Clue of the Silken Ladder Page 5

  CHAPTER 4 _A TURN OF FORTUNE_

  Penny immediately locked her desk and gathered up hat and gloves. She washard pressed to keep pace with her father as they hastened to theelevator.

  "By the way, you have your car downstairs?" the publisher inquiredabsently. He seldom drove his own automobile to the office.

  "What a memory you have, Dad!" chuckled Penny. "Yes, I have all two ofthem! Parked in the loading dock for convenience."

  "Penny, haven't I told you a dozen times--" Mr. Parker began, only tocheck himself. "Well, it will save us time now. However, we may discuss afew matters when we get home."

  The elevator shot them down to the first floor. Leaping Lena and themaroon sedan remained in the loading dock with a string of _Star_ papertrucks blocking a portion of the street.

  "Hey, sister," a trucker called angrily to Penny. "It's time you'regetting these cars out of here." He broke off as he recognized Mr. Parkerand faded behind one of the trucks.

  "Dad, do you mind steering Lena?" Penny asked demurely. "We can't leaveher here. You can see for yourself that she seems to be blockingtraffic."

  "Yes, I see," Mr. Parker responded grimly.

  "Of course, if you would feel more dignified driving the sedan--"

  "Let me have the keys," the publisher interrupted. "The important thingis to get home without delay."

  Penny became sober, and slid into her place at the wheel of Leaping Lena.Amid the smiles of the truckers, Mr. Parker drove the two cars out of thedock.

  Once underway, the caravan made reckless progress through rush-hourtraffic. More than once Penny whispered a prayer as Lena swayed around acorner, missing other cars by scant inches.

  Presently the two automobiles drew up before a pleasant, tree-shaded homebuilt upon a high terrace overlooking a winding river. Penny and herfather alighted, walking hurriedly toward the front porch.

  The door stood open and from within came the reassuring howl of a radioturned too high.

  "Nothing so very serious can have happened," remarked Penny. "Otherwise,Mrs. Weems wouldn't have that thing going full blast."

  At the sound of footsteps, the housekeeper herself came into the livingroom from the kitchen. Her plump face was unusually animated.

  "I hope you didn't mind because I telephoned the office, Mr. Parker," shebegan apologetically. "I was so excited, I just did it before I stoppedto think."

  "Penny and I were nearly ready to start home in any case, Mrs. Weems. Hasanything gone wrong here?"

  "Oh, no, Mr. Parker. It was the telegram."

  "Telegram? One for me, you mean?"

  "No, my own." The housekeeper drew a yellow paper from the pocket of herapron, offering it to the publisher. "My Cousin David died out inMontana," she explained. "The funeral was last Saturday."

  "That's too bad," remarked Penny sympathetically. And then she added:"Only you don't look particularly sad, Mrs. Weems. How much did he leaveyou?"

  "Penny! You say such shocking things! I never met Cousin David but oncein my life. He was a kind, good man and I only wish I had written to himmore often. I never dreamed he would remember me in his will."

  "Then he did leave you money!" exclaimed Penny triumphantly. "How muchdoes the telegram say, Dad?"

  "You may as well tell her, Mr. Parker," sighed the housekeeper. "She'llgive me no peace until she learns every detail."

  "This message which is from a Montana lawyer mentions six thousanddollars," returned the publisher. "Apparently, the money is to be turnedover without legal delay."

  "Why, Mrs. Weems, you're an heiress!" cried Penny admiringly.

  "I can't believe it's true," murmured Mrs. Weems. "You don't thinkthere's any mistake, Mr. Parker? It would be too cruel if someone hadsent the message as a joke."

  Before returning the telegram to the housekeeper, Mr. Parker switched offthe radio.

  "This message appears to be authentic," he declared. "My congratulationsupon your good fortune."

  "What will you do with all your money?" inquired Penny.

  "Oh, I don't know." The housekeeper sank into a chair, her eyes fasteningdreamily on a far wall. "I've always wanted to travel."

  Penny and her father exchanged a quick, alarmed glance. Mrs. Weems hadbeen in charge of the household for so many years that they could notimagine living without her, should she decide to leave. During her brief,infrequent vacations, the house always degenerated into a disgrace ofdust and misplaced furniture, and meals were never served at regularhours.

  "The oceans are very unsafe, Mrs. Weems," discouraged Penny. "Wars andsubmarines and things. Surely you wouldn't dare travel now."

  "Oh, I mean in the United States," replied the housekeeper. "I've alwayswanted to go out West. They say the Grand Canyon is so pretty it takesyour breath away."

  "Mrs. Weems, you have worked for us long and faithfully and deserve arest," said Mr. Parker, trying to speak heartily. "Now if you would enjoya trip, Penny and I will get along somehow for two or three weeks."

  "Oh, if I go, I'll stay the entire summer." The housekeeper hesitated,then added: "I've enjoyed working here, Mr. Parker, but doing the samething year after year gets tiresome. Often I've said to myself that if Ihad a little money I would retire and take life easy for the rest of mydays."

  "Why, Mrs. Weems, you're only forty-eight!" protested Penny. "You wouldbe unhappy if you didn't have any work to do."

  "At least, I wouldn't mind trying it."

  "Such a change as you contemplate should be considered carefully,"contributed Mr. Parker. "While six thousand seems a large sum it wouldnot last long if one had no other income."

