and the car +came to a jerky halt at the curb. Leaping out, they +stood for a moment listening.</p> +<p>“Don’t hear anything now!” the reporter muttered.</p> +<p>“Let’s take a gander down the beach,” Penny proposed. +“The sound seemed to come from that direction.”</p> +<p>Hand in hand they cut across a vacant lot where +dead weeds came waist high, then followed a sloping +path to the beach. The long stretch of sand was deserted.</p> +<p>“We must have imagined those drums,” Jerry said, +pausing. “Or maybe it was the Legion fife and drum +corps having a night practice.”</p> +<p>“It was the beat of a jungle drum.” Penny turned +to gaze toward the Rhett mansion on the wooded hillside. +All the windows, save one in an upstairs bedroom, +now were dark.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_148">[148]</div> +<p>By the light of a three-quarters moon which was +rising over the pines, she could see the wooden steps +that led from the estate down to the beach. On either +side extended tiers of twisted limestone rock. It +occurred to Penny that somewhere among the crannies, +a cave might be tucked away. She spoke of it +to Jerry.</p> +<p>“Maybe,” he agreed, “but I never heard of one +around here.”</p> +<p>A gust of wind caught Penny’s felt hat, carrying it +cartwheeling down the beach. She and Jerry raced +in pursuit, colliding as they pounced on it together. +They laughed, and as the reporter pulled the hat over +Penny’s flying hair, he kissed her quickly on the +cheek.</p> +<p>Then before she could reprimand him, he exclaimed: +“Wow! That wind really is getting strong! +Let’s get back to the car before we blow away!”</p> +<p>Penny liked Jerry and she liked the kiss. Best of +all, she appreciated his consideration in never forcing +serious attentions upon her. With a gay “I’ll race +you!”, she ran ahead of him to the road.</p> +<p>Jerry took Penny directly home. Mrs. Weems had +gone to bed while Mr. Parker had not returned from +downtown.</p> +<p>“Will you come in and have a cup of chocolate?” +Penny invited the reporter.</p> +<p>“Not tonight, thanks,” he declined. “See you tomorrow +at the office.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_149">[149]</div> +<p>Penny went into the house, and after fixing herself +a snack from the refrigerator, switched on the radio +to catch the weather report. The news commentator, +on a national hookup, warned that the hurricane continued +to sweep toward the Atlantic coast, and that +inland cities also were endangered.</p> +<p>“It really sounds serious,” she thought, turning off +the radio.</p> +<p>As she went upstairs, Mrs. Weems called to her in +a sleepy voice, so Penny stepped into the housekeeper’s +bedroom for a moment.</p> +<p>“I’m glad you’re home,” Mrs. Weems said. “Is +there any news about the approaching storm?”</p> +<p>“Nothing definite. The latest radio report said it’s +still heading this way.”</p> +<p>“When will it strike?”</p> +<p>“Late tomorrow unless it veers off. It may be quite +serious,” Penny said.</p> +<p>Mrs. Weems sighed and settled beneath the covers +again. “If it isn’t one thing it’s another! First thing +in the morning we must get the awning down, and +have all the shutters taken off.”</p> +<p>“If the center of the hurricane should hit here, everything +will go,” Penny said cheerfully. “So why +worry about shutters?”</p> +<p>“The storm may be a severe one, but I don’t believe +it will strike with hurricane force,” Mrs. Weems insisted. +“In any case, the shutters are coming down, +and I’ll need your help! So don’t try to skip out in +the morning!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_150">[150]</div> +<p>Penny went to her own room, but before she could +undress, she heard her father’s car on the driveway. +He came into the house, locked the doors for the +night, then climbed the stairs.</p> +<p>“Hello, Dad!” she called through the half open +door of her bedroom. “Any news?”</p> +<p>“There will be by morning,” he answered grimly. +“The <i>Star</i> is coming out with front page headlines +warning the city to prepare for the worst!”</p> +<p>Penny stepped quickly out into the hall.</p> +<p>“Then Riverview is in the path of the hurricane! +Is there danger that the city will be destroyed?”</p> +<p>“Damage to property is almost certain to be extensive. +I’ve just come from a meeting with the mayor +and City Council. While there’s an outside chance +the city may be spared, it’s folly not to prepare for +the full brunt of the storm. The mayor has issued a +proclamation declaring an emergency and advising +everyone to keep off the streets after noon tomorrow. +Most businesses will close.”</p> +<p>“Then the <i>Star</i> will shut down too?”</p> +<p>“No. At such a time, folks depend more than ever +upon their newspaper for accurate information. +We’ll publish as long as we have a plant and our +trucks can keep delivering.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_151">[151]</div> +<p>Mr. Parker’s information brought home to Penny +the true seriousness of the situation. However, as she +peered out of her bedroom window a few minutes +later, the clear sky and bright stars belied an approaching +storm.</p> +<p>Undressed, Penny sat for a time propped up in bed +with pillows, trying to read a book. The words held +little meaning. Losing interest, she snapped off the +light, and snuggled down.</p> +<p>But she could not sleep. The dark house was filled +with many strange sounds. The stairway creaked, +the shutters rattled, and in the bathroom, water +dripped regularly from a faucet.</p> +<p>Thoughts raced rampant through Penny’s mind. +She squirmed and tossed and became increasingly +aware of the rising wind.</p> +<p>Suddenly she was startled by a loud crash in the +yard below. Leaping out of bed, she darted to the +window. A large rotten tree limb had been ripped +from the backyard maple and now lay across the +driveway.</p> +<p>“Dad will have to move it before he can get the car +out of the garage in the morning,” she thought. +“Some fun!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_152">[152]</div> +<p>Creeping back beneath the covers, she tried again +to sleep. Instead, she found herself thinking over +everything that had occurred at the Rhett mansion. +Already the banker’s disappearance was fading out of +the newspapers, and with a hurricane in the offing, +the story would be entirely forgotten.</p> +<p>“The police haven’t shown much interest,” she reflected. +“Unless definite clues are obtained soon, Mr. +Rhett may never be traced. The case will die.”</p> +<p>Penny thought of the mysterious thatched roof cottage +and the whispering voices.</p> +<p>“Those walls must have a secret panel,” she reasoned. +“I believe I might find it if I had an opportunity +to make a thorough investigation!”</p> +<p>A flapping shutter reminded Penny once more of +the storm. Then came the discouraging thought that +even if only the tail-end of the hurricane struck Riverview, +the flimsy thatched cottage undoubtedly would +be carried away and destroyed.</p> +<p>“Unless I get out there tomorrow, I’ll probably lose +my chance!” she told herself. “Oh, dear, how will I +make it when I have a thousand other things I’m supposed +to do?”</p> +<p>Dancing tree limbs cast weird shadows on the rough +plaster wall. Penny closed her eyes, but even then +sleep would not come.</p> +<p>Suddenly the window pane crashed, and glass clattered +onto the floor. Startled, Penny sat up and +groped for the night table lamp. Her first thought +was that a tree branch had hurtled against the pane, +breaking it.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_153">[153]</div> +<p>But as the light went on, she saw that only a small +hole had been broken in the glass. On the floor, +scarcely two feet from the bed, lay a small object +wrapped in black cloth.</p> +<p>Penny rolled out of bed and gingerly picked it up. +Carefully and with a feeling of revulsion, she untied +the packet.</p> +<p>Inside were two black feathers, the wing of a bird, +herbs which Penny could not identify, a bit of bone, +and a small amount of damp earth.</p> +<p>There was no warning message, nothing to identify +the one who had thrown the packet, yet Penny instantly +knew its significance and from whence it had +come.</p> +<p>“Either Antón or Celeste hurled it because I’ve +cramped their style!” she thought. “Well, their little +hex won’t work! I’ll use this evil charm to fashion +their own undoing!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_154">[154]</div> +<h2 id="c19"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">19</span> +<br /><i>RISING WIND</i></h2> +<p>The sound of crashing glass brought both Mrs. +Weems and Mr. Parker to the bedroom. They found +Penny standing at the window, the light off, peering +down into the yard.</p> +<p>“What’s coming off here?” Mr. Parker demanded, +his voice cross because he had been aroused from +sound slumber. “Did something blow against the +window?”</p> +<p>“This was thrown,” Penny revealed, holding up the +packet. “Dad, can you see anyone hiding in the +shrubbery?”</p> +<p>Mr. Parker moved to the window, gazing intently +about the yard.</p> +<p>“I don’t see anyone.”</p> +<p>“Whoever it was, he’s probably gone now.” +Penny carefully drew the blinds before snapping on +the overhead light. She handed the packet to her +father.</p> +<p>“What’s this, Penny?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_155">[155]</div> +<p>“It was thrown through the window. I suspect it’s +intended as a bad luck omen, and to frighten me. +Evidently my work on the Rhett case is not appreciated.”</p> +<p>“A jungle charm!” exclaimed Mrs. Weems, horrified. +“Oh, Penny, I knew no good would come of +your having anything to do with that queer family! +Here, give that horrid thing to me—I’ll burn it in the +furnace.”</p> +<p>“Not so fast,” chuckled Penny. “I intend to keep +it as evidence.”</p> +<p>“But it may bring you bad luck.”</p> +<p>“Why, Mrs. Weems, I’m surprised at you,” teased +Penny. “Surely you’re not superstitious?”</p> +<p>“No,” the housekeeper denied, “but from what +you’ve told me about those queer Rhett servants, I +distrust them. I don’t want you even to touch that +ugly package!”</p> +<p>“These objects aren’t harmful,” Penny insisted, selecting +the bit of bone and offering it to Mrs. Weems. +“Why attach special significance to them?”</p> +<p>With a shudder, the housekeeper backed away.</p> +<p>“Penny is right,” declared Mr. Parker. “The +packet is silly and has no meaning unless we build it +up in our own minds. That, of course, is exactly +what the one who hurled it intends us to do.”</p> +<p>“Penny mustn’t go to that dreadful place again!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_156">[156]</div> +<p>“Oh, Mrs. Weems! Don’t you see, that’s just what +Antón and Celeste hope to accomplish. If they can +keep me away from the mansion merely by throwing +one of their stupid charms through my window, their +trick has been successful.”</p> +<p>“I quite agree with Penny,” Mr. Parker declared. +“In fact, I may call at the mansion myself! I’ve become +interested in Antón and Celeste—they’re a very +successful pair of bluffers.”</p> +<p>“Oh, Dad! Will you go with me tomorrow?”</p> +<p>“Perhaps,” he promised vaguely. “We’ll see, when +the time comes. I foresee any number of troubles far +more serious than our concern with the Rhett family.”</p> +<p>“With both of you against me, I’m only wasting +my breath,” Mrs. Weems sighed, drawing her robe +tightly about her. “I may as well go to bed.”</p> +<p>Penny put the black packet on the dresser after her +father had finished inspecting it. “I intend to wear +this charm around my neck the next time I go to the +Rhetts’,” she declared. “It will be fun to see how +Celeste and Antón react.”</p> +<p>“Don’t carry your fun too far,” her father advised. +“While it’s true this charm has no significance or supernatural +power, Antón and Celeste may be dangerous +characters. They’ll bear watching.”</p> +<p>“And I’m the one to do it,” Penny chuckled. “I’m +not a bit afraid of them, Dad. As you said, they’re a +couple of bluffers.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_157">[157]</div> +<p>“I may have used the word ill-advisedly,” the publisher +corrected. “Don’t make the mistake of underrating +them. The case, as you well know, has sinister +aspects.”</p> +<p>“I’ll be careful,” Penny promised soberly.</p> +<p>After her father had returned to his room, she went +back to bed. A chill wind whistled in through the +hole in the window, but she burrowed deep beneath +the blankets and soon was sound asleep.</p> +<p>Next morning, as Mr. Parker had predicted, newspapers +carried screaming headlines, announcing that +the hurricane might reach Riverview by nightfall. +Householders were advised to take every precaution +to protect life and property.</p> +<p>School opened and was promptly dismissed at nine +o’clock. At home, Penny helped Mrs. Weems carry +in the porch awning, remove the shutters and all loose +objects which were likely to be torn free by the wind.</p> +<p>By now, papers were blowing wildly, cluttering +the yard. Each gust brought sticks or small limbs +crashing down into the street.</p> +<p>Mrs. Weems, hovering near the radio to hear the +last-minute reports, declared that the barometer continued +to fall.</p> +<p>“The storm is steadily getting worse,” she said +nervously.</p> +<p>After lunch, Penny went to the newspaper office +to inquire if Mr. DeWitt had any special assignment +for her.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_158">[158]</div> +<p>“Nothing right now,” he said, rapidly scanning a +page of copy. “But stick around. Anything may +break.”</p> +<p>Penny waited, growing increasingly restless. She +was certain DeWitt had forgotten all about her, when +he slammed down a telephone receiver and glanced in +her direction.</p> +<p>“Go out on the street and see what’s doing,” he ordered. +“Might check the police station, too, on your +way in.”</p> +<p>Penny nodded and went out through the barrier +gate. The feel of the approaching hurricane was in +the air. Walking toward the river, she saw blue-green +water boiling into sinister white foam where it +vaulted onto the docks.</p> +<p>Pedestrians were few in number and all hurrying. +Business was at a standstill. Shutters were going up +over plate glass windows, and street signs were being +taken down.</p> +<p>Penny wandered about for a time and then, as a fine +rain began to fall, sought the police station. Checking +routine reports, she noted four injury cases caused +by flying objects, several thefts of property, and more +than the usual number of automobile accidents.</p> +<p>At the office once more, she wrote an impressionist +account of what she had seen, then waited for another +assignment.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_159">[159]</div> +<p>“Penny, you may as well go home while you can +get there,” DeWitt said presently. “City Traction is +shutting off service at six o’clock, and after that you +won’t be able to take a bus.”</p> +<p>At another time Penny might have been disappointed +to be sent home when exciting news was +breaking, but dismissal now fitted neatly into her +plans. She was determined to make one last investigation +of the thatched roof cottage at the Rhett mansion. +However, to beat the storm, she must move fast.</p> +<p>Going out the door, Penny met Jerry who had just +come in from the river front. His felt hat was dripping +wet.</p> +<p>“It’s getting nasty outside,” he remarked. “How +are you going home, Penny? By bus?”</p> +<p>“Eventually, but not just now,” she grinned. +“First, I have a little errand at the Rhetts’.”</p> +<p>“Better skip it,” he advised. “This storm is the +real McCoy.”</p> +<p>“Can’t afford to, Jerry. I want to look over that +thatched cottage once more. If I don’t do it now, it +probably won’t be there by tomorrow.”</p> +<p>“If you’re set on going out there, better make it a +speedy trip,” Jerry returned. “The storm is rolling +in fast.”</p> +<p>Reaching the mansion twenty minutes later, Penny +was surprised to see an unfamiliar automobile parked +on the Rhett driveway. As she went up the front +walk, the door opened, and three men came outside. +Without noticing the girl, they entered the car and +drove away.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_160">[160]</div> +<p>“Wonder who they are and what brought them +here?” Penny mused.</p> +<p>In response to her knock, Celeste opened the door. +Seeing Penny, the woman tried to close it in her face, +but the girl pushed boldly past her into the hallway.</p> +<p>Penny purposely had worn the black packet on a +string around her neck. While Celeste was closing +the door, she pulled it from her dress front, and then +opened her raincoat so that the housekeeper could not +fail to see the object.</p> +<p>Celeste’s eyes instantly riveted upon the dangling +packet.</p> +<p>“My good luck charm!” said Penny. “Someone +gave it to me last night!”</p> +<p>Celeste’s lips dropped apart to show her uneven +teeth.</p> +<p>“It is an evil packet!” she hissed. “If you wear it, +sickness and death will pursue you!”</p> +<p>“Not this cookie,” chuckled Penny. “You see, I +don’t believe such nonsense. Whoever tossed this +thing through my window went to a lot of trouble for +nothing.”</p> +<p>Celeste’s face, an interesting study in mixed emotions, +suddenly became a blank mask. Hearing footsteps, +the woman mumbled something and scurried +away.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_161">[161]</div> +<p>Lorinda came down the stairway. “Oh, Penny!” +she exclaimed, grasping her hand. “I’m so glad you +came! We’re in such trouble!”</p> +<p>“Your mother is worse?”</p> +<p>“Yes, she is failing rapidly, and the visit of those +three bankers upset her dreadfully.”</p> +<p>“The men I met on the walk?”</p> +<p>“Yes, they’re members of the First National Bank +board. They told Mother she must make up the +$250,000 bond loss within forty-eight hours, or my +stepfather will be exposed as a thief, and the estate +sued! It seems Mr. Potts convinced them my stepfather +had the bonds when he disappeared.”</p> +<p>“What will your mother do?”</p> +<p>“What can she do? Nearly all of her property is +in real estate. She might be able to raise $30,000 cash +within the required time, but never the amount they +demand.”</p> +<p>“You’ve heard nothing from your stepfather?”</p> +<p>“Not a word. The police haven’t contributed any +worthwhile clues either. They didn’t go deeply into +the case.”</p> +<p>“Can you blame them? You and your mother +withheld facts and discouraged them at every turn.”</p> +<p>“I know.”</p> +<p>“Why did you do it?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_162">[162]</div> +<p>“I thought you understood,” Lorinda answered in +a low voice. “Mother and my stepfather quarreled +violently on that last day at the bank. She didn’t +want the truth to get out, so she tried to keep from +answering questions.”</p> +<p>“Then your stepfather disappeared as a result of +the quarrel?”</p> +<p>“I don’t know. It is a possibility.”</p> +<p>“You believe your stepfather may have stolen the +bonds?”</p> +<p>“Oh, no! Never! He may have had them on his +person when he went away or was spirited off, but I +am sure he is no thief!”</p> +<p>Shutters were flapping in the wind. The porch +furniture had not been brought into the house, and +through the window, Penny saw that many loose, +breakable objects remained in the garden. Abruptly +changing the subject, she said:</p> +<p>“Lorinda, the storm is getting worse every minute. +Can’t we bring in the porch furniture?”</p> +<p>“I told Antón to do it early this morning. He +went off somewhere. Celeste has been no help either. +They’re both acting so independent.”</p> +<p>“We don’t need their help. Come! We can do it +together.”</p> +<p>Lorinda put on her rain cape and they went out +onto the porch. Already the rug was rain soaked. +They rolled it up and carried it to the basement, +where they also took the furniture. Deciding it was +too late to do anything about nailing down the shutters +or taking them off, they brought in loose objects +from the yard.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_163">[163]</div> +<p>In passing the library, Penny noticed that a window +was open. The curtain was drenched and rain +was pouring in upon the floor.</p> +<p>With a cry of dismay, she ran to close it. As she +turned around, she saw at once that the wall safe was +exposed to view, and open.</p> +<p>“Lorinda!” she called.</p> +<p>Her friend came quickly to the doorway. “Anything +wrong?” she inquired.</p> +<p>Penny directed her gaze toward the safe. “Did you +leave it open?” she asked.</p> +<p>“No!” With a startled exclamation, Lorinda +darted across the room. She thrust her arm into the +circular opening, and withdrew it empty.</p> +<p>“The Zudi drum is gone!” she announced. “It’s +been stolen!”</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>TWELVE STEPS DOWN</i></h2> +<p>The news did not astonish Penny for she had anticipated +it. She said quietly:</p> +<p>“Lorinda, surely now you’ll call in the police? The +Zudi drum must be a very valuable trophy.”</p> +<p>“It is. Yes, I suppose the only thing to do is notify +police headquarters.”</p> +<p>Lorinda went to a telephone, but although she tried +many times, she was unable to contact the operator. +“The line must be down,” she reported. “The wire +sounds dead.”</p> +<p>“Then we’re isolated here until after the storm. +Lorinda, why don’t you question Celeste and Antón?”</p> +<p>“It would be useless.”</p> +<p>“Let me do it.”</p> +<p>“Go ahead, but they’ll not tell you anything,” Lorinda +said despairingly. “Antón and Celeste have +been interested in the Zudi drum ever since they came +here, but I’ve never known them to steal.”</p> +<p>“Did they know the safe combination?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_165">[165]</div> +<p>“Not unless they learned it the last few days. I noticed +that Celeste watches lately whenever anyone +enters or leaves the library.”</p> +<p>“Then she may have obtained the combination. I +know she was tampering with the dial yesterday. +Where is she now?”</p> +<p>“In the kitchen, I suppose.”</p> +<p>Celeste, however, was not to be found there, nor +was she in any of the upstairs bedrooms, or in her own +room on the first floor adjoining the garage.</p> +<p>“I don’t know where she and Antón went,” Lorinda +declared, deeply troubled. “I hate to accuse +them without proof, but it does look as if they’re the +only ones who could have stolen the drum!”</p> +<p>“How about the trophies at the thatched roof cottage? +Are they safe?”</p> +<p>“Let’s find out,” Lorinda proposed. “Wait, I’ll get +the key. Incidentally, it was mysteriously returned +to my stepfather’s room yesterday.”</p> +<p>She returned with the key in a moment, and the +girls ran down the slippery path through the falling +rain. The whine of a steadily rising wind was in their +ears as they opened the cottage door and stepped inside.</p> +<p>Lorinda looked carefully about. “Everything +seems to be here—” she began, only to correct herself. +“No, the crossed machetes which were on the wall! +They’re gone!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_166">[166]</div> +<p>“And the rattle!” exclaimed Penny. “Where is it?”</p> +<p>Lorinda pulled out the wooden chest and raised the +lid. “The altar cloth is missing and any number of +things! Almost everything has been taken!”</p> +<p>In the midst of checking over the few remaining +objects in the chest, Lorinda suddenly raised her head.</p> +<p>“Listen!” she commanded.</p> +<p>At first, Penny could distinguish only the whistle +of the wind, then she became aware of a low rumbling +murmur which seemed to come from the very +walls of the cottage.</p> +<p>“It’s a chant!” whispered Lorinda. “I can hear +drums too, as if from a long distance away!”</p> +<p>A little frightened, neither girl spoke for a while. +The strange sound died away, then was resumed. +This time they distinctly could hear the thumping of +drums.</p> +<p>Penny went to the door of the cottage to listen. +Outside there was only the whine of the wind and the +crashing of tree branches.</p> +<p>“Lorinda, this cottage must have a secret passage!” +she declared excitedly. “I thought so before, and +now I’m certain of it!”</p> +<p>Already Lorinda was down on hands and knees before +the fireplace, tapping the tiles. They gave forth +a hollow sound. However, she could find no opening.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_167">[167]</div> +<p>Penny removed a huge black kettle from hanging +chains, and peered up into the chimney. Her groping +hand encountered a rod which she assumed controlled +the draft. She pulled on it. +<a href="#front">The floor beneath her feet suddenly gave way</a>, +and she would have +pitched through the opening had not Lorinda seized +her arms and held her.</p> +<p>Scrambling back to solid flooring, Penny peered +down into the dark opening where the hearth had +been. The tiles were only a sham, she saw now, fastened +to a hinged rectangle of wood, which had fallen +back like a trap door.</p> +<p>Steep stone steps led down into inky darkness.</p> +<p>“Why, I never dreamed this was here!” Lorinda +whispered. “It must have been built that summer +Mother and I were away!”</p> +<p>The sound of drums and incantations came plainly +now. Neither Penny nor Lorinda was eager to investigate +the passage. They feared that they might +encounter something with which they would be unable +to cope. But to retreat was equally unthinkable.</p> +<p>Penny found the cocoanut shell lamp and lit the +floating wick. Moving ahead, she cautiously descended +the stone steps. Lorinda kept close beside +her.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_168">[168]</div> +<p>Twelve steps led almost straight down. There the +girls found themselves in a bricked-over passageway, +so narrow they could barely squeeze through. However, +after they had gone a few yards, it widened a +little.</p> +<p>“Where do you suppose this leads?” Penny whispered. +“To the river?”</p> +<p>“Probably. It seems to me the sound of the drums +came from that direction.”</p> +<p>The weird noises no longer could be heard and the +silence disturbed the girls. Could it be that in entering +the tunnel they had revealed their presence? +Nervous and tense, they moved forward at a snail’s +pace, feeling their way along the wall and taking care +to make no betraying sound.</p> +<p>The tunnel led downhill. In places the roof was so +low the girls were forced to bend double to pass +through. The walls were damp and crumbly and, at +points near the roof, water dripped steadily.</p> +<p>Then presently Penny halted, shifting the lamp to +her other hand. The passage had widened into a tiny +room from which two tunnels branched.</p> +<p>“Which shall we take?” she asked Lorinda.</p> +<p>They selected the wider of the two, which soon +proved a deception. Scarcely had they left the little +dugout than it narrowed until they were barely able +to edge through.</p> +<p>“Shall we turn back and try the other?” Penny +suggested.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_169">[169]</div> +<p>Lorinda wanted to keep on. “We’re moving uphill +now,” she pointed out. “I suspect this must lead +either to the house or the road.”</p> +<p>Her guess proved to be correct. Another twenty +yards and the tunnel terminated abruptly in front of +a door. It opened readily. A dozen roughly carved +steps led upward to a trap door. Penny pushed it +aside and blinking owlishly, climbed out into a bedroom.</p> +<p>She saw then that the trap door had been cut in the +center of the room floor, hidden from view by a large +rag rug which now lay in an untidy heap.</p> +<p>“Why, we’re in Celeste’s room!” Lorinda exclaimed +as she too emerged. “Adjoining the garage!”</p> +<p>“This explains quite a few things to me,” remarked +Penny.</p> +<p>“And to me! Celeste must have known about this +passage all the time, but she never hinted of it to +Mother or me!”</p> +<p>“If you ask my opinion, Celeste not only has known +about the passage, she’s been using it regularly,” declared +Penny, gazing curiously about the room.</p> +<p>The bed had been carelessly made, and a red bandana +handkerchief had been left hanging on one of +the wooden posts. On the dresser were a number of +objects which drew the girls’ attention. From the pin +tray Penny picked up a tiny black feather and there +were strips of torn black cloth which exactly matched +the packet she wore about her neck.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_170">[170]</div> +<p>“This proves it!” she exclaimed. “Celeste made +the evil charm which was thrown through my window +last night!”</p> +<p>“Charm?” Lorinda inquired. “Penny, what are +you talking about?”</p> +<p>Penny showed her the packet and explained how +it had been hurled through the window pane. “I’m +sure Celeste had Antón do it or perhaps she tossed it +herself. At any rate, she made the packet to frighten +me, only it didn’t work.”</p> +<p>“Unless Celeste can explain matters satisfactorily, +I’ll turn her over to the police!” Lorinda said angrily.</p> +<p>“Finding her may not be so easy now. Also getting +her into police custody may take a little doing. +I’m afraid we’ve waited too long, Lorinda.”</p> +<p>“No, we’ll find her!” Lorinda announced with determination. +“After all, she doesn’t know how much +we have learned. Let’s investigate the other passageway.”</p> +<p>“All right,” Penny agreed, “but this lamp isn’t much +good. We need a flashlight.”</p> +<p>“I have one in my room. I’ll get it, see if Mother +is all right, and be right back.”</p> +<p>Lorinda was gone less than five minutes. “Mother +is sleeping, so it’s safe to leave her,” she reported. +“Here’s the flash, but I couldn’t find an extra battery.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_171">[171]</div> +<p>Descending into the passageway, the girls retraced +their steps to the tiny dugout midway between the +thatched roof cottage and the mansion. As they entered +the other tunnel, they again heard the throb of +jungle drums, and the weird incantation of many guttural +voices.</p> +<p>“A chant to the Serpent God!” whispered Lorinda. +“Do you hear that high-pitched drum which sounds +above the others?”</p> +<p>Penny nodded as she moved forward in the dark, +narrow passage.</p> +<p>“It is the Zudi,” Lorinda added. “I would know +its tone anywhere! We must recover it, but if what +I think is so, it will be a dangerous task!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_172">[172]</div> +<h2 id="c21"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">21</span> +<br /><i>CEREMONIAL CAVE</i></h2> +<p>The tunnel sloped gently downward, apparently +toward the river beach. As the girls moved +along, the pulsing of the drums came with increasing +crescendo. They could hear the wailing chant +plainly now, an incantation in which many voices +were united.</p> +<p>“Better switch off the light,” Lorinda advised in a +whisper. “We’re getting close.”</p> +<p>Penny darkened the flashlight, groping her way +along the damp, rocky wall. The passage now had +widened, and suddenly ahead, she saw the flickering +flame of a torch.</p> +<p>In the shadowy light swayed a half dozen celebrants +of the weird rites. The room was circular, a cavern +carved from the rocks years before by the action of +water.</p> +<p>Penny’s gaze focused upon the dancing figures. +Antón, barefooted and grotesque with a red turban +wound about his head, led the procession, beating out +a rhythm and shaking the gourd rattle which had been +stolen from the thatched cottage.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_173">[173]</div> +<p>Behind him came a drummer Penny did not recognize, +and three other dancers, who carried aloft a banner +upon which were metallic, glittering serpentine +symbols.</p> +<p>But it was Celeste, garbed in scarlet with an embroidered +stole over her shoulders, who dominated the +scene. Seated before an altar where two tall candles +burned, she pounded out the basic rhythm on a long, +narrow drum.</p> +<p>“The Zudi!” whispered Lorinda. “She stole it +from the safe!”</p> +<p>“Let’s make her give it up!”</p> +<p>“No! No!” Lorinda grasped Penny’s arm, holding +her back. “It would be folly to show ourselves now. +Antón, Celeste and their stupid converts are hypnotized +by their own music. If they knew we were +watching their rites, there’s no telling what they +would do.”</p> +<p>“Celeste is a cruel, dangerous woman.”</p> +<p>“We’ll turn her over to the police. I realize now +it’s the only thing to do.”</p> +<p>Fascinated, the girls watched the strange sight. +The drums were beating faster now, and at each boom +of the Zudi, Antón leaped with frenzied glee rigid as +an arrow into the air.</p> +<p>“Who are the others?” Penny whispered.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_174">[174]</div> +<p>Lorinda shook her head. “No-good friends of +Antón and Celeste probably,” she returned. “Recruits +from the slums of Riverview.”</p> +<p>On the altar were many objects, a basket of bread, +a basin of cooked fish, a carved wooden serpent and +a wreath of feathers. A kettle contained a brew from +which the dancers at intervals dipped with a gourd +cup and drank.</p> +<p>Outside the cave, the wind howled an accompaniment +to the wild ceremony, covering the shrill shrieks +and savage laughter.</p> +<p>“We’ve seen enough of this!” whispered Penny. +“Let’s get the police and break it up!”</p> +<p>“All right,” agreed Lorinda. “I hate to turn Antón +and Celeste over to the authorities, but I’m convinced +now they have reverted to heathen ways, and may +even be responsible for Mother’s sickness.”</p> +<p>They started to retreat, making no sound. In the +darkness Lorinda stumbled over a small rock. She +made no outcry as she saved herself from a fall, but +her shoes scuffed noisily and her body thudded heavily +against the wall.</p> +<p>Instantly the Zudi drum ceased its rhythm. “What +was that?” they heard Celeste ask sharply.</p> +<p>The girls huddled against the wall. An instant +later, Antón, a torch in his hand, peered down the +tunnel.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_175">[175]</div> +<p>His cry told the girls they had been seen. In panic, +they started down the passageway with Antón in hot +pursuit. And close at his heels came Celeste and her +followers.</p> +<p>Escape was impossible. Before the girls had gone +a half dozen yards they were overtaken. Though +they struggled to free themselves, Antón’s grasp was +like a steel bracelet upon their arms. They were half +dragged back to the cave.</p> +<p>“Antón! Celeste! What is the meaning of this?” +Lorinda demanded, seeking to regain control of the +servants by sheer power of will.</p> +<p>She tried to shake herself free, but Antón did not +release her. He awaited the word of his wife.</p> +<p>“Tie them up!” said Celeste harshly.</p> +<p>“Celeste, have you lost your mind!” Lorinda cried.</p> +<p>In the flickering light of the torch, the woman’s +face was like a rigid mask. Eyes burned with hatred; +cheeks were deeply indrawn. Lorinda felt as if she +were gazing upon a stranger, and suddenly was afraid.</p> +<p>“You dared to steal Father’s drum!” she challenged.</p> +<p>“It is now my drum,” retorted Celeste.</p> +<p>“You spied upon me many times until you learned +the combination of the safe!” Lorinda accused.</p> +<p>Celeste did not deny the charge. She was burrowing +behind the low altar and from the box-like structure +drew forth a long stout cord. Severing it with +the blade of a sharp knife, she handed the two pieces +to Antón who attempted to tie Lorinda’s hands behind +her.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_176">[176]</div> +<p>The girl fought like a wild cat, and Penny, held by +one of Celeste’s followers, sought to free herself, but +it was useless. She too was tightly bound and thrown +down on the floor of the cave.</p> +<p>“Celeste, why are you doing this cruel thing?” Lorinda +asked in a pleading tone. “Does it mean nothing +to you that Father brought you here, fed you, +clothed you—gave you many advantages?”</p> +<p>For a moment Celeste softened and seemed to hesitate. +Lorinda was quick to press the advantage.</p> +<p>“My father and my mother have been very kind to +you—”</p> +<p>Mention of her mother’s name proved unfortunate. +Celeste’s face hardened into rigid lines again and she +said furiously:</p> +<p>“I hate her! May her flesh rot away and her bones +be torn asunder!”</p> +<p>“Celeste! And to think we ever trusted you! +Mother is ill because you have willed it so—it was you +who made the wicked effigy doll—you who kept +planting in her mind the idea that she would become +ill and die!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_177">[177]</div> +<p>“And I have the will too!” the woman said gleefully. +“I told Antón to get it from the library! Then +I called you to your mother’s room so he could snatch +it from the table!”</p> +<p>“But why did you do it, Celeste? What have you +gained?”</p> +<p>“You will not steal my master’s money! The will +is destroyed—burned!”</p> +<p>“Steal my stepfather’s money? Indeed, you are out +of your mind, Celeste! My stepfather has disappeared +and may never be seen again.”</p> +<p>“He lives.”</p> +<p>“How do you know?” Lorinda cried eagerly.</p> +<p>“Celeste know—feel it here.” The woman touched +her breast.</p> +<p>“You’ve seen him—talked to him since he went +away!” Lorinda accused.</p> +<p>“No!”</p> +<p>“Then unless you’ve had a message from him, you +couldn’t know whether he is alive or dead.”</p> +<p>“Celeste know,” the woman replied stubbornly. +“We save the money for him.”</p> +<p>“If my stepfather returns I’ll be perfectly happy for +him to have Mother’s estate. You’re all mixed up, +Celeste. Now let’s put an end to this nonsense. +Free us!”</p> +<p>“No,” retorted the grim woman. “Celeste and +Antón go away now. Perhaps find master. You will +stay in cave.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_178">[178]</div> +<p>“Celeste, how did you know about this passage and +cave?” Lorinda asked, stalling for time.</p> +<p>“Antón help build it.”</p> +<p>“But why should my stepfather build the passageway?” +Lorinda murmured. “It doesn’t seem like +him.”</p> +<p>Celeste did not answer. Gathering up the machete, +the Zudi drum, the embroidered altar cloth and other +stolen treasures, she prepared to leave.</p> +<p>“It was you who whispered the warning at the +thatched cottage!” accused Penny. “You wanted to +prevent discovery of this cave!”</p> +<p>Celeste’s cruel smile acknowledged the truth. Saying +something to Antón in their own language, she +padded off down the passageway.</p> +<p>All save Antón now had gone. He blew out the +altar candles, picked up the pine torch and would have +blown out the cocoanut shell lamp, had Penny not +said pleadingly:</p> +<p>“Please leave us a tiny light, Antón. It will be so +dark here in the cave.”</p> +<p>The man hesitated, glancing down the passage as if +fearful Celeste would punish him for such a display of +weakness. But he did as Penny requested. First, +however, he noted that the lamp was nearly empty of +oil and could not burn many minutes. Without extinguishing +it, he disappeared into the tunnel.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_179">[179]</div> +<p>Waiting only until she was certain Celeste, Antón +and their converts were out of the passage, Lorinda +said excitedly:</p> +<p>“They forgot to gag us! We can shout for help!”</p> +<p>“With a hurricane roaring outside, it’s a waste of +breath,” replied Penny. “No one will be on the beach +tonight, and our voices wouldn’t carry a dozen yards.”</p> +<p>“Then what are we to do? Antón and Celeste +mean to run away now. The police never will be +able to find them unless we act quickly.”</p> +<p>“I have an idea, but it may not work.”</p> +<p>Penny, her hands and feet securely tied, began to +roll toward the cocoanut oil lamp.</p> +<p>“What are you trying to do?” Lorinda asked anxiously.</p> +<p>“Maybe I can burn the cords on my wrists. That’s +why I asked Antón to leave the lamp.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps you can!” cried Lorinda, taking hope. +“But it will be dangerous and very hard to do. The +oil is almost gone. You’ll have to work fast, Penny, +or you’ll lose your chance!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_180">[180]</div> +<h2 id="c22"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">22</span> +<br /><i>STRANGER IN THE STORM</i></h2> +<p>Penny squirmed and rolled until her hands +were very close to the cocoanut oil lamp on the rocky +floor of the cave.</p> +<p>“Be careful!” Lorinda cried fearfully. “If your +clothing should catch fire, nothing could save you.”</p> +<p>Penny held her hands, which were bound behind +her back, over the flame. The heat seared her flesh +and made her wince with pain.