toss garments into a suitcase.
"Rhoda, you can't go like this!" Mrs. Breen cried in protest. "Why won't
you listen to reason?"
"Let her go!" Mr. Coaten said harshly. "She'll come back in a day or two
glad to accept my offer."
Rhoda paid no heed to the conversation which flowed about her. Swiftly
she packed her suitcase and told Penny that she was ready to leave.
"Mrs. Breen," she said, squeezing the woman's hand in parting, "you and
Pop have been wonderful to Ted and me. I'll never forget it--never.
Someday I'll repay you, too."
"This is the way you do it," Mrs. Breen retorted bitterly. "By defying my
wishes."
There was nothing more to be said. Penny and Rhoda quickly left the
trailer, carrying the suitcase between them.
"I shouldn't have done it," the girl murmured contritely. "I don't know
how I'll ever manage to make a living. Ted likely will side against me,
too."
"Don't think of anything tonight," Penny advised, although she too was
worried. "We'll find something for you. Dad may have an opening on the
_Star_."
Mrs. Weems long ago had ceased to be surprised by anything that Penny
did, and so, when the two girls arrived at the Parker home, she did not
ask many questions. Rhoda was comfortably established in the guest room
and made to feel that she was welcome. However, ultimately learning what
had occurred, the housekeeper was not at all certain that Penny had done
right by helping the girl to leave home. Nor was Mr. Parker encouraging
about the prospects of finding employment.
"Can she type or take shorthand?" he asked bluntly.
"I don't think so," Penny admitted.
"The _Star_ can't be made a catch-all for your unemployed friends," Mr.
Parker resumed severely. "My advice is to send her back to the Breens."
"I can't do that, Dad. You don't understand."
"Well, let it ride for a few days," her father replied, frowning. "I'll
see what I can do."
Penny tried to keep Rhoda from realizing that her presence in the
household had created a problem. In the morning the girls went to school
together, returned for lunch, and then attended the afternoon session.
Rhoda became increasingly gloomy.
"Penny, this can't go on indefinitely," she protested. "I'll have to get
a job somehow."
"Let me worry about that."
"Ted hasn't come to see me either," Rhoda went on nervously. "I--I'm
beginning to think I should go back and sign that paper."
"Don't even consider it," Penny said firmly. "You need diversion to keep
your mind off the problem. Let's hike out to the Marborough place!"
Carrying their books, the girls set off for Rose Acres. Several windows
on the lower floor of the house had been opened to admit fresh air and
the blinds no longer were drawn. For the first time since Mrs.
Marborough's return, the old mansion actually had a "lived in"
appearance. However, although Penny knocked many times, the widow did not
come to the door.
"She can't be here," Rhoda remarked at last.
"The windows are open," Penny said thoughtfully. "I doubt that Mrs.
Marborough would go very far away without closing them."
The girls wandered to the wishing well, and then made a complete tour of
the grounds. Mrs. Marborough was nowhere in the yard.
"Shall we go?" Rhoda asked.
"I'll knock on the door just once more," Penny said. "I can't help
feeling that she is here."
Circling the house to the side entrance, the girls again rapped and
waited.
"Listen!" commanded Penny suddenly.
"I don't hear anything," declared Rhoda, startled by the manner in which
her companion had given the command.
"I thought someone called or groaned--the sound came from inside the
house."
"You must have imagined it."
"Maybe I did," Penny acknowledged, "but I don't think so."
Testing the door, she found it unlocked. As it swung back a tiny crack,
she called loudly: "Oh, Mrs. Marborough, are you at home?"
Distinctly, both girls heard an answering cry, but the words were
unintelligible. The sound had come from the direction of the kitchen.
"Mrs. Marborough must be ill!" Penny gasped, for the voice had been very
weak.
Hesitating no longer, she entered the house, and with Rhoda trailing
close behind, ran to the kitchen. Mrs. Marborough, still garbed in night
clothing, lay on the daybed, her face ashen. The woman breathed with the
greatest of difficulty, and both girls knew at once that she was
seriously ill.
"My heart--" Mrs. Marborough whispered. "An attack--last night."
"Rhoda, run as fast as you can and get Doctor Hamilton," Penny said
tersely. "I'll stay here."
As soon as her friend had gone, she busied herself trying to make Mrs.
Marborough comfortable. She rearranged the disordered blankets, and
fanned air toward the woman, making it easier for her to breathe.
"My pearls," Mrs. Marborough whispered after a moment. "They're gone."