  Before Mrs. Weems could reply, a strong odor of burning food permeatedthe room.

  "The roast!" exclaimed the housekeeper. "I forgot it!"

  Penny rushed ahead of her to the kitchen. As she jerked open the ovendoor, out poured a great cloud of smoke. Seizing a holder, she rescuedthe meat, and seeing at a glance that it was burned to a crisp, carriedthe pan outdoors.

  "What will the neighbors say?" Mrs. Weems moaned. "I never did a thinglike that before. It's just that I am so excited I can't think what I amdoing."

  "Don't you mind," laughed Penny. "I'll get dinner tonight. You entertainDad."

  With difficulty she persuaded the housekeeper to abandon the kitchen.Left to herself, she opened a can of cold meat, a can of corn, a can ofpeaches, and with a salad already prepared, speedily announced the meal.

  "Mr. Parker, I truly am ashamed--" Mrs. Weems began.

  "Now don't apologize for my cooking," broke in Penny. "Quantity beforequality is my motto. Anyway, if you are leaving, Dad will have toaccustom himself to it."

  "I'll hide the can opener," said Mr. Parker.

  "That's a good idea, Dad."

  "Before I go, I'll try to teach Penny a little more about cooking," Mrs.Weems said uncomfortably. "Of course, you'll have no difficulty ingetting someone efficient to take my place."

  "No one can take your place," declared Penny. "If you leave, Dad and Iwill go to wrack and ruin."

  "You are a pair when you're left to yourselves," Mrs. Weems sighed."That's the one thing which makes me hesitate. Penny needs someone tokeep her in check."

  "An inexperienced person would be putty in my hands," declared Penny."You may as well decide to stay, Mrs. Weems."

  "I don't know what to do. I've planned on this trip for years. Now thatit is possible, I feel I can't give it up."

  Penny and Mr. Parker regarded each other across the table, andimmediately changed the subject. Not until that moment had they actuallybelieved that the housekeeper was serious about leaving Riverview.Somehow they had never contemplated a future without Mrs. Weems.

  "I happen to have two complimentary tickets to a show at the Rialto," Mr.Parker said offhand. "I'll be tied up with a meeting tonight, but youfolks might enjoy going."

  "Shall we, Mrs. Weems?" inquired Penny.

  "Thank
you," responded the housekeeper, "but I doubt if I could sit stilltonight. I thought I would run over to see Mrs. Hodges after dinner.She'll be pleased to learn about my inheritance, I know."

  "A friend of yours?" asked Mr. Parker.

  "Yes, Penny and I have been acquainted with her for years. She lives onChristopher Street."

  "Perhaps this is none of my affair, Mrs. Weems. However, my advice to youis not to tell many persons about your inheritance."

  "Oh, Mrs. Hodges is to be trusted."

  "I am sure of it, Mrs. Weems. I refer to strangers."

  "I'll be careful," the housekeeper promised. "No one ever will get thatmoney away from me once I have it!"

  Penny helped with the dishes, and then as her father was leaving thehouse, asked him if she might have the two theatre tickets.

  "Since Mrs. Weems doesn't care to go, I'll invite Louise," she explained.

  Mr. Parker gave her the tickets. Making certain that the housekeeper wasupstairs, he spoke in a low tone.

  "Penny, Mrs. Weems is serious about leaving us. You must try to dissuadeher."

  "What can I do, Dad?"

  "Well, you usually have a few ideas in the old filing cabinet. Can't youthink of something?"

  "I'll do my best," Penny said with a twinkle. "We can't let aninheritance take Mrs. Weems from us, that's certain."

  After her father had gone, Penny telephoned Louise, agreeing to meet herchum at the entrance of the Rialto. Arriving a few minutes early, sheidly watched various cars unloading their passengers at the theatre.

  Presently a long black limousine which Penny recognized drew up at thecurb. The chauffeur opened the door. Mr. Kohl and his wife stepped to thepavement. Observing the girl, they paused to chat with her.

  "I see you have the new fender installed on your car, Mr. Kohl," Pennyremarked with a grin. "May I ask how much I owe the garageman?"

  "The sum was trifling," responded the banker. "Twelve dollars and fortycents to be exact. I may as well take care of it myself."

  "No, I insist," said Penny, wincing inwardly. "You see, I am one of the_Star's_ highly paid executives now. I write society in Miss Hilderman'sabsence and Dad gives me a salary."

  "Oh, really," remarked Mrs. Kohl with interest. "We are giving a dinnerfor eight tomorrow night. You might like to mention it."

  "Indeed, yes," said Penny eagerly.

  Obtaining complete details, she jotted notes on the back of an envelope.Mrs. Kohl, at Penny's request, was able to recall several importantparties which had been held that week, providing material for nearly ahalf-column of society.

  After the Kohls had entered the theatre, Penny turned to glance at theblack limousine which was pulling away from the curb. A short distanceaway stood a young man who likewise appeared to be watching the car. Hewore a gray suit and a gray felt hat pulled unnaturally low over his eyesas if to shield his face.

  As Penny watched, the young man jotted something down on a piece ofpaper. His gaze remained fixed upon the Kohl limousine which was movingslowly down the street toward a parking lot.

  "Why, that's odd!" thought Penny. "I do believe he noted down the carlicense number! And perhaps for no good purpose."