now to pay my honest debts."
A trolley ride and a short walk brought Penny to the home of her chum,
Louise Sidell. As she came within sight of the front porch she saw her
friend sitting on the steps, reading a movie magazine. Louise threw it
aside and sprang to her feet.
"Oh, Penny, I'm glad you came over. I telephoned your house and Mrs.
Weems said you had gone away somewhere."
"Official business for Dad," Penny laughed. She dropped two dollars into
Louise's hand. "Here's what I owe you. But don't go spend it because I
may need to borrow it back in a couple of days."
"Is Leaping Lena running up huge garage bills again?" Louise inquired
sympathetically.
Penny's second-hand car was a joke to everyone save herself. She was a
familiar figure at nearly every garage in Riverview, for the vehicle had
a disconcerting way of breaking down.
"I had to buy new spark plugs this time," sighed Penny. "But then, I
should get along better from now on. Dad raised my allowance."
"Doesn't that call for a celebration? Rini's have a special on today. A
double chocolate sundae with pineapple and nuts, cherry and--"
"Oh, no, you don't! I'm saving my dollar for the essentials of life. I
may need it for gasoline if I decide to drive over to Corbin again."
"Again?" Louise asked alertly.
"I was over there today, covering the Kippenberg wedding," Penny
explained. "Only it turned out there was no ceremony. Grant Atherwald
jilted his bride, or was spirited away by persons unknown. He was last
seen near a lily pool in an isolated part of the estate. I picked up a
wedding ring lying on the ground close by. And then as a climax Mrs.
Kippenberg hurled a plate at Salt."
"Penny Parker, what are you saying?" Louise demanded. "It sounds like one
of those two-reel thrillers they show over at the Rialto."
"Here is the evidence," Penny said, showing her the white gold ring.
"It's amazing how you get into so much adventure," Louise replied
enviously as she studied the trinket. "Start at the beginning and tell me
everything."
The invitation was very much to Penny's liking. Perching herself on the
highest porch step she recounted her visit to the Kippenberg estate,
painting an especially romantic picture of the castle dwelling, the moat,
and the drawbridge.
"Oh, I'd love to visit the place," Louise declared. "You have all the
luck."
"I'll take you with me if I ever get to go again," promised Penny. "Well,
I'll see you tomorrow."
And with this careless farewell, she sprang to her feet, and hastened on
home.
The next morning while Mrs. Weems was preparing breakfast, Penny ran down
to the corner to buy the first edition of the _Star_. As she spread it
open a small headline accosted her eye.
"NO TRACE OF MISSING BRIDEGROOM."
Penny read swiftly, learning that Grant Atherwald had not been seen since
his strange disappearance from the Kippenberg estate. Members of the
family refused to discuss the affair and had made no report to the
police.
"This story is developing into something big after all," she thought with
quickening pulse. "Now if Dad will only let me work on it!"
At home she gave the newspaper to her father, remarking rather pointedly:
"You see, your expert reporters haven't learned very much more than I
brought in yesterday. Why wouldn't it be a good idea to send me out there
again today?"
"Oh, I doubt if you could get into the estate, Penny."
"Salt and I managed yesterday."
"You did very well, but you weren't known then. It will be a different
matter today since we antagonized the family by using the story. I'll
suggest that Jerry Livingston be assigned to it."
"With Penny as first assistant?"
Mr. Parker smiled and shook his head. "This isn't your type of story. Now
if you would like to cover a lecture at the Women's Club--"
"Or a nice peppy meeting of the Ladies Sewing Circle," Penny finished
ironically. "Thank you, no."
"I am sure you wouldn't have a chance of getting into the estate," her
father said lamely. "We must have good coverage."
"What does Jerry have that I haven't got?" Penny demanded in an aggrieved
voice.
"Eight years of experience for one thing."
"But I really should go out there," Penny insisted. "I ought to show Miss
Kippenberg the ring I found."
"The ring might provide an entry," Mr. Parker admitted thoughtfully.
"I'll tell you, why don't you telephone long distance?"
"And if I'm able to make an appointment, may I help Jerry cover the
story?"
"All right," agreed Mr. Parker. "If Sylvia Kippenberg talks with you
we'll be able to use anything she says."
"I'm the same as on my way to the estate now, Dad."
With a triumphant laugh, Penny left the breakfast table and hastened to
the telephone.
"Long distance," she said into the transmitter. "The Kippenberg estate at
Corbin, please."