</p> +<p>“Keep it up, Penny!” encouraged her companion. +“The cord is catching fire! But the lamp is almost +out!”</p> +<p>Penny gritted her teeth and endured the pain. +Then the lamp sputtered and went out, leaving the +cave to darkness.</p> +<p>“Oh!” wailed Lorinda in bitter disappointment.</p> +<p>Penny tugged at the wrist cords. Although not +severed, they were half burned through and weakened. +A hard jerk freed her hands.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_181">[181]</div> +<p>Only a moment then was required to untie the cords +which held her feet. Next she freed Lorinda. As the +girls started to leave through the passageway, Penny +felt a cold blast of air upon her neck. Looking up, +she was able to distinguish a small opening in the wall +of the cave.</p> +<p>“Maybe we can get out there!” she exclaimed. +“Give me a boost and I’ll see!”</p> +<p>Lorinda lifted her up. Scrambling like a monkey, +Penny secured a toe hold and crammed her head and +shoulders through the opening. A moment later she +ducked back to call to her friend:</p> +<p>“We can get out all right! But the storm is getting +awful! I’ll crawl out and then help you.”</p> +<p>Scrambling through the narrow opening, Penny +found herself amid the high rocks overlooking the +beach. The wind was blowing in puffs, each so powerful +that she nearly was dislodged from her precarious +perch.</p> +<p>Reaching back through the hole, Penny offered her +arms to Lorinda who succeeded in joining her. They +huddled in the lee of an overhanging rock, rain driving +into their faces.</p> +<p>“We must get word to the police!” Penny said +breathlessly.</p> +<p>“And I must make certain Mother is safe!” Lorinda +added. “She’s been left too long alone. Antón and +Celeste may have gone back there, and in that case, +anything might happen!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_182">[182]</div> +<p>Slipping and sliding, the girls descended the rocks +to the beach. The river, lashed by a sheet of rain, +was dark and ugly. Much of the sand had been inundated +and water bubbled at their heels as they ran +toward the road.</p> +<p>A car swung toward them, its headlights blurred by +the rain. It parked at the curb, and the driver tooted +several times as if in signal.</p> +<p>“That looks like Jerry’s car!” Penny cried hopefully.</p> +<p>It was, indeed, the reporter. He swung open the +automobile door, and as they recognized him, they +dashed across the road and gratefully slid into the +shelter offered.</p> +<p>“Don’t you girls know better than to be running +around at a time like this?” Jerry demanded severely. +“Lucky I saw you streaking up the beach!”</p> +<p>“What brought you here?” Penny gasped, taking +several deep breaths.</p> +<p>“What brought me? Say, don’t you realize we’re +in for a real storm, and it’s almost here! The radio ten +minutes ago reported that Oelwein, on the coast, has +been completely destroyed! I knew you came here +to do a little sleuthing, Penny, and I figured someone +ought to look after you.”</p> +<p>“Thanks, Jerry,” she returned gratefully. “We +were in trouble—plenty of it.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_183">[183]</div> +<p>As the reporter drove on toward the Rhett mansion, +Penny quickly revealed what had happened. Jerry +made little comment, but his expression was grim.</p> +<p>“Maybe Antón and Celeste are here,” he said as the +car reached the Rhett home. “If they are, we’ll +round ’em up.”</p> +<p>Celeste and Antón, however, were not to be found +in the mansion. Their rooms remained deserted and +there was no indication that they had returned to the +house after leaving the cave.</p> +<p>Lorinda lost not a moment in hastening to her +mother’s bedroom. To her relief, Mrs. Rhett was +sleeping quietly and did not awaken.</p> +<p>“Thank goodness, she is safe,” the girl murmured. +“After what happened in the cave, I feared the worst.”</p> +<p>“We ought to get the police on the trail of Antón +and Celeste before they make their escape,” Jerry +urged. “Once the full force of this storm strikes, no +one will be able to stir outside.”</p> +<p>He tried the telephone but the line remained dead. +“I’ll drive to the police station,” he decided. “Are +you girls coming along?”</p> +<p>“I’ll stay with Mother,” Lorinda said. “She +mustn’t be left alone.”</p> +<p>Penny hesitated, intending to remain with her +friend, but Jerry seized her by the arm. “Your father +sent me out here to round you up, so I’ll take you to +the newspaper office,” he declared. “Let’s go!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_184">[184]</div> +<p>As they opened the front door, rain poured in and +a great blast of wind nearly swept the pair from their +feet.</p> +<p>“Wow!” exclaimed the reporter, holding tight to +Penny as with heads lowered, they ran for the car. +“This is it!”</p> +<p>The air was filled with flying objects, and a shingle +loosened from the mansion roof, hurtled against +Penny. Jerry pulled the car door open. The wind +seized it, nearly wrenching it off the hinges. Gusts +were of greater velocity now, with the intervals much +shorter.</p> +<p>For a dreadful moment, Penny and Jerry thought +the car would not start. The reporter jammed his +foot on the starter again and again and gave it the full +choke. Suddenly, the motor caught.</p> +<p>As they drove off along the river road, the force of +the wind was so great it required all of Jerry’s strength +to keep the car straight on the road.</p> +<p>“We’ll be lucky if we reach the police station!” +he exclaimed. “This is a lot worse than I figured.”</p> +<p>“Jerry!”</p> +<p>Seizing the reporter’s arm, Penny pointed to a +crouched figure visible on the road ahead. The +woman, hair flying in wild streamers, clutched a large +object in her arms, and was bent almost double as she +sought to move against the wind.</p> +<p>“It’s Celeste!” Penny cried.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_185">[185]</div> +<p>Jerry brought the car to the roadside almost beside +the servant. Not until Penny and the reporter were +out of the automobile and almost upon her, did she see +them. Then with a startled cry, she turned to flee. +But it was too late. Jerry seized her by the arm.</p> +<p>“You’re coming with us!” he ordered sharply.</p> +<p>Battered and frightened by the force of the wind, +Celeste, surprisingly, made no protest. Clutching the +big Zudi drum, she allowed Jerry and Penny to pull +her into the shelter of the car.</p> +<p>“Where is Antón?” the reporter demanded.</p> +<p>Celeste’s answer was a shrug. She gazed toward the +mansion grounds, and ignored the pair.</p> +<p>Jerry drove on. He glanced significantly at Penny +who guessed that he intended to take Celeste directly +to the police station.</p> +<p>However, as they approached the downtown section, +the wind blew with even greater power. Not a +vehicle was to be seen on the streets. The <i>Star</i> building +loomed up, but the police station was six blocks +away.</p> +<p>“We can’t make it,” Jerry decided. “I’m turning +in here.”</p> +<p>One of the double doors of the <i>Star</i> garage, where +trucks were usually loaded with their papers, stood +open. He drove inside, pulling up near the entrance +to the newspaper pressroom on the ground floor.</p> +<p>Celeste stirred to life, and made a move to get out +of the car.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_186">[186]</div> +<p>“Oh, no you don’t!” said Jerry, pushing her back. +“You and that drum stay with us.”</p> +<p>Celeste was of a different opinion. Glaring at +Jerry, she slapped at him, and again tried to get her +hand on the door handle.</p> +<p>“We can’t hold her here,” Jerry said. “But I have +an idea! Penny, see if the pressroom door is unlocked.”</p> +<p>Penny ran to test it and found it unlocked. Now +that the extra was out, the pressmen had gathered in a +far corner of the big room filled with giant rotary +presses, to smoke and watch the storm.</p> +<p>Racing back to the car, Penny made her report.</p> +<p>“Good!” exclaimed Jerry.</p> +<p>With Penny’s help, he got Celeste out of the car, +separating her from the Zudi drum which they left +in the automobile. The woman stubbornly refused to +walk, so Jerry lifted her bodily and carried her kicking +and struggling into the pressroom.</p> +<p>Near the door was a large storage closet where tools +and oil for the presses were kept. Jerry shoved +Celeste into this room and turned a key in the lock.</p> +<p>“That will hold her,” he observed. “While you +lock the Zudi drum in the car, I’ll talk to the press +foreman and tell him what we’ve done. Then Celeste +can squawk her head off and it will do no good. +We’ll keep her here until the storm lets up and we can +get a police squad to pick her up.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_187">[187]</div> +<p>Penny ran back to the loading garage. It was deserted +now save for a lone delivery truck which stood +directly in front of the paper chute. Although his +cargo was loaded, the driver hesitated to try to deliver +until the storm abated.</p> +<p>Locking the car, Penny decided she would close the +one big double garage door where rain was blowing in.</p> +<p>The hurricane now roared in full fury. Peering out +into the deserted street, it seemed to Penny that no +person could stand against its strength. Yet as she +closed the doors, she was amazed to see a scurrying +figure.</p> +<p>The man, his hat gone, overcoat whipped between +his legs, grasped a corner of the building for support.</p> +<p>Seeing his face, Penny drew in her breath sharply. +A small jagged scar disfigured one cheek. As he +struggled past the door, she reached out and grasped +his arm.</p> +<p>“Come in here out of the wind,” she urged. As she +gazed directly into his eyes, she added distinctly: +“We have been looking for you a long while, Mr. +Rhett!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_188">[188]</div> +<h2 id="c23"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">23</span> +<br /><i>IN THE PRESSROOM</i></h2> +<p>“You have made a mistake,” the man mumbled. +“I am not Mr. Rhett. My name is Brown—Edgar +Brown.”</p> +<p>Penny, none too certain of the identification, gazed +at the man’s hands. They were soft and white as if +unaccustomed to hard work, but he wore no serpent +ring on any of his fingers. She felt certain this was +the man she had met at the steamship office.</p> +<p>The stranger pulled gently away from her grasp, +ready to start out into the howling wind once more.</p> +<p>“You’ll be swept off your feet if you try to battle +that storm!” Penny protested. “You must stay here +until the worst of it is over!”</p> +<p>“But I am not Mr. Rhett.”</p> +<p>“Never mind about that,” said Penny. “I mistook +you for someone else. Just come inside and I’ll close +the doors.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_189">[189]</div> +<p>The man peered outside once more, and noting the +intensity of the storm, lost all desire to leave the shelter. +He moved away from the entrance, and Penny +closed the big, heavy door.</p> +<p>“Come along with me into the pressroom where it +is warm,” she invited.</p> +<p>Without comment, the man followed her across the +cement toward the loading docks. At the other end +of the drive, someone opened the doors for a moment +to allow a truck to roll inside. A great gust of wind +tore through the passage, and sent the stranger’s hat +careening into a corner.</p> +<p>He darted to recapture it. As he stooped to pick +it up, an object on a string which he wore about his +neck, swung from beneath his sport shirt. Quickly +he pushed it out of sight again, but not before Penny +had seen the ring and recognized the serpent design.</p> +<p>“He <i>is</i> Mr. Rhett!” she thought, her pulse pounding.</p> +<p>Wisely, she pretended to have observed nothing, +and invited him into the pressroom where Jerry was +waiting. Celeste, still locked in the storage closet, was +rattling the door knob and kicking on the panel with +all her strength.</p> +<p>“Jerry,” said Penny, dropping her bombshell. +“This is Mr. Rhett.”</p> +<p>The reporter’s mouth dropped agape, while the +stranger plainly showed his annoyance.</p> +<p>“I told you I am not Mr. Rhett.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_190">[190]</div> +<p>“Then kindly explain the significance of that ring +you wear around your neck. I saw it only a moment +ago.”</p> +<p>The stranger became confused. “My ring—” he +stammered. “Oh, that! An heirloom. I have had it +for years.”</p> +<p>“Please tell us the truth,” pleaded Penny.</p> +<p>“I know nothing about this man you call Mr. +Rhett,” he replied, avoiding her direct gaze. “Evidently +you have someone locked up here. Suppose +you explain the meaning.”</p> +<p>“Gladly,” replied Penny. “We do have someone +imprisoned in the storage room ready to turn over to +the police as soon as the storm lets up. It is Celeste.”</p> +<p>“Celeste!” The stranger’s amazed expression betrayed +him. Although he added: “And who is she?” +it was unconvincing.</p> +<p>“Mr. Rhett, why pretend?” Penny demanded. +“We know who you are.”</p> +<p>“Very well,” said the man, smiling faintly. “So I +am Mr. Rhett! I assume you two are reporters for +the <i>Star</i>.”</p> +<p>“Right,” agreed Jerry.</p> +<p>“And you want a story. Well, there’s no story. +Since you have me dead to rights as they say, I’ll not +deny I am Hamilton Rhett. However, my identity +is my own affair. I stepped out of my old life—the +bank and my home—because I was tired of a very +boring existence. I never was cut to the cloth of a +banker. I dislike being shut up indoors even for an +hour. Probably I shall return to South America.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_191">[191]</div> +<p>“You say it is your own affair,” Penny remarked +pointedly. “I am afraid it isn’t. Aren’t you forgetting +a little matter of $250,000?”</p> +<p>“I don’t know what you mean.”</p> +<p>“I refer to that sum in negotiable bonds which you +had in your possession at the time you left the bank.”</p> +<p>Mr. Rhett did not seem to understand for a moment. +Then he exclaimed: “Oh, the bonds! I was to have +returned them to the vault, but it slipped my mind. +You will find them in the top desk drawer in my +office.”</p> +<p>“The desk has been carefully searched. The bonds +are not there.”</p> +<p>“Not there?” For the first time Mr. Rhett seemed +disturbed. “But they must be, unless they were stolen +after I went away!”</p> +<p>“The bonds have not been found, and the bank +trustees are pressing your family to make restitution. +Furthermore, your wife is dangerously ill.”</p> +<p>“My wife sick? What is wrong?”</p> +<p>“The doctors do not know. However, Lorinda +burned an effigy doll made in your wife’s image—she +found it in the house. Two burned match sticks tied +together also were found by Mrs. Rhett. For some +reason she became obsessed with the idea she was +doomed to a lingering fatal illness. She began to refuse +food and since then has gone steadily downhill.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_192">[192]</div> +<p>“The work of Celeste!”</p> +<p>“We think so. Tonight she stole the Zudi drum, +and Lorinda and I found her with Antón and other +followers celebrating their rites in a cave near the +beach.”</p> +<p>“Then they have reverted to their heathen ways!” +the banker exclaimed. “My wife always said Celeste +hated her, but I, like a blind fool, refused to see it. +Once during the years I spent in the jungle, Celeste +saved my life and I always felt grateful to her. Now +I must forget that, for she is a dangerous woman if +she seeks to practice her jungle magic.”</p> +<p>“You don’t actually believe Celeste could make +your wife ill merely by suggestion?” Jerry inquired +in amazement.</p> +<p>“In the jungles I have seen a native die from superficial +wounds. If told the spear which struck him had +been sung over by an enemy, the native would simply +lie down, refuse food and pine away. My wife is in +great danger!”</p> +<p>“Can nothing be done?” cried Penny.</p> +<p>Mr. Rhett’s face tightened into hard, grim lines. +“A great deal can be done,” he said. “But Celeste +must be fought with her own jungle weapons. To +turn her over to the police will not be sufficient. She +is inside the closet you say—let me talk to her.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_193">[193]</div> +<p>“Okay,” agreed Jerry, “but Celeste in her present +mood is a pretty brisk customer. To make sure she +doesn’t get away, I’ll lock the pressroom door before +letting her out of her cage.”</p> +<p>As the reporter went to the exit, Penny heard the +pressmen at the other end of the room shout that the +storm had abated.</p> +<p>“The hurricane has not passed,” corrected Mr. +Rhett quietly. “This lull merely marks the end of the +first phase. The wind will return harder than ever in +a few minutes from another quarter.”</p> +<p>Jerry returned, and taking the key to the storage +room from his pocket, cautiously unlocked the door. +Celeste, blinking like an owl as she staggered out +under the electric lights, gasped as she saw Mr. Rhett.</p> +<p>“Master!” she exclaimed worshipfully. “You come +back!”</p> +<p>Mr. Rhett’s face showed no trace of the affection +he had felt for his servant. “Celeste,” he said, “you’ve +been dabbling in magic again! What’s this nonsense +about my wife being ill and going to die?”</p> +<p>“The truth, Master. Antón and I try hard to save +her, but no use. She die next month. Maybe sooner.”</p> +<p>“Get this through your head, Celeste. My wife +will not die. She will be as well as you are within two +days. All your incantations over the doll were +wasted. You plotted to no avail. I am home now, +and if you persist in your wickedness, I will meet +your so-called magic with stronger magic of my +own!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_194">[194]</div> +<p>“Celeste sorry,” the old woman whimpered. “Do +it only to get money for master.”</p> +<p>“I need no money and want none. You have been +very wicked, Celeste, and must be turned over to the +police for safe keeping.”</p> +<p>“Oh, no, Master! Not the police!”</p> +<p>“Yes, and now is the time to take you there during +this lull in the storm.”</p> +<p>Celeste’s wild eyes darted about the room, searching +for a means of escape. With a savage lunge, she +reached the door only to find it locked.</p> +<p>As Jerry and Mr. Rhett bore down upon her, she +scurried frantically along the outer room wall, coming +to the metal paper chute through which packages of +freshly-printed papers were tossed for delivery.</p> +<p>Quick as a cat, Celeste scrambled into the chute, +crawling through on all fours. At the chute’s exit on +the sheltered cement drive, stood the waiting paper +truck, its rear door ajar. Already loaded, the driver +awaited only this lull in the storm before setting off to +deliver his cargo.</p> +<p>Even as Celeste crawled through the chute, the man +started the truck engine. The woman did not hesitate. +Leaping into the rear of the vehicle, she slammed the +door.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_195">[195]</div> +<p>Hearing it close, the driver assumed another workman +had shut it as a signal for him to pull out. Shifting +gears, he drove away with his cargo of papers—and +Celeste.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_196">[196]</div> +<h2 id="c24"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">24</span> +<br /><i>THE GRINNING GARGOYLE</i></h2> +<p>By the time Jerry, Penny and Mr. Rhett unlocked +the pressroom door and reached the loading dock, the +truck bearing Celeste was far down the street.</p> +<p>“Hey, where’d that truck go?” the reporter shouted +to another workman at the far end of the drive.</p> +<p>“Docks at the end of Basset Street,” he answered. +“A batch o’ papers go aboard the <i>Monclove</i> for shipment +to Presque Isle.”</p> +<p>Jerry’s car stood close by. He sprang in, making +room for Penny and Mr. Rhett.</p> +<p>The newspaper truck had disappeared by the time +they drove out on the street. Jerry took a short-cut +route to the Basset Street docks. Signs and debris of +all description cluttered the roadway. Rain had +ceased, but the ominous quiet, the heaviness of the air, +was even more frightening than the wind had been.</p> +<p>In a distant section of the city they heard the high-pitched +whistle of a police siren; otherwise, the streets +were as silent as the tomb.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_197">[197]</div> +<p>The car turned a corner, and directly ahead Penny +glimpsed the newspaper truck.</p> +<p>“There it is!” she cried, but Jerry also had seen the +vehicle.</p> +<p>He put on speed, and was close behind as the truck +pulled up with a jerk at Dock 12. Green water +whipped to foam, crashed with heavy impact against +the dock posts and flooded out on the slippery planking.</p> +<p>“We won’t have much time!” Mr. Rhett exclaimed. +“When the next phase of the storm comes—and it’s +close now—the wind will be terrific!”</p> +<p>The men, with Penny close behind, leaped from the +car. Quick as they were, Celeste was out of the truck +before they could reach its door.</p> +<p>She stopped short as she saw the trio, then like a +trapped animal, turned and fled in the opposite direction.</p> +<p>“Celeste!” Mr. Rhett shouted. “Wait!”</p> +<p>The woman paid no attention. Splashing ankle-deep +through water that washed the dock planks, she +ran precariously close to the river’s edge.</p> +<p>A hoarse shout from behind caused Penny to turn. +The driver of the truck was gesturing and pointing +first to the dark sky and then to an open shed. For a +moment she did not understand, but as he ran for the +shelter, she heard the deep-throated roar of the hurricane +as it returned for its final onslaught.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_198">[198]</div> +<p>“Quick!” cried Mr. Rhett who also recognized the +danger. “Inside!”</p> +<p>The three ran back to the shed where the truck-driver +had taken shelter. Although they shouted +again and again to Celeste, she ignored their warnings.</p> +<p>As the wind struck, they saw her at the very edge +of the dock. She half turned toward the shed as if +debating whether or not to seek its shelter, then took +a step or two in the opposite direction.</p> +<p>A great gust lifted off a section of the shed roof +and whirled it away. As the full impact of the wind +swept around the building, Celeste clung to a dock +post for an instant; then her fingers lost their grip, and +with a scream, she toppled over the edge into the +churning water.</p> +<p>Jerry started toward the door, but Mr. Rhett seized +his arm, dragging him back.</p> +<p>“Don’t be a fool! Celeste is beyond help! You’ll +only lose your own life if you venture out there now!”</p> +<p>Already Celeste had disappeared beneath the turbulent +waters, leaving no trace. Anxiously those in the +shed watched but her head never appeared above the +surface.</p> +<p>“Poor Celeste,” said Mr. Rhett sadly. “She meant +well, but she was superstitious and misguided. However, +she would have pined away in captivity. Perhaps +she went the best way.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_199">[199]</div> +<p>The servant’s startling death placed a pall upon the +four who huddled in the shed. Close together, they +flattened themselves against the wall, expecting at any +moment that the entire building would be lifted from +its foundation and hurled into the river. The force +of the wind was almost unbelievable.</p> +<p>After nearly a half hour, the gusts lost their strength +and Mr. Rhett declared that the greatest danger had +been passed.</p> +<p>“Tell me everything that happened while I was +away,” he requested Penny and Jerry.</p> +<p>“We will,” promised Penny, “but first, suppose you +explain why you went away.”</p> +<p>“I thought I did tell you.” Mr. Rhett drew a deep +sigh. “For many months I considered retiring from +the bank. I discussed it with my wife, but she failed +to see my viewpoint and insisted that I remain. We +became deadlocked, so to speak.</p> +<p>“I tried for her sake to force myself to like bank +work, but it was utterly impossible. Each day I +found myself longing for the old carefree adventurous +days.”</p> +<p>“So you quietly walked out?” Jerry supplied.</p> +<p>“Something like that. My actions weren’t premeditated. +One thing led to another. I had a quarrel +with my wife over neglect of bank duties. As I sat +thinking it over at my desk, it struck me that Lorinda +and her mother probably would be happier if I removed +myself from the picture.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_200">[200]</div> +<p>“Did you write anything as you sat there?” Penny +interposed eagerly.</p> +<p>“I’m not sure I know what you mean.”</p> +<p>“Did you draw a picture of a plumed serpent?”</p> +<p>“Yes, I believe so, though it was only absent-minded +doodling.”</p> +<p>“And beneath the drawing you wrote, ‘This shall +be the end.’”</p> +<p>“Why, yes, I did,” the man acknowledged. “I had +decided to walk out and those words expressed the +conclusion I reached. I wrote the thought absent-mindedly +and never intended it to fall into anyone’s +hands. Did I leave the paper in the desk?”</p> +<p>“The police found it there.”</p> +<p>“I must have been quite upset,” Mr. Rhett said, +frowning. “At any rate, I walked out with less than +three dollars in my pocket, and didn’t realize until +later that I was without funds.”</p> +<p>“So you took lodging in a cheap flop house on +Cherry Street?” Jerry interposed.</p> +<p>“Yes, you seem to have followed my actions very +closely. Although the lodgings were hardly deluxe, +I did not mind the experience. I frequently have slept +on the ground or in native huts.”</p> +<p>“You stayed there only one night?” Penny inquired.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_201">[201]</div> +<p>“Another lodger told me two persons had come to +ask questions about a man who wore a serpent ring,” +Mr. Rhett said. “Not wishing to be found, I removed +the ring from my finger, and found another lodging +place. When my money ran out, I picked up a little +work as a laborer at one of the mills.”</p> +<p>“I saw you inquiring at one of the steamship ticket +offices,” Penny reminded him. “You remember that, +I’m sure.”</p> +<p>“I sought to work my passage on a boat going to +South America,” Mr. Rhett explained.</p> +<p>“All this time, didn’t you read the newspapers?” +Jerry asked curiously. “Didn’t you know the bonds +were missing and that your wife was ill?”</p> +<p>Mr. Rhett shook his head. “I purposely avoided +looking at the newspapers. I was afraid if I did I +might be tempted to return to my old life.”</p> +<p>“And now?” asked Penny softly.</p> +<p>“I have no future, only the present. Before making +any plans, I must return home to see that my wife +frees her mind from Celeste’s evil suggestions. I +made a great mistake in bringing Celeste and Antón +into the household. But once my wife knows Celeste +is dead, I am confident she will quickly recover.”</p> +<p>“You still love your wife?”</p> +<p>“I shall always love her,” he returned quietly, “but +she has no use for me. I’ve been a drag on her since +the day we were married.”</p> +<p>“She doesn’t feel that way, I’m sure,” Penny corrected. +“Since you went away, she’s been heartbroken. +Lorinda needs you too.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_202">[202]</div> +<p>“I can never return to the bank,” Mr. Rhett repeated. +“And there are the stolen bonds to be considered. +Why, the police may even arrest me! I’m +all mixed up.”</p> +<p>“Matters will straighten out as soon as you see your +wife,” Penny declared. “However, I’ll admit recovering +the bonds may not be so easy. To my +knowledge, the police haven’t a single clue.”</p> +<p>Jerry was peering out the open shed door. “The +storm is letting up,” he called. “We’ll soon be able to +get out of here.”</p> +<p>Another half hour and the wind died sufficiently so +that the party could safely leave the shelter. The +truck driver returned to the newspaper office, while +Jerry and Penny drove Mr. Rhett to his home.</p> +<p>The mansion yard was cluttered with uprooted +trees, boards and debris. Penny ran down the path +a short distance and returned to report that the +thatched roof cottage had vanished without a trace.</p> +<p>“Perhaps it is just as well,” said Mr. Rhett. “It was +a mistake to build the cottage, but Celeste first put the +idea in my head. I intended to use it only as a trophy +room, but to Celeste it became a living symbol of the +life she had left behind.”</p> +<p>“Why did you build the passageway leading to the +cave and to Celeste’s room?” Penny inquired.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_203">[203]</div> +<p>Mr. Rhett’s blank expression told her that he did +not understand. After she had explained, he said +grimly: “Antón and Celeste must have dug the tunnel +without my knowledge! Oh, they were a cunning +pair!”</p> +<p>“And Antón still is on the loose,” Jerry reminded +the banker. “We’ll have to notify the police to pick +him up.”</p> +<p>Mr. Rhett and the young people entered the house. +Lorinda, startled by hearing the front door open, ran +to the head of the stairway. Seeing her stepfather, she +gave a cry of joy and raced to meet him.</p> +<p>“You’ve come back! Oh, Mother needs you so +badly. Do go to her at once.”</p> +<p>Mr. Rhett needed no urging. He was up the steps +two at a time. Jerry and Penny, not wishing to intrude, +remained in the living room, but a few minutes +later, Lorinda called them.</p> +<p>“Oh, everything is wonderful!” she exclaimed. +“Mother and Father have adjusted all their differences. +And best of all, she’s already half over the idea she is +going to die. Why, he just told her Celeste was dead +and that she could never do any further harm. Mother +snapped right out of it!”</p> +<p>Lorinda insisted that Jerry and Penny go upstairs. +Mrs. Rhett was sitting up in bed, and her eyes were +shining.</p> +<p>“How silly I’ve been,” she declared. “As I look +back, I realize Celeste hated me and kept putting ideas +in my mind. Why, I feel much better already.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_204">[204]</div> +<p>“Hungry?” asked Lorinda.</p> +<p>“Indeed, I am. I must have a gigantic dinner +tonight.” Mrs. Rhett laughed and added: “With +everything well salted!”</p> +<p>“About the bank—” began Mr. Rhett.</p> +<p>“Let’s not talk about it now,” his wife pleaded. “I +was wrong about that too. I’ll never ask you to go +back there, for it isn’t your type of life. Instead, perhaps +we can go away somewhere on a long trip—South +America, would that appeal to you, Hamilton?”</p> +<p>“Would it?” he chuckled. “Someone has been +putting ideas in your head, and this time it wasn’t +Celeste!”</p> +<p>Anxious to return to the newspaper office and to +stop at the police station, Jerry and Penny soon took +leave of the Rhetts, after receiving urgent invitations +to return later that night.</p> +<p>“Well, it appears everything is turning out hunkey +dorey for the Rhetts,” Jerry observed as he and Penny +drove away from the mansion. “Antón is certain to +be caught by the police, and those followers of his +will be jailed too if they ever show their faces again.”</p> +<p>“Everything <i>might</i> be fine for the Rhetts except +for one thing,” Penny returned. “Mrs. Rhett doesn’t +have much ready cash available, and there still remains +a little matter of $250,000 in missing bonds.”</p> +<p>“I’d forgotten about that. You’re right, Rhett still +is in an awkward spot.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_205">[205]</div> +<p>The car drove into the downtown section where a +few vehicles now were moving. Under the glow of +the street lights, workmen were clearing the debris +away.</p> +<p>As the car approached the First National Bank, +Penny chanced to raise her eyes toward the second +story balcony fronting the street. The grinning +gargoyles stood out in dark relief, and as she gazed at +them, she suddenly saw a shadowy figure moving +stealthily toward the one nearest the open door leading +from Mr. Rhett’s private office.</p> +<p>“Why, that looks like Albert Potts!” she exclaimed.</p> +<p>As she watched in amazement, the man approached +the gargoyle. Reaching his hand far in between the +open jaws, he removed something which he thrust +into his overcoat pocket. Then, with a nervous glance +down upon the deserted street, he stepped back into +Mr. Rhett’s office, and closed the door.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_206">[206]</div> +<h2 id="c25"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span> +<br /><span class="large">25</span> +<br /><i>ON THE BALCONY</i></h2> +<p>“Jerry, that was Albert Potts on the balcony!” +Penny cried excitedly. “I’m sure I saw him remove an +object from inside the gargoyle!”</p> +<p>“Maybe he was just looking to see what damage +was done by the storm,” commented the reporter.</p> +<p>“He took something out and put it in his overcoat +pocket! Jerry, now that I think back, Potts acted +queerly that first day when the police investigated Mr. +Rhett’s office. He didn’t want anyone to go near the +gargoyle! Another thing, he’s been spending money +as if it were rainwater!”</p> +<p>“You’re suggesting—”</p> +<p>“That it was Albert Potts who stole the bonds! +Weren’t they left in Mr. Rhett’s desk? Potts knew it +and had a perfect chance to take them! He implied +that Rhett walked off with them! Actually, he hid +the bonds in the gargoyle, knowing that if they were +found there, no blame would be likely to fall upon +him. Whenever he needed money, he cashed a bond—that’s +why only a few have shown up at out of town +banks!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_207">[207]</div> +<p>“Say, maybe you have something!” exclaimed +Jerry, pulling up at the curb. “If he had hid the +bonds in the gargoyle, it would be natural for him to +wonder if they still were safe after this storm! He +might have decided to shift them to another place.”</p> +<p>“My idea exactly! Jerry, let’s nab him and turn him +over to the police!”</p> +<p>“Not quite so fast, my little chickadee. If we +accuse Potts, and it turns out we’re wrong, well, he +could make it hot for us.”</p> +<p>“We’ll have to take a chance,” Penny urged.</p> +<p>Leaving the car at the curb, the pair walked hurriedly +to the bank. The building was dark and the +lights were off inside.</p> +<p>“Sure you saw Potts on the balcony?” Jerry asked +as they huddled against the wall for protection against +the biting wind.</p> +<p>“Yes, and I think he’s coming now!”</p> +<p>Penny was correct. They heard footsteps coming +down the marble stairway, and a moment later, the +bank secretary unlocked the door. The waiting +couple made no move until he had locked himself out, +but as he started away, Jerry tapped him on the +shoulder.</p> +<p>Potts whirled around, obviously startled. His face +blanched.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_208">[208]</div> +<p>“Hello, Potts,” said Jerry. “Working late, aren’t +you?”</p> +<p>“Why, yes,” stammered the man, edging away.</p> +<p>“Can you spare a match?”</p> +<p>Potts half reached into his pocket as if to proffer +one, then said testily: “I haven’t any. Sorry.”</p> +<p>“Sure now, you must have a match,” said Jerry, +brushing against him. “Maybe in your overcoat +pocket.”</p> +<p>Before Potts could prevent it, he had thrust his +hands deep into each of the outside pockets. The +bank clerk jerked angrily away. However, it was too +late. Jerry triumphantly brought to light a heavy +manila envelope.</p> +<p>“Give that to me!” Potts cried furiously.</p> +<p>Sidestepping him, Jerry pulled several bonds of +large denomination from the envelope.</p> +<p>“The stolen bonds!” exclaimed Penny. “Mr. Potts, +whatever possessed you to do it?”</p> +<p>The bank secretary never answered the question. +Instead, he wheeled and started at a run down the +street. As he reached the corner, a policeman who +had just finished making a report to headquarters, +turned from his phone box.</p> +<p>“Stop that man!” yelled Jerry.</p> +<p>The policeman grasped Potts, bringing him up +short. After that, the bank secretary did his explaining +to the desk sergeant at police headquarters. So +unconvincing was his story, that he was immediately +locked in a cell.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_209">[209]</div> +<p>Meanwhile, Jerry and Penny related all they knew +about the case. All scout cars were ordered to be on +the alert to pick up Antón. Mr. Rhett was brought to +the station within the hour, and promptly identified +the recovered bonds as those he had left in his office +desk.</p> +<p>At first, Potts firmly maintained his innocence, but +after police had subjected him to a lie detector test, +he realized his case was lost. When one of the detectives +who was questioning him, remarked that his +wife likely would be implicated in the theft, Potts +broke completely:</p> +<p>“No! No! My wife had nothing to do with it,” he +insisted. “I wanted to give my family better things—that +was why I took the bonds. I thought Mr. Rhett +would never return and that he would be blamed for +the theft.”</p> +<p>“How did you cash the bonds?” he was asked.</p> +<p>“I was afraid to take them to a bank myself,” Potts +confessed. “Instead, I paid a woman in another town +to do it for me. But she did it only as a favor, and +had no idea the bonds were stolen. I alone am to +blame.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_210">[210]</div> +<p>A check by police revealed that Potts had spent +only $2,000 of the total amount stolen. Mr. Rhett +declared that this sum easily could be made up, so +that the bank would sustain no loss. He was inclined +to be lenient with his secretary, but police were insistent +that the man be brought to trial.</p> +<p>Jerry and Penny, knowing that they had a big +story to write, did not tarry long at the police station. +However, the police desk sergeant promised to keep +them informed of any new developments in the case. +True to his word, he called them soon after they +reached the <i>Star</i> office. His news was that Antón had +been captured by the police and now was safely +locked in a jail cell.</p> +<p>“Well, that rings the gong on the case,” Jerry announced +as he hung up the telephone. “Thanks to +you, Penny, it’s all wound up.”</p> +<p>“And it’s nearly edition time!” barked the city +editor. “Let’s get going on that story.”</p> +<p>He looked at Jerry who was known as the best +writer on the paper, and then his eyes moved on to +Penny who waited with bated breath.</p> +<p>“This was her story from start to finish,” said Jerry +as the editor hesitated.</p> +<p>“Get going!” ordered the editor again, and now he +looked straight at Penny. “Give it to me in takes.”</p> +<p>Penny hurried to a typewriter. The lead, telling +of Mr. Rhett’s return, Potts’ arrest and recovery of +the stolen bonds, almost wrote itself. Keeping her +own part and Jerry’s entirely out of the story, she +wrote smoothly and with speed.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_211">[211]</div> +<p>When she had finished half a page, she called: +“Copy boy!” and ripping the sheet of paper from the +typewriter gave it to him to carry to the editor’s desk.</p> +<p>With a fresh sheet in the machine, she wrote on +until she had a second “take” ready. Again she called +the copy boy and, as he snatched it from her hand, +rolled still another sheet into the typewriter.</p> +<p>At last she was on the final page and glanced over +it before she typed “30” at the end. The story had +been well told, written tersely in the manner DeWitt +liked. With a feeling of exultation, she realized she +had done a good job.</p> +<p>Getting to her feet, she dropped the last page into +the copy basket. Earlier sheets already had been +copy-read and were in the process of being set into +type. Any moment now, the edition would roll and +papers would be on the street.</p> +<p>Penny turned from the desk to see Jerry sitting +with his feet propped up on one of the tables. He was +gazing at her quizzically and grinning.</p> +<p>“Well, you did it again, Penny!” he remarked.</p> +<p>“We did it together,” she corrected.</p> +<p>“With the help of our silent partner,” he added +lightly.</p> +<p>“Silent partner?”</p> +<p>“The hurricane. It damaged a lot of Riverview +property, but on the other side of the ledger, it helped +write ‘30’ to the Rhett case.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_212">[212]</div> +<p>Penny nodded as she reached for her hat and raincoat. +Just then, a copy boy ran up.</p> +<p>“Telephone for you,” he said. “It’s your housekeeper, +Mrs. Weems. She wants to know if you’re +safe.”</p> +<p>“Safe and sound and on my way home,” laughed +Penny. “Tell her I’ve already started.”</p> +<p>“And that she’s being driven by her faithful chauffeur,” +chuckled Jerry, as he reached for his hat. +“Which reminds me, we have a little package to deliver +to the Rhetts’.”