Penny thought little of the remark, deciding that the widow was not
entirely rational.
"Oh, you have the necklace," she said soothingly. "Don't you remember? We
found it yesterday."
"Gone--" Mrs. Marborough repeated. "It gave me such a shock--I had hidden
the pearls in the teapot. This morning--"
Penny bent closer, suddenly realizing that the old lady was in possession
of her faculties and was trying to disclose something of great
importance.
"I went there this morning," Mrs. Marborough completed with difficulty.
"The pearls were gone. They've been stolen. Now I have nothing."
CHAPTER
22
_THE MISSING NECKLACE_
Penny tried to quiet the old lady by assuring her that the pearl necklace
must be somewhere in the house.
"No--no, it is gone," Mrs. Marborough insisted. "A thief entered the
house during the night. The shock of it brought on this attack."
Spent by the effort required to speak, the widow closed her eyes, and
relaxed. Thinking that she had gone to sleep, Penny left the bedside for
a moment. A quick glance assured her that the kitchen window was open,
and far more alarming, the screen had been neatly cut from its frame. An
empty China teapot stood on the kitchen table.
"It must be true!" Penny thought with a sinking heart. "The pearls have
been stolen, and the shock of it nearly killed Mrs. Marborough! But who
could have known that she had the necklace here in the house?"
Louise and Rhoda were beyond suspicion, and for a moment she could think
of no others who had knowledge of the pearls. Then, with a start, it came
to her that the story had been told the previous night at the Breens.
"Ted knew about it and he was interested!" she thought. "But I can't
believe he would do such a contemptible thing--even if he did once steal
a chicken."
Penny's unhappy reflections were broken by the arrival of Rhoda with
Doctor Hamilton. For the next half hour the girls were kept more than
busy carrying out his instructions.
"Mrs. Marborough, in a way you have been very fortunate," the doctor said
as he finally prepared to leave the house. "Your attack has been a light
one and with proper care you should be on your feet again within a week
or two. I'll arrange to have you taken to the hospital at once."
The widow tried to raise up in bed. "I won't go!" she announced.
"Hospitals cost money--more than I have to spend."
"It won't cost you anything, Mrs. Marborough. I'll arrange everything."
"I refuse to be a charity patient," the widow declared defiantly. "I'll
die first! Go away and take your pills with you!"
"Then if you refuse hospital care, I must arrange for a nurse."
"I can't afford that either," the old lady snapped. "Just go away and
I'll get along by myself. I'm feeling better. If I could only have a cup
of tea--"
"I'll make it for you," Rhoda offered eagerly.
Penny signaled to the doctor, indicating that she wished him to follow
her into another room. Once beyond the hearing of the old lady, she
outlined a plan.
"Mrs. Marborough likes Rhoda very much," she said to the doctor. "I think
she might be perfectly satisfied to be looked after by her."
"The girl seems sensible and efficient," Doctor Hamilton replied. "But
would she be willing to stay?"
"I think she might for she has no home of her own."
Relieved to have the problem solved so easily, the doctor declared that
the plan could be tried for a few days at least.
"I'll drop in again late tonight," he promised, picking up his bag.
Consulted by Penny, Rhoda said at once that she would be happy indeed to
remain with Mrs. Marborough as long as her services were required. The
widow too seemed pleased by the arrangement.
"It's very good of you," she murmured to Rhoda. "I can't pay you though.
Not unless my pearls are recovered."
"Your pearls?" the girl echoed in astonishment.
Penny drew her friend aside, explaining what had occurred. Rhoda was
shocked to learn that the necklace had been stolen.
"How dreadful!" she gasped. "Who could have taken the pearls?"
Apparently it did not occur to her that her own brother Ted might be
regarded with suspicion. Penny was much too kind to drop such a hint, and
kept her thoughts strictly to herself.
However, later in the day, with Mrs. Marborough's permission, she made a
full report of the theft to local police. An officer visited Rose Acres,
but aside from establishing exactly how the house had been entered,
obtained few useful clues. Questioned at considerable length, Penny
disclosed that so far as she knew only Louise Sidell, the trailer camp
family, Ted, Rhoda and herself had known that the pearls were in the
mansion.
"We'll keep that Breen family under surveillance," the officer promised.
"I'll let you know if anything develops."
Another problem immediately confronted Penny. An inspection of the
cupboards of the Marborough home had revealed that there was barely
enough food to last a day.
"Buy whatever you need," the widow instructed. "You'll find money in the
top bureau drawer."