She hovered anxiously near the telephone while she waited for the
connection to be made. Ten minutes elapsed before the bell jingled
several times. Eagerly, she jerked down the receiver. She could hear a
faint, far-away voice saying, "hello."
"May I speak with Sylvia Kippenberg?" Penny requested.
"Who is this, please?"
"Miss Parker at Riverview."
"Miss Kippenberg is not at home," came the stiff response.
"Then let me speak with Mrs. Kippenberg," Penny said quickly. "I have
something very important to tell her. Yesterday when I was at the estate
I found a ring--"
The receiver had clicked at the other end of the line. The connection was
broken.
CHAPTER
9
_A SOCIETY BAZAAR_
"You see, Penny," said Mr. Parker sympathetically, "wealthy people have a
way of being inaccessible to the press. They surround themselves with
servants who have been trained to allow no invasion of their privacy.
They erect barriers which aren't easily broken down."
"If only I could have reached Miss Kippenberg I feel sure she would have
wished to learn about the ring," returned Penny. "Oh, well, let Jerry
cover the story. I've lost interest."
All that morning the girl went about the house in a mood of deep
depression. She felt completely out of sorts and would scowl at her own
reflection whenever she passed a mirror. Nothing seemed to go right.
"I declare, I wish you would forget that silly wedding," Mrs. Weems said
wearily. "Why don't you try working out your resentment on a tennis
ball?"
"Not a bad idea," admitted Penny. "Only I have no partner. Louise is
going away somewhere today to a charity bazaar."
"Here in Riverview?" inquired Mrs. Weems with interest.
"No, it's to be held at Andover, twenty miles from Corbin. Louise is
going with an aunt of hers. She invited me several days ago, but I didn't
think it would be any fun."
"You might enjoy it. Why don't you go?"
"I wonder if it isn't too late?" Penny glanced at the clock.
A telephone call to the Sidell home assured her that she would have ample
time to get ready for the trip. She quickly dressed and was waiting when
Louise and her aunt, Miss Lucinda Frome, drove up to the door.
"What sort of an affair is it?" Penny inquired as they traveled toward
the distant town.
Miss Frome explained that the bazaar was being sponsored by members of
the D.A.R. organization and would be held at one of the fashionable clubs
of the city. As Miss Frome belonged to the Riverview chapter she and her
guests would have an entry.
"I look forward to meeting a number of prominent persons today," the
woman declared. "The Andover chapter has a very exclusive membership."
Louise winked at Penny, for it was a source of amusement to her that her
aunt stood in awe of society personages. Neither she nor her chum
suffered from social ambition or a feeling of inferiority.
At Andover, Miss Frome drove the car to the City Club and parked it
beside a long row of other automobiles, many of which were under the
charge of uniformed chauffeurs.
"Oh, dear," remarked Miss Frome nervously, "I didn't realize how shabby
my old coupe looks. I do hope no one notices."
"Now don't start that, Aunty," Louise said, taking her by the arm. "Your
car is perfectly all right. And so are you."
They went up the steps of the stone building and mingled with the other
women. So many persons were present that the three newcomers attracted no
attention. Miss Frome was reassured to see that she was as well dressed
as anyone in the room.
Several long tables were covered with various articles offered for sale.
Penny and Louise wandered about examining objects which struck their
fancy. Miss Frome bought a vase and an imitation ivory elephant, but the
girls considered the prices too high for their purses.
Presently, Penny's gaze was drawn to a young woman who stood behind one
of the tables at the far end of the room. She stopped short and stared.
"See someone you know?" inquired Louise.
"Why, that young woman with the dark hair and the lace dress, Louise! She
is Sylvia Kippenberg!"
"Really? I must say she has courage to come here today after all that
happened!"
The young woman did not realize that she was being subjected to scrutiny.
However, she seemed fully aware that she was a general object of
curiosity, for her lips were frozen in a set smile and her face was pale
despite the rouge on the smooth cheeks.
"I suppose she must be on the bazaar committee," Louise went on. "But my,
if anyone had jilted me, I would not have come here today."
"Jerry must have missed his interview after all," Penny murmured, half to
herself.
"Jerry?"
"Yes, Dad assigned him to the Kippenberg story. I suppose he drove to
Corbin today in the hope of seeing Miss Sylvia."
"And she may have come here just to escape reporters."
"For two cents I'd try to interview her myself," Penny said.