</p> +<p>“The Zudi drum! I forgot all about it!”</p> +<p>“Haven’t you forgotten another important matter +too?” teased Jerry, escorting her through the swinging +gate. “Me, for instance.”</p> +<p>“You?”</p> +<p>“My reward for tonight’s work. Girl reporters, +even cute little numbers like you, can’t snatch my bylines +without paying the piper!”</p> +<p>“And what fee do you require?” Penny asked with +pretended innocence.</p> +<p>“We’ll go into that later,” he chuckled, pinning +her neatly into a shadowy corner of the vestibule. +“Just now, I’ll take a little kiss on deposit!”</p> +<p class="center"><span class="smaller">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> +</ul> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Whispering Walls, by Mildred A. Wirt + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WHISPERING WALLS *** + +***** This file should be named 34975-h.htm or 34975-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/9/7/34975/ + +Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Brenda Lewis and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/34975-h/images/cover.jpg b/34975-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4bc4ac5 --- /dev/null +++ b/34975-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/34975-h/images/front.png b/34975-h/images/front.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cba1b17 --- /dev/null +++ b/34975-h/images/front.png diff --git a/34975.txt b/34975.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b9ec07c --- /dev/null +++ b/34975.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6625 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Whispering Walls, 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: Whispering Walls + +Author: Mildred A. Wirt + +Release Date: January 15, 2011 [EBook #34975] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WHISPERING WALLS *** + + + + +Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Brenda Lewis and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + Whispering + Walls + + + _By_ + MILDRED A. WIRT + + _Author of_ + MILDRED A. WIRT MYSTERY STORIES + TRAILER STORIES FOR GIRLS + + _Illustrated_ + + CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY + _Publishers_ + NEW YORK + + + + + _PENNY PARKER_ + MYSTERY STORIES + + _Large 12 mo. Cloth Illustrated_ + + + TALE OF THE WITCH DOLL + THE VANISHING HOUSEBOAT + DANGER AT THE DRAWBRIDGE + BEHIND THE GREEN DOOR + CLUE OF THE SILKEN LADDER + THE SECRET PACT + THE CLOCK STRIKES THIRTEEN + THE WISHING WELL + SABOTEURS ON THE RIVER + GHOST BEYOND THE GATE + HOOFBEATS ON THE TURNPIKE + VOICE FROM THE CAVE + GUILT OF THE BRASS THIEVES + SIGNAL IN THE DARK + WHISPERING WALLS + SWAMP ISLAND + THE CRY AT MIDNIGHT + + + COPYRIGHT, 1946, BY CUPPLES AND LEON CO. + + Whispering Walls + + PRINTED IN U. S. A. + + + + + CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + 1 THE PLUMED SERPENT _1_ + 2 AN UNEXPLAINED DISAPPEARANCE _11_ + 3 A THATCHED ROOF COTTAGE _19_ + 4 BEHIND THE BUSHES _26_ + 5 AN EVIL CHARM _35_ + 6 MATCHES AND STRING _44_ + 7 WHISPERING WALLS _51_ + 8 GHOST OF THE DARK CORNERS _61_ + 9 JERRY ENTERS THE CASE _68_ + 10 CHEAP LODGING _79_ + 11 THE WOODEN DOLL _90_ + 12 SUPERSTITION _98_ + 13 MISSING FROM THE CHEST _106_ + 14 STORM WARNINGS _114_ + 15 MRS. RHETT'S ILLNESS _123_ + 16 AN OPEN WINDOW _133_ + 17 THE STOLEN WILL _139_ + 18 THROUGH THE WINDOW _147_ + 19 RISING WIND _154_ + 20 TWELVE STEPS DOWN _164_ + 21 CEREMONIAL CAVE _172_ + 22 STRANGER IN THE STORM _180_ + 23 IN THE PRESSROOM _188_ + 24 THE GRINNING GARGOYLE _196_ + 25 ON THE BALCONY _206_ + + + + + CHAPTER + 1 + _THE PLUMED SERPENT_ + + +Smoothly and with accurate aim, the slim girl in blue sweater and +swinging skirt sent the heavy ball crashing down the polished floor of +the bowling alley. + +"Another strike, Penny!" cried her school companion, Louise Sidell, +watching the tenpins topple helter skelter and vanish out of sight. +"You're certainly going like a house afire today!" + +"Lucky, that's all." Penny Parker's friendly grin widened as she chalked +up the score. Brushing aside a sandy-gold lock of hair which had dropped +over one eye, she suddenly squinted at the wall clock. "Ten minutes until +four o'clock!" she exclaimed. "Lou, unless we call it a day, I'll be late +for work!" + +"You and your work!" scoffed Louise, but she quickly sat down to remove +her bowling shoes. "Why spend all your spare time at that old newspaper?" + +"The _Riverview Star_ is the best daily in the city!" Penny shot back +proudly. "Anyway, I like being a reporter." + +"I'll give you no argument on that point, my pet. You love it! Especially +poking that freckled little nose of yours into every big story or mystery +that comes along! Confess now, isn't it the excitement you like, rather +than the work?" + +A twitch of Penny's lips acknowledged the truth of her chum's +observation. Off and on for several years she had served in many +capacities on the _Star_, a daily Riverview newspaper owned by her +father, Anthony Parker. + +Many of the publication's best stories had carried her name. Now that +school had started again, she was unable to work full time, but on this +particular Saturday afternoon she had promised Editor DeWitt she would +report at two o'clock. She had no intention of being late. + +"Let's go," she urged, picking up her coat. + +Louise trailed Penny to a desk where the cashier was absently listening +to a short wave radio. As they paid their bill, the instrument suddenly +blared a police order: + +"Patrol 34--First National Bank, Main and Front Streets. Repeating, First +National Bank, Main and Front Streets. See complainant. Patrol 34 in +service." + +To Louise it was only a meaningless jumble of words but Penny instantly +pricked up her ears. + +"Front and Main is just around the corner! Maybe there's been a robbery, +Lou!" + +"I hope not," laughed Louise. "The First National's where I keep my +money. All $28.50 of it!" + +Sweeping her change from the counter, Penny glanced again at the clock +and came to a quick decision. Doubtless, the _Star_ office would send a +reporter to check the police call, but considerable time might elapse +before anyone reached the bank. + +"Let's jog over there and see what's doing," she proposed. + +Louise nodded, hastily pulling a tight-fitting hat over her dark curls. +Penny was already out of the door, walking so fast that her chum was hard +pressed to overtake her. + +Rounding the corner at Main and Front Streets, the girls were just in +time to see a patrol car park at the curb in front of the bank. A police +sergeant was at the wheel, but before Penny could hail him, he and a +companion vanished into the building. A third man posted himself at the +door of the bank. + +Penny walked over to him. "Anything doing?" she inquired in a friendly, +off-hand way. "A robbery?" + +"I wouldn't know," he replied curtly. + +Fishing in a cluttered purse, Penny came up with a press card. "I'm from +the _Star_," she added, waving her credentials before him. + +"You'll have to talk to the sergeant if you want to get any information," +he said, relaxing slightly. "Go on in, if you want to." + +Louise kept close to Penny's side as they started into the bank. But the +policeman brought her up short by saying: "Just a minute, sister. Where's +your card?" + +"She's with me," said Penny with careless assurance. + +"So I see," observed the patrolman dryly. "She can't go in without a +card." + +Argument was useless. Decidedly crestfallen, Louise retreated to wait, +while Penny went on into the darkened building. Curtains had been drawn +in the big marble-floored bank, and the place appeared deserted. Teller +cages were locked and empty, for the bank had closed to the public at +noon. + +Pausing, Penny heard the faint and distant hum of voices. She glanced +upward to a second story gallery devoted to offices, and saw two +policemen talking to a third man who leaned against the iron railing. + +"Apparently this is no robbery," Penny thought, taking the marble steps +two at a time. "Wonder what has happened?" + +Breathlessly, she reached the top of the stairs. A short, thin man with +glasses and a noticeably nervous manner stood talking to the two +policemen. The sergeant, his back to Penny, started taking down notes. + +"I'm Sergeant Gray," the policeman said. "What's your name?" + +"Albert Potts," the man replied. + +"A clerk here?" + +"Secretary to Mr. Hamilton Rhett, the bank president. I called the police +because a situation has developed which worries me. This afternoon I +talked to Mrs. Rhett who gave me no satisfaction whatsoever. I said to +myself, 'Albert Potts, this is a case for the police.' But there must be +no publicity." + +"What's wrong?" Sergeant Gray asked impatiently. + +"Mr. Rhett has disappeared. Exactly nine days ago at three o'clock he put +on his hat, walked out of the bank and hasn't been seen since." + +Here indeed was news! Mr. Rhett was socially prominent and a very wealthy +banker. His disappearance would be certain to create a sensation in +Riverview. + +"So Mr. Rhett walked out of here nine days ago," Sergeant Gray commented. +"Why wasn't it reported earlier to the police?" + +"Because at first we thought nothing of it. If you will excuse me for +saying so, Mr. Rhett never has taken his bank duties very seriously. He +comes and goes very much as he pleases. Some days he fails to show up +until afternoon. On several occasions he has been absent for a week at a +time." + +"Then why does it seem so unusual now?" + +"Yesterday I telephoned Mrs. Rhett. She said she had no idea what has +become of her husband. I suggested notifying the police, but she +discouraged it. In fact, she hung up the receiver while I was talking to +her. Altogether, she acted in a most peculiar manner." + +"That was yesterday, you say?" + +"Yes, I told myself, 'Albert Potts, if Mrs. Rhett isn't worried about her +husband's absence, it's none of your business.' I should have dismissed +the matter thereupon, except that today I learned about the missing +bonds." + +"Missing bonds?" inquired the sergeant alertly. "Go on." + +"Mr. Rhett handles securities for various trust funds. At the time of his +disappearance, $250,000 in negotiable government bonds were in his +possession." + +"You're suggesting robbery?" + +"I don't know what to think. Mr. Rhett should have returned the +securities to our vault in the basement. I assumed he had done so, until +this morning in making a thorough check, I learned not a single bond had +been turned in. I can only conclude that Mr. Rhett had them in his +portfolio when he walked out of the bank." + +"So you decided to notify the police?" + +"Exactly. It was my duty. Understand I wish to bring no embarrassment to +Mrs. Rhett or to cast reflection upon my employer but--" + +Albert Potts broke off, his gaze focusing upon Penny who had edged +closer. + +"Now who are you?" he demanded suspiciously. + +Stepping forward, Penny introduced herself as a _Star_ reporter. + +"You have no business here!" the secretary snapped. "If you overheard +what I just said, you're not to print a line of it! Mrs. Rhett would +never approve." + +"I did hear what you told Sergeant Gray," replied Penny with dignity. +"However, any report to the police is a matter of public record. It is +for our editor to decide whether or not to use the story." + +Behind thick glasses, Mr. Potts' watery eyes glinted angrily. He appeared +on the verge of ordering the girl from the bank, but with an obvious +effort regained control of his temper, and said curtly: + +"If you must write a story, mind you keep the facts straight. Mr. Rhett +hasn't been seen in nine days and that's all I know. He may return +tomorrow. He may never appear." + +"Then you believe he's been kidnapped?" Penny asked. + +"I don't know. There's been no ransom demand." + +"Perhaps he absconded with the $250,000 in bonds." + +"Don't quote me as making such a statement even if it should prove true! +Mr. Rhett is a wealthy man--or rather, he acquired a fortune when he +married a rich widow who set him up here as bank president. But don't +quote me on that either!" he exclaimed as Penny jotted down a few notes. +"Leave my name out of it entirely!" + +"Let's have a look at Mr. Rhett's office," proposed Sergeant Gray. + +"Follow me, please." + +His poise regained, Albert Potts led the way down the gallery to a large, +spacious office room. On the polished mahogany desk rested a picture of +an attractive woman in her early forties whom Penny guessed to be Mrs. +Rhett. A door opened from the office into a directors' room, and another +onto a narrow outdoor balcony overlooking Front Street. + +Sergeant Gray and the patrolman made a thorough inspection of the two +rooms and Mr. Rhett's desk. + +"When last I saw the bonds, Mr. Rhett had them in the top drawer," the +secretary volunteered eagerly. "He should have returned them to the +vault, but he failed to do so. Now they're gone." + +"Then you examined the desk?" + +"Oh, yes, I considered it my duty." + +While Penny remained in the background, Sergeant Gray asked Mr. Potts a +number of questions about the bank president's habits, and particularly +his recent visitors. The secretary, whose fund of information seemed +inexhaustible, had ready answers at the tip of his tongue. He even +produced a memo pad upon which the names of several persons had been +written. + +"These were Mr. Rhett's visitors on his last day here," he explained. "So +far as I know, all were business acquaintances." + +Writing down the names for future checking, Sergeant Gray inquired if Mr. +Rhett had disagreed with any of the callers. + +"A quarrel, you mean?" Mr. Potts hesitated, then answered with +reluctance. "Only with his wife." + +"Mrs. Rhett came to the bank the day your employer last was seen?" + +"Yes, they were to have had lunch together. She came late and they +quarreled about Mr. Rhett's work here in the bank. Finally she went away +alone." + +"You heard the conversation between them?" + +"Well, no," Albert Potts said quickly. "Naturally I tried not to listen, +but I did hear some of it." + +"Mrs. Rhett may be able to explain her husband's absence," commented +Sergeant Gray. + +"She refused me any information when I telephoned. That was one reason I +decided to notify the police. The loss of $250,000 could be very +embarrassing to the bank." + +"Who owns the bonds?" + +"They belong to the Fred Harrington estate, 2756 Brightdale Avenue. If +they aren't produced soon, there will be trouble. I've worked here for 15 +years. You don't think anyone could possibly blame me, do you?" + +The sergeant gave him a quick glance, but made no reply as he reexamined +the mahogany desk. Finding nothing of interest, he slammed the top drawer +shut. + +From the back of the desk, a piece of paper fluttered to the floor, +almost at Penny's feet. Evidently it had jarred from the rear side of an +overflowing drawer, or had been held between desk and plaster wall. + +Without thinking, Penny stooped to retrieve the sheet. She glanced at it +carelessly, and then with a shock of surprise, really studied it. Drawn +across the center of the paper in black and red ink was a crude but +sinister-looking winged serpent. + +Raising her eyes, Penny saw Albert Potts' cold gaze upon her. Was it +imagination or did his shriveled face mirror fear? + +"What have you there?" he demanded. + +Penny gave the paper to Sergeant Gray. Mr. Potts moved quickly forward, +to peer over the man's shoulder. + +"A plumed serpent!" he exclaimed. + +"And read the words beneath it," directed Penny. + +Under the drawing in a cramped hand, had been scribbled: "_This shall be +the end._" + + + + + CHAPTER + 2 + _AN UNEXPLAINED DISAPPEARANCE_ + + +Sergeant Gray studied the strange drawing for a moment and then said to +Albert Potts: "Can you explain the meaning of this picture? And the words +written beneath it?" + +For the first time since the start of the interview, the bank secretary +seemed at a loss for words. Finally he stammered: "Why, no--I've never +seen the drawing before. I don't know how it got into Mr. Rhett's desk." + +"You seemed to recognize the picture," interposed Penny. "At least you +called it a plumed serpent." + +"It is the symbol of an ancient cult, or at least that is what I take it +to be. I've seen similar drawings in library books." + +"And the writing beneath it?" probed the sergeant. + +"I am not sure," the secretary murmured, ill at ease. "It slightly +resembles Mr. Rhett's writing." + +"You say you can't explain how the paper came to be in Mr. Rhett's desk?" + +"My employer's private life is none of my concern." + +"What do you mean--his private life?" + +"Well, I hadn't intended to tell you this," Potts said unwillingly. "The +truth is, Mr. Rhett was a strange man. He had queer interests and +hobbies. I have been told he collects weird trophies of ancient cults." + +"Then this drawing probably has a connection with your employer's hobby?" + +"I wouldn't know," shrugged Potts. "If it weren't for the handwriting, I +might think someone had sent a warning to him. As it is, I'm completely +in the dark." + +"Mr. Rhett had enemies?" + +"He was a ruthless man and many persons disliked him. His friends were +queer too. He preferred low class persons to people of culture and +refinement. Why, only two days before his disappearance, he deliberately +kept one of our largest stockholders waiting an hour while he chatted +with a building porter! It was very humiliating! I had to tell Mrs. Biggs +he was in conference, but I think she suspected the truth." + +"Do you have a photograph of Mr. Rhett?" the sergeant asked. + +"I deeply regret I haven't. For that matter, I never have seen a picture +of him." + +"But you can describe the man?" + +"Oh, yes. He is forty-five, though he looks older. His hair is gray at +the temples. He wore an expensive tailored suit--brown, I believe. One of +the most distinguishing marks I should say, is a scar on his left cheek." + +"I'll send one of the detectives around," Sergeant Gray promised. He had +completed his investigation and with the other patrolman, started to +leave the office. + +Albert Potts drew a deep breath and seemed to relax. Only then did it +occur to Penny that throughout the greater part of the interview he had +stood in front of the outside balcony door, as if to shield it from +attention. + +Taking the plumed serpent drawing with them, Sergeant Gray and the +patrolman left the office. Penny lingered, intending to ask Albert Potts +a few questions about Mr. Rhett. But the man gave her no opportunity. + +Barely had the others gone when he turned toward her, making no effort to +mask his dislike. + +"Now will you get out of here?" he demanded. + +His tone annoyed Penny, and perversely made her determined to take her +time in leaving. Deliberately she sidled over to the balcony door. + +"Where does this lead?" she inquired. + +"Outside." + +Penny opened the door, but Potts immediately barred the way. + +"There's nothing there except a balcony! Just get out of this office so I +can lock up and go home! I've had a hard day, and you're making it +worse!" + +For a reason she could not have explained, Penny felt a deep urge to +annoy the nervous little man further. Ignoring his protests, she pushed +past him out onto the balcony. + +Guarded by a high iron railing and fence, it extended for perhaps fifty +feet along several offices. At each end, projecting from the sloping +slate roof, was a grotesque decorative gargoyle. + +"You see!" rasped Potts. "There's nothing here. Now are you satisfied?" + +The gargoyle near the door had drawn Penny's attention. Its carved stone +body angled out from the building, terminating in a horned animal head +with massive open jaws. + +"Will it bite?" Grinning impishly at Potts she started to thrust an arm +between the stone teeth. + +To her astonishment, he suddenly seized her and gave her a hard shove +through the doorway into Mr. Rhett's office. She resisted and he +immediately released her. But he locked the balcony door. + +"You're driving me crazy!" he cried furiously. "Now get out of here! +Unless you do--" + +Potts was such a ridiculous little fellow that Penny could not be afraid +of him. However, she decided that her joke had been carried a trifle too +far. + +"Okay, I'm going," she muttered. "Thanks for all your courtesy." + +"Mind you print only the truth in your paper," Potts hurled after her as +she went out the door. "If you don't, you may have a lawsuit on your +hands!" + +Penny reached the street to find that the police car had gone and Louise +was nowhere to be seen. Deciding that her chum had grown tired of +waiting, she hastened to a nearby drugstore to telephone the _Star_ +office. + +Editor DeWitt answered, and Penny gave him the story straight and fast. + +"Hamilton Rhett, the banker!" he exclaimed. "Sure you got the name +right?" + +"Positive!" + +"This is apt to be a big story, especially if the man was kidnapped or +walked off with the bonds! Grab a taxi and run out to the Rhett estate. +Get all the dope you can from Mrs. Rhett, and don't forget pictures! +We'll want one of Rhett. Better take all she has of him to keep the +_Times_ from getting them! Got that straight?" + +"I think so." + +"Okay, go right to town on the old gal and learn everything you can about +her quarrel with Rhett! I'll send a photographer out there as soon as I +can round one up." + +Penny felt a trifle weak as she hung up the receiver. Editor DeWitt took +it for granted she would bring in a bang-up story when she returned to +the newspaper office. But from what she had learned of Mrs. Rhett, she +surmised that an interview might not be granted willingly. + +Looking up the address of the Rhett estate, Penny hailed a passing taxi. +As the cab sped along the winding river boulevard, she speculated upon +how best to approach Mrs. Rhett. + +"I wish I were more experienced as a reporter," she thought, nervously +examining her pocketbook to be certain she had paper and pencil. +"Something tells me this story will be hard to get." + +The only daughter of a distinguished newspaper owner and publisher, Penny +considered herself an essential part of the _Star_ office. Even as a +youngster in pigtails, she had haunted the big noisy newsroom, pecking at +the typewriters and making a pest of herself. + +From her father, Editor DeWitt, Jerry Livingston, a star reporter, and +the printers who adored her, the alert girl had gleaned much useful +information. But there were yawning gaps in her newspaper experience. No +one realized it better than she. + +Gazing thoughtfully toward the river, Penny recalled the first story she +ever had written, carried in the paper under the title, "Tale of the +Witch Doll." Another yarn, "The Vanishing Houseboat," also had been +bannered across the front page of the _Star_, but in acquiring that story +Penny and Jerry had nearly lost their lives. + +Slight wonder that Mrs. Maud Weems, the Parker housekeeper, was reluctant +to see the girl she loved so dearly take up a journalistic career. Sadly +she declared that Penny's nose for news and mystery would lead her into +serious trouble. Mr. Parker, however, did not worry. "Penny has good +horse sense," he said. "And she was born with printer's ink in her blood +stream!" + +The taxi stopped with a jerk in front of a large red brick mansion. Large +acreage was enclosed by a wooden rail fence flanked by tall untrimmed +bushes. + +"Shall I wait?" inquired the cab driver as Penny alighted. + +She shook her head, started to pay him, then thought of a better idea. +"Charge this to the _Star_," she instructed. + +The cab driver looked a trifle worried as if he were fearful of losing +the fare, so Penny flashed her press card again. It worked like magic. + +"Okay, a charge it is," he agreed. He shifted gears and drove away. + +No sooner had Penny dismissed the cab than she regretted it. Although she +expected to catch a ride with the _Star_ photographer back to the paper, +the mansion had a deserted look. As she walked up the gravel path, she +noticed that many of the shades were drawn. + +"There's no one here," she thought. "I've wasted my time coming." + +Nevertheless, Penny walked on to the front door to ring the doorbell. +Instead she found a brass knocker in the shape of an ugly carved face. +She stared at it a moment, then let it fall against the brass plate. + +As Penny had feared, no one came to admit her. She was turning away in +defeat, when she fancied she saw a shade move in one of the upstairs +rooms. Encouraged, she knocked again. + +Still there was no answer, but distinctly she saw the curtain flutter. +Stepping back a pace, she gazed upward. + +A dark face was visible in a circular window of one of the tower rooms. +For a moment appraising eyes focused upon her. Then the curtain jerked +convulsively, and the man was gone. + + + + + CHAPTER + 3 + _A THATCHED ROOF COTTAGE_ + + +Satisfied that the house was not deserted, Penny hammered harder on the +massive oaken door with the brass knocker. Still no one came to admit +her. + +"Someone is here," she thought, intensely annoyed. "Well, if he can be +stubborn, so can I! I'll make such a nuisance of myself, they'll have to +let me in." + +She hammered steadily with the knocker for a half minute, then she +experimented with pattern knocks, in interesting combinations of dots and +dashes. + +Suddenly, the window above her head flew open, and the same dark-faced +man peered angrily down at her. + +"What you want?" he demanded in an unpleasant voice. + +"Why, I should like to see Mrs. Rhett," Penny replied politely. "She's +here, isn't she?" + +"Maybe she is, maybe she isn't," was the sharp retort. "Who are you?" + +Resenting the man's unfriendly attitude, Penny nevertheless answered that +she was from the _Riverview Star_ and desired to interview Mrs. Rhett +about her missing husband. + +"Madam not seeing anyone. Go 'way now!" + +The window slammed shut. + +Convinced that the man, evidently a servant, had acted upon instructions +from Mrs. Rhett, Penny wondered what to do. She considered returning to +the _Star_ office to explain to Editor DeWitt. + +But in Mr. DeWitt's dictionary there was no such word as failure. He +would cock an eyebrow at her, growl: "So you couldn't get in, eh?" and +promptly send a more aggressive reporter to the mansion. + +"I could force my way in, but that's trespassing," she reflected with +deepening gloom. "If I were thrown into jail, Mr. DeWitt probably +wouldn't even bother to bail me out! He'd say I didn't use my head in an +emergency." + +Penny decided to wait for the _Star_ photographer, who also had been sent +out. In a tight pinch, photographers nearly always could come up with a +picture. Between them they might think of a means of getting into the +mansion. + +"I hope Salt Sommers is sent here," she thought. "He's a good scout. +He'll help me get the story." + +Penny glanced hopefully toward the highway, but the press car was not to +be seen. With a sigh, she slowly circled the house. + +The building, no longer new, once had been one of Riverview's finest +homes. Now the red brick exterior had become discolored, and trees and +bushes disclosed lack of skilled care. A hedge flanking the walk had been +trimmed unevenly. The lawn was badly mowed, with many weeds going to +seed. + +Nevertheless, the estate was impressive, and Penny walked along a sloping +path to a pool of water lilies. Seating herself on the cement rim, she +dabbled her hand in the water. A moment later, raising her eyes, she +caught a flash of color at one of the mansion windows. + +"I'm being watched," she thought. "Perhaps if I poke around here long +enough, Mrs. Rhett will decide to see me." + +However, there was no further movement at the window, and presently Penny +wandered around to the rear of the house. Two interesting architectural +features drew her attention. At each side of the house were circular +tower rooms, each with two tiny round windows which resembled human eyes. + +From the rear of the mansion, several paths led in diverse directions. +One, which was weed-choked, apparently angled toward the river beach. +Years before, when the Heights Yacht Club had been in operation, many +sailboats plied the waters at this particular point. + +Now, except for an occasional fisherman, few boats ever came so far +upstream. As the once fine neighborhood had deteriorated, householders +gradually had moved away. Penny judged that the Rhetts, isolated from +their neighbors, probably were the only socially prominent people +remaining. + +Selecting a path which led away from the river, deeper into the grounds, +Penny presently found herself some distance from the road and the +boundary fences. + +Hedging the cinder trail were high, untrimmed bushes which completely +screened her view. After walking a short distance, she paused, uncertain +whether to keep on or return to the road. + +"This exploration isn't helping me get a story," she reflected. "If the +_Star_ photographer should come while I'm here, I might miss him." + +However, the trail had a fascination for Penny and she was reluctant to +turn back. In a tiny clearing a short distance ahead, she saw what +appeared to be a thatched roof cottage. Only a moment or two would be +required to investigate it, she thought. Then she would return to the +road to await the photographer. + +As Penny started eagerly on, she stubbed the toe of her shoe on a stone, +and nearly tripped. By quick footwork, she saved herself a fall, but as +she paused to recover breath, she plainly saw the bushes at the left hand +side of the trail move convulsively. Only a slight breeze had rippled the +tree leaves. + +Penny was certain that someone stood behind the bush, watching her +movements. + +"Probably it's that dark skinned man who called to me from the window," +she thought. + +The knowledge that she was a trespasser on the Rhett property made Penny +slightly uneasy. Likewise, it was unnerving to know that her every move +was being watched. Admitting to herself that she should turn back, she +nevertheless kept on down the path. + +Without appearing to do so, she kept her eyes on the bushes at the left +hand side of the trail. Now and then a slight jerk of the foliage +convinced her that the one who watched was following and keeping pace +with her. + +Penny hastened her steps as she moved through a cool, densely shaded +woodland. Frost had tinted many of the leaves with red and gold, but the +arresting beauty of the foliage was completely lost upon her. She was +only aware of those soft footsteps behind her. + +Then unexpectedly, Penny came to the clearing. Scarcely seventy-five +yards ahead, stood the thatched roof cottage which had attracted her +interest from afar. + +So quaint was the building that for a moment she gave it her entire +attention, forgetting the one who watched from the bushes. + +From where she stood, the cottage appeared to be about the size of a +large room, and resembled a native hut. No windows were visible. The door +was closed, and across it was painted in black and red a symbol which +even from afar could be distinguished as a serpent-like figure. + +The cottage fascinated Penny. At first glance she assumed it to be a +large playhouse, but the serpent painting convinced her the building +never had been intended for use of children. + +A garden or tool house perhaps? She dismissed the thought as quickly as +it came. Into her mind flashed a recollection of the drawing that had +fallen from Mr. Rhett's desk in the First National Bank. The paper had +borne a plumed serpent, apparently a counterpart of the painting on the +door of the thatched roof cottage! + +Forgetful of the person who crouched in the bushes, Penny started eagerly +forward, intending to examine the strange drawing at close range. +Something whizzed past her, to embed itself in a tree trunk six inches +from her head. + +Brought up short, she saw that it was an arrow which had narrowly missed +her. Had it been shot from the bushes behind her, and by the person who +had stealthily followed her along the trail? + +In cold fury, Penny jerked the arrow from the tree. Only then did she +notice a folded sheet of notebook paper attached to it with a bit of +string. She broke the knot and freed the paper. Across its crumbled face +had been penciled a message. The lead had smeared and the words were hard +to read. But she made them out. + +The warning note said: "Do not approach the thatched roof cottage. To do +so is to endanger your life." + + + + + CHAPTER + 4 + _BEHIND THE BUSHES_ + + +Having read the warning message, Penny whirled around to gaze toward the +bushes on the left side of the path. All now was still, with not the +slightest movement of leaves to reveal the presence of the one who had +shot the arrow. + +"It's that man who talked so unpleasantly to me from the mansion window!" +she thought. "Why, he might have struck me with the arrow! I'll put an +end to his target practice!" + +Acting impulsively, she made a sudden dive for the bushes, jerking them +apart to expose the one who had followed her. No one was there. + +The grass, however, was trampled, and some distance away, she heard a +scurry of footsteps. + +"Trying to get away!" she thought grimly. "Not if I can prevent it! I'll +have it out with him and learn why he's warning me my life is +endangered!" + +The footsteps fast were dying away. Listening intently, Penny decided +that the person who had shot the arrow was stealing through the bushes +toward the river path. + +Seeking the intersection of the two paths, the girl stole noiselessly +down the cindered trail sloping toward the beach. She had guessed +correctly. In a moment she heard an agitation in the bushes nearby and +knew that the person she sought was struggling through a tangle of +underbrush. + +Soon the bushes parted and a thin girl in blue shirt and slacks stepped +out onto the cindered path. In one hand she carried an Indian bow with a +quiver of arrows, while with the other, she brushed dry leaves from her +long, dark hair. + +Having expected to see a man, Penny was startled. As she opened her lips +to speak, the girl saw her and was brought up short. She gasped in +dismay, turned, and with astonishing speed darted down the path leading +to the beach. + +"Wait!" called Penny. + +Keeping her face down, the girl raced on. + +Determining that she should not escape without an explanation, Penny gave +chase. The runner had an excellent start, but on coming to a series of +wooden steps, her heel caught in a small hole. Down she went, and before +she could arise, Penny had overtaken her. + +Observing that the fall had not injured the girl, she said sternly: + +"Now little Miss Robin Hood, will you kindly explain why you tried to +exterminate me with that arrow?" + +Sitting up, the girl ruefully rubbed an ankle and gazed at Penny with +hostile brown eyes. + +"Don't be ridiculous!" she retorted. "I had no intention of hitting you. +My aim is perfect." + +"Modest, at any rate," observed Penny, smiling despite a determination to +appear very stern. "You did write the warning note?" + +"Naturally." + +"Why, may I ask?" + +"Because in the first place, you have no business being on our property. +Secondly, I didn't want you to go to the thatched roof cottage." + +"May I ask your name?" + +"I'm Lorinda Rhett." + +"Hamilton Rhett's daughter!" + +"Stepdaughter," the girl corrected. + +"You're just the person I want to see!" exclaimed Penny, overjoyed at her +good fortune. "Your stepfather--" + +"I'll answer no questions about him," the girl interrupted. "You may as +well spare your breath. Mother and I want no reporters here." + +"So you know who I am?" + +"How could one help knowing? You nearly broke our door down with your +pounding, and I heard you talking to Anton." + +"Your servant?" + +"My stepfather's," Lorinda corrected with a slight inflection which +suggested that she did not entirely approve of Anton. "Now will you stop +asking questions and go away?" + +"All in good time. First, I'm relieved to know that the thatched cottage +isn't really dangerous. You only wrote that to be rid of me." + +Lorinda gave her a long, steady look but said not a word. + +"Or perhaps there is some mystery about the cottage," Penny went on. +"After all, your stepfather's disappearance was very queer. But the +police, no doubt, will get at the bottom of it when they come here." + +Lorinda scrambled to her feet. "The police!" she gasped. "We'll not have +them here prying around!" + +"Whether or not you like it, I'm afraid you will have the police on your +doorstep. A man of Mr. Rhett's prominence can't disappear without a few +questions being asked." + +Lorinda lost much of her defiance. "But this is our own private affair," +she protested. "My stepfather will return--at least, I think he will." + +"And the missing bonds?" + +"Missing bonds?" + +"Didn't Albert Potts, the bank secretary, inform your mother that +$250,000 in negotiable securities also had disappeared?" + +"Why, no! At least I knew nothing of it! Surely you don't think my +stepfather would stoop to the theft of bank securities?" + +"I have no opinion in the matter. I'm merely here to get the true story. +For some reason you and your mother have been unwilling to cooperate." + +Lorinda did not reply, but seemed to be thinking deeply. + +"Do you have any idea where your stepfather is now?" Penny inquired, +hoping that a direct approach might glean information. + +"No, of course not." + +"You haven't seen him for the past ten days?" + +"That is true," Lorinda acknowledged with great reluctance. "But it's not +so unusual. My stepfather frequently goes away on trips." + +"Without telling anyone where he is going?" + +"I'll not answer that question," Lorinda said with a proud uptilt of her +chin. + +"I'm afraid you don't like reporters very well," observed Penny +pleasantly. "Nor do you seem especially fond of your stepfather." + +"That's not true! I do like my stepfather. Why, he was the one who taught +me how to shoot with a bow and arrow! He gave me this bow which is a +valuable collector's item!" + +She offered it to Penny who inspected the fine workmanship with keen +interest. + +"Mr. Rhett is a collector?" she inquired. + +"Yes, he's traveled all over the world, but most of his time was spent in +the jungles of Africa, Brazil, and other places in South America. That +was before he married Mother, of course." + +"Your stepfather was especially interested in ancient religious cults?" + +"He made a study of it, and for a year gathered material by living in the +jungle." Lorinda suddenly broke off, aware that she was warming to Penny +and telling her entirely too much. + +"Then it was your father who built the thatched roof cottage?" + +"Please, let's not talk about it," Lorinda pleaded. "I don't like to be +unfriendly or impolite, but you must understand there are things I can't +tell you, and which must never be published." + +Taking the ancient bow from Penny's hand, the girl started up the path, +limping a trifle on her twisted ankle. + +"Only one more question, Lorinda. Please tell me the truth. Why were you +afraid to have me investigate the thatched roof cottage?" + +The girl paused on the path, gazing at Penny quite pathetically. + +"Don't ask me to tell you any more," she whispered. "The cottage is a +place of evil omen. Truly, I did you a favor in warning you away." + +"I saw a painting on the door--that of a winged or plumed serpent. Will +you explain its significance?" + +"I only know that my stepfather had it painted there when the cottage was +built soon after his marriage to my mother. It is a symbol of one of the +ancient cults he studied. Many of his trophies bear the same picture." + +The information was a little disappointing to Penny. "Then I suppose the +drawing that the police found in Mr. Rhett's office had no great +significance," she remarked. + +"Drawing?" + +Penny described the serpent picture which had been found, adding: "On the +sheet were written the words: 'This shall be the end.'" + +"You are certain?" + +"Oh, yes, I saw the paper myself." + +Lorinda was visibly disturbed. "I must see that writing! It may mean--" +she broke off and amended: "Tell me, where is the paper now?" + +"The police have it." + +"Oh!" + +"Why do you seem to fear the police?" inquired Penny curiously. + +"I am not afraid of them--certainly not. It's just that Mother and I +prefer to keep our lives private. Facts can be so easily misinterpreted." + +"Your reluctance to assist the police also can be misinterpreted," said +Penny. "For instance, it seems strange to me that your stepfather's +disappearance doesn't seem to disturb you." + +"Oh, it does! It's only--well, there are things I can't tell you without +my mother's permission. My stepfather is queer. Mother and I never liked +his interest in weird cult practices. He had so many strange +acquaintances and ties with the past. We always were afraid something +dreadful might happen." + +"Then he may have met foul play?" + +"I don't know what to think," Lorinda said miserably. "A ten-day +disappearance is not so serious. My stepfather occasionally went away +before without telling us, though never for such a long period. If it +weren't for the paper found in his desk, and the missing bonds, I would +say it's much ado about nothing." + +"As it is--?" + +"The loss of $250,000 could be a very serious matter. Tell me, what is +your name?" + +"Penny Parker." + +"You're here only to get a story for your paper?" + +"That was why I came, but since meeting you I truthfully can say I also +am very much interested in helping you if possible." + +"I like you," Lorinda declared with a quick smile. "I'm sorry about the +arrow. And I was very rude." + +"Not at all. I deliberately egged you on, hoping you would tell me about +your stepfather. I was sent here to get a picture of him, and I hate to +fail." + +"A picture? Mother has one, but I doubt that she would permit you to use +it." Lorinda considered a moment, then added: "Tell you what! I'll take +you to her, and perhaps, if you're a convincing talker, she'll agree to +your request." + +"Oh, Lorinda, that's fine!" + +The Rhett girl linked arms with Penny as they trudged up the path to the +house. + +"Don't count your chickens just yet," she warned. "Mother doesn't like +reporters. It will be sheer luck if she gives you the picture or any +information you can use in the paper." + + + + + CHAPTER + 5 + _AN EVIL CHARM_ + + +"Mother has disliked reporters ever since she married my stepfather, two +years ago," Lorinda confided as the girls approached the house. "We were +in the Eastern part of the country at the time, and papers played up the +story, suggesting that Mr. Rhett was a fortune hunter." + +"Then he had no money of his own?" + +"Not a great deal. You see, my stepfather loved travel, and until he met +Mother he never really settled down. He made a little by writing magazine +articles, and he spent it roving about the country and exploring far +corners of the world." + +"It must have been an interesting life," Penny commented politely. "Your +mother enjoyed travel too?" + +"Oh, mercy no! One hardly can get her away from Riverview. She and my +stepfather never traveled together after they were married." + +Penny gathered that Mr. and Mrs. Rhett were entirely different types of +individuals, but she asked no additional questions, for by this time, the +girls had reached the house. + +Crossing a stone terrace at the rear of the dwelling, they entered a +spacious living room furnished with elegant though formal furniture. +Shades were partially drawn, giving the interior a gloomy atmosphere, +despite the vases of brightly colored chrysanthemums which decorated the +tables. + +A woman with dark hair tinged with gray sat reading a book. She was +immaculately groomed, every curl of an elaborate hair-do in place, but +her face lacked tranquility. Her eyes were not on the page before her, +Penny noted, and as the two girls came in, she visibly started. + +"Oh, it's you, Lorinda," she murmured in relief. "I declare, I am getting +jumpy! For a moment I thought it might be the police or that inquisitive +reporter--" + +"Mother," interposed Lorinda hastily, "allow me to present Penny Parker, +from the _Riverview Star_." + +Mrs. Rhett laid aside the book and stared at Penny, her face without +expression. Her voice was cold as she spoke. + +"From the _Star_? Lorinda, I am _very_ sorry, but you know my feeling in +this matter." + +"Penny really is very nice, Mother," Lorinda said, flashing her companion +an encouraging smile. "She didn't want to come out here and question us +about father, but the editor sent her. He wants a picture, too." + +Mrs. Rhett arose to terminate an interview which had never really begun. +"I am sorry," she repeated with emphasis. "There are to be no pictures +taken." + +"The editor especially wanted a photograph of your husband," Penny said. +"By publishing it in the paper, it may be easier to trace him." + +"Miss Parker," replied Mrs. Rhett pleasantly but with no warmth, "if I +need assistance in locating my husband I shall request it. Meanwhile, I +do wish people would not concern themselves with our affairs." + +"Mother, we may not be able to avoid publicity," Lorinda rushed on. +"There's likely to be a scandal. You see, $250,000 in negotiable bonds +disappeared from the bank." + +For a moment, Mrs. Rhett did not speak. A dagger-type paper cutter lay on +the polished table beside her. Nervously her fingers closed upon it, and +unaware of the act, she jabbed the sharp point several times through a +lace doily centerpiece. + +"Mother, you're ruining that!" + +Mrs. Rhett dropped the paper cutter, which clattered on the table and +tumbled to the floor. Without picking it up, she moved restlessly to the +window, only to return. + +"What were you saying about $250,000 in bonds, Lorinda?" she asked. +"Surely you didn't mean--" + +"I only know what Penny told me. Soon after Father disappeared, Albert +Potts discovered the bonds also were missing." + +"There can be no connection. Why, even the suggestion that my husband +would steal is ridiculous! It's preposterous!" + +"No one has accused your husband," Penny said quietly. "Perhaps the bonds +will be found. Now that the police have stepped into the case, there +should be developments." + +"The police," repeated Mrs. Rhett with a shiver. "Oh, dear, must we +suffer their interference!" + +A telephone in an adjoining room rang and Lorinda started to answer it. +But her mother signalled to her. + +"Let it go, Lorinda. It may be the police now, or another reporter. We'll +have nothing to say." + +The telephone rang again. Footsteps were heard down a hallway and a +well-built, dark-skinned house-worker of middle age padded into the room. +She gazed with intent curiosity at Penny as she started toward the +library to answer the phone. + +"No, let it ring, Celeste," Mrs. Rhett directed. "And if anyone comes to +the door asking for me, remember, I am not at home." + +"Yes'm," mumbled the housekeeper. She bent to pick up the paper cutter +from the floor and as she did so an object which was tied about her neck +with a cord and kept hidden beneath her starched uniform, swung into +view. + +Penny obtained only a fleeting glimpse of the curious article, for the +woman hastily thrust it into her dress front again. However, it appeared +to be a tiny packet of cloth. + +Lorinda also had observed the object. Fixing the woman with a stern gaze +she said: "Celeste, you're wearing one of those heathenish _ouange_ +charms again! You promised Mother you wouldn't!" + +"This only keeps away bad sickness," the woman retorted, with a slight +accent which nevertheless made her words hard to understand. "A good +_ouange_. Now that my master is away, you are not to tell me what to do." + +"Lorinda, don't plague her," Mrs. Rhett said wearily. "We have enough +trouble as it is. Let her wear the charm, or a dozen of them, if it gives +her any satisfaction." + +Lorinda subsided into injured silence, while Celeste flashed a triumphant +smile. + +Mrs. Rhett turned again to Penny. In a tone which could be interpreted +only as a final dismissal she said: "I am sorry, Miss Parker, that I +cannot help you. At present I do not know my husband's whereabouts or why +he went away. If you will excuse me now, I shall go to my room for a +rest." + +With dignity she crossed the living room to a handsome circular stairway +with a railing of polished mahogany. Her head held proudly, she presented +a regal figure as she slowly climbed the steps. + +But half way up, she suddenly halted, her body jerking taut. Uttering a +low cry which was almost a scream, she stared at an object lying on the +step in front of her. + +"Why, Mother! What's wrong?" cried Lorinda. + +With Penny and Celeste, she hastened to the staircase. Mrs. Rhett's face +was as colorless as if she had seen a ghost. Her lips trembled. Without +speaking, she pointed to the stair carpet. + +There at her feet lay two burnt match ends tied together with a bit of +scarlet string. + +"An _ouange_! An evil _ouange_!" whispered Celeste in horror. + +Lorinda turned upon her angrily. + +"Celeste, don't say such things! You know how nervous Mother is, and how +easily she becomes upset! If this is one of your charms--" + +"No! No!" the woman protested. She stared fixedly at the object on the +floor. "This charm is not mine and it is not Anton's!" + +"Then how did it get here?" + +"I do not know. It is a sign of evil--a sign of death." + +"Superstition!" exclaimed Lorinda. + +Mrs. Rhett started on up the stairs, but as she would have stepped over +the burned matches, Celeste seized her by the skirt, pulling her +backwards. Frightened, the woman screamed and fell heavily against the +wall. + +Celeste kept her from collapsing, all the while muttering words Penny +could not understand. + +"Stop that gibberish!" Lorinda commanded. + +Mrs. Rhett broke away from Celeste, and with an hysterical cry, moved +down the stairway and into the library. Though she closed the door behind +her, the girls could hear her sobs. + +"Now see what you've done!" Lorinda accused Celeste. + +The woman paid no attention to her. Bending over the match sticks, she +swayed back and forth as she muttered a strange chant. As Lorinda sought +to pick up the charm, Celeste struck her wrist a sharp blow. + +"Fool!" she exclaimed. "Would you let your mother die a slow and painful +death? Do not touch this thing of evil until I have finished! If she had +stepped over it, nothing would have saved her." + +Celeste kept on with her mutterings until at last she was through. "I +have done all I can," she said with a deep sigh. Gingerly she picked up +the match ends and, dropping them into the living room fireplace, saw +them consumed by flame. + +"Now what is all this stupidity about Mother dying a slow death?" Lorinda +demanded sternly. "How did that thing get into this house, and what does +it mean?" + +"How it came here I do not know," replied the woman. "Its meaning is +simple. In the jungles such symbols are sometimes placed on new graves, +that the departing spirit may kindle a little fire and warm its cold +hands in the other world." + +"That's enough!" interrupted Lorinda. "Don't tell me any more. It's all +so silly." + +"It is the truth." + +"Well, true or false, Mother is not to be told such nonsense. She's upset +enough as it is." + +"Your mother already knows," said the housekeeper. "That is why she +weeps. She fears that even now the spell is upon her." + +"Celeste, you must be out of your mind!" Lorinda cried in exasperation. +"You never said such dreadful things or acted like this when Father was +here. What has taken possession of you?" + +"I fear for the family. It bodes ill that my master should remain away. +If only the Zudi drum were out of the house--destroyed--" + +Lorinda's patience had been overtaxed. "The Zudi drum!" she cried. "Oh, +Celeste, you're impossible! Go find Anton and if you must, talk such +nonsense to him! But not another word of it before us! Do you +understand?" + +Celeste stood facing the two girls defiantly. Her eyes burned with an +angry fire, and Penny expected her to make a bitter retort to Lorinda. +Instead, she seemed to withdraw into herself, and with downcast head, +scurried toward the kitchen. + + + + + CHAPTER + 6 + _MATCHES AND STRING_ + + +After Celeste had gone, Lorinda went quickly to the library. Speaking +soothingly to her mother, she urged her to go upstairs and lie down. + +"That dreadful thing on the steps!" Mrs. Rhett exclaimed with a shudder. +"Celeste jerked me back to keep me from walking past it, didn't she? The +charm has an evil significance--perhaps that I shall have a long +lingering illness or die." + +"You know better than that, Mother. It's all superstitious rot! What ever +gave you such an idea?" + +"Why, I don't really know, Lorinda. I suppose Hamilton told me about the +charm long ago. When I saw it on the step it gave me a deep shock and I +seemed to realize that it had been put there for me alone to find. +Lorinda, what if it should be a native death charm?" + +"Mother, I won't allow you to even think of such foolishness! You're just +upset because Father isn't here." + +"Yes, that must be it," Mrs. Rhett declared with a heavy sigh. "I have +such a headache. I'll go to my room now and try to sleep." + +Lorinda took her arm and helped her up the stairway. As they came to the +step where the burnt matches had been, Mrs. Rhett glanced down and +shivered. Then she laughed apologetically. + +"It really is silly of me to let a little thing upset me so," she +declared. "I'll be myself again as soon as I have slept." + +After helping her mother into bed, Lorinda returned to the living room +where Penny had waited. + +"I do hope you won't put any of this in the paper," she began earnestly. +"People wouldn't understand." + +"I'm afraid I don't myself," said Penny. "For instance, what did Celeste +mean when she spoke of the Zudi drum? And who is she anyhow?" + +"Oh, I forgot to tell you! Celeste and her husband Anton, are a couple my +stepfather brought to this country after spending a year studying ancient +cult practices. Celeste befriended him, I believe, and helped him gain +information about the tribesmen. Anyway, Father took a fancy to her, and +persuaded the couple to come with him." + +"That was before he married your mother?" + +"Oh, yes. After the wedding, my stepfather was unwilling to let Celeste +and Anton go, so Mother agreed that they might work here. Anton is a +worthless servant. He allows the grounds to run down shamefully, and the +only time he ever really works is when someone stands over him!" + +"And Celeste?" + +"Oh, she is a hard worker, but I confess I don't understand her," Lorinda +replied. "We disliked each other on sight. In a way, I'm a little afraid +of her." + +"Why?" + +"I can't explain." Lorinda stirred restlessly. "She makes me feel uneasy +whenever I am near her--almost as if I were in the presence of Black +Magic." + +At Penny's expression of astonishment, she amended hastily: "Oh, I don't +mean that exactly. Celeste is devoted to my stepfather and I'm sure only +means to be helpful. But the truth is, she's steeped in a mysterious and +not too wholesome past. Superstition is the breath of life to her." + +"How did the match ends get on the stairway?" + +"I wish I knew." Lorinda's forehead wrinkled with anxiety. "Celeste may +have told the truth when she said neither she nor Anton had anything to +do with it." + +"Then how was the charm brought into the house?" + +"My stepfather had enemies. Something tells me all this may have a +connection with the Zudi drum." + +"Didn't Celeste suggest that idea to you? She hinted that the +drum--whatever it is--should be removed from the house." + +"I can see myself getting rid of the Zudi drum! Why, it is my +stepfather's most prized trophy! He took it from a native tribe, and as +you might imagine, there was plenty of trouble!" + +"Your stepfather didn't steal the drum?" + +"Not exactly, though tribesmen may have regarded it that way. The drum +was used in ceremonials and was highly treasured by natives. Father tried +to buy it. When he couldn't, he left money and trinkets and carried off +the drum. Natives pursued him for more than a hundred miles, but he got +away." + +"And your stepfather has the drum now?" + +"Yes, we keep it in the library wall safe. Want to see it?" + +"I'd love to, if it's not too much trouble." + +"The truth is I want to check to be certain the drum is still here," +Lorinda replied, leading the way into the adjoining room. "What Celeste +said made me uneasy." + +"You think your stepfather may have removed the drum from the wall safe?" + +"I can't imagine him doing that. However, his long absence is puzzling, +and finding the burnt match charm gives the whole situation a sinister +slant. It's barely possible some of those tribesmen followed him here, +hoping to recover the Zudi drum." + +"Why, that seems fantastic!" + +"Not if you understand tribal customs. From all my stepfather told me of +his experiences, I am sure members of the Zudi cult would stop at nothing +in trying to recover their ceremonial drum." + +Penny inquired if Mr. Rhett ever had received threats against his life. + +"Oh, dozens of them, but that was years ago. Since he married Mother, +I've not heard of any. But then, my stepfather was self-contained and +rather strange in many ways. If he had received threats, he might not +have told her." + +Becoming more interested in the story minute by minute, Penny longed to +ask if Mr. and Mrs. Rhett ever had had serious disagreements. However, +the question was a difficult one, and she knew of no way to phrase it +without risking offense to Lorinda. + +"I'd never admit it to Celeste," the Rhett girl went on, carefully +drawing heavy draperies across the arched doorway of the library and +closing another door which opened toward the stairs. "But seeing that +match and string _ouange_ gave me an unpleasant moment. I'm afraid my +stepfather's enemies may have picked up his trail. In that case--well, +the charm really could become an omen of evil." + +"You're becoming morbid," laughed Penny. "What is there to fear in two +burnt matches tied with a string?" + +"Nothing perhaps," replied Lorinda, though without firm conviction. +"Let's hope the Zudi drum is still here. I wish it had never been brought +into the house." + +A large painting of a Dutch windmill hung low on the north library wall. +To Penny's surprise, Lorinda gave one of its long gold cords a jerk. The +picture swung back to disclose a cleverly hidden safe. + +"Now I hope I haven't forgotten the combination," Lorinda murmured. + +Thinking a moment, she whirled the dials with an expert touch. The safe +failed to open. With an exclamation of annoyance, she tried again. This +time there was a sharp little click and as she turned the handle, the +circular door swung back. + +Lorinda thrust her arm deep into the opening. "It's here all right!" she +exclaimed. + +From the safe she drew forth a bowl-shaped drum, perhaps eight inches in +diameter at the opening. An animal skin was stretched over the framework +and the sides were decorated with symbols. + +"This probably is my stepfather's most valuable trophy," Lorinda +declared. "He treasures it above all else, because there is no other +exactly like it. But the drum never should have been taken from the +native tribe." + +With her fingers, the girl tapped out a rhythm on the drum. The first +three notes were slow and heavy, with a series of triplets coming as a +light splutter at the end. + + . . . ... . . . ... + . . . ... . . . ... + +Penny, who had a keen sense of the ludicrous, began to sway to the jungle +rhythm. Lorinda drummed with more energy, and they both burst into +laughter. + +But suddenly for no apparent reason, the mirth died from Lorinda's lips +and abruptly she ended the tapping. + +Tossing the Zudi drum into the wall safe, she closed the heavy door and +spun the dials. With another swift movement, she swung the picture into +place. + +Penny started to speak, but a significant glance from her companion +served as a warning to remain silent. + +Lorinda darted across the room, and jerked aside the heavy brocade +curtains which framed the arching doorway. Crouching behind the +protective folds was the same dark-skinned servant who had talked to +Penny from the upstairs window! + + + + + CHAPTER + 7 + _WHISPERING WALLS_ + + +"Anton!" Lorinda exclaimed in disapproval. "Why were you listening?" + +The servant, a man of perhaps forty whose well-cut livery was worn in a +sloppy manner, stared at her almost insolently and without the least +embarrassment. + +"Hear jungle drum," he said. + +"I was showing the Zudi to Miss Parker," Lorinda replied stiffly. + +"You keep him in wall safe?" inquired Anton. + +Lorinda bit her lip with annoyance. She made no answer. + +"Now that master gone, maybe much better you get rid of Zudi drum," Anton +advised. + +"Why do you say that?" + +"Zudi drum bring trouble. Anton tell master so when he bring it to this +country." + +"And what do you suggest we do with the drum?" + +"Anton take care of it," the servant offered eagerly. "Sink it deep in +river." + +Lorinda smiled and shook her head. "The Zudi drum is my stepfather's most +cherished possession. He never would forgive me if I disposed of it while +he's gone." + +"Maybe master never come back." + +"Anton!" Lorinda reproved. "You're not to make such remarks!" + +"Yes'm," the man muttered, but as he retreated from the library doorway +Penny fancied she saw him smile as if well pleased with himself. + +After the servant had gone, Lorinda remarked in a whisper: "I wish he +hadn't seen me put the drum away. Somehow I've never trusted Anton +although he's always been devoted to my stepfather. Sometimes I feel that +he hates me." + +"You say he didn't know until just now where the drum was kept?" + +"No, he may have suspected, but he never was certain. Anton always has +been deeply interested in that drum, which as I understand, belonged to +another tribe--sworn enemies of Anton's group. He and Celeste helped my +stepfather obtain the drum, or rather they told him about its existence, +so I suppose it's natural that they remain interested." + +"Anton seemed to believe the drum might bring trouble on the household." + +"Just stupid superstition! He's never worried about it before." Lorinda +was thoughtful a moment, then added: "Of course, there is a possibility +members of the Zudi tribe may have traced my stepfather here and intend +to avenge themselves. But that hardly seems likely." + +"What of the serpent drawing found in your stepfather's desk?" Penny +reminded her. "And the words, 'This Shall be the End?'" + +"I'd not venture an opinion until I have seen the handwriting," Lorinda +returned. + +As the girls were leaving the library, Penny heard an automobile rattle +up to the front of the mansion. Peering from a window, she saw Salt +Sommers climbing out of the car, camera and flashbulbs in his hand. + +His arrival reminded her that she was here to get a story for the _Star_. + +"The police aren't here?" Lorinda inquired tensely, moving to the window. + +"No, it's one of our photographers. He'll need a picture of you and your +mother. It will only take a minute." + +Lorinda, who had been growing more and more friendly, now became cold and +aloof. + +"No picture," she said firmly. "I thought you understood. My mother and I +wish no publicity whatsoever." + +"But--" + +"I am afraid I must ask you to leave now," Lorinda said. + +Deeply chagrined by her failure to obtain a picture, Penny followed the +Rhett girl to the front door. + +"I'm sorry," Lorinda said, observing the proud tilt of Penny's chin. +"It's nothing personal. I really like you very much and would like to +help you--but I can't." + +She opened the door and Penny went out. As the latch clicked behind her, +Salt, a tall young man with an aggressive walk, came toward the porch. + +"Hi, Penny!" he greeted her casually. "Sorry to be late, but I got tied +up in a traffic jam at Fulton Bridge. Everything lined up for the +pictures?" + +Penny told him the bad news. + +"Now see here, they can't do that to us," Salt said, knocking on the door +of the old mansion. "I'll catch the dickens from DeWitt if I go back to +the office without a picture. How about the story?" + +"Not much we can use. I talked to Mrs. Rhett and her daughter, but they +didn't give me any real information. Mr. Rhett's disappearance seems to +be as puzzling to them as anyone else." + +"You can hook your story onto that angle then. But me--I've got to come +up with a picture." Salt knocked again on the door. "Say, are they all +deaf in there?" + +"It's no use," Penny said. "I doubt if anyone will answer." + +Salt pounded a few more times, and then was forced to admit that he was +only wasting his energy. "I might take a shot of the house," he said. +"Gloomy old morgue, isn't it?" + +"That's about all you can do under the circumstances." + +"A picture of a house," Salt groaned. "DeWitt'll go for it like a ton o' +brick. He'll probably throw a typewriter at me!" + +"There's another place on the grounds that might be more interesting. +It's a sort of thatched roof cottage." + +Salt immediately brightened. "Let's have a look-see," he proposed. "Maybe +we can round up a gardener or someone who'll pose." + +Circling the house, Penny led the way down the graveled path. Salt took +such long strides it was hard to keep up with him. He'd had a tough day, +he told her. As if taking shots of society women at the Country Club +hadn't been bad enough, right on top of it he'd been sent to the airport +to catch a couple of prominent state officials. And then, before he'd had +a chance to get the pictures printed, DeWitt had ordered him to the +mansion. + +"It's just one thing after another," he muttered. "I wish someone would +tell me why I don't quit newspaper photography." + +"Because, no matter what you say, you like the excitement," Penny +supplied. "Remember those shots you took of the Governor that were +printed in the rotogravure section?" + +"Sure," grinned Salt, his good humor returning. "I also remember the time +I was sent to a furniture store to take some pictures for the advertising +department, and without me knowing it, the store closed for the night. I +telephoned DeWitt I was locked in, and what did the old crow do? 'Just +sit down and wait,' he says. 'I'll get hold of a watchman, and we'll have +you right out of there.'" + +Penny had heard the story several times but did not ruin the +photographer's pleasure by saying so. + +"DeWitt didn't do a doggone thing!" Salt went on. "He just told everyone +in the office. I cooled my heels in that place until nine o'clock at +night! A fire broke out across town then, and DeWitt needed another +photographer, so finally he got me out!" + +"Mr. DeWitt has a queer sense of humor," Penny acknowledged. "But he is a +good editor." + +"Best there is," Salt agreed loyally. "But wow! He's going to tear me +apart limb from limb when I come in with nothing but a picture of a +thatched roof cottage!" + +Penny was tempted to tell the photographer of Lorinda's strange action in +warning her not to approach the building. However, she felt sure he would +make light of the entire matter, so she remained silent. + +"Is that the place?" Glimpsing the thatched roof cottage through the +trees, Salt paused to stare at it. "Looks like a jungle hut." + +"A reproduction of one, I imagine," Penny said, "but it might be the +genuine product. Mr. Rhett, I've been told, was a world traveler and +brought home many relics and souvenirs of jungle and cult life." + +They approached closer and Salt stopped again, this time to take two +shots. + +"What's inside?" he asked. "Let's take a look." + +Penny was curious to see the interior of the cottage despite Lorinda's +warning. However, as she trotted along at Salt's heels, she experienced a +strange, uneasy feeling, as if she were intruding upon forbidden ground. + +The photographer was troubled by no such misgivings. Boldly he went to +the door and tried to thrust it open. It was locked and would not budge. + +Thwarted, he examined the painted plumed serpent which decorated the +door. + +"What's this thing?" he muttered. + +Penny told him about the similar design which had been found on a paper +in Mr. Rhett's office. + +"I'll take a close-up of the door then," Salt decided. "It will tie in +with your story, if you build up the mystery angle." + +While the photographer took two pictures of the door, Penny wandered +around to the back of the tiny cottage. Only one small window provided +light. It had been cut in the wall high toward the sloping thatched roof, +and to peer into the dark interior, Penny had to stand on tiptoe. + +Inside the room, a spot of light and flame drew her gaze. And at the same +instant, something jabbed her ribs from behind. With a startled cry, she +whirled around. + +Then she laughed, for it was Salt who had come up quietly. + +"You frightened me out of a year's growth!" she exclaimed. "Don't ever do +that again!" + +"What do you see? Anything interesting?" + +"It looks as if a lamp is burning inside. But the cottage must be +deserted!" + +Salt peeped through the window. "It is a light--an oil flame!" he +exclaimed. "But there's no one in the room." + +"Let's go," said Penny with a shiver. "It's getting late and we're due +back at the office." + +"Not scared, are you?" the photographer teased. + +"Of course not! But the door is locked, and we're not supposed to be +here." + +Salt tested the window. Surprisingly, it raised easily. + +"Here, I'll boost you in," he offered. "Up you go! Then you can unlock +the door and let me in." + +"Oh, Salt, should we?" + +"Why not?" he argued. "We were sent to get a story and pictures, weren't +we? Well, maybe what we're after is right here." + +Only half convinced, Penny permitted herself to be boosted through the +window. She dropped lightly onto a wooden floor. The interior of the +cottage was gloomy, brightened only by a flickering flame which came from +a floating wick in a cocoanut shell filled with oil. + +The atmosphere of the room, was sombre, almost terrifying. Taking no time +to look about, Penny scurried to unlock the door. She felt more at ease +as Salt sauntered in. + +"Well, this is a queer layout," he observed. "A regular jungle hut." + +The room was bare of furniture except for a low wooden table upon which +the cocoanut oil lamp burned. On one wall hung two black and red flags +with serpentine symbols sewn with metallic beads. + +Across the room, above the deep fireplace, two crossed machetes dangled +from cords attached to the wall. Beneath the table was a small, crude +wooden chest, and lying upon it was a rattle made from pebbles placed in +a painted canister. + +Salt shook the rattle several times. In the stillness of the room, the +clatter of the pebbles seemed almost deafening to Penny's sensitive ears. + +"Oh, please!" she pleaded. + +"Don't you like it?" he teased. + +Penny shook her head. With fascinated gaze, she stared at the flickering +oil light. + +"Do you suppose that thing burns all the time, Salt, or has someone just +been here?" + +"It couldn't burn very long, unless someone keeps refilling the shell +with oil. Wonder what's in this chest?" + +Salt stooped to raise the lid. As he did so, Penny, who stood close +beside him, suddenly clutched his arm. At his look of surprise, she +mumbled: + +"I thought I heard something just then--like the rustling of silk!" + +Salt listened a moment and chuckled. "That old imagination of yours is +working overtime, Penny! Relax!" + +"But I did hear a rustling sound as if someone were moving along the +wall. Listen! There it is again!" + +"No one could--" Salt began, and broke off. The queer look that came over +his face told Penny that he too had heard the sound. + +Then whispering began, and seemed to issue from the very cottage walls. +At first the stunned pair could not distinguish a word. But gradually the +words whispered in a throaty voice became audible. + +"Go!" the warning voice commanded. "All is forbidden!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 8 + _GHOST OF THE DARK CORNERS_ + + +Salt was the first to recover from surprise at the whispered warning. +Convinced that someone must be crouching beneath the open cottage window, +he strode across the room to peer outside. + +No one was in sight. + +"The voice seemed to come from the wall itself!" Penny murmured. She +added jokingly, "Maybe this place has a ghost who is annoyed because we +climbed in through the window!" + +"That whispered warning came from a very human ghost," the photographer +muttered. "We'll do a little annoying ourselves if we can find the bird!" + +Salt jerked open the door. Penny followed him outside. Behind them, the +door swung shut again, but neither noticed. + +Quickly they circled the cottage. No one was visible in the clearing nor +were leaves stirring in the bushes close by. + +Salt, however, remained convinced the warning had been whispered by +someone standing close to the window who then had quickly retreated to +the sheltering shrubbery. + +"The warning seemed to come from the very inside of the walls," Penny +repeated. + +"How could it? The walls are only average thickness, so the only place a +person could hide would be outside. It's a cinch no one was in the room +with us!" + +"Lorinda might have crept close to the cottage and whispered the +warning," Penny said thoughtfully, "but I doubt it very much." + +"Lorinda?" + +"Mrs. Rhett's daughter. She tried to prevent me investigating the cottage +before you arrived." + +"Then she may have followed us here." + +"The whispering voice didn't sound like hers," Penny insisted. "No, I +can't believe it was Lorinda." + +Salt started back toward the cottage. "Whoever it was, let's not be +bluffed out, Penny. We'll see what's inside the wooden chest." + +The cottage door was closed. To the photographer's annoyance, it refused +to open even when he thrust his weight against it. + +"Now what?" he demanded. "Did you close the door when you came out, +Penny?" + +"Not that I recall. The wind must have blown it shut." + +"Wind? What wind? Look at the trees." + +Scarcely a leaf was stirring. + +"Then I'm afraid it must have been the jungle ghost," Penny said with a +nervous giggle. She glanced at her wrist watch. "Salt, it's getting late. +We must go." + +"Not yet," retorted Salt grimly. + +Again he circled the thatched cottage, with Penny tagging none too +happily at his heels. As they saw the window, they both paused. + +"Why, it's closed now!" Penny gasped. "How did we leave it?" + +"Open. The cottage door may have blown shut by itself and locked with a +spring catch, but this window is a horse of a different color. It +couldn't have closed by itself." + +"Who could have lowered it? How was it done without our knowledge?" + +Salt had no explanation. Lifting Penny so that she could peer inside the +room again, he asked her what she could see. + +"Not a sign of anyone. But it's so dark--" + +"See anything now?" Salt demanded impatiently as her voice trailed off. + +"The cocoanut shell lamp! It's no longer burning!" + +"Sure?" + +"I couldn't see better if I wore bifocals! The room is dark." + +"An experience like this shouldn't happen to a dog," muttered Salt. +"We'll find out what's behind it! Raise the window and in we go." + +Penny tugged at the sill. "Locked," she reported. "From the inside." + +Disgusted, Salt allowed her to drop lightly to the ground. "Wait until I +find a rock," he instructed. "We'll get in!" + +Penny caught his arm. "No, Salt! We've already overstepped our rights. We +mustn't damage the Rhett property." + +"Well, someone is making a monkey of us," the photographer grumbled. "It +burns me up!" + +"There's more to it than meets the eyes, Salt. Even the atmosphere of +this place is sinister." + +"You say that, and yet you're willing to turn your back on an unsolved +mystery? How times have changed!" + +"Well--" Penny wavered, for it was true she loved mystery and adventure. +But she finished in a firm voice: "We were sent here to get a story and +picture for the _Star_! We'll miss the Green Streak edition if we don't +get back to the office _pronto_." + +She thrust her wrist watch beneath Salt's nose. He looked at the moving +hands and muttered: "Jeepers! We've got just thirty-five minutes to catch +our deadline! Let's go!" + +Hurriedly, they went up the path toward the mansion and the road. As they +approached the house, the rear door swung open and Lorinda came out on +the flagstone terrace. + +"There she is now!" Penny murmured in an undertone. "I don't believe she +could have been the one who whispered the warning at the cottage! It must +have been someone else." + +"Is she the Rhett girl?" Salt demanded, starting to adjust his camera. +"Maybe I can get a shot of her after all." + +Lorinda came directly toward the pair, but she raised a hand squarely in +front of her face as she saw that Salt meant to take her picture. + +"Please don't!" she pleaded. "I can't pose. I only came to ask you to +leave. Mother is so upset. The telephone is ringing constantly, and we +expect the police any minute." + +Lorinda obviously was on the verge of tears. Salt lowered his camera. + +"I do want to help you," Lorinda hastened on. "That's why I am giving you +this. Mother doesn't know about it, and she will be furious." + +Into Penny's hand, she thrust a small but clear photograph of a +middle-aged man who wore glasses. His left cheek was marred by a jagged +though not particularly disfiguring scar. + +"Your stepfather!" she exclaimed. + +"Yes, this is the only picture we have of him. He never liked to have his +photograph taken. If you use it, please take good care of the original +and see that we get it back." + +"Oh, we will!" Penny promised. "This photograph should help in tracing +Mr. Rhett." + +"Please go now," Lorinda urged again. She glanced uneasily down the path +toward the thatched-roof cottage, but if she knew what had transpired +there, she gave no sign. + +Elated to have obtained the photograph, Penny and Salt hastened on to the +parked press car. Starting the car with a jerk, Salt followed the winding +river road. + +Penny cast a glance over her shoulder. Through the trees she could see +only the roof-top of the thatched cottage in the clearing. + +The estate was bounded by a wooden rail fence, in many places fortified +with dense, tall shrubbery. The fall weather had tinted many of the +bushes scarlet, yellow or bronze. Gazing toward a patch of particularly +brilliant-colored leaves, Penny detected movement behind them. + +For a fleeting instant she thought she had seen a large, shaggy dog. Then +she became certain it was a man who crouched behind the screen of leaves. + +"Salt!" she exclaimed sharply. "Look at those bushes!" + +The photographer slowed the car, turning his head. + +"What about 'em, Penny?" + +"Someone is hiding there behind the fence! Perhaps it's the person who +whispered a warning at the thatched cottage!" + +"Oh, it's just a shadow," Salt began, only to change his mind. "You're +right! Someone is crouching there!" + +So suddenly that Penny was thrown sideways, the photographer swerved the +car to the curb. He swung the door open. + +"What are you going to do?" Penny demanded. + +The photographer did not take time to reply. Already he was out of the +car, running toward the hedge. + + + + + CHAPTER + 9 + _JERRY ENTERS THE CASE_ + + +As Salt ran toward him, the man who crouched behind the bushes began to +move stealthily away. From the car Penny could not see his face which was +screened by dense foliage. + +"Salt, he's getting away!" she shouted. + +Salt climbed over the fence. His clothing got snagged and by the time he +had freed himself and struggled through a tangle of vines and bushes, the +man he pursued had completely disappeared. + +"Which way did he go, Penny?" he called. + +"I lost sight of him after he ducked into a clump of shrubbery," she +replied regretfully. "It's useless to try to find him now." + +Salt came back to the car, and starting the engine, drove on. + +"You didn't see who it was?" Penny asked hopefully. + +"No, I think it was a man. Maybe the Rhett's gardener or a tramp." + +"Whoever it was, I'm sure he stood there watching us drive away from the +grounds," Penny declared. + +Until the car was far down the street, she alertly watched the Rhett +grounds. However, the one who had crouched by the fence now was well +hidden and on guard. Not a movement of the bushes betrayed his presence. + +As the Rhett mansion was lost completely from view, Penny's thoughts came +back to the story which she must write. Nervously she glanced at her +wrist watch. + +"What's the bad news?" Salt asked, stepping hard on the gasoline pedal. + +"Twenty-five minutes until deadline. Can you make it?" + +Salt's lips compressed into a grim line and he concentrated on his +driving, avoiding heavy traffic and red lights as they approached the +center of town. + +They came at last to the big stone building downtown which housed the +_Riverview Star_. As Salt pulled up at the curb, Penny leaped out and ran +inside. Without waiting for an elevator, she darted up the stairs to the +busy newsroom. + +Editor DeWitt was talking on a telephone, and, all about him, reporters +were tapping typewriters at a furious pace. + +Editor DeWitt held his hand over the phone mouthpiece and fixed Penny +with a gloomy eye. "Time you got here," he observed. "Anything new? Did +you get the pictures?" + +Penny produced the photograph of Mr. Rhett which the editor studied an +instant, then tossed to his assistant, with a terse: "Make it a one +column--rush!" + +Knowing that with a deadline practically at hand Mr. DeWitt was in no +mood for a lengthy tale, Penny told