By diligent search, the girls found four dollars and twenty-four cents
which they felt certain was all the money the old lady possessed.
"Why, the medicines Doctor Hamilton ordered will take almost this much!"
Penny said in dismay. "Something must be done."
Both girls respected Mrs. Marborough's desire for secrecy, but they knew
it would not be possible to help her and, at the same time, prevent the
townspeople from learning of her dire poverty. Deeply troubled, Penny
placed the problem in Mrs. Weems' hands.
"Why, that poor woman!" the housekeeper explained. "To think that she is
sick and hasn't the things that she needs. I'll send a basket of food at
once. I am sure many people will be eager to help."
Mrs. Weems busied herself at the telephone, and within a few hours, all
manner of useful gifts began to arrive at Rose Acres. Neighbors came to
help Rhoda with the housework and to care for the widow.
As was inevitable, the entire story of Mrs. Marborough's poverty,
including the loss of the pearl necklace, circulated throughout
Riverview. Since there no longer was any excuse for secrecy, Penny
disclosed to members of the Pilgrimage Committee what had become of the
old lady's furniture and why she had refused to open her house during
Festival Week. To her delight, a fund immediately was raised for the
purpose of re-purchasing the valuable antiques. Mr. Butterworth, pleased
to cooperate, agreed to sell the furniture for exactly the price he had
paid.
The days drifted slowly along. Under Rhoda's faithful care, Mrs.
Marborough soon was able to sit up in a wheel chair. Much subdued since
the heart attack, she had little to say even when a moving van arrived
with her household furnishings. But one afternoon while Penny was
inserting new candles in the glass candelabrum she so much admired, the
old lady watched her from her chair by the window.
"You and Rhoda have fixed the house up so nicely," she said. "You've been
very kind to me, and so have all the folks in Riverview."
"You have a great many friends, Mrs. Marborough," Penny replied, smiling.
"You never gave them a chance to show it before."
"Perhaps I have been unfriendly," the widow acknowledged. "I didn't mean
to be. Now that I'd like to show my appreciation, there's no way to do
it. If only the police would get busy and find the rascal who stole my
necklace--"
Penny did not reply immediately, for she could think of nothing
encouraging to say. She and Rhoda both believed that the thief who had
taken the pearls never would be apprehended.
"Mrs. Marborough," she said at length, "there is a way you could show the
people of Riverview how you feel--but I'm sure you wouldn't care to do
it."
"By opening my home for the Pilgrimage?" the widow asked, smiling.
"That's what I had in mind, but of course--"
"When is the Festival?" Mrs. Marborough broke in. "I've lost track of
time since I've been sick."
"It starts day after tomorrow." Penny drew a deep sigh. "I'm afraid the
Festival may be a failure, for not half enough tickets have been sold."
"Would it help to include this house in the Pilgrimage?"
"It would save the Festival!" cried Penny. "You're not well enough to go
through with it, though!"
"Fiddlesticks!" Mrs. Marborough snapped, her spirits reviving. "I'd like
nothing better than a big party. What pleasure is it sitting in a wheel
chair staring at a cracked wall? Now you go ahead and plan it just the
way you like."
With time so short, Penny flew into action. She contacted members of the
Festival Committee and immediately a new publicity campaign was launched.
It was announced that Rose Acres would be included in the Pilgrimage and
that a grand costume ball at the mansion would be open to the public.
"The affair is certain to be a success," Penny told her father
enthusiastically. "I wish though that the Indian Show wasn't playing
Riverview at the same time. By the way, have you made any further
progress in proving that Jay Franklin's record stones are fakes?"
"Not very much," Mr. Parker ruefully admitted. "A report came back on
that tool you picked up at Truman Crocker's shack."
"What was the verdict, Dad?"
"Professor Anjus, the expert who examined the chisel, says he believes
the stones could have been marked with it."
"Then Truman Crocker may be the guilty person!"
"It's not at all certain. In all events, I still hold to my original
theory that the hoax was planned by Bill McJavins of the Indian Show."
"I certainly hope Mr. Franklin fails in trying to sell the stones to the
museum."
"So do I," agreed the editor. "Unfortunately, unless I dig up evidence
very quickly, the transaction will take place."
Penny did not give a great deal of thought to the affair of the record
stones for Mrs. Marborough's illness had centered her interest at Rose
Acres. In truth, she was far more concerned about the missing pearls. The
police had made no progress in tracing the necklace and held scant hope
the thief would be captured.