"Do you think she would talk with you?"
"Not if she realizes I am a reporter. But at least I can try."
"Don't create a scene whatever you do," Louise warned uneasily. "Not that
I would mind. But Aunt Lucinda would die of mortification."
"I'll try to be careful," Penny promised.
She sauntered forward, gradually working toward the table where the young
woman served. Selecting an article at random from the display, she
inquired its price.
"Ten dollars," Miss Kippenberg answered mechanically.
Penny loitered at the table until two elderly women had moved on. She was
now alone with Sylvia Kippenberg. She would have no better opportunity to
speak with her.
"Miss Kippenberg," she began.
"Yes?" The young woman really gazed at the girl for the first time. Penny
saw that her eyelids were red and swollen from recent tears.
"I should like to talk with you alone, please."
"Do I know your name?" Miss Kippenberg asked coldly.
"Penny Parker."
"Parker--Parker," the young woman repeated and her eyes hardened. "Oh,
yes, you are the girl who came to our place yesterday with that
photographer! And you telephoned again this morning."
"Yes," Penny admitted reluctantly, "but--"
The young woman did not allow her to finish.
"I'll not talk with you or any other reporter. You have no right to come
here and annoy me."
"Please, I'm not really a reporter, Miss Kippenberg. I have something to
show you."
Miss Kippenberg had closed her ears to Penny's words. She turned abruptly
and fled in the direction of the powder room.
Penny hesitated, remembering her promise to create no scene. Still, she
could not allow Miss Kippenberg to elude her so easily. Determinedly, she
followed.
"Please, Miss Kippenberg, you must listen to me," she pleaded.
Observing that her words had not the slightest effect upon the girl, she
suddenly opened her purse and took out the white gold ring. She thrust it
in front of Miss Kippenberg.
"I only wish to show you this."
The young woman stopped short, gazing down at the ring.
"Where did you get it?" she asked in a low tone.
"Then you do recognize it?"
"Of course. Grant showed it to me the night before we were to have been
married. Tell me, how did it come into your hands?"
"We can't talk here."
Miss Kippenberg glanced quickly about and observing that many eyes were
focused upon them, led the girl into the deserted powder room. They sat
down on a sofa in a secluded corner.
"I didn't mean to be so rude before," Miss Kippenberg apologized. "It was
only because I must protect myself from reporters and photographers. You
have no idea how I have been annoyed."
"I do understand," said Penny, "and I wish to help you. That was why I
was so insistent upon talking with you. I think this ring may be a clue
to Mr. Atherwald's disappearance."
"Then you believe as I do that he did not go away purposely?"
"My theory is that Mr. Atherwald was a victim of a plot. Did he have any
known enemies?"
"Oh, no, everyone liked Grant. Tell me about the ring. Who gave it to
you?"
"No one. I found it while I was exploring a path on the estate, the trail
which is blocked off."
"You shouldn't have gone there, but no matter. Just where did you pick up
the ring?"
"I found it near the lily pool."
Miss Kippenberg stared at Penny with expressionless, half-glazed eyes.
"Oh!" she murmured. Her head dropped low, her body sagged and she slumped
down on the sofa in a faint.
CHAPTER
10
_A THROWN STONE_
Penny's first thought was to call for assistance, but sober reflection
made her realize that to do so would likely result in awkward questions.
She felt certain Miss Kippenberg had only fainted and would soon revive.
Stretching the young woman full length upon the sofa, the girl ran to the
washroom for a glass of water. She dampened a towel and folded it across
Miss Kippenberg's forehead, at the same time rubbing the limp hands and
trying to restore circulation. Noticing the white gold ring which had
fallen to the floor, she reached down and picked it up.
"Miss Kippenberg must have fainted because of what I told her about the
lily pond," thought Penny. "I should have used more tact."
She watched the young woman anxiously, fearing that what she had assumed
to be an ordinary faint might really be a heart attack. A wave of relief
surged over her as Miss Kippenberg stirred slightly. Her long dark
eyelashes fluttered open and she stared blankly about her.
"Where am I?" she asked, moistening her dry lips.
"Here, drink this," Penny urged, offering the glass of water. "You'll
feel much better in a few minutes."
"Now I remember," Miss Kippenberg murmured. "You were saying--"
"Don't think about that now. Just lie still and relax."
Miss Kippenberg did not try to speak again for some little time. Then,
despite Penny's protests, she raised herself to a sitting position.