him only such facts as were pertinent +to Mr. Rhett's disappearance. + +"So the family won't talk?" DeWitt growled. "Well, play up that angle. +We've already set up everything you gave us over the phone. Make this an +add and get it right out." + +Penny nodded and slid into a chair behind the nearest typewriter. An +"add" she knew, was an addition to a story already set up in type. It was +easier to write than a "lead" which contained the main facts of all that +had happened, but even so, she would be hard pressed to make the +deadline. + +For a moment she concentrated, but the noises of the room distracted her +somewhat. Editor DeWitt was barking into the telephone again; a reporter +on her left side was clicking a pencil against the desk; the short-wave +radio blared a police call; and across the room someone bellowed: "Copy +boy!" + +Then Penny began to write, and the noises blanked out, until she was +aware only of the moving ribbon of words on the copy paper. She had +written perhaps four paragraphs when DeWitt ordered tersely: "Give me a +take." + +Without looking up, Penny nodded, wrote a few more words, then jerked the +copy from her machine. A boy snatched it from her hand and carried it to +DeWitt, who read it rapidly. Pencilling a few minor corrections, he shot +it to the copy desk. + +Meanwhile, with another sheet of paper rolled in her machine, Penny was +grinding out more of the story. Words flowed easily now, and she scarcely +paused to think. + +DeWitt called for more copy. Again she ripped it from the roller and gave +it to the boy. + +After the third "take," DeWitt called: "That's enough. Make her '30.'" + +Penny understood the term. It signified the end of the story, and usually +when reporters had completed an article, they wrote the figure at the +bottom of the copy sheet. + +Finishing the sentence she had started, she gave the last of her story to +the boy, and settling back, took a deep breath. DeWitt's chair was empty. +He had gone to the composing room, leaving his assistant to handle the +final copy that came through before the presses rolled. + +Penny knew that the last page she had written probably would not make the +edition, but it did not matter. She had crammed all the important and +most interesting of her information into the first part of the story. In +any event, everything she had written would be used in the second +edition, the Three Star, which followed the Green Streak by two hours. +The final edition rolled from the presses later in the evening and was +known as the Blue Streak. + +A well-built, good looking reporter with a pencil tucked behind one ear, +walked over to the desk. + +"Big day, Penny?" he inquired affectionately. + +Jerry Livingston, who rated as the _Star's_ best reporter, also stood at +the very top of Penny's long list of friends. + +With Jerry, Penny always felt comfortable and at ease. Now she found +herself telling him about the Rhett case, omitting few details of what +had occurred in the thatched roof cottage. It took longer to relate all +the events than Penny realized, for, before she had finished the story, +the Green Streak edition was up, and a boy was distributing papers about +the office. Penny reached eagerly for one, noting instantly that her +article appeared in good position on the front page. + +"Wonder who wrote the lead?" she asked. "You, Jerry?" + +"Guilty," he laughed. "Any mistakes?" + +Penny could find none. It was a perfect rewrite, based upon facts she had +telephoned to the office after leaving the bank. The story had a +professional swing she could not have achieved. Her own "add" went into +it very smoothly, however, so that few persons reading the account ever +would guess two reporters had contributed to the writing. + +Mr. DeWitt had returned from the composing room, and with a relaxed air +settled down to enjoy a cigarette. Now that the edition was rolling off +the press, he no longer seemed nervous or irritable. + +Presently he waved his hand toward Penny who went over to see what he +wanted. + +"This Rhett story is likely to develop into something," he said. "I'll +want double coverage, so I'm assigning Jerry to help you. He'll handle +the police angle." + +Penny nodded, secretly glad it was Jerry who had been directed to help +her instead of another reporter. Police work, particularly the checking +of routine reports, was vitally important but uninteresting. She was +pleased to escape it. + +"You're to keep close tab on the Rhett mansion," Mr. DeWitt instructed. +"Report everything of consequence that happens there. By tomorrow things +may start popping." + +The wire editor came swiftly to DeWitt's desk with a sheet of copy which +had just been torn from an Associated Press teletype. + +"Here's something," he said. "A few hours ago police published for all +state banks the numbers of those bonds stolen from the First National +Bank. According to this Culver City dispatch, one of the bonds, in $1,000 +denomination, turned up there yesterday." + +"Yesterday?" Penny inquired. + +"Sure, a Culver City bank took the bond in, not knowing it was one of the +missing ones. Late this afternoon, police sent out the numbers to every +bank in the state." + +DeWitt read the news item carefully his eyes glinting with interest. + +"Too bad Albert Potts didn't notify the police several days ago. Rhett +may be half way to the Mexican border by this time." + +"Then you believe he walked off with the bonds?" asked Penny. + +"Looks like it," shrugged the editor. "There's no other suspect. Or if +there is, the police aren't talking. More of those missing bonds may show +up. Jerry, get busy on the telephone!" he called to the reporter who sat +nearby. + +"What's doing?" Jerry inquired, getting up and coming to the desk. + +DeWitt thrust the dispatch into his hand. "Get hold of that Culver City +banker," he instructed. "Find out who turned the bond in, and if the +description fits Rhett." + +Jerry was occupied at the telephone for nearly fifteen minutes. He +returned to report: "The bond was turned in by a woman, and the bank +clerk didn't make a record of her name." + +"Any description?" + +"No, the clerk only remembers that she was a middle-aged woman." + +DeWitt sighed heavily and turned his attention to other matters. Penny +glanced at the clock. It was after six o'clock. Her father, she knew, +would have left the office nearly an hour earlier. She could catch a bus +home, but first a cup of coffee across the street might help to fortify +her until she could enjoy a home-cooked dinner by Mrs. Weems. + +As she started away from the office, Jerry followed her. + +"Going across the way for a bite to eat?" he asked. "Mind if I tag +along?" + +"I wish you would," she replied eagerly. "We can talk about the Rhett +case." + +"Oh, let's bury that until tomorrow. I'd rather talk about a dozen other +subjects--you, for instance." + +"Me?" + +"About that little curl behind your ear. Or the smudge of carbon on the +end of your nose!" + +"Oh! Why didn't you tell me before?" Indignantly, Penny peered at her +reflection in a hand mirror and rubbed vigorously with her handkerchief. + +Outside the _Star_ building, newsboys were shouting their wares. As Penny +and Jerry started to cross the street, one of the lads who had received a +job through the girl's influence, spied the pair. + +Approaching, he flashed a paper in front of their eyes. + +"See this bird who robbed the bank!" he exclaimed, pointing to the +picture of Hamilton Rhett. + +"Tommy, I'm afraid your reading is inaccurate," Penny laughed. "The story +doesn't say Mr. Rhett robbed a bank." + +"He must have done it," the newsboy insisted. "What's the reward for his +capture?" + +"Mr. Rhett is not listed as a criminal," Penny explained. "There is no +reward." + +Tommy's face dropped an inch. + +"What's the matter, son?" asked Jerry. "Figuring on cashing in?" + +"Well, sort of," the boy admitted. "I saw the fellow not an hour ago!" + +"He wasn't robbing another bank?" Jerry teased. + +"He was going into a house on Fulton Street. I didn't take down the +number 'cause when I saw him I didn't think nothin' of it. The Green +Streak wasn't out then, and I hadn't seen his picture in the paper." + +"Fulton Street?" repeated Penny, frowning. "What section?" + +"It was at the corner of Fulton and Cherry. He went into an old +three-story brick building with a sign: 'Rooms for rent--beds thirty +cents.'" + +"Why, Tommy means Riverview's cheapest flop house!" Jerry exclaimed. "I +can't imagine a bank president luxuriating in a Fulton Street dump." + +"All the same, I saw him. He wore old clothes, but it was the same bird." + +"Tommy, you'll grow up to be a police detective some day," Jerry +chuckled. He started to pull Penny along, but she held back. + +"Wait, Jerry, if there should be anything to it--" + +Jerry smiled indulgently. + +"Tell us more about the man you saw," Penny urged Tommy. "How was he +dressed?" + +"He wore old clothes and a floppy black hat. And there was a scar on his +cheek." + +"Jerry, Mr. Rhett had a similar scar!" + +"And so have dozens of other people. Did I ever show you the one I got +when I was a kid? Another boy socked me with a bottle and--" + +"Be serious, Jerry! Tommy, are you sure the man you saw looked like the +picture in the paper?" + +"Cross my heart and hope to die. It was the spitten image! If you catch +him, will you give me a reward?" + +"We'll split fifty-fifty," grinned Jerry, pulling Penny on by brute +force. + +But across the street he met unexpected opposition. Stopping dead in her +tracks, Penny announced: "This is where we part company. I'm going to +investigate that place on Fulton Street!" + +"Say, are you crazy? You can't go to a flop house alone!" + +"That's exactly what I shall do, unless you come with me." + +"It's a waste of time! You know these kids. Tommy read the story, and it +fired his imagination." + +"Maybe so," admitted Penny, unmoved. "All the same, I'm going there to +make certain. How about you?" + +Jerry looked longingly at the restaurant and drew a deep sigh. + +"Okay," he gave in, "I learned years ago that it's no use arguing with a +gal. Lead on, but don't say I didn't warn you!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 10 + _CHEAP LODGING_ + + +Street lights blinked on as Penny and Jerry reached the corner of Fulton +and Cherry Streets, in the poorer section of Riverview. + +"That must be the building," the reporter said, indicating an old, +discolored brick building with a faded sign which proclaimed it a cheap +rooming house of the type patronized by those who could afford only a few +cents for a bed. + +They crossed the street. Penny's courage faltered as she saw that they +must climb a long, dark stairway. Dust was very thick; the air inside was +stuffy. + +"You still can change your mind, you know," said Jerry. "Why not wait +outside, while I go up?" + +Penny shook her head. + +Climbing the stairs, they entered an open space from which branched +narrow corridors. The landing was even dirtier and darker than the +stairway, with a huge pasteboard carton standing in a corner filled with +empty bottles. + +In a little office room, behind a cage window, sat a plump middle-aged +woman with reddish frizzled hair. She eyed the pair suspiciously. To her +experienced eye, their manner and clothing immediately stamped them as +"outsiders," perhaps investigators. She smiled ingratiatingly at Jerry. + +"We're looking for a man," he said briefly. + +"You're from the police, ain't you?" she demanded. "We got nothin' to +hide. My husband and me run a respectable place for poor workin' men." + +"May we see your room register?" + +"Sure. Ever since that last copper was here I been keepin' it just like +he told me I had to do." + +Through the wooden slats of the cage, the woman thrust a grimy notebook +which had been ruled off to provide spaces for names, addresses and date +of registry. + +Rapidly Jerry scanned the entries for several days back. No one by the +name of Rhett had registered, but neither he nor Penny had expected the +banker would be stupid enough to use his real name, if indeed he had come +to such a place. + +As Penny glanced about the dingy, smoke-stained room, it seemed +impossible to her that Mr. Rhett, a man of culture and wealth, would +voluntarily seek such quarters. + +"The man we're looking for is middle-aged," Penny explained. "He wore +glasses and may have been well dressed. We were told he was seen here +earlier tonight." + +"They all look alike to me," the woman said wearily. "Most of my rooms +are empty now. We don't fill up until the coppers start runnin' loiterers +off Cherry Street around ten o'clock. It's still warm enough outside so's +a lot o' the cheap skates can sleep out on the river bank." + +"Isn't anyone here?" inquired Jerry. + +"Maybe one or two men. A fella name of Ben Smith came in about an hour or +two ago. He signed up for one of the flops. Come to think of it, maybe +he's the one you're after. He acted nervous like and I figured maybe he +was dodgin' the police. Another thing, he acted like he was used to +havin' money." + +"Did he have much on him?" + +"I couldn't see, but he paid me with a five dollar bill. And why would a +fella with even that much dough sleep in a flop if he wasn't tryin' to +dodge the cops?" + +"Suppose you describe the man." + +"He was about average height and middle-aged. No glasses, though. He +couldn't have been down and out very long, because he still wore a ring." + +"Describe it, please," requested Penny. + +"It was a gold ring with a picture of a snake on it--some sort of order +probably." + +"The plumed serpent!" exclaimed Penny. "Jerry, perhaps Tommy was right!" + +"Take us to this man," the reporter directed the landlady. + +"How do I know if he's still here? The men come and go and so long as +they're paid up, I don't pay no attention. What's he done anyhow?" + +"Nothing very serious," Jerry replied. "Anyway, we're not from the police +station." + +The woman's pretended friendliness vanished. "Then what you pryin' around +here for?" she demanded. "Who are you anyhow?" + +"We're newspaper reporters." + +"I don't want my name in the paper, and we don't want nothing written +about this place!" + +"Take it easy," Jerry advised. "Your name won't be in the paper. We're +only looking for a man. Now lead us to him." + +"When people take rooms or a bed in this place they got a right to +privacy," the woman argued unpleasantly. "It ain't none o' my business +what folks have done that come here." + +"We want to talk to this man who registered as Smith. Either take us to +him, or we'll have to call in the police. I'm a personal friend of Joe +Grabey, the patrolman on this beat." + +"I was only kiddin'," the woman said hastily. "You can talk to him if +he's here." + +Locking the office door behind her, the woman led the pair down a narrow +corridor with rooms on either side. A door stood open. Penny caught a +glimpse of a cell-like chamber, furnished only with a sagging bed, soiled +blankets, and a rickety dresser. The dingy walls were lined with pegs. + +"Those nails are for hanging up clothes, and symbolize a man's rise in +the world," Jerry pointed out to her. "Men who patronize the flops +usually have only the suit on their backs. But when they make a little +money and get two suits, they need a safe place to keep the extra clothes +during the day. So they rent one of these tiny rooms which can be +locked." + +Leading the way down a dark hall to the very end, the landlady opened a +door. This room with paper-thin walls, sheltered perhaps twenty men, each +cot jammed close to its neighbor. The air was disagreeable with the odor +of strong disinfectant which had been used on the bare wood floor. + +The room now was deserted save for a man in baggy black trousers who sat +on one of the cots, reading a comic magazine. Other beds were made up, +but empty. + +"Is that man Ben Smith?" Penny asked in disappointment, for he bore not +the slightest resemblance to the picture of Mr. Rhett. + +"No, I don't know what became of Smith, if he ain't here," the landlady +answered. She called to the man on the cot. "Jake, seen anyone in here +during the last hour?" + +He shook his head, staring curiously at the intruders. + +To Jerry the woman said: "You'll have to come back later if you want to +see Smith. Maybe after ten o'clock." + +Jerry scribbled his name and telephone number on a sheet of notebook +paper. + +"If he does show up, will you telephone me?" he requested. + +"Oh, sure," the woman replied, her careless tone making it clear she +would never put herself to so much trouble. + +Jerry gave her a five dollar bill. "This should make it worth your +while," he said. "You'll earn another five if we find the man." + +"I'll call you the minute he comes in," the woman promised with more +enthusiasm. + +Penny drew a deep breath as she and Jerry left the building, stepping out +into the cool, sweet air of the street. + +"I still doubt we're trailing the right man," remarked Jerry. "Why would +Hamilton Rhett hole in at a place like this?" + +"It does seem out of the picture. However, we know he wore a serpent ring +at the time of his disappearance." + +"The ring may not be the same. Also, if Rhett had been the victim of +violence, a bum might have stolen it from him." + +"I never thought of that. Should we report what we've learned to the +police?" + +"Not yet," advised Jerry. "Our clue is pretty flimsy. Let's watch and +wait. The landlady may call us, and in any case I'll keep my eye on this +place." + +It now was so late that Penny decided to return home immediately. Bidding +Jerry goodbye at the next corner, she boarded a bus and presently was +slipping quietly into her own home. + +If she had hoped to elude the watchful eye of Mrs. Maud Weems, the +housekeeper, she was doomed to disappointment. + +The plump, kindly lady who had looked after Penny since the death of Mrs. +Parker many years before, had finished the dishes and was sweeping the +kitchen. Fixing the girl with a stern eye, she observed: + +"You're later than ever tonight, Penny. When your father came home nearly +two hours ago, he had no idea what had become of you." + +"Then Dad isn't keeping tab on his employes," chuckled Penny. "I've been +working on a special story for the _Star_." + +"I've heard that one before," sighed the housekeeper. "In fact, I suspect +you charge a great many of your escapades to your work! If I had my way +you would give it up." + +"Oh, Mrs. Weems, don't be cross," Penny pleaded, giving her a squeeze. +"Newspaper work is wonderful! Next time I'll telephone you if I know I'll +be late." + +"Have you had anything to eat?" the housekeeper asked in a softened tone. +"Dinner was over an hour ago." + +"I'll dig up something for myself from the refrigerator. Where's Dad?" + +Even as Penny asked the question, Anthony Parker, a tall, lean man with +graying hair, came to the arched doorway of the kitchen. "Now what's all +this?" he inquired. "Penny off the reservation again?" + +Mrs. Weems made no reply, knowing only too well that in almost any +argument the publisher would support his daughter. Many times, and +without success, she had told him she disapproved of his system of +granting Penny almost unrestricted freedom. + +No one doubted that Mr. Parker was an over-indulgent father, but the +publisher had raised his daughter according to a strict code. He knew +that she had writing talent and a flair for tracking down a story. Only +because she had demonstrated that she could look after herself and think +clearly in an emergency, did he allow her to make most of her own +decisions. + +Now, Penny eagerly poured out an account of her experiences in trying to +get the Rhett story for the _Star_. Mr. Parker, who had read most of it +in the Green Streak edition, listened attentively, offering little +comment other than to say: + +"I met Rhett once at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Not a bad fellow." + +"What was he like?" Penny inquired eagerly. + +"Quiet and rather bored by the meeting. I don't recall that he said a +dozen words during the luncheon." + +"Did he look like a man who would walk off with $250,000 in bonds?" + +"Not that I noticed," commented the publisher dryly. "But then, nobody +can judge character by external appearances." + +Hat in hand, Mr. Parker moved toward the kitchen exit. + +"Are you going back to the _Star_ office?" his daughter asked with alert +interest. + +"No." Mr. Parker edged nearer the door, but Penny blocked the way. + +"Then where are you going, Dad? You're holding out!" + +"Must I give you a schedule of my life?" + +"You're slipping off somewhere, and you don't want me to go!" + +"If you must know, I thought I would drop in at the Gay Nineties, a new +night club that is opening tonight. The proprietor is one of our best +advertisers and he extended a special invitation to attend." + +"Fine!" chuckled Penny. "I'll be with you in five minutes. Just give me +time to wash my face and pull the snarls out of my hair." + +"I was afraid of it," groaned the publisher. "Haven't you any school work +to do?" + +"Nary a bit. Besides, it's Saturday night and I haven't had any dinner. +You can buy me a great big steak with all the trimmings. And perhaps you +will dance with me." + +Mr. Parker gazed helplessly at Mrs. Weems, but the housekeeper did not +come to his rescue. Her shrug indicated that the problem was entirely +his. + +"Well, all right," he gave in. "But I'll warn you now, this is no party. +We'll drop in for an hour or so, then come straight home." + +Penny was off like a shot, bounding upstairs to her room. There was no +time to change her dress, but she freshened up, and was ready by the time +her father had backed the car from the garage. + +The Gay Nineties on Euclid Avenue twinkled with lights, and many persons +in evening dress were entering beneath the bright red street canopy. + +"Looks like all the socialites of the city are here," Penny observed. +"Maybe I should have worn my pearls." + +"Or washed behind your ears," Mr. Parker chuckled, escorting her inside. + +Penny and her father were given one of the best tables in the night club. +Studying the menu, the girl was a trifle alarmed to note the prices. + +"I'm dreadfully hungry too," she declared. "Dad, I hope you're not +intending to charge this outing against my allowance." + +"I know I'd have no chance to collect," he teased. "Just relax and select +whatever you want. I can stand it this time." + +After the order had been given, Penny glanced about the dimly lighted +room. The floor show had not yet started. Everywhere she saw well-to-do +and prominent persons who had turned out for the gala opening. + +Suddenly her attention centered upon a couple who had just entered the +door. The woman wore an obviously new white evening gown, and behind her +came a short, stubby little man. + +"Dad!" she whispered, giving him a kick with the toe of her slipper. "See +that man who just came in?" + +"Where?" he asked, turning his head. + +"He's with the middle-aged woman in white." + +"Oh, yes, who are they?" Mr. Parker commented, only mildly interested. +"No one I know." + +"The man is Albert Potts, secretary to Mr. Rhett at the First National +Bank," Penny replied impressively. "How do you suppose he can afford to +come to such an expensive night club? If you ask me, Dad, it looks odd!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 11 + _THE WOODEN DOLL_ + + +Mr. Parker studied the bank secretary and his wife with more interest. +But he said mildly: + +"I see nothing especially significant in Potts coming here, Penny. The +club is public." + +"It's expensive too. The cover charge is two dollars, and you can't touch +a dinner for less than another four! How can Potts afford to pay such +prices?" + +"He may earn a good salary working for Mr. Rhett--probably does. Anyway, +folks don't always spend their money wisely, even if they have very +little of it." + +Potts and his wife swept past the Parker table without noticing Penny or +her father. A trifle self-consciously, as if unaccustomed to appearing in +such places, they sat down and studied the menu with concentrated +interest. + +Penny tried but could not keep her eyes from the pair. + +"Dad, I wonder if Potts has any more information about Mr. Rhett's +disappearance," she presently remarked. "I have a notion to go over there +and ask him." + +Mr. Parker nodded absently, so Penny started across the room. She was +only midway to Potts' table, when the bank secretary raised his eyes and +saw her approaching. + +A startled, almost dismayed expression came upon his face. He spoke +hurriedly to his wife. She looked puzzled, but both arose and walked +quickly toward the exit. + +Penny started to follow, then thought better of it. + +"Mr. Potts knows I'm a reporter," she reflected. "Probably he doesn't +care to be annoyed by having to answer questions. On the other hand, is +it possible he doesn't want to be recognized in this night club?" + +Mr. and Mrs. Potts obtained their wraps at the checkroom and left the +building. Somewhat crestfallen, Penny returned to her own table to find +her father chatting with acquaintances. + +Under the circumstance, she had no opportunity to speak of Mr. Potts' +queer behavior. Soon, dinners were brought and after that the floor show +began. + +Not wishing to keep his daughter out late, Mr. Parker insisted that they +leave in the middle of the entertainment. However, the drive home gave +Penny time to tell him about the bank secretary. The incident did not +seem to impress her father greatly. + +"If I were you I wouldn't pester Potts too much," he advised. "He +probably doesn't enjoy being the center of public attention." + +Penny slept late the next morning, and because it was Sunday, did not +visit the _Star_ office. The paper that day was voluminous. But in going +through it she could find no new facts about the Rhett case. No word had +been received from the missing banker; there had been no ransom demand +received; and neither had Albert Potts nor Mrs. Rhett shed the slightest +light on what might have become of him. + +After breakfast, Penny telephoned Jerry Livingston to inquire if he had +heard from the Cherry Street landlady. + +"Not a word," he reported. "I dropped back there late last night, but the +man we're looking for apparently never returned." + +Disappointed that the case had reached a dead end, Penny next telephoned +the Rhett home. No one answered. + +"I'm certain someone is there," she thought. "Mrs. Rhett probably has +given orders not to answer the phone." + +At a loss to know what to do, Penny spent the morning at home, had +dinner, then went down the street to see Louise Sidell. However, her chum +had gone to visit an aunt for the day. + +"What miserable luck!" Penny muttered. "No one with whom I can talk over +the Rhett case! Nothing to do!" + +Suddenly it dawned upon her, that she might call on Albert Potts at his +home, and perhaps induce him to reveal a few helpful facts about the +missing banker. + +From a telephone book she obtained the secretary's address. Thirty +minutes later found her standing before a modest cottage on Berdan +Avenue. In response to her knock, the same woman Penny had seen the +previous night at the Gay Nineties, came to the door. Now she looked very +plain and frowsy in a messy housedress, and her hair hung in untidy +streamers. + +The woman stared at Penny without recognition. + +"Is Mr. Potts here?" the girl inquired. + +"No, he's not," Mrs. Potts answered without cordiality, her voice coarse +and unattractive. "Anything I can do?" + +"I wanted to talk to him. Will he return soon?" Penny moved inside the +door. + +"When he goes off, I never know when he'll get back. He went to the bank, +I guess." + +"On Sunday?" + +"Al's had a lot of work lately. I tell him he ought to let up. He's +getting so jumpy he doesn't sleep at nights. Just tosses and keeps me +awake." + +Before Penny could ask another question, a boy of ten, who had Albert +Potts' sharp features, came racing across the yard up to the door. + +"Has the bicycle come yet, Ma?" he shouted. + +"No, it hasn't, and I wish you'd quit pestering me!" she snapped. "There +won't be any deliveries today." + +To Penny, the woman explained: "My husband bought Eddie a new bicycle and +he won't give us any peace until it comes. Deliveries take such a long +time these days. None of the things we bought have come yet." + +Penny did not mean to be inquisitive, but instantly it struck her as +unusual that the Potts' family should be indulging in a sudden orgy of +spending. Nor had she forgotten the couple's hasty departure from the Gay +Nineties club. + +"Eddie is getting quite a few new things, I take it," she observed +casually. + +The woman became more friendly. "Oh, yes, my husband ordered a trapeze +set for him, and an electric train. But he bought me a lot too! A new +piano and a living room rug. We have a new refrigerator on order, a +vacuum cleaner and a bedroom suite!" + +"Imagine!" exclaimed Penny. "Your husband must have come into a small +fortune." + +"He was given a raise last week at the bank. I don't know exactly how +much, but it must have been a big one, because Al says we'll have enough +now for everything we need." + +"I think I've seen you before, Mrs. Potts," Penny remarked, seeking +additional information. "Weren't you at the Gay Nineties last night?" + +"Yes, we were! But we didn't stay long. Before we had ordered our dinner, +my husband remembered an important appointment he had made. We had to +leave suddenly. It was awfully disappointing. I never went to a night +club before and I wanted to see the show!" + +Mrs. Potts paused, obviously waiting for Penny to leave. "I'll tell my +husband you called," she said. "You didn't give me your name." + +Edging out of the door, Penny pretended not to hear the latter remark. +Calling over her shoulder that she would try to see Mr. Potts at the bank +next day, she retreated before the woman could learn her identity. + +Walking toward the bus stop, the girl reflected upon what she had +learned. The financial good fortune of the Potts' family was very +puzzling. Apparently the bank secretary's salary had been increased since +the disappearance of his employer, Mr. Rhett. + +"It seems a queer time to raise the man," she mused. "If his duties have +become so much heavier, I suppose the bank board may have granted a +compensating wage increase. But it must have been an enormous one to +enable him to buy everything in the stores!" + +As Penny waited at the street corner for a home-bound bus, she saw one +approaching which was headed for the outlying section near the Rhett +estate area. Impulsively, she decided to go there to see Lorinda. + +"I may not get into the house," she thought. "My luck is running badly +today. Anyway, I'll give it a try." + +It was nearly four o'clock by the time Penny alighted from the bus and +walked to the Rhett estate. Her heart sank as she noticed that curtains +were drawn in nearly all of the front windows of the house. + +"No one here," she thought. "Lorinda and her mother may have left town to +escape questioning by reporters and the police." + +Because she had come so far, she knocked on the front door. No one came. +Giving it up, she wandered around the house, into the garden. + +Curiously she gazed toward the thatched roof cottage, wondering if anyone +were there. The whispered warning she and Salt had heard the previous +day, remained unexplained. She longed to investigate, yet hesitated to +trespass. + +As she debated, Penny observed a small column of black smoke rising from +amid the shrubbery. Someone apparently had built a bonfire on the beach. + +Seeking the steps which led down to the river, Penny presently saw that +her guess was correct. A small fire of driftwood had been built on the +sands. Lorinda, in slacks and an old sweater, was so engrossed in feeding +the flames that she did not hear when her name was called. + +Descending the steps, Penny hastened to the beach to join the Rhett girl. +Lorinda did not hear the approaching footsteps. Deeply absorbed in what +she was doing, she stirred the flames with a stick until they leaped +merrily. + +Then, from a paper sack she withdrew a queer wooden object which even +from the distance Penny could see was a doll. Its body appeared to be +tightly wound with scarlet thread. + +Lorinda held the doll gingerly in her fingers. She stared at it a moment, +shuddered, and then with a gesture of abhorrence, hurled it into the +crackling flames. + + + + + CHAPTER + 12 + _SUPERSTITION_ + + +Penny quickened her step. "Lorinda!" she called again. + +The girl at the bonfire whirled around. Seeing Penny, she gave the wooden +doll a shove with the toe of her shoe, trying to bury it beneath a pile +of burning wood. + +Penny was not to be so easily deceived. Reaching the fire, she asked +directly: "Lorinda, what in the world are you doing?" + +"Why, nothing." + +"You're burning something you don't want me to see!" + +"It's nothing. Just an old doll." + +The wooden object had not yet caught fire, and Penny could still see it +plainly. + +"Why, it's an effigy doll!" she exclaimed, then observing the face +clearly, she added in a shocked voice: "A likeness of your mother!" + +The scarlet string around the doll's body caught fire, and soon tongues +of flame began to consume the wood. Only then did Lorinda speak. + +"Now it is destroyed! But I cannot so easily destroy the evil that +threatens my mother!" + +"Why, Lorinda! What do you mean? Why are you burning this doll?" + +Lorinda sank down on the sand, her eyes upon the fire. "I hadn't intended +anyone to know. You swear you will never tell Mother?" + +"Of course not." + +"I found this doll in a downstairs coat closet. You saw for yourself that +it was an effigy of Mother and that it was wrapped with string?" + +"Yes, but I fail to understand its significance." + +"That scarlet wool string is known as a life-thread. Each day a little of +the thread is unwound until finally it all is gone. Then the person +dies." + +"Not your mother, Lorinda! Surely, you don't believe such a crazy +superstition!" + +"I don't," Lorinda answered, her voice barely above a whisper. "_But +Mother will_ if she learns about the doll. That is why she will die, +unless I can do something to break the spell." + +To Penny the words seemed fantastic, but she realized Lorinda was deadly +in earnest and convinced that she was speaking the truth. + +"Let's get to the bottom of this, Lorinda. How did the doll come into the +house?" + +"I only wish I knew. Obviously, it was brought by someone who hates my +mother. The doll was carved in her image, and no doubt deadly _basiko_ +and _dayama_ incantations were chanted as the string was wrapped tightly +about the body." + +"Who told you all this lingo?" Penny demanded suspiciously. "Your +stepfather?" + +"I learned a little of it from him," Lorinda admitted, "but most of my +knowledge came from Celeste and Anton." + +"Superstitious natives!" + +"Laugh if you like, but this form of dark magic which is practiced in the +jungles, is a sort of hypnotism. The victim weakens and dies because he +_believes that he is doomed_." + +"Then the antidote is simple. Just don't put any stock in such rot." + +"Easily said, but the victim _always believes_." + +"You think your mother will put faith in all this?" Penny scoffed. + +Lorinda gave her a strange look. "I know she will, if she learns about +the doll. That's why I'm burning it." + +"A very sensible act. The doll is destroyed. We'll keep this strictly to +ourselves, and the spell is broken!" + +"You make it sound very easy." + +"Your mother hasn't seen the doll?" + +"No, I only found it a few minutes ago." + +"Then she'll never hear about it. Haven't you any theory as to how the +effigy got into the house?" + +"No," Lorinda replied, after a slight hesitation. + +"Would your stepfather have had a hand in it?" + +"Oh, I don't think so! It would be such a vicious, wicked thing to do!" + +"He and your mother always got on well together?" + +"No, they had frequent disagreements," Lorinda admitted, squirming +uncomfortably. "All the same, my stepfather was not a cruel man." + +"Do you have utter confidence in Anton and Celeste?" + +"They have been fairly efficient servants. Mother always has treated them +well. What reason could they have for hating her?" + +"I'm sure I can't see any. Yet someone brought the doll into the house +after carving it in your mother's image." Penny thought a moment, and +then asked: "Could the Zudi drum have anything to do with it?" + +"That angle occurred to me," Lorinda nodded. "From the first, I've been +afraid that natives would trail my stepfather here and try to revenge +themselves upon him for taking the drum." + +"Celeste and Anton are not members of the Zudi cult?" + +"No, else they never would have aided my stepfather in acquiring the +drum. I understand he never would have heard of it if Celeste hadn't told +him of its existence." + +"It's all a queer puzzle," Penny commented. "While I suppose it's +possible natives could have followed your father to America and now seek +revenge upon his wife, such a theory doesn't quite ring the gong." + +"Celeste thinks we should get rid of the Zudi drum. Unless we do, she's +convinced Mother will die a slow lingering death." + +"Celeste seems to have implanted quite a few ideas in your mind," Penny +observed dryly. "If you ask me, I should say she's a sinister influence +on the household." + +"Oh, Celeste means no harm. And the last few days since my stepfather +disappeared, she's been very devoted to Mother, waiting on her as if she +were a baby." + +"Your mother must be terribly worried. You've heard nothing from your +stepfather?" + +"Not a word. Mother cries half the time, and this morning she refused to +leave her room. Even now I'm afraid she is ill." + +"Now Lorinda!" reproved Penny. "I'm afraid you're the one who has become +hypnotized by that doll!" + +"I hope it's just that I'm silly, and that there's nothing to it. But I'm +afraid--terribly afraid." + +Penny picked up a stick and poked the dying embers. She could find only a +charred piece of the doll left on the fire. Flames soon consumed it. + +"There, it's gone!" she exclaimed. "Take my advice, Lorinda, and forget +this entire incident. Don't tell your mother, Celeste, or anyone." + +Lorinda scrambled up, brushing sand from her slacks. + +"All right, I'll do as you say," she agreed. "This shall be our secret. +At any rate, by burning the doll, I should have put an end to its evil." + +Extinguishing the few remaining flames by covering them with sand, the +girls slowly climbed the steps. Penny inquired whether or not the police +had called at the mansion. Lorinda told her that they had spent nearly +two hours questioning Mrs. Rhett. + +"By the way," Penny remarked as they approached the house, "do you know +Albert Potts?" + +"My stepfather's secretary? I've met him a few times. Why?" + +"He was quite a favorite with your stepfather, I suppose?" + +"A favorite?" Lorinda chuckled. "On the contrary, he couldn't stand him! +Potts was always at his elbow, trying to tell him what to do, and what +not to do. In his way he was efficient--too efficient, if you know what I +mean." + +"I do," agreed Penny. "That was why I was surprised to learn he had been +granted a substantial salary increase after your stepfather disappeared." + +Lorinda turned her head quickly. "A pay raise? By the board, you mean?" + +"I don't know who gave it to him." + +"I can't imagine anyone giving old Potts a raise, certainly not the +board. The members meet only once a month, on the fifteenth. Of course, +it's possible a special session was called because of my stepfather's +absence." + +"That may have happened," agreed Penny. "At any rate, Mr. Potts seemingly +has come into money." + +Rounding a twist in the path, the girls came within view of the mansion +terrace where Mrs. Rhett, in white, reclined. + +"Why, Mother is downstairs!" Lorinda exclaimed in surprise. + +The woman did not see the girls until they were very close. But as they +reached the terrace, she raised her eyes, and smiled in a brief, sad +manner. Penny instantly noted the pallor of her face. + +"I appreciate your efforts, Lorinda," she said before either of the girls +spoke. "But it is useless." + +"What is useless, Mother?" inquired her daughter. + +"I saw smoke rising from your fire on the beach." + +Lorinda glanced quickly at Penny, laughed nervously and said: "Oh, that! +I was burning a little driftwood." + +Mrs. Rhett held her daughter's eyes in a steady, knowing gaze. + +"It is useless to try to deceive me," she said quietly. "I know you +burned the doll." + +"Whatever gave you such an idea, Mother?" + +"I know," replied the woman with quiet finality. "First the burnt match +ends and now the doll! My life thread is reaching its end, and I shall +slowly weaken and die." + + + + + CHAPTER + 13 + _MISSING FROM THE CHEST_ + + +"Mother, how did you learn about the wooden doll?" Lorinda gasped. "And +where did you get such a crazy idea that you will weaken and die?" + +"I have known it ever since my husband went away." + +"But that's impossible!" cried Lorinda, fairly beside herself with +anxiety. "I'm sure the doll wasn't in the house until today. Someone is +putting these notions in your head! Is it Celeste?" + +"Celeste is doing her best to help, but there is nothing she can do," +Mrs. Rhett said sadly. + +"Mother, snap out of this! You're worried about Father and it has made +you morbid. Nothing will happen to you. The doll has been destroyed, and +in any case, we know it's only a stupid effigy." + +Dropping her head wearily on the chair back, Mrs. Rhett smiled and said +nothing. Closing her eyes, she relaxed for a moment. Penny and Lorinda +thought she might be dropping off to sleep, so they moved quietly away. + +Mrs. Rhett's eyes opened then and she said: "Oh, Lorinda!" + +"Yes, Mother." + +"There's something I wish to mention--about my will." + +"Your will?" the girl repeated with distaste. "Why talk about that--now +of all times!" + +"There may be no better time," Mrs. Rhett said. "As you know, my will is +kept in the safe. It leaves this house and nearly all of my property to +Hamilton." + +"Let's not talk about it," Lorinda pleaded nervously. "At the time you +made the will, we decided it was very fair." + +"I thought so then, because you have substantial income in your own name. +Hamilton, on the other hand, has nothing--scarcely a penny except his +salary at the bank." + +"You were right in leaving money to him, Mother. I never objected." + +"The situation has changed now," Mrs. Rhett continued. "My husband may +never return. If I should die suddenly, the estate would be left to him, +but he might not appear to claim it. To my knowledge, he has no +relatives. It could all become an awkward legal muddle." + +"You certainly are borrowing trouble, Mother! Father will be found, and +everything will be the same as before." + +"I wish I could think so, Lorinda." + +"Forget about the will." + +Mrs. Rhett shook her head. "I think I shall change it. And soon. However, +at this moment, I don't know how I wish to dispose of some of my +property. Nearly everything I own is tied up in real estate." + +The woman arose, and remarking that she had a severe headache, started +into the house. + +"I'll lie down for a little while," she murmured. "I feel so weak and +tired." + +Lorinda waited until her mother was well beyond hearing. Then she turned +to Penny with stricken eyes. + +"You heard what she said! She must have learned about that hideous doll +from Celeste!" + +"But how did Celeste know of it? You told her?" + +"Oh, no! But Celeste has a way of knowing everything that goes on in this +household. What ought I to do?" + +"If I were in your place I would get rid of Celeste and Anton. Send them +packing!" + +The suggestion seemed almost shocking to Lorinda. + +"Oh, I couldn't do that," she answered. "In the first place, my +stepfather would be furious if he returned and found them gone. Secondly, +I doubt that they would go on my orders. They're very independent." + +"Then I don't see what you can do." + +"If only my stepfather were here! Unless he returns soon I'm afraid +something dreadful will happen to Mother. Did she look well to you?" + +"Well--" Penny hesitated, and then said truthfully: "She seemed pale and +listless. But one can understand that, considering what she has been +through." + +"I heard her give orders about her food this morning. She told Celeste +she would have trays served in her room, and _no food is to be cooked +with salt_." + +"Is that especially significant?" + +"My stepfather once told me natives who believe a hex or _ouange_ have +been put on them are afraid to eat salted food. The salt is supposed to +turn to poison in their bodies!" + +Penny would have laughed had the matter not been so serious. + +"Lorinda, you're as superstitious as a little savage!" + +"I don't believe such a thing myself," the girl denied. "But Mother +apparently does. She always was afraid of everything remotely connected +with cult practices. She never wanted my stepfather to have books on the +subject in the library, yet recently I saw her reading them." + +"You said they disagreed about his interest in ancient cult practices?" + +"Yes," Lorinda admitted. "Otherwise they got on quite well together. +Perhaps I shouldn't tell you this, but two days before he went away, they +had a violent disagreement. Mother wanted to discharge Anton and Celeste, +and he refused. Then on the last day my stepfather was seen, Mother went +to the bank to talk to him. She never told me what happened there." + +"According to Albert Potts, they had another quarrel." + +"I shouldn't wonder," Lorinda sighed. "And now Mother's attitude toward +Celeste is so changed--she actually clings to her. Oh dear, it's all so +upsetting." + +"You're trying to take too much upon your shoulders," Penny said kindly. + +Conversation lagged. Lorinda could not throw aside the deep mood of +depression which possessed her. Penny knew she no longer had an excuse to +linger, yet she was unwilling to leave without asking a few questions +about the thatched roof cottage. + +"Lorinda, why did you try to keep me from visiting it the other day?" she +inquired. + +"Well, I didn't know you then. My stepfather's trophies all are kept in +the cottage, and I didn't want anyone prying about." + +"Then actually it's not a place of evil?" + +Lorinda hesitated and answered indirectly: "I almost never go to the +cottage myself. Once I was badly frightened there--it was nothing--but +for a silly reason, I've always dreaded going back." + +"You didn't by chance hear whispering from within the walls?" + +Lorinda gave her companion a quick, startled look. "Why do you ask, +Penny?" + +"Because I visited the cottage yesterday with Salt Sommers. We distinctly +heard a voice which seemed to come from the wall itself. When we went +outside to investigate, the door slammed shut and locked." + +"It has an automatic catch," Lorinda explained. "I never heard voices +there, but I had a strange feeling when I was in the room--as if the +walls had eyes and I was being watched." + +"The cottage always is kept locked?" Penny inquired. + +"Yes, my stepfather's trophies are valuable, and we can't risk having +them stolen. How did you get inside?" + +Penny had the grace to blush. "Well, to make a long story short, we went +in through the window," she admitted. "It was a dreadful thing to do, and +I'm heartily ashamed." + +"I don't blame you," Lorinda laughed. "Naturally you were curious after I +tried so hard to keep you away. Would you like to see the cottage again?" + +"Indeed, yes!" + +"I'll get the key," Lorinda offered. + +She vanished into the house and was gone so long that Penny wondered what +could be delaying the girl. When she finally appeared on the veranda, her +face was as dark as a rain cloud. + +"The key is gone!" she exclaimed. "It's always been kept in the top +drawer of the dresser in my stepfather's room. I couldn't find it +anywhere." + +"Perhaps he took it with him that last day he went to the bank," +suggested Penny. + +"Possibly," agreed Lorinda, though without conviction. "I hope nothing +has been stolen from the cottage." + +Alarmed at being unable to find the key, the girls walked hurriedly along +the wooded path to the trophy house. From afar, Lorinda saw that the door +was open a tiny crack. + +"Either the place has been ransacked, or someone is there now!" she +declared excitedly. + +They approached swiftly but with noiseless tread. Lorinda suddenly flung +open the cottage door. + +The room was deserted. Trophies were exactly as Penny had seen them the +previous day. + +"That's funny," Lorinda commented, entering, "I was certain I'd find +someone here. Perhaps you and your friend failed to lock the door after +you left yesterday." + +"It locked itself. We tried it, and couldn't get in. Anyway, even if we +had left the door open, that still leaves the question of what became of +the missing key." + +Lorinda nodded thoughtfully as her gaze swept the room. + +"Everything seems to be here," she remarked. + +"What does the chest contain?" Penny inquired curiously. "Salt and I +wanted to peek inside yesterday, but didn't have a chance." + +"I'll show you," Lorinda offered. + +Pulling out the chest, she raised the lid. The top compartment tray was +empty. Looking a trifle puzzled, Lorinda jerked it from the wooden +container. The lower section of the chest also was empty. + +"Why, everything is gone!" she cried. "My stepfather kept an altar cloth, +a feathered head dress, two carved knives, several rattles, and I don't +know what all in this chest! They've been stolen!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 14 + _STORM WARNINGS_ + + +Penny dropped down on her knees beside Lorinda, peering into the empty +wooden box. + +"I hope you don't think Salt and I took anything when we were here," she +murmured uncomfortably. "We never even opened the chest." + +"Of course I know you didn't," Lorinda replied. "Such a thought never +entered my mind. But it's disturbing to know these things are gone. Why +weren't the other trophies taken also?" + +"Possibly, because the person who stole them thought the objects inside +the chest would not be so quickly missed." + +Lorinda nodded as if in agreement, and closed the chest. As she +straightened up, a tense, strained expression came over her face, and she +stiffened. + +"Listen!" she whispered. + +From behind the walls of the house came a muffled dum--dum--dum of a +drum. Even as the girls tensely listened, the sound died away. + +"Could this cottage have a secret panel?" Penny asked in an excited +voice. + +"I don't think so." Badly frightened, Lorinda tried not to show it. "At +least I never heard of one." + +Penny began tapping the walls, none of which gave off a hollow sound. The +section by the fireplace appeared somewhat thicker than the others. +However, if it contained a moveable panel, she could not locate it. + +Her gaze fell upon the cocoanut shell lamp, its bowl nearly exhausted of +oil. + +"Lorinda," she inquired, "is this room usually lighted?" + +"Why, no." + +"When Salt and I were here, we saw the cocoanut shell lamp burning. A +little oil is left in it now." + +"I can't imagine how it came to be there," Lorinda said in a hushed +voice. "My stepfather may have filled it long ago, but he certainly never +spoke of it." + +Hurriedly the girls left the cottage, closing the door tightly behind +them. Lorinda tested it twice to make certain the lock had caught. + +"The sound of those drums--" she murmured. "Penny, did I imagine it?" + +"I assure you, you didn't. I heard them too." + +"Then the sound came from the beach," Lorinda declared firmly. "It +couldn't have been otherwise. No one is anywhere around here." + +"Let's go to the beach and look around," Penny proposed. + +Almost at a run, they cut across the garden to the steps which led to the +river's edge. Reaching the beach they paused to listen. No sound of drums +could be heard and no one was in sight. + +"It couldn't have come from here," Penny said. "Lorinda, that drumming +definitely was tied up with the cottage." + +"But the sound was muffled and far away." + +"The cottage may have a passageway connection." + +"I never heard of such a thing." + +"How long ago was the cottage built, Lorinda?" + +"The summer after Mother and my stepfather were married. I remember, +Mother and I went away for a month to visit a cousin. When we returned, +the cottage was finished. My stepfather ordered it done while we were +away. Mother didn't like it one bit." + +"Then you actually weren't here when the cottage was built? For all you +know, a secret passageway or false panels in the walls, may have been put +in?" + +"I suppose it could have been done," Lorinda admitted reluctantly. + +"Who would know about the cottage except your stepfather? Did you learn +the builder's name?" + +"I'm not sure there was one. I think my stepfather and Anton did most of +the work themselves." + +"Let's talk to Anton," suggested Penny. "Perhaps he can shed light on the +mystery of those whispering, drum-pounding walls!" + +Anton, however, was nowhere to be found. After searching for him in the +house and on the grounds, the girls abandoned the search. + +By this time it was growing late, so Penny regretfully bade her friend +goodbye, and returned home. + +Try as she would, she could not forget the strange events of the +afternoon, nor Mrs. Rhett's obsession that she would have a long and +fatal illness. + +"Even now that woman is mentally ill," she thought. "I do hope Lorinda +calls in a doctor without delay." + +Although removed from the depressing mansion atmosphere, Penny found it +impossible to forget the effigy and the conviction Lorinda had of its +powers. + +"Dad," she said abruptly that night when dinner was over. "Do you believe +in black magic?" + +"I don't believe in any kind of magic, black, red, pink or green," he +answered absently. "What's on your mind now?" + +Penny told him of her adventure at the Rhett estate. She confidently +expected her father to make light of the entire affair, but to her +surprise he listened with flattering attention and asked many questions. + +"It's fantastic!" he exclaimed when she finished. "Utterly fantastic! Yet +I've read of cases where natives have been taken ill and although doctors +declared not a thing was the matter with them, they weakened and died. Is +Mrs. Rhett an hysterical type of woman?" + +"Yes, I think so." + +"Then she may be in real danger! Obviously, something underhanded is +going on at the mansion!" + +Pulling himself out of a comfortable chair, Mr. Parker went to the hall +closet for his hat, coat and cane. + +"You're not going to the police station, are you, Dad?" + +"No, I want to talk this over first with a man of my acquaintance who is +better versed in cult practices and superstitions than anyone I know. +He's Professor Kennedy of Riverview College. He spent many years in +Africa, Egypt and along the Amazon river." + +"May I go with you, Dad?" + +"Come along," he invited. "You know all the facts, and I may get them +mixed up." + +Twenty minutes later Penny and her father were in the cozy study of +Professor James Kennedy on Braemer Drive. An elderly man with a very soft +voice, he greeted the Parkers cordially and displayed keen interest as +they revealed the purpose of their call. + +"I once met Mr. Rhett at a dinner party," Professor Kennedy remarked. "He +is a highly intelligent gentleman and we had a very animated +conversation." + +"Did Rhett impress you as a man who might dabble in black magic practice +to gain his ends?" Mr. Parker inquired. + +Professor Kennedy dropped a log on the fire before he answered. +Considering his words carefully, he said: + +"Undoubtedly, Mr. Rhett would have the knowledge, but he struck me as a +man of unusual character. Suppose you explain more fully what you have in +mind." + +Professor Kennedy listened soberly as Penny recounted her many +observations while at the Rhett mansion. He frowned slightly as she told +how Mrs. Rhett had found the burnt match ends tied with scarlet string. +When she disclosed how Lorinda and she destroyed the wooden doll, he no +longer could remain silent. + +"Indeed, you are correct in thinking someone may be trying to practice a +little jungle magic!" he exclaimed. "Mrs. Rhett may be in grave danger +unless we take counter-measures." + +"But why should anyone seek to harm her?" Penny inquired. "You don't +think she'll actually be physically hurt?" + +"Her mind will be influenced--poisoned," the professor explained. "Oh, I +don't mean a drug will be used, but there are subtle and just as +effective ways. Now those burned match ends and the doll are only +symbols, harmless in themselves, yet they are a means by which Mrs. Rhett +may be made seriously ill." + +"Merely by the use of suggestion?" + +"Yes." + +"But it's all such nonsense!" Penny protested. + +"To you--yes. But not to Mrs. Rhett. Tell me, does she know that the doll +existed?" + +"Yes, she learned about it--probably from Anton or Celeste." + +The professor nodded. "The intended victim _always knows_," he declared. +"By one means or another he is informed through those who seek his ruin. +To be effective, the person must fear the mumbo-jumbo hocus-pocus." + +"Mrs. Rhett does fear it," Penny confirmed. "What's worse, she already +believes herself marked for long illness. She actually looked ill today." + +"She is mentally sick, and the symptoms will develop, unless +counter-measures quickly are adopted." + +"What do you advise, Professor?" asked Mr. Parker. "Perhaps if Mrs. Rhett +were sent away from Riverview for a short while--" + +"It would be of no avail, for the basic belief that she is ill would +remain in her mind. No, this thing, must be plucked out at the root. The +doll has been burned. That is good! Now the one who seeks to will this +sickness upon Mrs. Rhett must be found and confronted with his crime." + +"We don't know who is behind it," said Mr. Parker. + +"I read in the papers Mr. Rhett has vanished. However, I wonder, is it +not possible he actually is still in Riverview?" + +"But you said yourself, Mr. Rhett doesn't appear the type of man to do +such a ghastly thing," broke in Mr. Parker. + +"So I did, but we dare not close our eyes to such a possibility. I +believe you mentioned two servants, Anton and Celeste, who also are +versed in cult practices, no doubt." + +"Celeste is the one I suspect!" cried Penny. "But she has no good reason +for hating Mrs. Rhett who seemingly always has been kind to her." + +"Regardless, my advice is that the two servants be watched closely. And +when the guilty person is found, as he must be, ordinary threats or +punishments are likely to prove useless in dealing with him. He must be +fought with his own superstitious weapons." + +Mr. Parker and Penny talked on and on with the professor whose discussion +of the effects of auto-suggestion only served to heighten their anxiety +regarding Mrs. Rhett. When they left the house at midnight, Penny was +deeply depressed. + +"It's all very well for the professor to say 'find the guilty party and +fight him with his own weapons,'" she declared, "but how can we do it? In +the first place, Lorinda is our only contact with the Rhett household." + +"Secondly, we're not gifted in all this hocus-pocus. It's a case for the +police," added her father. + +"But we have no proof of anything," Penny pointed out. + +"True," agreed her father. "I may talk to the police chief about it. +Meanwhile, we're interested in keeping abreast of developments for the +_Star_. If you're sent out there again, be watchfully alert, but say +nothing to Lorinda or anyone else about your suspicions. The case could +take an ugly turn. In that event, I don't want you involved." + +"It's fun working on the story, Dad. But I also want to help Lorinda and +especially her mother." + +Penny realized her father had given excellent advice, and made up her +mind to follow it. She became thoughtfully silent as they motored home. + +"Wonder what the news is tonight?" Mr. Parker remarked, halting the car +at a street corner to buy a newspaper. + +Glaring headlines occupied the front page. Mr. Parker's first thought was +that the missing banker had been found. He snapped on the interior car +light to read the banner. + +His stunned silence as he stared at it, caused Penny to peer over his +shoulder. The lead story was not about Mr. Rhett's mysterious +disappearance. Instead, the bold black type proclaimed: + +"STORM WARNINGS POSTED. RIVERVIEW BELIEVED TO BE IN PATH OF APPROACHING +HURRICANE!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 15 + _MRS. RHETT'S ILLNESS_ + + +News that a violent storm was sweeping toward Riverview held the front +pages throughout Monday, and became almost the only topic of conversation +on the streets. + +Skies remained sunny, however, and presently fears were somewhat quieted +by national wire service reports that the hurricane was believed to be +veering eastward. Government observers now were quoted as predicting only +the edge of the hurricane would strike the coast, and inland states might +escape unscathed. + +Accordingly, business went on much the same as usual. Lulled by the +knowledge that never in the history of Riverview had a hurricane struck, +the citizens now and then glanced at the falling barometer, but otherwise +gave the matter little thought. + +Although the disappearance of Hamilton Rhett had been crowded completely +from the front pages, Penny did not lose interest in the case. Twice she +telephoned the mansion, only to receive no response. She did not visit +the estate, for Editor DeWitt kept her busy with special assignments. + +After school Tuesday, Penny was sent to the Hanover Steamship Co. offices +to interview a tugboat captain. Enroute she ran into Louise Sidell. Her +chum regarded her accusingly. + +"A great pal you turned out to be, Penny Parker! Remember--you left me +standing at the door of the First National." + +"I'm terribly sorry, Lou," Penny apologized. "I was inside much longer +than I expected to be and when I came out, you were gone." + +"You never even telephoned to tell me what happened, you egg! I read all +about it in the papers." + +"You may have read part of the story, but not all," Penny corrected. "I +called for you on Sunday when you were out, and since then I've been +busier than a hop toad. Right now I'm on my way to the steamship office. +Want to come along?" + +"I suppose it's the only way I'll get any information out of you," Louise +grumbled, falling into step. + +As they walked toward the docks, she asked leading questions and, by the +time they reached the steamship offices, had gleaned most of the story. + +"So you believe Mr. Rhett may be somewhere in Riverview?" she mused. + +"Jerry and I thought so at first, but we've nearly abandoned the idea. +The only clue we uncovered led to a dead end." + +Pausing near the tugboat office, the girls stood for a moment watching +waves pound against the docks. A chill, persistent wind had sprung up +which penetrated their light clothing. + +"B-r! It's getting colder!" Louise shivered, huddling close to Penny. +"Maybe that storm the newspapers predicted is heading in this direction +after all!" + +Entering the tugboat office, the girls sought Captain Dolphin. The genial +old fellow had been interviewed so many times that he knew the story of +his life almost by heart and recited it with great gusto. Penny took a +few notes and arose to leave. + +"What do you think of the weather, captain?" she inquired casually. + +His answer surprised her. "We don't like the look of 'er here," he said, +frowning. "Barometer's been falling all day. I'm callin' in all my tugs +off the river." + +"Then you believe the storm actually may strike here?" + +"We're not takin' any chances," replied the captain. "Once when I was a +young twirp shippin' on a freighter, a hurricane struck us off the +Florida Keys. We made port, but it was by the skin of a shark's tooth! +Never want to see another storm like that one!" + +Penny pocketed her notebook, and the girls went outside into the rising +wind. More conscious now of its icy bite, they huddled for a moment in +the shelter of the office doorway. + +Only a few doors away stood the Hartmann Steamship Company offices, whose +large river boats plied up the Coast and on to distant world ports. + +Through the plate glass window of the ticket office, Penny's attention +was attracted to a slightly stooped man in rumpled clothing who was +talking to the man in charge. He turned slightly, and as she saw his +profile, she was struck by his remarkable resemblance to the newspaper +photograph of Hamilton Rhett. + +"Lou, see that man in the ticket office!" she exclaimed. "Doesn't he look +like the missing banker?" + +Louise studied the stranger a moment and replied: "How should I know? +I've never seen him." + +"Surely you saw the picture the _Star_ published!" + +"Yes, but I didn't pay much attention." + +The man now was leaving the ticket office. Impulsively, Penny stepped +forward to intercept him. "I beg your pardon--" she began. + +Alert, wary eyes bore into her own as the stranger gazed straight at her +for an instant. He said nothing, waiting for her to continue. + +"Aren't you Hamilton Rhett?" Penny asked, deciding to make a direct +approach. + +"No, you are mistaken," the man replied. + +Pushing past Penny, he went hurriedly on down the street. + +"You see!" commented Louise. "That's what you get for jumping to such +rash conclusions!" + +Penny, however, was far from convinced that she had made a mistake. + +"If that man wasn't Mr. Rhett, it was his double! Lou, did you notice if +he wore a serpent ring?" + +"He kept both hands in his pockets." + +"That's so, he did!" agreed Penny. "Wait here for me! I'll ask the ticket +agent a few questions!" + +She was inside the office perhaps five minutes. When she returned, +visibly excited, she glanced anxiously up the street. The stranger had +vanished from view down the short street, apparently having turned at the +first corner. + +"We must overtake him!" Penny cried. "I have a hunch we let Mr. Rhett +pull a fast one!" + +Hurriedly, the girls walked to the corner. The stranger was nowhere to be +seen. Whether he had disappeared into a building, down an alley or +another street, they had no way of knowing. Penny stopped two pedestrians +to inquire, but no one had noticed the man. + +"We've lost him!" she exclaimed to Louise. "How disgusting!" + +"What did the ticket man tell you, Penny?" + +"That the man was inquiring about steamship accommodations to New +Orleans, and on to South America. He didn't give his name." + +"Then how can you be sure it was Mr. Rhett?" + +"It's only a hunch. But the agent said the man was wearing a ring--he +didn't notice the type." + +"Any number of men wear rings," Louise scoffed. "Penny, aren't you +indulging in a little wishful thinking? You want to find Mr. Rhett so +badly you're letting your imagination run riot." + +"Maybe you're right," Penny admitted with a sigh. "Anyway, we've lost the +fellow, so we may as well forget it." + +Saying goodbye to Louise, she hastened off to the _Star_ office to write +up the interview with the tugboat captain. However, she could not put her +mind on her work, and after making three false starts, she decided to +postpone the story until after dinner. + +Fortified by a good meal, she wrote the story much easier, but Penny was +far from satisfied when she turned her finished copy in at the desk. + +"Guess I'm off the beam tonight," she remarked to Jerry. "It took me an +age to write that story." + +Penny glanced at the clock. Time had passed swiftly for it was now after +nine. + +"You look tired," observed the night editor. "There's nothing more for +you to do. Why don't you skip out?" + +"Guess I will," agreed Penny, reaching for her hat. "I have a geometry +test coming up tomorrow." + +She was through the swinging barrier, and half way down the hall when +Jerry called to her: "Telephone for you, Penny." + +With a sigh, she returned to take the call. Weariness vanished and she +became wide-awake as she recognized Lorinda Rhett's voice at the other +end of the line. + +"Miss Parker?" the girl inquired in an agitated voice. + +"Speaking." + +"I'm sorry to bother you," Lorinda went on, "but could you possibly come +to our house right away?" + +"Why, I think so," Penny said, instantly divining that something was +amiss at the mansion. "Is anything wrong?" + +"Oh, yes! Everything! I can't tell you over the phone. Just come as +quickly as you can. I need your help." + +After hanging up the receiver, Penny related the conversation to the +night editor. "I don't know exactly what the call means," she added. +"Possibly, Lorinda has learned something about her missing stepfather. If +so, it should make a good story!" + +"Give us a ring from the mansion if any thing develops," the night editor +instructed. "Better take Jerry along with you. No telling what may turn +up." + +Jerry already was on his feet, reaching for his hat. His car was parked +on the street. Traffic flow had dwindled, enabling them to reach the +mansion in record time. + +The lower floor of the Rhett home was dark, but on the second floor, +nearly all the rooms were ablaze with light. + +"Wonder what's up!" mused Jerry, parking the car across the street. + +"Lorinda is expecting me alone," Penny said. "Maybe it would be better +for you to wait here until I have a chance to talk to her." + +"Sure. Just signal if you need me." + +Jerry switched off the car lights and settled himself for a lengthy +vigil. + +Penny ran up the walk and pounded on the door. In a moment, she heard +footsteps; the living room light flashed on; then the door was opened by +Lorinda. + +"Is anything the matter?" Penny inquired anxiously. + +"It's Mother," Lorinda explained. "She's very ill. We have the doctor +now. I'm dreadfully worried." + +Penny, at a loss to understand how she could be of help, nodded +sympathetically. + +"Come with me upstairs," Lorinda requested. "I want you to see and talk +to Mother, and then tell me what you think." + +"What seems to be the trouble?" + +"She refuses food and she has rapidly failed since you last saw her. I've +tried to reason with her, but it is useless. She is convinced she has a +fatal illness and will die!" + +Deeply troubled, Penny followed Lorinda upstairs to the luxuriously +furnished bed chamber. Celeste, in white starched uniform, was hovering +anxiously over the bed where Mrs. Rhett lay. Lorinda's mother looked ten +years older than when Penny had last seen her. Her face was pale and +shriveled, her eyes listless. + +"I don't want the food!" she said peevishly to Celeste, pushing aside a +spoonful of custard which was held to her lips. "It is useless to eat." + +On the other side of the bed stood a stout, middle-aged man whom Lorinda +introduced as Doctor Everett, a specialist. + +"Mrs. Rhett," he said sternly, "you are acting very foolish in refusing +food. I have made a careful examination and can find nothing whatsoever +the matter." + +"I didn't call you to this house," the woman retorted. "Please go away +and leave me alone. One has a right to die in peace." + +"You will not die," said the doctor patiently. "Your illness is only a +fancy of the mind." + +Mrs. Rhett tossed her head on the pillow. "Go away!" she ordered. "It was +my daughter who called you here--not I. No doctor can be of the slightest +aid to me." + +"Not unless you are willing to cooperate. Now I suggest that a trained +nurse be called in to--" + +"A trained nurse!" cried Celeste, straightening from the bedside. "Only I +will tend my mistress! We will have no stranger in the household!" + +"I want Celeste," agreed Mrs. Rhett, clinging to the servant's hand. "She +is the only one who understands my ailment. Celeste will take care of +me--no one else." + +The doctor shrugged. "Very well, it was only a suggestion. I should like +to help you, but under the circumstance, there is nothing I can do. Good +evening." + +As the doctor reached for his black bag, Lorinda moved quickly across the +room. Her eyes pleaded with him to understand. + +"Doctor Everett, you'll come again tomorrow?" she requested. + +He smiled, but shook his head. "You might call Doctor Fellows, a +psychiatrist," he advised. "There is nothing I can do." + +While Lorinda accompanied the doctor to the front door, Penny remained in +the bedroom. No sooner had the physician left than Celeste moved close to +the bed, muttering: + +"Good! He is gone! Only a fool would believe a doctor could help you. +Until the _ouange_ is broken, food will only turn to poison in your body! +You will weaken and die. But Celeste will save you--Celeste will find a +way to break the evil spell." + + + + + CHAPTER + 16 + _AN OPEN WINDOW_ + + +Unmindful of Penny, Celeste bent lower over her bed-ridden mistress, +whispering words into her ear. + +"Celeste! What are you saying?" Penny demanded. "Why, you're putting +dangerous ideas into Mrs. Rhett's mind!" + +The servant whirled toward her angrily. "Go away!" she ordered. "My +mistress does not want you here!" + +"Celeste!" reproved Mrs. Rhett, but in a mild voice. + +Penny stood her ground, stubbornly determined that a servant should not +order her away. For a moment she and Celeste measured each other with +steady gaze. Nothing more was said. Mrs. Rhett sighed, closed her eyes, +and seemed to drowse. + +Lorinda came bounding up the stairs two at a time. Unaware that anything +unpleasant had transpired during her absence, she said with forced +cheerfulness: + +"Now, Mother, let's have no more nonsense. You're to eat your food +without fuss. Here, let's try the custard again." + +Mrs. Rhett pushed away the spoon. "No, Lorinda, it is useless. But there +is something you may do for me." + +"Anything you wish, Mother." + +"Bring pen and ink." + +"Are you really strong enough to write a letter?" + +"I intend to change my will. Lorinda, we spoke of this the other day. +While I still have the strength I must revoke my former will and leave +all my property to you." + +"Oh, Mother, don't talk of such things! Why, the doctor says you're in +perfect physical condition. You'll be up and around in another day or +two. It's only worry about Father that has put you under the weather." + +"I have made up my mind, Lorinda. The will must be changed--now--tonight, +while I have the strength." + +"Very well, if it will make you rest easier," Lorinda said reluctantly. +"Celeste, bring ink, a pen and paper." + +Celeste made no move to obey. "My mistress is not strong enough to +write," she mumbled. + +"Mother wishes to change the will. Please bring the materials." + +"To change the will while one lies on a sick bed is to invite great +trouble." + +"Celeste! No more of such talk! Do as you are told!" + +Penny thought the servant would refuse to obey, but she shuffled off. +Many minutes passed before she returned with the requested materials. + +Lorinda sat down at the bedside, and wrote at her Mother's dictation. It +was a simple will in which Mrs. Rhett left all of her property to her +daughter. + +"If I thought my husband ever would return, I would want him to receive +all my holdings," she said. "As it is, I think the money should go to +you, Lorinda." + +Penny was tempted to speak of her own belief that Mr. Rhett might be +alive and in the city. However, realizing she had not a scrap of proof, +she wisely remained silent. + +Mrs. Rhett signed the will. Lorinda and Penny then added their names as +witnesses to the document. + +"Lock the will in the safe," Mrs. Rhett instructed her daughter. "Do it +now, before you forget." + +"Yes, Mother." + +Seemingly relieved that the matter had been accomplished, Mrs. Rhett +turned over in bed and tried to sleep. Leaving Celeste to look after her, +Penny and Lorinda went downstairs to the study. + +"Celeste seemed to be displeased because your mother changed the will," +Penny remarked. + +"Yes, Celeste has become a problem. I feel the doctor was right in +suggesting a nurse for Mother. Celeste _may_ mean well, but she is a +distinct influence for the worse." + +"Then why not get rid of her?" + +"How?" + +"Tell her to go." + +Lorinda laughed shortly. "You don't know Celeste if you think she would +take such an order from me!" + +"Then have your mother dismiss her." + +"I'm not sure she would do it. Furthermore, Celeste might defy her too. +She has the idea she'll take orders only from my stepfather." + +"I believe you're actually afraid of the woman," Penny commented. + +"In a way I am," Lorinda admitted. "Mother used to dislike her intensely. +Strangely, since she has become ill, she seems to depend more upon +Celeste than she does upon me." + +"Did it ever occur to you that Celeste might deliberately be planting +ideas in your mother's mind?" + +"Yes, I've thought of it. I don't believe Celeste would be evil enough to +do it on purpose, but she is highly superstitious. I wish she were out of +the house." + +"You could get rid of her if you really wanted to. Just call in the +police, and have them take over." + +"I couldn't do that. Mother would never forgive me." + +The girls entered the study, and Lorinda switched on a light. After +pulling the blinds, she removed the wall picture, and prepared to open +the safe. + +Before she could spin the dials, footsteps padded on the stairway. +Celeste appeared suddenly in the study doorway. + +"Come quick!" she pleaded. "Mistress much worse!" + +Lorinda dropped the will on the table, and with Penny close at her heels, +followed Celeste up the stairway. Expecting the worst, they peered +anxiously at Mrs. Rhett. She was tossing restlessly, but otherwise +appeared the same as when they had seen her a few minutes ago. + +"How do you feel, Mother?" Lorinda asked. + +"Just the same," Mrs. Rhett replied listlessly. + +Lorinda gazed questioningly at Celeste. + +"Mistress much better now," the servant said. "She had sinking spell +while you were downstairs." + +"I'm afraid you imagined it, Celeste," Lorinda replied severely. "This +really proves that we should have a trained nurse. Otherwise, you'll +frighten us all out of our wits." + +Celeste started to make a retort, but just then Mrs. Rhett spoke: +"Lorinda, did you put the will in the safe?" she asked. + +"I was doing it when Celeste called. I'll attend to it right away." + +Lorinda stooped to kiss her mother and offer a glass of water which was +declined. She then went downstairs once more with Penny. + +"What do you suppose possessed Celeste to frighten me so?" she remarked +thoughtfully. "Did Mother seem changed to you?" + +"Not a particle." + +Reaching the study, Lorinda went directly to the table where she had left +the signed will. The paper was not there. + +"Why, Penny, what did I do with it?" she demanded in bewilderment. "I was +certain I left it here." + +"I distinctly recall that you did," Penny replied, her gaze wandering to +an open window where a curtain fluttered in the breeze. "Lorinda, I think +while we were away, someone came in from outside and took the will!