As for Ted Wiegand, Penny was unable to make up her mind whether or not
he was the guilty person. Although he still worked for Judge Harlan, she
seldom saw him. Occasionally, reports of his progress were given to her
by Rhoda.
"Ted isn't provoked at me any more," she assured Penny. "He's beginning
to think as I do that Mr. Coaten has been up to something crooked. I know
for a fact that he gave Mrs. Breen money to force me out of the family."
"Are those two men still in town?" Penny asked thoughtfully.
Rhoda nodded. "They've been here to see me twice. Mrs. Marborough sent
them away the last time. She dislikes them both because they once came
here to ask if they could rent rooms."
"That must have been the night I overheard them talking at the wishing
well," Penny returned.
She remained silent a moment, thinking. Suddenly, she glanced up, her
eyes dancing. "Rhoda, I have an idea!"
"What is it, Penny?"
"It might not work, but if it should, we'd learn why Mr. Coaten is so
eager to adopt you and Ted."
"Tell me what you have in mind."
"It's like this, Rhoda! If we could induce Mr. Coaten and his friend to
come to Rose Acres on the night of the costume ball, I know how they
might be made to talk!"
"Strong arm methods?" Rhoda asked, slightly amused.
"Indeed not! The old wishing well will turn the trick."
"You certainly have me puzzled, Penny."
"Getting those men here will be the most difficult," Penny went on,
thinking aloud. "But I can sell them a ticket to the ball. Failing that,
I'll give them one free."
"There's still no guarantee they would come."
"I know how we can make sure of it! Rhoda, you can write Mr. Coaten a
note, asking him to meet you here at ten o'clock. The ball will be in
full sway by that time. If you hint you've decided to sign the adoption
papers, he's certain to come."
"And then how will I get out of it?"
"Leave that part to me," Penny chuckled. "We'll get Mr. Coaten here, and
you're to talk with him beside the wishing well."
"Why in that particular place?"
"I can't tell you now," Penny said, smiling mysteriously. "Just accept my
word for it that it's of utmost importance. As soon as you get the men at
the wishing well, make an excuse and run into the house, leaving them
together."
"And then what?" Rhoda asked, completely bewildered.
"From that point the old well and I will take over!" Penny laughed. "I
can't tell you another thing. But if my scheme works--and I think it
will--Mr. Coaten's little game will be exposed in a most dramatic way!"
CHAPTER
23
_GRAND BALL_
"Everything will be ruined--everything!" wailed Penny. She stood in the
living room at Rose Acres, her face pressed almost against the window
pane. "It's been raining for an hour straight! No one will come to the
party."
"Oh, don't take it so hard," Rhoda said cheerfully. "You know over three
hundred tickets were sold. Even if the rain does cut down the crowd we'll
still have as many people as this house can accommodate."
Admiringly, her gaze wandered about the room which glowed brilliantly
with the light of dozens of candles. Every chair was in place, flowers
decorated the vases, and at the square, old-fashioned piano, sat Mrs.
Marborough, in rustling black silk, playing a few tinkling chords.
"You mustn't tire yourself," Rhoda said to her. "Not until the guests
come, at least."
"I never felt better in my life," Mrs. Marborough insisted. "Why, I'm as
excited as a school girl! Is Judge Harlan really coming to the ball?"
"Everyone of consequence in Riverview will be here," Rhoda assured her.
"Even two of Penny's special guests."
"That's what worries me," Penny confessed, beginning to pace the floor.
"I have my trap all ready to spring, but if this horrid rain keeps up,
how can you meet Mr. Coaten by the well?"
"Why can't I talk to him in the library?"
"Because it won't do," Penny said patiently. "The entire scheme will fail
unless you carry out your part exactly as we planned it."
"The rain is letting up," Mrs. Marborough declared, carefully moving from
the piano to her wheel chair. "Mark my words, it will all be over within
fifteen minutes."
"Oh, I hope so!" Penny breathed. "I hope so!"
To her gratification, the rain did cease within a short while, and
members of the Festival Committee and hired musicians began to arrive.
For the occasion, Penny, Rhoda, and Louise, had rented colonial costumes
with fancy powdered wigs. They hovered near the front door, ready to
greet the first guests.
"It's going to be a wonderful party," Louise remarked happily.
Soon visitors began to arrive in groups. The orchestra struck up and the
ballroom became thronged with dancers.