"I feel quite all right now," she insisted. "How stupid of me to faint."
"I am afraid I was very tactless."
"On the contrary, our conversation had nothing to do with it."
"I thought--"
"It was the heat," Miss Kippenberg insisted. "I had a sunstroke once and
since then I can't bear even an overheated room."
"But it really isn't very warm in here," protested Penny. "I don't notice
it at all."
"You might not but I am very sensitive to it."
"Well, I'm glad your faint wasn't caused by anything I said," Penny
declared, although she continued to regard the young woman dubiously. "I
thought you seemed shocked by what I told you about the ring."
"You were saying that you picked it up near the lily pond?" Miss
Kippenberg questioned in a low tone.
"Yes," replied Penny, watching her closely.
"I wish I knew the exact place."
"If we could go to your estate together I could show you," Penny said
eagerly.
Miss Kippenberg hesitated in her reply, obviously still prejudiced
against the girl because of her connection with the _Riverview Star_.
"Very well," she agreed. "Will you please ask that my car be sent to the
door?"
"Gladly," said Penny, trying not to show her jubilance.
Leaving Miss Kippenberg in the powder room she returned to the main hall.
Louise separated from the crowd and hurried to meet her.
"Oh, Penny, I saw you go off with Miss Kippenberg," she began. "Would she
talk with you?"
"She did," answered Penny, "and now I'm going with her to the estate."
"But Aunt Lucinda expects to start home in a few minutes," protested
Louise. "How long will you be gone?"
"I haven't the slightest idea. If I'm not back here by the time you are
ready to leave don't wait for me."
"But how will you get home?"
"Oh, I'll find a way. The important thing now is to learn everything I
can from Miss Kippenberg. She's in a mood to talk."
"I'd love to visit the estate," Louise said wistfully.
"I wish I could take you," Penny told her sincerely, "but I don't see how
I can this time."
"Of course not, Penny. It would be very foolish of you to try. You might
lose your own chance to gain an exclusive news story."
"Will you explain to your aunt about my sudden disappearance?"
"Yes, she'll understand," Louise replied. "We'll wait here for you at
least an hour."
Penny left a call for Miss Kippenberg's car and then went back to the
powder room. The young woman walked a bit unsteadily even with aid.
However, no one paid attention to them as they crossed the main hall and
made their way to the waiting automobile.
With Penny and Miss Kippenberg as passengers the big limousine rolled
away from the clubhouse and sped toward Corbin. During the ride the young
woman scarcely spoke. She sat with her head against the cushion, eyes
half closed. As they came within view of the drawbridge she made an
effort to arouse herself.
"I see you have visitors at the estate," Penny commented, noticing a
number of cars parked near the river's edge.
"Reporters, always reporters," returned Miss Kippenberg impatiently.
"They may try to board as we pass."
Penny wondered how the limousine would be taken across the river. The old
watchman had noted their approach. Before the car reached the end of the
road he had lowered the creaking drawbridge into position.
"Is the bridge really safe?" Penny inquired of her companion.
"For light traffic only," Miss Kippenberg answered briefly.
The arrival of the car had created a stir of interest among the group of
men gathered near the bridge. Penny caught sight of Jerry Livingston and
could not resist rolling down the side window so he would be sure to
obtain a clear view of her. It gave her a very pleasant feeling to see
him stare as if he could not believe his own eyes.
Several of the reporters attempted to stop the limousine but without
success. The car clattered over the drawbridge which was pulled up again
before anyone could follow.
Penny and Miss Kippenberg alighted at the front door of the great house.
"Now show me where you found the ring," requested the young woman.
Penny led her down the winding path into the grove.
"I hope we don't meet your head gardener," she said significantly. "He
seems to be such an unpleasant individual."
Miss Kippenberg glanced at her queerly.
"Why, how do you mean?"
"Oh, yesterday he ordered me away from here in no uncertain terms."
"He only meant to do his duty."
"Then the man has been ordered to keep persons away from this part of the
estate?"
"I really couldn't tell you," Miss Kippenberg answered aloofly. "Mother
has charge of the servants."
"Has the man been in your employ long?"
"I can't tell you that either." Miss Kippenberg's voice warned Penny that
she did not care to be questioned.
There was no sign of the old gardener as they came presently to the lily
pool. Penny searched about in the grass for a few minutes.
"Here is where I found the ring," she revealed. "And see this!"
