CHAPTER 10 _A THROWN STONE_
Penny's first thought was to call for assistance, but sober reflectionmade 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 thewashroom for a glass of water. She dampened a towel and folded it acrossMiss Kippenberg's forehead, at the same time rubbing the limp hands andtrying to restore circulation. Noticing the white gold ring which hadfallen to the floor, she reached down and picked it up.
"Miss Kippenberg must have fainted because of what I told her about thelily pond," thought Penny. "I should have used more tact."
She watched the young woman anxiously, fearing that what she had assumedto be an ordinary faint might really be a heart attack. A wave of reliefsurged over her as Miss Kippenberg stirred slightly. Her long darkeyelashes 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'llfeel 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 andsince then I can't bear even an overheated room."
"But it really isn't very warm in here," protested Penny. "I don't noticeit 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," Pennydeclared, although she continued to regard the young woman dubiously. "Ithought you seemed shocked by what I told you about the ring."
"You were saying that you picked it up near the lily pond?" MissKippenberg 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 saideagerly.
Miss Kippenberg hesitated in her reply, obviously still prejudicedagainst the girl because of her connection with the _Riverview Star_.
"Very well," she agreed. "Will you please ask that my car be sent to thedoor?"
"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 shetalk 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," protestedLouise. "How long will you be gone?"
"I haven't the slightest idea. If I'm not back here by the time you areready 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 Ican 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 howI can this time."
"Of course not, Penny. It would be very foolish of you to try. You mightlose 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 atleast an hour."
Penny left a call for Miss Kippenberg's car and then went back to thepowder room. The young woman walked a bit unsteadily even with aid.However, no one paid attention to them as they crossed the main hall andmade their way to the waiting automobile.
With Penny and Miss Kippenberg as passengers the big limousine rolledaway from the clubhouse and sped toward Corbin. During the ride the youngwoman scarcely spoke. She sat with her head against the cushion, eyeshalf closed. As they came within view of the drawbridge she made aneffort to arouse herself.
"I see you have visitors at the estate," Penny commented, noticing anumber 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 oldwatchman had noted their approach. Before the car reached the end of theroad 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 ofmen gathered near the bridge. Penny caught sight of Jerry Livingston andcould not resist rolling down the side window so he would be sure toobtain a clear view of her. It gave her a very pleasant feeling to seehim stare as if he could not believe his own eyes.
Several of the reporters attempted to stop the limousine but withoutsuccess. The car clattered over the drawbridge which was pulled up againbefore 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. "Heseems 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 theestate?"
"I really couldn't tell you," Miss Kippenberg answered aloofly. "Motherhas 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 thatshe did not care to be questioned.
There was no sign of the old gardener as they came presently to the lilypool. 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," Pennyinsisted. "From those marks wouldn't you say a body had been draggedacross the ground toward the pool?"
"No!" cried Miss Kippenberg. "The grass is trampled, but I can't believeGrant has met with violence. I refuse to think of such a thing! Thepool--" 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 withoutconsulting 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 firstrain will destroy all these footprints and perhaps other importantevidence. 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. Somuch time has been lost already."
"We aren't certain anything has happened to Grant," Sylvia responded, hereyes downcast. "If we should bring the police into the case, and then itturns out that he has merely gone away to some other city, I'd be held upto 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 saidunwillingly.
"And what is that?"
For just an instant Penny dared hope that the young woman meant to answerthe 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 returnto the house."
Penny deliberately blocked the path.
"Unless you wish me to notify the police there is a little matter which Imust ask you to explain."
Reaching down she picked up a small stone and hurled it into the lilypond. As the ripples died away they both observed a convulsive movementof the water, a churning which had no relation to the missile thrown.
"I think," said Penny evenly, "that you understand my meaning."