Free The Penny Parker Megapack: 15 Complete Novels by Mildred Benson

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