"Mrs. Marborough is having a marvelous time," Rhoda told Louise. "In
fact, so is everyone except Penny. She's worried because Mr. Coaten
hasn't come."
Two men alighted from a taxi and walked up the path to the house.
"Here they come now!" Penny whispered excitedly. "Quick, Rhoda. Keep out
of sight until I give the word!"
Barely had the girl vanished than Mr. Coaten and his companion reached
the reception line. Penny greeted them with unusual warmth.
"Is Rhoda Wiegand here?" Mr. Coaten asked curtly. "We came to see her,
not to attend the party."
"She was around a moment ago," Penny answered. "Why don't you look for
her in the garden--perhaps by the wishing well."
The instant the two men had gone, Penny quickly ran to find Rhoda.
"Now remember, don't talk to Mr. Coaten except at the wishing well," she
issued final instructions. "Then when he asks you to sign the paper, make
an excuse and leave."
"I won't forget," Rhoda nodded. "But I still don't understand what you're
up to."
Anxiously Penny watched from the porch until she saw that her friend
actually was talking to the two men beside the wishing well. Then,
running into the crowded ballroom, she signaled the musicians to stop the
music. Clapping her hands for attention, she announced:
"Ladies and gentlemen--a little surprise! The Old Wishing Well speaks!
Listen and you may hear the conversation of unwary guests who reveal
their secrets beside it!"
Reaching for a box secreted in a clump of artificial palms, Penny turned
a switch. The startled dancers heard a crackling sound, and then Rhoda's
voice came in on the loudspeaker, clear and distinct.
"I've thought it over, Mr. Coaten," were her words. "Even though I can't
understand why you wish to adopt Ted and me I'll agree to the
guardianship."
"Ah, I knew you would come to your senses," Mr. Coaten answered. "Just
sign this paper and we'll be able to go into court and settle
everything."
There was a slight pause and then Rhoda said: "Will you excuse me a
moment, Mr. Coaten? I want to run into the house, but I'll be back."
Those in the ballroom had gathered close to Penny, listening with
interest to the conversation, but curious to learn its significance.
"Listen!" she commanded, as many persons began to comment.
The two men who stood alone at the wishing well were talking again, and
Penny did not intend to miss a single word.
"Now what possessed Rhoda?" she heard Mr. Coaten mutter. "Is she going to
back out again?"
"No, we have her nailed this time," the other answered. "That land is as
good as ours! As soon as the adoption is legal, we'll put in our claim.
The Texano Oil Company will pay handsomely. What those youngsters don't
know won't hurt them."
The words, blaring out into the ballroom, were exactly what Penny wished
to hear. Believing themselves to be alone, the two men were making
damaging admissions. However, although it was evident that they meant to
profit at Rhoda's expense, she could not understand exactly what they
meant to do.
Judge Harlan stepped forward to inspect the radio equipment. "What is
this?" he inquired. "A special joke of yours, Penelope?"
"It's no joke," she assured him earnestly. "Mr. Coaten has been trying to
force Rhoda and Ted to agree to an adoption. We were suspicious of him,
and so we arranged this little affair."
"How is the sound brought into the house?"
"I had a microphone installed inside the wishing well," Penny revealed.
"The wires run through an underground tunnel."
"Very clever, very clever indeed," murmured the judge. "And the meaning
of the conversation?"
"I don't know," Penny confessed. "Mr. Coaten is trying to cheat Rhoda and
Ted, but how I can't guess. They own no property."
"Mr. Coaten spoke of the Texano Oil Company," the judge said
thoughtfully. "That gives me a faint inkling--"
He did not finish, for at that instant Rhoda came hurriedly into the
room. Penny motioned for her to join the group by the loudspeaker.
"Rhoda," said the judge, turning to her, "did your father own land in
Texas?"
"Never," she replied promptly. "The only person in our family who owned
property was grandfather. He had a large farm but sold it long before his
death."
"Do you know the location of the property?" inquired the judge.
"I believe it was near the town of Elkland."
"Elkland! Then perhaps we have the explanation. Less than a month ago oil
was discovered in that locality!"
"But the Wiegand land was sold years ago," Penny murmured.
"Much litigation has resulted from the fact that in the past many Texas
properties were sold with oil rights reserved," explained the judge.
"Now, this is only a guess. However, if Rhoda's grandfather kept such oil
rights--as he may well have done--his heirs would have indisputable claim
to any income derived from such source."
The loudspeaker had come to life again. As the two men at the wishing
well resumed their conversation, everyone in the ballroom strained to
hear the words.