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 17 + _THE STOLEN WILL_ + + +Penny darted to the open window, peering out onto the dark street. No one +was in sight, although Jerry's car with dimmed headlights still stood at +the curb. + +"Who could have taken the will?" Lorinda wailed. "I'm sure it didn't blow +out the window and it didn't sprout legs and walk off either!" + +"Perhaps Celeste--" + +"She was upstairs all the time we were out of this room," Lorinda +interrupted. + +"It seemed odd she called us just at the moment she did--particularly +when your mother had not suffered a relapse." + +Lorinda did not appear to hear Penny's remark. Half doubting that the +paper could be missing, she searched on the floor near the safe, under +the window and in every corner of the room. + +"I suspect someone deliberately stole that will!" Penny said with +conviction. "Wait here! I may be able to learn more about it!" + +Hastening outdoors, she gazed about the grounds. No one was in sight. She +went directly to the press car. The automobile was deserted. + +"Now what became of Jerry?" she asked herself impatiently. "Just when I +need him!" + +Disappointed, she turned toward the house again. Then she saw the +reporter coming up a dark path from the direction of the beach. + +"Jerry!" she called softly. + +"Hi, Penny!" he returned. "Ready to go?" + +"Oh, no! Everything is in a dreadful mess here. Lorinda's mother is very +sick. She made a will, and Lorinda started to put it in the safe. Then we +were called out of the room by the housekeeper, and when we returned, the +paper was gone!" + +"When did that happen, Penny?" + +"Just now." + +"Then that fellow I chased must have been the thief!" + +"You saw someone take the will, Jerry?" + +"I was sitting in the car," the reporter related. "A light was on in one +of the downstairs rooms, but I was too sleepy to pay much attention. +Suddenly though, I saw a man who apparently had been hiding in the +shrubbery, rise up and climb through an open window." + +"A man! Could you see who it was?" + +"No, it was too dark. I jumped out of the car, but before I could cross +the yard, the fellow climbed out through the window again, and started +off. I called to him. He covered his face and ran. I chased him, but the +fellow ducked down a path and I lost him." + +"He must have stolen the will, Jerry! But how did he know about it, and +why would it be of any value to him? Everything is so mixed up!" + +"Maybe we ought to give the police a buzz." + +Penny nodded. "I'll see what Lorinda wants to do," she replied. "Until +now, the Rhetts have studiously avoided telling their troubles to the +police--in fact, I am afraid Mrs. Rhett hasn't told everything she knows +about her husband's disappearance." + +"I'll wait in the car," Jerry said. + +Penny let herself into the house again and made her way through the dark +living room to the library where a light burned. + +"Lorinda--" she began, only to stop short. + +For it was not Lorinda who stood with her back toward the door, awkwardly +turning the dials of the wall safe. Instead, Celeste whirled around, +plainly dismayed by the girl's unexpected appearance in the doorway. + +"Celeste!" Penny said sharply. "What are you doing?" + +"Nothing," the woman muttered, her mouth sullen. + +"You were trying to get into that safe! Is it the will you want, or are +you after the Zudi drum?" + +Penny's words, shot blindly, struck the target. Celeste's eyes flashed +and she advanced a step toward the girl. + +"You go away from here! Never come back!" she ordered harshly. + +"Sorry, I'm not taking orders from you, Celeste. Why do you hate Lorinda +and Mrs. Rhett? What is your little game?" + +Celeste glared at Penny. She drew in her breath and expelled it with a +hissing sound through her yellow, crooked teeth. Her hand clutched at an +object hidden beneath her uniform and worn around her neck on a dirty +cord. + +With no warning, she broke into a jargon which Penny could not +understand. But the meaning was clear enough even if the words were +unintelligible. Celeste was calling down all manner of evil upon her +head! + +"Go!" Celeste cried in English. "You come here again--harm befall you!" + +"Celeste, all your jungle hocus-pocus doesn't impress me in the least. +I'll leave when I feel in the mood--not before. What were you after in +the safe?" + +The woman's eyes met Penny's defiantly. She reached out as if to strike +her, but at that moment footsteps padded on the stairway. Pushing past +Penny, Celeste retreated to the kitchen. + +Lorinda came into the library, gazing about curiously. "Thought I heard +voices," she commented. + +"You did. Celeste was here. Guess what? I found her tampering with the +wall safe." + +"She may have been trying to learn if the Zudi drum was stolen," Lorinda +said absently. "I'm far more worried about the will. What became of it?" + +Penny repeated what Jerry had witnessed, adding: "Obviously the will was +taken by the man who climbed through the window. Could it have been +Anton?" + +"Anton? Why, I doubt that he even knew about the will, because Mother +decided to change it at a moment's notice. What reason would he have for +taking it? Neither he nor Celeste figured in the terms of either +document." + +"It seemed to me Celeste was tremendously interested," Penny said. "Oh, +well, the loss shouldn't be of serious consequence. Your mother can draw +up another will." + +"That's exactly what she won't do. I told her about the will being taken, +Penny. She immediately decided it was another omen--a sign that she +should leave everything the way it is." + +"How foolish! Celeste must have put those notions in her head!" + +"I'm sure I don't know. As for the will, I never did encourage her to +change it, because not for a moment do I believe she is sick enough to +die. I don't want Mother's money. I only want her to get well and strong +and be happy again. Penny, you don't think she is seriously ill?" + +"The doctor said nothing is the matter with her." + +"Yet we both know something dreadful is wrong." Lorinda's finger tips +nervously tapped the table edge. "Oh, Penny, I'm scared--terribly scared. +I don't explain it, but I just _feel_ a sinister something in the air!" + +"You shouldn't be here alone with Celeste and Anton. Why not override +them and hire a nurse or companion for your mother?" + +"Maybe I will," Lorinda agreed. "I'll think it over until tomorrow." + +"You'll report the theft of the will to the police, of course?" + +"No," Lorinda decided instantly. "They would only ask embarrassing +questions." + +"Why are you so reluctant to take anyone into your confidence?" + +"We're in enough trouble now, Penny. Please, let's not talk about it any +more until tomorrow." + +Decidedly puzzled by Lorinda's attitude, Penny said goodbye and rejoined +Jerry in the car. He had seen no more of the mysterious prowler and was +convinced the man had fled the estate. + +"Let's go," he said, starting the car. + +As the automobile swung down the driveway, Penny peered intently at the +roadside shrubbery. The bushes were crashing back and forth in the rising +wind, but no one was visible anywhere near the estate. Chilled, she +closed the car window. + +"Do you think that hurricane really is heading our way?" she asked her +companion. + +"Didn't see the government report tonight," Jerry replied. "Probably at +the last minute, the storm will veer off and we'll escape. Riverview +never was struck by a hurricane. Too far inland." + +The car purred smoothly on, following the road which curled toward the +beach. Penny became silent. As they turned a corner, Jerry reached out to +give her hand a friendly squeeze. + +"Why so quiet, kitten?" he teased. + +"Just thinking, Jerry. There are so many things about the Rhett case I +can't understand." + +"Why trouble your little brain?" + +"Because this isn't just an ordinary story to me, Jerry. I like Lorinda, +and I feel that unless something is done, her mother may die." + +"Don't tell me you're becoming a superstitious little heathen!" + +"Certainly not! But from what the professor told us, it's a mistake to +underrate the power of suggestion. Mrs. Rhett is in real danger--" + +Penny broke off, listening intently. + +"What was that, Jerry?" she demanded. + +"Didn't hear anything. Only the wind." + +"No, I distinctly heard a sound like the throb of a drum!" Penny lowered +the car window. "There it is again!" + +This time Jerry, too, heard the sound, far away and indistinct. "You're +right!" he exclaimed, slowing the car. "From down the beach!" + +Penny grasped his arm excitedly. "Stop the car!" she exclaimed. "If we +can find the drummer, we may be able to solve part of the mystery!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 18 + _THROUGH THE WINDOW_ + + +Jerry slammed on the foot brake and the car came to a jerky halt at the +curb. Leaping out, they stood for a moment listening. + +"Don't hear anything now!" the reporter muttered. + +"Let's take a gander down the beach," Penny proposed. "The sound seemed +to come from that direction." + +Hand in hand they cut across a vacant lot where dead weeds came waist +high, then followed a sloping path to the beach. The long stretch of sand +was deserted. + +"We must have imagined those drums," Jerry said, pausing. "Or maybe it +was the Legion fife and drum corps having a night practice." + +"It was the beat of a jungle drum." Penny turned to gaze toward the Rhett +mansion on the wooded hillside. All the windows, save one in an upstairs +bedroom, now were dark. + +By the light of a three-quarters moon which was rising over the pines, +she could see the wooden steps that led from the estate down to the +beach. On either side extended tiers of twisted limestone rock. It +occurred to Penny that somewhere among the crannies, a cave might be +tucked away. She spoke of it to Jerry. + +"Maybe," he agreed, "but I never heard of one around here." + +A gust of wind caught Penny's felt hat, carrying it cartwheeling down the +beach. She and Jerry raced in pursuit, colliding as they pounced on it +together. They laughed, and as the reporter pulled the hat over Penny's +flying hair, he kissed her quickly on the cheek. + +Then before she could reprimand him, he exclaimed: "Wow! That wind really +is getting strong! Let's get back to the car before we blow away!" + +Penny liked Jerry and she liked the kiss. Best of all, she appreciated +his consideration in never forcing serious attentions upon her. With a +gay "I'll race you!", she ran ahead of him to the road. + +Jerry took Penny directly home. Mrs. Weems had gone to bed while Mr. +Parker had not returned from downtown. + +"Will you come in and have a cup of chocolate?" Penny invited the +reporter. + +"Not tonight, thanks," he declined. "See you tomorrow at the office." + +Penny went into the house, and after fixing herself a snack from the +refrigerator, switched on the radio to catch the weather report. The news +commentator, on a national hookup, warned that the hurricane continued to +sweep toward the Atlantic coast, and that inland cities also were +endangered. + +"It really sounds serious," she thought, turning off the radio. + +As she went upstairs, Mrs. Weems called to her in a sleepy voice, so +Penny stepped into the housekeeper's bedroom for a moment. + +"I'm glad you're home," Mrs. Weems said. "Is there any news about the +approaching storm?" + +"Nothing definite. The latest radio report said it's still heading this +way." + +"When will it strike?" + +"Late tomorrow unless it veers off. It may be quite serious," Penny said. + +Mrs. Weems sighed and settled beneath the covers again. "If it isn't one +thing it's another! First thing in the morning we must get the awning +down, and have all the shutters taken off." + +"If the center of the hurricane should hit here, everything will go," +Penny said cheerfully. "So why worry about shutters?" + +"The storm may be a severe one, but I don't believe it will strike with +hurricane force," Mrs. Weems insisted. "In any case, the shutters are +coming down, and I'll need your help! So don't try to skip out in the +morning!" + +Penny went to her own room, but before she could undress, she heard her +father's car on the driveway. He came into the house, locked the doors +for the night, then climbed the stairs. + +"Hello, Dad!" she called through the half open door of her bedroom. "Any +news?" + +"There will be by morning," he answered grimly. "The _Star_ is coming out +with front page headlines warning the city to prepare for the worst!" + +Penny stepped quickly out into the hall. + +"Then Riverview is in the path of the hurricane! Is there danger that the +city will be destroyed?" + +"Damage to property is almost certain to be extensive. I've just come +from a meeting with the mayor and City Council. While there's an outside +chance the city may be spared, it's folly not to prepare for the full +brunt of the storm. The mayor has issued a proclamation declaring an +emergency and advising everyone to keep off the streets after noon +tomorrow. Most businesses will close." + +"Then the _Star_ will shut down too?" + +"No. At such a time, folks depend more than ever upon their newspaper for +accurate information. We'll publish as long as we have a plant and our +trucks can keep delivering." + +Mr. Parker's information brought home to Penny the true seriousness of +the situation. However, as she peered out of her bedroom window a few +minutes later, the clear sky and bright stars belied an approaching +storm. + +Undressed, Penny sat for a time propped up in bed with pillows, trying to +read a book. The words held little meaning. Losing interest, she snapped +off the light, and snuggled down. + +But she could not sleep. The dark house was filled with many strange +sounds. The stairway creaked, the shutters rattled, and in the bathroom, +water dripped regularly from a faucet. + +Thoughts raced rampant through Penny's mind. She squirmed and tossed and +became increasingly aware of the rising wind. + +Suddenly she was startled by a loud crash in the yard below. Leaping out +of bed, she darted to the window. A large rotten tree limb had been +ripped from the backyard maple and now lay across the driveway. + +"Dad will have to move it before he can get the car out of the garage in +the morning," she thought. "Some fun!" + +Creeping back beneath the covers, she tried again to sleep. Instead, she +found herself thinking over everything that had occurred at the Rhett +mansion. Already the banker's disappearance was fading out of the +newspapers, and with a hurricane in the offing, the story would be +entirely forgotten. + +"The police haven't shown much interest," she reflected. "Unless definite +clues are obtained soon, Mr. Rhett may never be traced. The case will +die." + +Penny thought of the mysterious thatched roof cottage and the whispering +voices. + +"Those walls must have a secret panel," she reasoned. "I believe I might +find it if I had an opportunity to make a thorough investigation!" + +A flapping shutter reminded Penny once more of the storm. Then came the +discouraging thought that even if only the tail-end of the hurricane +struck Riverview, the flimsy thatched cottage undoubtedly would be +carried away and destroyed. + +"Unless I get out there tomorrow, I'll probably lose my chance!" she told +herself. "Oh, dear, how will I make it when I have a thousand other +things I'm supposed to do?" + +Dancing tree limbs cast weird shadows on the rough plaster wall. Penny +closed her eyes, but even then sleep would not come. + +Suddenly the window pane crashed, and glass clattered onto the floor. +Startled, Penny sat up and groped for the night table lamp. Her first +thought was that a tree branch had hurtled against the pane, breaking it. + +But as the light went on, she saw that only a small hole had been broken +in the glass. On the floor, scarcely two feet from the bed, lay a small +object wrapped in black cloth. + +Penny rolled out of bed and gingerly picked it up. Carefully and with a +feeling of revulsion, she untied the packet. + +Inside were two black feathers, the wing of a bird, herbs which Penny +could not identify, a bit of bone, and a small amount of damp earth. + +There was no warning message, nothing to identify the one who had thrown +the packet, yet Penny instantly knew its significance and from whence it +had come. + +"Either Anton or Celeste hurled it because I've cramped their style!" she +thought. "Well, their little hex won't work! I'll use this evil charm to +fashion their own undoing!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 19 + _RISING WIND_ + + +The sound of crashing glass brought both Mrs. Weems and Mr. Parker to the +bedroom. They found Penny standing at the window, the light off, peering +down into the yard. + +"What's coming off here?" Mr. Parker demanded, his voice cross because he +had been aroused from sound slumber. "Did something blow against the +window?" + +"This was thrown," Penny revealed, holding up the packet. "Dad, can you +see anyone hiding in the shrubbery?" + +Mr. Parker moved to the window, gazing intently about the yard. + +"I don't see anyone." + +"Whoever it was, he's probably gone now." Penny carefully drew the blinds +before snapping on the overhead light. She handed the packet to her +father. + +"What's this, Penny?" + +"It was thrown through the window. I suspect it's intended as a bad luck +omen, and to frighten me. Evidently my work on the Rhett case is not +appreciated." + +"A jungle charm!" exclaimed Mrs. Weems, horrified. "Oh, Penny, I knew no +good would come of your having anything to do with that queer family! +Here, give that horrid thing to me--I'll burn it in the furnace." + +"Not so fast," chuckled Penny. "I intend to keep it as evidence." + +"But it may bring you bad luck." + +"Why, Mrs. Weems, I'm surprised at you," teased Penny. "Surely you're not +superstitious?" + +"No," the housekeeper denied, "but from what you've told me about those +queer Rhett servants, I distrust them. I don't want you even to touch +that ugly package!" + +"These objects aren't harmful," Penny insisted, selecting the bit of bone +and offering it to Mrs. Weems. "Why attach special significance to them?" + +With a shudder, the housekeeper backed away. + +"Penny is right," declared Mr. Parker. "The packet is silly and has no +meaning unless we build it up in our own minds. That, of course, is +exactly what the one who hurled it intends us to do." + +"Penny mustn't go to that dreadful place again!" + +"Oh, Mrs. Weems! Don't you see, that's just what Anton and Celeste hope +to accomplish. If they can keep me away from the mansion merely by +throwing one of their stupid charms through my window, their trick has +been successful." + +"I quite agree with Penny," Mr. Parker declared. "In fact, I may call at +the mansion myself! I've become interested in Anton and Celeste--they're +a very successful pair of bluffers." + +"Oh, Dad! Will you go with me tomorrow?" + +"Perhaps," he promised vaguely. "We'll see, when the time comes. I +foresee any number of troubles far more serious than our concern with the +Rhett family." + +"With both of you against me, I'm only wasting my breath," Mrs. Weems +sighed, drawing her robe tightly about her. "I may as well go to bed." + +Penny put the black packet on the dresser after her father had finished +inspecting it. "I intend to wear this charm around my neck the next time +I go to the Rhetts'," she declared. "It will be fun to see how Celeste +and Anton react." + +"Don't carry your fun too far," her father advised. "While it's true this +charm has no significance or supernatural power, Anton and Celeste may be +dangerous characters. They'll bear watching." + +"And I'm the one to do it," Penny chuckled. "I'm not a bit afraid of +them, Dad. As you said, they're a couple of bluffers." + +"I may have used the word ill-advisedly," the publisher corrected. "Don't +make the mistake of underrating them. The case, as you well know, has +sinister aspects." + +"I'll be careful," Penny promised soberly. + +After her father had returned to his room, she went back to bed. A chill +wind whistled in through the hole in the window, but she burrowed deep +beneath the blankets and soon was sound asleep. + +Next morning, as Mr. Parker had predicted, newspapers carried screaming +headlines, announcing that the hurricane might reach Riverview by +nightfall. Householders were advised to take every precaution to protect +life and property. + +School opened and was promptly dismissed at nine o'clock. At home, Penny +helped Mrs. Weems carry in the porch awning, remove the shutters and all +loose objects which were likely to be torn free by the wind. + +By now, papers were blowing wildly, cluttering the yard. Each gust +brought sticks or small limbs crashing down into the street. + +Mrs. Weems, hovering near the radio to hear the last-minute reports, +declared that the barometer continued to fall. + +"The storm is steadily getting worse," she said nervously. + +After lunch, Penny went to the newspaper office to inquire if Mr. DeWitt +had any special assignment for her. + +"Nothing right now," he said, rapidly scanning a page of copy. "But stick +around. Anything may break." + +Penny waited, growing increasingly restless. She was certain DeWitt had +forgotten all about her, when he slammed down a telephone receiver and +glanced in her direction. + +"Go out on the street and see what's doing," he ordered. "Might check the +police station, too, on your way in." + +Penny nodded and went out through the barrier gate. The feel of the +approaching hurricane was in the air. Walking toward the river, she saw +blue-green water boiling into sinister white foam where it vaulted onto +the docks. + +Pedestrians were few in number and all hurrying. Business was at a +standstill. Shutters were going up over plate glass windows, and street +signs were being taken down. + +Penny wandered about for a time and then, as a fine rain began to fall, +sought the police station. Checking routine reports, she noted four +injury cases caused by flying objects, several thefts of property, and +more than the usual number of automobile accidents. + +At the office once more, she wrote an impressionist account of what she +had seen, then waited for another assignment. + +"Penny, you may as well go home while you can get there," DeWitt said +presently. "City Traction is shutting off service at six o'clock, and +after that you won't be able to take a bus." + +At another time Penny might have been disappointed to be sent home when +exciting news was breaking, but dismissal now fitted neatly into her +plans. She was determined to make one last investigation of the thatched +roof cottage at the Rhett mansion. However, to beat the storm, she must +move fast. + +Going out the door, Penny met Jerry who had just come in from the river +front. His felt hat was dripping wet. + +"It's getting nasty outside," he remarked. "How are you going home, +Penny? By bus?" + +"Eventually, but not just now," she grinned. "First, I have a little +errand at the Rhetts'." + +"Better skip it," he advised. "This storm is the real McCoy." + +"Can't afford to, Jerry. I want to look over that thatched cottage once +more. If I don't do it now, it probably won't be there by tomorrow." + +"If you're set on going out there, better make it a speedy trip," Jerry +returned. "The storm is rolling in fast." + +Reaching the mansion twenty minutes later, Penny was surprised to see an +unfamiliar automobile parked on the Rhett driveway. As she went up the +front walk, the door opened, and three men came outside. Without noticing +the girl, they entered the car and drove away. + +"Wonder who they are and what brought them here?" Penny mused. + +In response to her knock, Celeste opened the door. Seeing Penny, the +woman tried to close it in her face, but the girl pushed boldly past her +into the hallway. + +Penny purposely had worn the black packet on a string around her neck. +While Celeste was closing the door, she pulled it from her dress front, +and then opened her raincoat so that the housekeeper could not fail to +see the object. + +Celeste's eyes instantly riveted upon the dangling packet. + +"My good luck charm!" said Penny. "Someone gave it to me last night!" + +Celeste's lips dropped apart to show her uneven teeth. + +"It is an evil packet!" she hissed. "If you wear it, sickness and death +will pursue you!" + +"Not this cookie," chuckled Penny. "You see, I don't believe such +nonsense. Whoever tossed this thing through my window went to a lot of +trouble for nothing." + +Celeste's face, an interesting study in mixed emotions, suddenly became a +blank mask. Hearing footsteps, the woman mumbled something and scurried +away. + +Lorinda came down the stairway. "Oh, Penny!" she exclaimed, grasping her +hand. "I'm so glad you came! We're in such trouble!" + +"Your mother is worse?" + +"Yes, she is failing rapidly, and the visit of those three bankers upset +her dreadfully." + +"The men I met on the walk?" + +"Yes, they're members of the First National Bank board. They told Mother +she must make up the $250,000 bond loss within forty-eight hours, or my +stepfather will be exposed as a thief, and the estate sued! It seems Mr. +Potts convinced them my stepfather had the bonds when he disappeared." + +"What will your mother do?" + +"What can she do? Nearly all of her property is in real estate. She might +be able to raise $30,000 cash within the required time, but never the +amount they demand." + +"You've heard nothing from your stepfather?" + +"Not a word. The police haven't contributed any worthwhile clues either. +They didn't go deeply into the case." + +"Can you blame them? You and your mother withheld facts and discouraged +them at every turn." + +"I know." + +"Why did you do it?" + +"I thought you understood," Lorinda answered in a low voice. "Mother and +my stepfather quarreled violently on that last day at the bank. She +didn't want the truth to get out, so she tried to keep from answering +questions." + +"Then your stepfather disappeared as a result of the quarrel?" + +"I don't know. It is a possibility." + +"You believe your stepfather may have stolen the bonds?" + +"Oh, no! Never! He may have had them on his person when he went away or +was spirited off, but I am sure he is no thief!" + +Shutters were flapping in the wind. The porch furniture had not been +brought into the house, and through the window, Penny saw that many +loose, breakable objects remained in the garden. Abruptly changing the +subject, she said: + +"Lorinda, the storm is getting worse every minute. Can't we bring in the +porch furniture?" + +"I told Anton to do it early this morning. He went off somewhere. Celeste +has been no help either. They're both acting so independent." + +"We don't need their help. Come! We can do it together." + +Lorinda put on her rain cape and they went out onto the porch. Already +the rug was rain soaked. They rolled it up and carried it to the +basement, where they also took the furniture. Deciding it was too late to +do anything about nailing down the shutters or taking them off, they +brought in loose objects from the yard. + +In passing the library, Penny noticed that a window was open. The curtain +was drenched and rain was pouring in upon the floor. + +With a cry of dismay, she ran to close it. As she turned around, she saw +at once that the wall safe was exposed to view, and open. + +"Lorinda!" she called. + +Her friend came quickly to the doorway. "Anything wrong?" she inquired. + +Penny directed her gaze toward the safe. "Did you leave it open?" she +asked. + +"No!" With a startled exclamation, Lorinda darted across the room. She +thrust her arm into the circular opening, and withdrew it empty. + +"The Zudi drum is gone!" she announced. "It's been stolen!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 20 + _TWELVE STEPS DOWN_ + + +The news did not astonish Penny for she had anticipated it. She said +quietly: + +"Lorinda, surely now you'll call in the police? The Zudi drum must be a +very valuable trophy." + +"It is. Yes, I suppose the only thing to do is notify police +headquarters." + +Lorinda went to a telephone, but although she tried many times, she was +unable to contact the operator. "The line must be down," she reported. +"The wire sounds dead." + +"Then we're isolated here until after the storm. Lorinda, why don't you +question Celeste and Anton?" + +"It would be useless." + +"Let me do it." + +"Go ahead, but they'll not tell you anything," Lorinda said despairingly. +"Anton and Celeste have been interested in the Zudi drum ever since they +came here, but I've never known them to steal." + +"Did they know the safe combination?" + +"Not unless they learned it the last few days. I noticed that Celeste +watches lately whenever anyone enters or leaves the library." + +"Then she may have obtained the combination. I know she was tampering +with the dial yesterday. Where is she now?" + +"In the kitchen, I suppose." + +Celeste, however, was not to be found there, nor was she in any of the +upstairs bedrooms, or in her own room on the first floor adjoining the +garage. + +"I don't know where she and Anton went," Lorinda declared, deeply +troubled. "I hate to accuse them without proof, but it does look as if +they're the only ones who could have stolen the drum!" + +"How about the trophies at the thatched roof cottage? Are they safe?" + +"Let's find out," Lorinda proposed. "Wait, I'll get the key. +Incidentally, it was mysteriously returned to my stepfather's room +yesterday." + +She returned with the key in a moment, and the girls ran down the +slippery path through the falling rain. The whine of a steadily rising +wind was in their ears as they opened the cottage door and stepped +inside. + +Lorinda looked carefully about. "Everything seems to be here--" she +began, only to correct herself. "No, the crossed machetes which were on +the wall! They're gone!" + +"And the rattle!" exclaimed Penny. "Where is it?" + +Lorinda pulled out the wooden chest and raised the lid. "The altar cloth +is missing and any number of things! Almost everything has been taken!" + +In the midst of checking over the few remaining objects in the chest, +Lorinda suddenly raised her head. + +"Listen!" she commanded. + +At first, Penny could distinguish only the whistle of the wind, then she +became aware of a low rumbling murmur which seemed to come from the very +walls of the cottage. + +"It's a chant!" whispered Lorinda. "I can hear drums too, as if from a +long distance away!" + +A little frightened, neither girl spoke for a while. The strange sound +died away, then was resumed. This time they distinctly could hear the +thumping of drums. + +Penny went to the door of the cottage to listen. Outside there was only +the whine of the wind and the crashing of tree branches. + +"Lorinda, this cottage must have a secret passage!" she declared +excitedly. "I thought so before, and now I'm certain of it!" + +Already Lorinda was down on hands and knees before the fireplace, tapping +the tiles. They gave forth a hollow sound. However, she could find no +opening. + +Penny removed a huge black kettle from hanging chains, and peered up into +the chimney. Her groping hand encountered a rod which she assumed +controlled the draft. She pulled on it. The floor beneath her feet +suddenly gave way, and she would have pitched through the opening had not +Lorinda seized her arms and held her. + +Scrambling back to solid flooring, Penny peered down into the dark +opening where the hearth had been. The tiles were only a sham, she saw +now, fastened to a hinged rectangle of wood, which had fallen back like a +trap door. + +Steep stone steps led down into inky darkness. + +"Why, I never dreamed this was here!" Lorinda whispered. "It must have +been built that summer Mother and I were away!" + +The sound of drums and incantations came plainly now. Neither Penny nor +Lorinda was eager to investigate the passage. They feared that they might +encounter something with which they would be unable to cope. But to +retreat was equally unthinkable. + +Penny found the cocoanut shell lamp and lit the floating wick. Moving +ahead, she cautiously descended the stone steps. Lorinda kept close +beside her. + +Twelve steps led almost straight down. There the girls found themselves +in a bricked-over passageway, so narrow they could barely squeeze +through. However, after they had gone a few yards, it widened a little. + +"Where do you suppose this leads?" Penny whispered. "To the river?" + +"Probably. It seems to me the sound of the drums came from that +direction." + +The weird noises no longer could be heard and the silence disturbed the +girls. Could it be that in entering the tunnel they had revealed their +presence? Nervous and tense, they moved forward at a snail's pace, +feeling their way along the wall and taking care to make no betraying +sound. + +The tunnel led downhill. In places the roof was so low the girls were +forced to bend double to pass through. The walls were damp and crumbly +and, at points near the roof, water dripped steadily. + +Then presently Penny halted, shifting the lamp to her other hand. The +passage had widened into a tiny room from which two tunnels branched. + +"Which shall we take?" she asked Lorinda. + +They selected the wider of the two, which soon proved a deception. +Scarcely had they left the little dugout than it narrowed until they were +barely able to edge through. + +"Shall we turn back and try the other?" Penny suggested. + +Lorinda wanted to keep on. "We're moving uphill now," she pointed out. "I +suspect this must lead either to the house or the road." + +Her guess proved to be correct. Another twenty yards and the tunnel +terminated abruptly in front of a door. It opened readily. A dozen +roughly carved steps led upward to a trap door. Penny pushed it aside and +blinking owlishly, climbed out into a bedroom. + +She saw then that the trap door had been cut in the center of the room +floor, hidden from view by a large rag rug which now lay in an untidy +heap. + +"Why, we're in Celeste's room!" Lorinda exclaimed as she too emerged. +"Adjoining the garage!" + +"This explains quite a few things to me," remarked Penny. + +"And to me! Celeste must have known about this passage all the time, but +she never hinted of it to Mother or me!" + +"If you ask my opinion, Celeste not only has known about the passage, +she's been using it regularly," declared Penny, gazing curiously about +the room. + +The bed had been carelessly made, and a red bandana handkerchief had been +left hanging on one of the wooden posts. On the dresser were a number of +objects which drew the girls' attention. From the pin tray Penny picked +up a tiny black feather and there were strips of torn black cloth which +exactly matched the packet she wore about her neck. + +"This proves it!" she exclaimed. "Celeste made the evil charm which was +thrown through my window last night!" + +"Charm?" Lorinda inquired. "Penny, what are you talking about?" + +Penny showed her the packet and explained how it had been hurled through +the window pane. "I'm sure Celeste had Anton do it or perhaps she tossed +it herself. At any rate, she made the packet to frighten me, only it +didn't work." + +"Unless Celeste can explain matters satisfactorily, I'll turn her over to +the police!" Lorinda said angrily. + +"Finding her may not be so easy now. Also getting her into police custody +may take a little doing. I'm afraid we've waited too long, Lorinda." + +"No, we'll find her!" Lorinda announced with determination. "After all, +she doesn't know how much we have learned. Let's investigate the other +passageway." + +"All right," Penny agreed, "but this lamp isn't much good. We need a +flashlight." + +"I have one in my room. I'll get it, see if Mother is all right, and be +right back." + +Lorinda was gone less than five minutes. "Mother is sleeping, so it's +safe to leave her," she reported. "Here's the flash, but I couldn't find +an extra battery." + +Descending into the passageway, the girls retraced their steps to the +tiny dugout midway between the thatched roof cottage and the mansion. As +they entered the other tunnel, they again heard the throb of jungle +drums, and the weird incantation of many guttural voices. + +"A chant to the Serpent God!" whispered Lorinda. "Do you hear that +high-pitched drum which sounds above the others?" + +Penny nodded as she moved forward in the dark, narrow passage. + +"It is the Zudi," Lorinda added. "I would know its tone anywhere! We must +recover it, but if what I think is so, it will be a dangerous task!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 21 + _CEREMONIAL CAVE_ + + +The tunnel sloped gently downward, apparently toward the river beach. As +the girls moved along, the pulsing of the drums came with increasing +crescendo. They could hear the wailing chant plainly now, an incantation +in which many voices were united. + +"Better switch off the light," Lorinda advised in a whisper. "We're +getting close." + +Penny darkened the flashlight, groping her way along the damp, rocky +wall. The passage now had widened, and suddenly ahead, she saw the +flickering flame of a torch. + +In the shadowy light swayed a half dozen celebrants of the weird rites. +The room was circular, a cavern carved from the rocks years before by the +action of water. + +Penny's gaze focused upon the dancing figures. Anton, barefooted and +grotesque with a red turban wound about his head, led the procession, +beating out a rhythm and shaking the gourd rattle which had been stolen +from the thatched cottage. + +Behind him came a drummer Penny did not recognize, and three other +dancers, who carried aloft a banner upon which were metallic, glittering +serpentine symbols. + +But it was Celeste, garbed in scarlet with an embroidered stole over her +shoulders, who dominated the scene. Seated before an altar where two tall +candles burned, she pounded out the basic rhythm on a long, narrow drum. + +"The Zudi!" whispered Lorinda. "She stole it from the safe!" + +"Let's make her give it up!" + +"No! No!" Lorinda grasped Penny's arm, holding her back. "It would be +folly to show ourselves now. Anton, Celeste and their stupid converts are +hypnotized by their own music. If they knew we were watching their rites, +there's no telling what they would do." + +"Celeste is a cruel, dangerous woman." + +"We'll turn her over to the police. I realize now it's the only thing to +do." + +Fascinated, the girls watched the strange sight. The drums were beating +faster now, and at each boom of the Zudi, Anton leaped with frenzied glee +rigid as an arrow into the air. + +"Who are the others?" Penny whispered. + +Lorinda shook her head. "No-good friends of Anton and Celeste probably," +she returned. "Recruits from the slums of Riverview." + +On the altar were many objects, a basket of bread, a basin of cooked +fish, a carved wooden serpent and a wreath of feathers. A kettle +contained a brew from which the dancers at intervals dipped with a gourd +cup and drank. + +Outside the cave, the wind howled an accompaniment to the wild ceremony, +covering the shrill shrieks and savage laughter. + +"We've seen enough of this!" whispered Penny. "Let's get the police and +break it up!" + +"All right," agreed Lorinda. "I hate to turn Anton and Celeste over to +the authorities, but I'm convinced now they have reverted to heathen +ways, and may even be responsible for Mother's sickness." + +They started to retreat, making no sound. In the darkness Lorinda +stumbled over a small rock. She made no outcry as she saved herself from +a fall, but her shoes scuffed noisily and her body thudded heavily +against the wall. + +Instantly the Zudi drum ceased its rhythm. "What was that?" they heard +Celeste ask sharply. + +The girls huddled against the wall. An instant later, Anton, a torch in +his hand, peered down the tunnel. + +His cry told the girls they had been seen. In panic, they started down +the passageway with Anton in hot pursuit. And close at his heels came +Celeste and her followers. + +Escape was impossible. Before the girls had gone a half dozen yards they +were overtaken. Though they struggled to free themselves, Anton's grasp +was like a steel bracelet upon their arms. They were half dragged back to +the cave. + +"Anton! Celeste! What is the meaning of this?" Lorinda demanded, seeking +to regain control of the servants by sheer power of will. + +She tried to shake herself free, but Anton did not release her. He +awaited the word of his wife. + +"Tie them up!" said Celeste harshly. + +"Celeste, have you lost your mind!" Lorinda cried. + +In the flickering light of the torch, the woman's face was like a rigid +mask. Eyes burned with hatred; cheeks were deeply indrawn. Lorinda felt +as if she were gazing upon a stranger, and suddenly was afraid. + +"You dared to steal Father's drum!" she challenged. + +"It is now my drum," retorted Celeste. + +"You spied upon me many times until you learned the combination of the +safe!" Lorinda accused. + +Celeste did not deny the charge. She was burrowing behind the low altar +and from the box-like structure drew forth a long stout cord. Severing it +with the blade of a sharp knife, she handed the two pieces to Anton who +attempted to tie Lorinda's hands behind her. + +The girl fought like a wild cat, and Penny, held by one of Celeste's +followers, sought to free herself, but it was useless. She too was +tightly bound and thrown down on the floor of the cave. + +"Celeste, why are you doing this cruel thing?" Lorinda asked in a +pleading tone. "Does it mean nothing to you that Father brought you here, +fed you, clothed you--gave you many advantages?" + +For a moment Celeste softened and seemed to hesitate. Lorinda was quick +to press the advantage. + +"My father and my mother have been very kind to you--" + +Mention of her mother's name proved unfortunate. Celeste's face hardened +into rigid lines again and she said furiously: + +"I hate her! May her flesh rot away and her bones be torn asunder!" + +"Celeste! And to think we ever trusted you! Mother is ill because you +have willed it so--it was you who made the wicked effigy doll--you who +kept planting in her mind the idea that she would become ill and die!" + +"And I have the will too!" the woman said gleefully. "I told Anton to get +it from the library! Then I called you to your mother's room so he could +snatch it from the table!" + +"But why did you do it, Celeste? What have you gained?" + +"You will not steal my master's money! The will is destroyed--burned!" + +"Steal my stepfather's money? Indeed, you are out of your mind, Celeste! +My stepfather has disappeared and may never be seen again." + +"He lives." + +"How do you know?" Lorinda cried eagerly. + +"Celeste know--feel it here." The woman touched her breast. + +"You've seen him--talked to him since he went away!" Lorinda accused. + +"No!" + +"Then unless you've had a message from him, you couldn't know whether he +is alive or dead." + +"Celeste know," the woman replied stubbornly. "We save the money for +him." + +"If my stepfather returns I'll be perfectly happy for him to have +Mother's estate. You're all mixed up, Celeste. Now let's put an end to +this nonsense. Free us!" + +"No," retorted the grim woman. "Celeste and Anton go away now. Perhaps +find master. You will stay in cave." + +"Celeste, how did you know about this passage and cave?" Lorinda asked, +stalling for time. + +"Anton help build it." + +"But why should my stepfather build the passageway?" Lorinda murmured. +"It doesn't seem like him." + +Celeste did not answer. Gathering up the machete, the Zudi drum, the +embroidered altar cloth and other stolen treasures, she prepared to +leave. + +"It was you who whispered the warning at the thatched cottage!" accused +Penny. "You wanted to prevent discovery of this cave!" + +Celeste's cruel smile acknowledged the truth. Saying something to Anton +in their own language, she padded off down the passageway. + +All save Anton now had gone. He blew out the altar candles, picked up the +pine torch and would have blown out the cocoanut shell lamp, had Penny +not said pleadingly: + +"Please leave us a tiny light, Anton. It will be so dark here in the +cave." + +The man hesitated, glancing down the passage as if fearful Celeste would +punish him for such a display of weakness. But he did as Penny requested. +First, however, he noted that the lamp was nearly empty of oil and could +not burn many minutes. Without extinguishing it, he disappeared into the +tunnel. + +Waiting only until she was certain Celeste, Anton and their converts were +out of the passage, Lorinda said excitedly: + +"They forgot to gag us! We can shout for help!" + +"With a hurricane roaring outside, it's a waste of breath," replied +Penny. "No one will be on the beach tonight, and our voices wouldn't +carry a dozen yards." + +"Then what are we to do? Anton and Celeste mean to run away now. The +police never will be able to find them unless we act quickly." + +"I have an idea, but it may not work." + +Penny, her hands and feet securely tied, began to roll toward the +cocoanut oil lamp. + +"What are you trying to do?" Lorinda asked anxiously. + +"Maybe I can burn the cords on my wrists. That's why I asked Anton to +leave the lamp." + +"Perhaps you can!" cried Lorinda, taking hope. "But it will be dangerous +and very hard to do. The oil is almost gone. You'll have to work fast, +Penny, or you'll lose your chance!