"What?" Miss Kippenberg drew in her breath sharply.
"Footprints."
"That doesn't seem so remarkable." The young woman bent to examine them.
"They probably were made by Grant's own shoe."
"But it looks as if there might have been a struggle here," Penny
insisted. "From those marks wouldn't you say a body had been dragged
across the ground toward the pool?"
"No!" cried Miss Kippenberg. "The grass is trampled, but I can't believe
Grant has met with violence. I refuse to think of such a thing! The
pool--" she broke off and a shudder wracked her body.
"It is best to know the truth. Have you notified the police about Mr.
Atherwald's disappearance?"
Miss Kippenberg shook her head. "Until today I thought he would return.
Or at least I hoped so."
"It seems to me an expert should be called into the case," Penny urged.
"Why don't you telephone the police station now?"
"I couldn't," returned Sylvia looking very miserable. "Not without
consulting Mother."
"Then let's talk with her now."
"She isn't at home this afternoon."
"But something should be done, and at once," Penny protested. "The first
rain will destroy all these footprints and perhaps other important
evidence. Do you really love Grant Atherwald?"
"With all my heart," answered the young woman soberly.
"Then I should think you would have some interest in what became of him.
I can't understand your attitude at all."
"I--I have others to think of besides myself."
"Your mother, you mean?"
"Yes." Sylvia avoided Penny's penetrating gaze.
"Surely your mother wouldn't wish an act of violence to go unpunished. So
much time has been lost already."
"We aren't certain anything has happened to Grant," Sylvia responded, her
eyes downcast. "If we should bring the police into the case, and then it
turns out that he has merely gone away to some other city, I'd be held up
to ridicule once more."
"It seems to me you are taking a most foolish attitude."
"There is another reason why we must be very careful," Sylvia said
unwillingly.
"And what is that?"
For just an instant Penny dared hope that the young woman meant to answer
the question. But Sylvia seemed to reconsider for she said quickly:
"I can't tell you. Please don't ask me any more questions."
"Are you afraid you may be blamed for Mr. Atherwald's disappearance?"
Penny persisted.
"No, no, I assure you I am not thinking of myself. Please, let's return
to the house."
Penny deliberately blocked the path.
"Unless you wish me to notify the police there is a little matter which I
must ask you to explain."
Reaching down she picked up a small stone and hurled it into the lily
pond. As the ripples died away they both observed a convulsive movement
of the water, a churning which had no relation to the missile thrown.
"I think," said Penny evenly, "that you understand my meaning."
CHAPTER
11
_QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS_
Miss Kippenberg watched the concentric circles race each other to the far
edge of the lily pool.
"Then you know the reason why this part of the estate is kept closed
off?" she murmured, very low.
"I learned about the alligator yesterday," said Penny. "Why is such an
ugly brute kept here?"
"It was none of my doing, I assure you. I hate the horrid thing. Surely
you don't mean to suggest--"
"I am not suggesting anything yet," said Penny quietly. "But you must
realize that it is rather unusual to keep an alligator on one's estate."
"My father brought it here from Florida," Miss Kippenberg revealed
reluctantly. "For some reason the creature seemed to fascinate him. He
insisted upon keeping it in the pond."
"Your father is not living here now I am told."
"That is true." Miss Kippenberg quickly switched the subject back to the
alligator. "Mother and I would like to get rid of the beast but we've
never been able to do it."
"Any zoo should be willing to take it off your hands."
"Mother often spoke of getting in touch with one but for some reason she
never did. I suppose she hesitated to give the alligator away upon
Father's account."
Penny remained silent, wondering how deeply she dared probe into the
private life of the Kippenberg family. After all there were certain
inquiries which a person of sensibility could not make. She couldn't very
well ask: "Have your parents separated? Why did your father leave home?
Is it true he is wanted by the authorities for evading income tax?"
although these questions were upon the tip of her tongue.
She did say carelessly, "Your father is away, isn't he?"
"Yes," Miss Kippenberg answered briefly. After a moment she went on:
"Father was rather peculiar in many ways. He had a decided flare for the
unusual. Take this estate for instance. He had it built at great expense
to resemble a castle he once saw in Germany."
"I've never visited such an elegant place."
"It is entirely too flamboyant for my taste. But Father loved every tower
and turret. If only things had turned out different--"
Her voice trailed away and she stared at the ground, lost in deep
thought. Arousing herself, she went on once more.