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 22 + _STRANGER IN THE STORM_ + + +Penny squirmed and rolled until her hands were very close to the cocoanut +oil lamp on the rocky floor of the cave. + +"Be careful!" Lorinda cried fearfully. "If your clothing should catch +fire, nothing could save you." + +Penny held her hands, which were bound behind her back, over the flame. +The heat seared her flesh and made her wince with pain. + +"Keep it up, Penny!" encouraged her companion. "The cord is catching +fire! But the lamp is almost out!" + +Penny gritted her teeth and endured the pain. Then the lamp sputtered and +went out, leaving the cave to darkness. + +"Oh!" wailed Lorinda in bitter disappointment. + +Penny tugged at the wrist cords. Although not severed, they were half +burned through and weakened. A hard jerk freed her hands. + +Only a moment then was required to untie the cords which held her feet. +Next she freed Lorinda. As the girls started to leave through the +passageway, Penny felt a cold blast of air upon her neck. Looking up, she +was able to distinguish a small opening in the wall of the cave. + +"Maybe we can get out there!" she exclaimed. "Give me a boost and I'll +see!" + +Lorinda lifted her up. Scrambling like a monkey, Penny secured a toe hold +and crammed her head and shoulders through the opening. A moment later +she ducked back to call to her friend: + +"We can get out all right! But the storm is getting awful! I'll crawl out +and then help you." + +Scrambling through the narrow opening, Penny found herself amid the high +rocks overlooking the beach. The wind was blowing in puffs, each so +powerful that she nearly was dislodged from her precarious perch. + +Reaching back through the hole, Penny offered her arms to Lorinda who +succeeded in joining her. They huddled in the lee of an overhanging rock, +rain driving into their faces. + +"We must get word to the police!" Penny said breathlessly. + +"And I must make certain Mother is safe!" Lorinda added. "She's been left +too long alone. Anton and Celeste may have gone back there, and in that +case, anything might happen!" + +Slipping and sliding, the girls descended the rocks to the beach. The +river, lashed by a sheet of rain, was dark and ugly. Much of the sand had +been inundated and water bubbled at their heels as they ran toward the +road. + +A car swung toward them, its headlights blurred by the rain. It parked at +the curb, and the driver tooted several times as if in signal. + +"That looks like Jerry's car!" Penny cried hopefully. + +It was, indeed, the reporter. He swung open the automobile door, and as +they recognized him, they dashed across the road and gratefully slid into +the shelter offered. + +"Don't you girls know better than to be running around at a time like +this?" Jerry demanded severely. "Lucky I saw you streaking up the beach!" + +"What brought you here?" Penny gasped, taking several deep breaths. + +"What brought me? Say, don't you realize we're in for a real storm, and +it's almost here! The radio ten minutes ago reported that Oelwein, on the +coast, has been completely destroyed! I knew you came here to do a little +sleuthing, Penny, and I figured someone ought to look after you." + +"Thanks, Jerry," she returned gratefully. "We were in trouble--plenty of +it." + +As the reporter drove on toward the Rhett mansion, Penny quickly revealed +what had happened. Jerry made little comment, but his expression was +grim. + +"Maybe Anton and Celeste are here," he said as the car reached the Rhett +home. "If they are, we'll round 'em up." + +Celeste and Anton, however, were not to be found in the mansion. Their +rooms remained deserted and there was no indication that they had +returned to the house after leaving the cave. + +Lorinda lost not a moment in hastening to her mother's bedroom. To her +relief, Mrs. Rhett was sleeping quietly and did not awaken. + +"Thank goodness, she is safe," the girl murmured. "After what happened in +the cave, I feared the worst." + +"We ought to get the police on the trail of Anton and Celeste before they +make their escape," Jerry urged. "Once the full force of this storm +strikes, no one will be able to stir outside." + +He tried the telephone but the line remained dead. "I'll drive to the +police station," he decided. "Are you girls coming along?" + +"I'll stay with Mother," Lorinda said. "She mustn't be left alone." + +Penny hesitated, intending to remain with her friend, but Jerry seized +her by the arm. "Your father sent me out here to round you up, so I'll +take you to the newspaper office," he declared. "Let's go!" + +As they opened the front door, rain poured in and a great blast of wind +nearly swept the pair from their feet. + +"Wow!" exclaimed the reporter, holding tight to Penny as with heads +lowered, they ran for the car. "This is it!" + +The air was filled with flying objects, and a shingle loosened from the +mansion roof, hurtled against Penny. Jerry pulled the car door open. The +wind seized it, nearly wrenching it off the hinges. Gusts were of greater +velocity now, with the intervals much shorter. + +For a dreadful moment, Penny and Jerry thought the car would not start. +The reporter jammed his foot on the starter again and again and gave it +the full choke. Suddenly, the motor caught. + +As they drove off along the river road, the force of the wind was so +great it required all of Jerry's strength to keep the car straight on the +road. + +"We'll be lucky if we reach the police station!" he exclaimed. "This is a +lot worse than I figured." + +"Jerry!" + +Seizing the reporter's arm, Penny pointed to a crouched figure visible on +the road ahead. The woman, hair flying in wild streamers, clutched a +large object in her arms, and was bent almost double as she sought to +move against the wind. + +"It's Celeste!" Penny cried. + +Jerry brought the car to the roadside almost beside the servant. Not +until Penny and the reporter were out of the automobile and almost upon +her, did she see them. Then with a startled cry, she turned to flee. But +it was too late. Jerry seized her by the arm. + +"You're coming with us!" he ordered sharply. + +Battered and frightened by the force of the wind, Celeste, surprisingly, +made no protest. Clutching the big Zudi drum, she allowed Jerry and Penny +to pull her into the shelter of the car. + +"Where is Anton?" the reporter demanded. + +Celeste's answer was a shrug. She gazed toward the mansion grounds, and +ignored the pair. + +Jerry drove on. He glanced significantly at Penny who guessed that he +intended to take Celeste directly to the police station. + +However, as they approached the downtown section, the wind blew with even +greater power. Not a vehicle was to be seen on the streets. The _Star_ +building loomed up, but the police station was six blocks away. + +"We can't make it," Jerry decided. "I'm turning in here." + +One of the double doors of the _Star_ garage, where trucks were usually +loaded with their papers, stood open. He drove inside, pulling up near +the entrance to the newspaper pressroom on the ground floor. + +Celeste stirred to life, and made a move to get out of the car. + +"Oh, no you don't!" said Jerry, pushing her back. "You and that drum stay +with us." + +Celeste was of a different opinion. Glaring at Jerry, she slapped at him, +and again tried to get her hand on the door handle. + +"We can't hold her here," Jerry said. "But I have an idea! Penny, see if +the pressroom door is unlocked." + +Penny ran to test it and found it unlocked. Now that the extra was out, +the pressmen had gathered in a far corner of the big room filled with +giant rotary presses, to smoke and watch the storm. + +Racing back to the car, Penny made her report. + +"Good!" exclaimed Jerry. + +With Penny's help, he got Celeste out of the car, separating her from the +Zudi drum which they left in the automobile. The woman stubbornly refused +to walk, so Jerry lifted her bodily and carried her kicking and +struggling into the pressroom. + +Near the door was a large storage closet where tools and oil for the +presses were kept. Jerry shoved Celeste into this room and turned a key +in the lock. + +"That will hold her," he observed. "While you lock the Zudi drum in the +car, I'll talk to the press foreman and tell him what we've done. Then +Celeste can squawk her head off and it will do no good. We'll keep her +here until the storm lets up and we can get a police squad to pick her +up." + +Penny ran back to the loading garage. It was deserted now save for a lone +delivery truck which stood directly in front of the paper chute. Although +his cargo was loaded, the driver hesitated to try to deliver until the +storm abated. + +Locking the car, Penny decided she would close the one big double garage +door where rain was blowing in. + +The hurricane now roared in full fury. Peering out into the deserted +street, it seemed to Penny that no person could stand against its +strength. Yet as she closed the doors, she was amazed to see a scurrying +figure. + +The man, his hat gone, overcoat whipped between his legs, grasped a +corner of the building for support. + +Seeing his face, Penny drew in her breath sharply. A small jagged scar +disfigured one cheek. As he struggled past the door, she reached out and +grasped his arm. + +"Come in here out of the wind," she urged. As she gazed directly into his +eyes, she added distinctly: "We have been looking for you a long while, +Mr. Rhett!" + + + + + CHAPTER + 23 + _IN THE PRESSROOM_ + + +"You have made a mistake," the man mumbled. "I am not Mr. Rhett. My name +is Brown--Edgar Brown." + +Penny, none too certain of the identification, gazed at the man's hands. +They were soft and white as if unaccustomed to hard work, but he wore no +serpent ring on any of his fingers. She felt certain this was the man she +had met at the steamship office. + +The stranger pulled gently away from her grasp, ready to start out into +the howling wind once more. + +"You'll be swept off your feet if you try to battle that storm!" Penny +protested. "You must stay here until the worst of it is over!" + +"But I am not Mr. Rhett." + +"Never mind about that," said Penny. "I mistook you for someone else. +Just come inside and I'll close the doors." + +The man peered outside once more, and noting the intensity of the storm, +lost all desire to leave the shelter. He moved away from the entrance, +and Penny closed the big, heavy door. + +"Come along with me into the pressroom where it is warm," she invited. + +Without comment, the man followed her across the cement toward the +loading docks. At the other end of the drive, someone opened the doors +for a moment to allow a truck to roll inside. A great gust of wind tore +through the passage, and sent the stranger's hat careening into a corner. + +He darted to recapture it. As he stooped to pick it up, an object on a +string which he wore about his neck, swung from beneath his sport shirt. +Quickly he pushed it out of sight again, but not before Penny had seen +the ring and recognized the serpent design. + +"He _is_ Mr. Rhett!" she thought, her pulse pounding. + +Wisely, she pretended to have observed nothing, and invited him into the +pressroom where Jerry was waiting. Celeste, still locked in the storage +closet, was rattling the door knob and kicking on the panel with all her +strength. + +"Jerry," said Penny, dropping her bombshell. "This is Mr. Rhett." + +The reporter's mouth dropped agape, while the stranger plainly showed his +annoyance. + +"I told you I am not Mr. Rhett." + +"Then kindly explain the significance of that ring you wear around your +neck. I saw it only a moment ago." + +The stranger became confused. "My ring--" he stammered. "Oh, that! An +heirloom. I have had it for years." + +"Please tell us the truth," pleaded Penny. + +"I know nothing about this man you call Mr. Rhett," he replied, avoiding +her direct gaze. "Evidently you have someone locked up here. Suppose you +explain the meaning." + +"Gladly," replied Penny. "We do have someone imprisoned in the storage +room ready to turn over to the police as soon as the storm lets up. It is +Celeste." + +"Celeste!" The stranger's amazed expression betrayed him. Although he +added: "And who is she?" it was unconvincing. + +"Mr. Rhett, why pretend?" Penny demanded. "We know who you are." + +"Very well," said the man, smiling faintly. "So I am Mr. Rhett! I assume +you two are reporters for the _Star_." + +"Right," agreed Jerry. + +"And you want a story. Well, there's no story. Since you have me dead to +rights as they say, I'll not deny I am Hamilton Rhett. However, my +identity is my own affair. I stepped out of my old life--the bank and my +home--because I was tired of a very boring existence. I never was cut to +the cloth of a banker. I dislike being shut up indoors even for an hour. +Probably I shall return to South America." + +"You say it is your own affair," Penny remarked pointedly. "I am afraid +it isn't. Aren't you forgetting a little matter of $250,000?" + +"I don't know what you mean." + +"I refer to that sum in negotiable bonds which you had in your possession +at the time you left the bank." + +Mr. Rhett did not seem to understand for a moment. Then he exclaimed: +"Oh, the bonds! I was to have returned them to the vault, but it slipped +my mind. You will find them in the top desk drawer in my office." + +"The desk has been carefully searched. The bonds are not there." + +"Not there?" For the first time Mr. Rhett seemed disturbed. "But they +must be, unless they were stolen after I went away!" + +"The bonds have not been found, and the bank trustees are pressing your +family to make restitution. Furthermore, your wife is dangerously ill." + +"My wife sick? What is wrong?" + +"The doctors do not know. However, Lorinda burned an effigy doll made in +your wife's image--she found it in the house. Two burned match sticks +tied together also were found by Mrs. Rhett. For some reason she became +obsessed with the idea she was doomed to a lingering fatal illness. She +began to refuse food and since then has gone steadily downhill." + +"The work of Celeste!" + +"We think so. Tonight she stole the Zudi drum, and Lorinda and I found +her with Anton and other followers celebrating their rites in a cave near +the beach." + +"Then they have reverted to their heathen ways!" the banker exclaimed. +"My wife always said Celeste hated her, but I, like a blind fool, refused +to see it. Once during the years I spent in the jungle, Celeste saved my +life and I always felt grateful to her. Now I must forget that, for she +is a dangerous woman if she seeks to practice her jungle magic." + +"You don't actually believe Celeste could make your wife ill merely by +suggestion?" Jerry inquired in amazement. + +"In the jungles I have seen a native die from superficial wounds. If told +the spear which struck him had been sung over by an enemy, the native +would simply lie down, refuse food and pine away. My wife is in great +danger!" + +"Can nothing be done?" cried Penny. + +Mr. Rhett's face tightened into hard, grim lines. "A great deal can be +done," he said. "But Celeste must be fought with her own jungle weapons. +To turn her over to the police will not be sufficient. She is inside the +closet you say--let me talk to her." + +"Okay," agreed Jerry, "but Celeste in her present mood is a pretty brisk +customer. To make sure she doesn't get away, I'll lock the pressroom door +before letting her out of her cage." + +As the reporter went to the exit, Penny heard the pressmen at the other +end of the room shout that the storm had abated. + +"The hurricane has not passed," corrected Mr. Rhett quietly. "This lull +merely marks the end of the first phase. The wind will return harder than +ever in a few minutes from another quarter." + +Jerry returned, and taking the key to the storage room from his pocket, +cautiously unlocked the door. Celeste, blinking like an owl as she +staggered out under the electric lights, gasped as she saw Mr. Rhett. + +"Master!" she exclaimed worshipfully. "You come back!" + +Mr. Rhett's face showed no trace of the affection he had felt for his +servant. "Celeste," he said, "you've been dabbling in magic again! What's +this nonsense about my wife being ill and going to die?" + +"The truth, Master. Anton and I try hard to save her, but no use. She die +next month. Maybe sooner." + +"Get this through your head, Celeste. My wife will not die. She will be +as well as you are within two days. All your incantations over the doll +were wasted. You plotted to no avail. I am home now, and if you persist +in your wickedness, I will meet your so-called magic with stronger magic +of my own!" + +"Celeste sorry," the old woman whimpered. "Do it only to get money for +master." + +"I need no money and want none. You have been very wicked, Celeste, and +must be turned over to the police for safe keeping." + +"Oh, no, Master! Not the police!" + +"Yes, and now is the time to take you there during this lull in the +storm." + +Celeste's wild eyes darted about the room, searching for a means of +escape. With a savage lunge, she reached the door only to find it locked. + +As Jerry and Mr. Rhett bore down upon her, she scurried frantically along +the outer room wall, coming to the metal paper chute through which +packages of freshly-printed papers were tossed for delivery. + +Quick as a cat, Celeste scrambled into the chute, crawling through on all +fours. At the chute's exit on the sheltered cement drive, stood the +waiting paper truck, its rear door ajar. Already loaded, the driver +awaited only this lull in the storm before setting off to deliver his +cargo. + +Even as Celeste crawled through the chute, the man started the truck +engine. The woman did not hesitate. Leaping into the rear of the vehicle, +she slammed the door. + +Hearing it close, the driver assumed another workman had shut it as a +signal for him to pull out. Shifting gears, he drove away with his cargo +of papers--and Celeste. + + + + + CHAPTER + 24 + _THE GRINNING GARGOYLE_ + + +By the time Jerry, Penny and Mr. Rhett unlocked the pressroom door and +reached the loading dock, the truck bearing Celeste was far down the +street. + +"Hey, where'd that truck go?" the reporter shouted to another workman at +the far end of the drive. + +"Docks at the end of Basset Street," he answered. "A batch o' papers go +aboard the _Monclove_ for shipment to Presque Isle." + +Jerry's car stood close by. He sprang in, making room for Penny and Mr. +Rhett. + +The newspaper truck had disappeared by the time they drove out on the +street. Jerry took a short-cut route to the Basset Street docks. Signs +and debris of all description cluttered the roadway. Rain had ceased, but +the ominous quiet, the heaviness of the air, was even more frightening +than the wind had been. + +In a distant section of the city they heard the high-pitched whistle of a +police siren; otherwise, the streets were as silent as the tomb. + +The car turned a corner, and directly ahead Penny glimpsed the newspaper +truck. + +"There it is!" she cried, but Jerry also had seen the vehicle. + +He put on speed, and was close behind as the truck pulled up with a jerk +at Dock 12. Green water whipped to foam, crashed with heavy impact +against the dock posts and flooded out on the slippery planking. + +"We won't have much time!" Mr. Rhett exclaimed. "When the next phase of +the storm comes--and it's close now--the wind will be terrific!" + +The men, with Penny close behind, leaped from the car. Quick as they +were, Celeste was out of the truck before they could reach its door. + +She stopped short as she saw the trio, then like a trapped animal, turned +and fled in the opposite direction. + +"Celeste!" Mr. Rhett shouted. "Wait!" + +The woman paid no attention. Splashing ankle-deep through water that +washed the dock planks, she ran precariously close to the river's edge. + +A hoarse shout from behind caused Penny to turn. The driver of the truck +was gesturing and pointing first to the dark sky and then to an open +shed. For a moment she did not understand, but as he ran for the shelter, +she heard the deep-throated roar of the hurricane as it returned for its +final onslaught. + +"Quick!" cried Mr. Rhett who also recognized the danger. "Inside!" + +The three ran back to the shed where the truck-driver had taken shelter. +Although they shouted again and again to Celeste, she ignored their +warnings. + +As the wind struck, they saw her at the very edge of the dock. She half +turned toward the shed as if debating whether or not to seek its shelter, +then took a step or two in the opposite direction. + +A great gust lifted off a section of the shed roof and whirled it away. +As the full impact of the wind swept around the building, Celeste clung +to a dock post for an instant; then her fingers lost their grip, and with +a scream, she toppled over the edge into the churning water. + +Jerry started toward the door, but Mr. Rhett seized his arm, dragging him +back. + +"Don't be a fool! Celeste is beyond help! You'll only lose your own life +if you venture out there now!" + +Already Celeste had disappeared beneath the turbulent waters, leaving no +trace. Anxiously those in the shed watched but her head never appeared +above the surface. + +"Poor Celeste," said Mr. Rhett sadly. "She meant well, but she was +superstitious and misguided. However, she would have pined away in +captivity. Perhaps she went the best way." + +The servant's startling death placed a pall upon the four who huddled in +the shed. Close together, they flattened themselves against the wall, +expecting at any moment that the entire building would be lifted from its +foundation and hurled into the river. The force of the wind was almost +unbelievable. + +After nearly a half hour, the gusts lost their strength and Mr. Rhett +declared that the greatest danger had been passed. + +"Tell me everything that happened while I was away," he requested Penny +and Jerry. + +"We will," promised Penny, "but first, suppose you explain why you went +away." + +"I thought I did tell you." Mr. Rhett drew a deep sigh. "For many months +I considered retiring from the bank. I discussed it with my wife, but she +failed to see my viewpoint and insisted that I remain. We became +deadlocked, so to speak. + +"I tried for her sake to force myself to like bank work, but it was +utterly impossible. Each day I found myself longing for the old carefree +adventurous days." + +"So you quietly walked out?" Jerry supplied. + +"Something like that. My actions weren't premeditated. One thing led to +another. I had a quarrel with my wife over neglect of bank duties. As I +sat thinking it over at my desk, it struck me that Lorinda and her mother +probably would be happier if I removed myself from the picture." + +"Did you write anything as you sat there?" Penny interposed eagerly. + +"I'm not sure I know what you mean." + +"Did you draw a picture of a plumed serpent?" + +"Yes, I believe so, though it was only absent-minded doodling." + +"And beneath the drawing you wrote, 'This shall be the end.'" + +"Why, yes, I did," the man acknowledged. "I had decided to walk out and +those words expressed the conclusion I reached. I wrote the thought +absent-mindedly and never intended it to fall into anyone's hands. Did I +leave the paper in the desk?" + +"The police found it there." + +"I must have been quite upset," Mr. Rhett said, frowning. "At any rate, I +walked out with less than three dollars in my pocket, and didn't realize +until later that I was without funds." + +"So you took lodging in a cheap flop house on Cherry Street?" Jerry +interposed. + +"Yes, you seem to have followed my actions very closely. Although the +lodgings were hardly deluxe, I did not mind the experience. I frequently +have slept on the ground or in native huts." + +"You stayed there only one night?" Penny inquired. + +"Another lodger told me two persons had come to ask questions about a man +who wore a serpent ring," Mr. Rhett said. "Not wishing to be found, I +removed the ring from my finger, and found another lodging place. When my +money ran out, I picked up a little work as a laborer at one of the +mills." + +"I saw you inquiring at one of the steamship ticket offices," Penny +reminded him. "You remember that, I'm sure." + +"I sought to work my passage on a boat going to South America," Mr. Rhett +explained. + +"All this time, didn't you read the newspapers?" Jerry asked curiously. +"Didn't you know the bonds were missing and that your wife was ill?" + +Mr. Rhett shook his head. "I purposely avoided looking at the newspapers. +I was afraid if I did I might be tempted to return to my old life." + +"And now?" asked Penny softly. + +"I have no future, only the present. Before making any plans, I must +return home to see that my wife frees her mind from Celeste's evil +suggestions. I made a great mistake in bringing Celeste and Anton into +the household. But once my wife knows Celeste is dead, I am confident she +will quickly recover." + +"You still love your wife?" + +"I shall always love her," he returned quietly, "but she has no use for +me. I've been a drag on her since the day we were married." + +"She doesn't feel that way, I'm sure," Penny corrected. "Since you went +away, she's been heartbroken. Lorinda needs you too." + +"I can never return to the bank," Mr. Rhett repeated. "And there are the +stolen bonds to be considered. Why, the police may even arrest me! I'm +all mixed up." + +"Matters will straighten out as soon as you see your wife," Penny +declared. "However, I'll admit recovering the bonds may not be so easy. +To my knowledge, the police haven't a single clue." + +Jerry was peering out the open shed door. "The storm is letting up," he +called. "We'll soon be able to get out of here." + +Another half hour and the wind died sufficiently so that the party could +safely leave the shelter. The truck driver returned to the newspaper +office, while Jerry and Penny drove Mr. Rhett to his home. + +The mansion yard was cluttered with uprooted trees, boards and debris. +Penny ran down the path a short distance and returned to report that the +thatched roof cottage had vanished without a trace. + +"Perhaps it is just as well," said Mr. Rhett. "It was a mistake to build +the cottage, but Celeste first put the idea in my head. I intended to use +it only as a trophy room, but to Celeste it became a living symbol of the +life she had left behind." + +"Why did you build the passageway leading to the cave and to Celeste's +room?" Penny inquired. + +Mr. Rhett's blank expression told her that he did not understand. After +she had explained, he said grimly: "Anton and Celeste must have dug the +tunnel without my knowledge! Oh, they were a cunning pair!" + +"And Anton still is on the loose," Jerry reminded the banker. "We'll have +to notify the police to pick him up." + +Mr. Rhett and the young people entered the house. Lorinda, startled by +hearing the front door open, ran to the head of the stairway. Seeing her +stepfather, she gave a cry of joy and raced to meet him. + +"You've come back! Oh, Mother needs you so badly. Do go to her at once." + +Mr. Rhett needed no urging. He was up the steps two at a time. Jerry and +Penny, not wishing to intrude, remained in the living room, but a few +minutes later, Lorinda called them. + +"Oh, everything is wonderful!" she exclaimed. "Mother and Father have +adjusted all their differences. And best of all, she's already half over +the idea she is going to die. Why, he just told her Celeste was dead and +that she could never do any further harm. Mother snapped right out of +it!" + +Lorinda insisted that Jerry and Penny go upstairs. Mrs. Rhett was sitting +up in bed, and her eyes were shining. + +"How silly I've been," she declared. "As I look back, I realize Celeste +hated me and kept putting ideas in my mind. Why, I feel much better +already." + +"Hungry?" asked Lorinda. + +"Indeed, I am. I must have a gigantic dinner tonight." Mrs. Rhett laughed +and added: "With everything well salted!" + +"About the bank--" began Mr. Rhett. + +"Let's not talk about it now," his wife pleaded. "I was wrong about that +too. I'll never ask you to go back there, for it isn't your type of life. +Instead, perhaps we can go away somewhere on a long trip--South America, +would that appeal to you, Hamilton?" + +"Would it?" he chuckled. "Someone has been putting ideas in your head, +and this time it wasn't Celeste!" + +Anxious to return to the newspaper office and to stop at the police +station, Jerry and Penny soon took leave of the Rhetts, after receiving +urgent invitations to return later that night. + +"Well, it appears everything is turning out hunkey dorey for the Rhetts," +Jerry observed as he and Penny drove away from the mansion. "Anton is +certain to be caught by the police, and those followers of his will be +jailed too if they ever show their faces again." + +"Everything _might_ be fine for the Rhetts except for one thing," Penny +returned. "Mrs. Rhett doesn't have much ready cash available, and there +still remains a little matter of $250,000 in missing bonds." + +"I'd forgotten about that. You're right, Rhett still is in an awkward +spot." + +The car drove into the downtown section where a few vehicles now were +moving. Under the glow of the street lights, workmen were clearing the +debris away. + +As the car approached the First National Bank, Penny chanced to raise her +eyes toward the second story balcony fronting the street. The grinning +gargoyles stood out in dark relief, and as she gazed at them, she +suddenly saw a shadowy figure moving stealthily toward the one nearest +the open door leading from Mr. Rhett's private office. + +"Why, that looks like Albert Potts!" she exclaimed. + +As she watched in amazement, the man approached the gargoyle. Reaching +his hand far in between the open jaws, he removed something which he +thrust into his overcoat pocket. Then, with a nervous glance down upon +the deserted street, he stepped back into Mr. Rhett's office, and closed +the door. + + + + + CHAPTER + 25 + _ON THE BALCONY_ + + +"Jerry, that was Albert Potts on the balcony!" Penny cried excitedly. +"I'm sure I saw him remove an object from inside the gargoyle!" + +"Maybe he was just looking to see what damage was done by the storm," +commented the reporter. + +"He took something out and put it in his overcoat pocket! Jerry, now that +I think back, Potts acted queerly that first day when the police +investigated Mr. Rhett's office. He didn't want anyone to go near the +gargoyle! Another thing, he's been spending money as if it were +rainwater!" + +"You're suggesting--" + +"That it was Albert Potts who stole the bonds! Weren't they left in Mr. +Rhett's desk? Potts knew it and had a perfect chance to take them! He +implied that Rhett walked off with them! Actually, he hid the bonds in +the gargoyle, knowing that if they were found there, no blame would be +likely to fall upon him. Whenever he needed money, he cashed a +bond--that's why only a few have shown up at out of town banks!" + +"Say, maybe you have something!" exclaimed Jerry, pulling up at the curb. +"If he had hid the bonds in the gargoyle, it would be natural for him to +wonder if they still were safe after this storm! He might have decided to +shift them to another place." + +"My idea exactly! Jerry, let's nab him and turn him over to the police!" + +"Not quite so fast, my little chickadee. If we accuse Potts, and it turns +out we're wrong, well, he could make it hot for us." + +"We'll have to take a chance," Penny urged. + +Leaving the car at the curb, the pair walked hurriedly to the bank. The +building was dark and the lights were off inside. + +"Sure you saw Potts on the balcony?" Jerry asked as they huddled against +the wall for protection against the biting wind. + +"Yes, and I think he's coming now!" + +Penny was correct. They heard footsteps coming down the marble stairway, +and a moment later, the bank secretary unlocked the door. The waiting +couple made no move until he had locked himself out, but as he started +away, Jerry tapped him on the shoulder. + +Potts whirled around, obviously startled. His face blanched. + +"Hello, Potts," said Jerry. "Working late, aren't you?" + +"Why, yes," stammered the man, edging away. + +"Can you spare a match?" + +Potts half reached into his pocket as if to proffer one, then said +testily: "I haven't any. Sorry." + +"Sure now, you must have a match," said Jerry, brushing against him. +"Maybe in your overcoat pocket." + +Before Potts could prevent it, he had thrust his hands deep into each of +the outside pockets. The bank clerk jerked angrily away. However, it was +too late. Jerry triumphantly brought to light a heavy manila envelope. + +"Give that to me!" Potts cried furiously. + +Sidestepping him, Jerry pulled several bonds of large denomination from +the envelope. + +"The stolen bonds!" exclaimed Penny. "Mr. Potts, whatever possessed you +to do it?" + +The bank secretary never answered the question. Instead, he wheeled and +started at a run down the street. As he reached the corner, a policeman +who had just finished making a report to headquarters, turned from his +phone box. + +"Stop that man!" yelled Jerry. + +The policeman grasped Potts, bringing him up short. After that, the bank +secretary did his explaining to the desk sergeant at police headquarters. +So unconvincing was his story, that he was immediately locked in a cell. + +Meanwhile, Jerry and Penny related all they knew about the case. All +scout cars were ordered to be on the alert to pick up Anton. Mr. Rhett +was brought to the station within the hour, and promptly identified the +recovered bonds as those he had left in his office desk. + +At first, Potts firmly maintained his innocence, but after police had +subjected him to a lie detector test, he realized his case was lost. When +one of the detectives who was questioning him, remarked that his wife +likely would be implicated in the theft, Potts broke completely: + +"No! No! My wife had nothing to do with it," he insisted. "I wanted to +give my family better things--that was why I took the bonds. I thought +Mr. Rhett would never return and that he would be blamed for the theft." + +"How did you cash the bonds?" he was asked. + +"I was afraid to take them to a bank myself," Potts confessed. "Instead, +I paid a woman in another town to do it for me. But she did it only as a +favor, and had no idea the bonds were stolen. I alone am to blame." + +A check by police revealed that Potts had spent only $2,000 of the total +amount stolen. Mr. Rhett declared that this sum easily could be made up, +so that the bank would sustain no loss. He was inclined to be lenient +with his secretary, but police were insistent that the man be brought to +trial. + +Jerry and Penny, knowing that they had a big story to write, did not +tarry long at the police station. However, the police desk sergeant +promised to keep them informed of any new developments in the case. True +to his word, he called them soon after they reached the _Star_ office. +His news was that Anton had been captured by the police and now was +safely locked in a jail cell. + +"Well, that rings the gong on the case," Jerry announced as he hung up +the telephone. "Thanks to you, Penny, it's all wound up." + +"And it's nearly edition time!" barked the city editor. "Let's get going +on that story." + +He looked at Jerry who was known as the best writer on the paper, and +then his eyes moved on to Penny who waited with bated breath. + +"This was her story from start to finish," said Jerry as the editor +hesitated. + +"Get going!" ordered the editor again, and now he looked straight at +Penny. "Give it to me in takes." + +Penny hurried to a typewriter. The lead, telling of Mr. Rhett's return, +Potts' arrest and recovery of the stolen bonds, almost wrote itself. +Keeping her own part and Jerry's entirely out of the story, she wrote +smoothly and with speed. + +When she had finished half a page, she called: "Copy boy!" and ripping +the sheet of paper from the typewriter gave it to him to carry to the +editor's desk. + +With a fresh sheet in the machine, she wrote on until she had a second +"take" ready. Again she called the copy boy and, as he snatched it from +her hand, rolled still another sheet into the typewriter. + +At last she was on the final page and glanced over it before she typed +"30" at the end. The story had been well told, written tersely in the +manner DeWitt liked. With a feeling of exultation, she realized she had +done a good job. + +Getting to her feet, she dropped the last page into the copy basket. +Earlier sheets already had been copy-read and were in the process of +being set into type. Any moment now, the edition would roll and papers +would be on the street. + +Penny turned from the desk to see Jerry sitting with his feet propped up +on one of the tables. He was gazing at her quizzically and grinning. + +"Well, you did it again, Penny!" he remarked. + +"We did it together," she corrected. + +"With the help of our silent partner," he added lightly. + +"Silent partner?" + +"The hurricane. It damaged a lot of Riverview property, but on the other +side of the ledger, it helped write '30' to the Rhett case." + +Penny nodded as she reached for her hat and raincoat. Just then, a copy +boy ran up. + +"Telephone for you," he said. "It's your housekeeper, Mrs. Weems. She +wants to know if you're safe." + +"Safe and sound and on my way home," laughed Penny. "Tell her I've +already started." + +"And that she's being driven by her faithful chauffeur," chuckled Jerry, +as he reached for his hat. "Which reminds me, we have a little package to +deliver to the Rhetts'." + +"The Zudi drum! I forgot all about it!" + +"Haven't you forgotten another important matter too?" teased Jerry, +escorting her through the swinging gate. "Me, for instance." + +"You?" + +"My reward for tonight's work. Girl reporters, even cute little numbers +like you, can't snatch my bylines without paying the piper!" + +"And what fee do you require?" Penny asked with pretended innocence. + +"We'll go into that later," he chuckled, pinning her neatly into a +shadowy corner of the vestibule. "Just now, I'll take a little kiss on +deposit!" + + THE END + + + + + Transcriber's Notes + + +--Replaced the list of books in the series by the complete list, as in + the final book, "The Cry at Midnight". + +--Silently corrected a handful of palpable typos. + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Whispering Walls, by Mildred A. Wirt + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WHISPERING WALLS *** + +***** This file should be named 34975.txt or 34975.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/9/7/34975/ + +Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Brenda Lewis and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/34975.zip b/34975.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..301ebd2 --- /dev/null +++ b/34975.zip diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..85b2e0e --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #34975 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/34975) |
