The Secret of the Sundial / Madge Sterling Series, #3

enster

early afternoon found Madge and Cara camped

cept that it's owned by an old lady who hasn't been nea

ever, I did find out the name of a woman who may be able t

heard of

reputed to know all the old residents of the town and thei

does sh

ry a few years ago. She's living on a far

e to scratch he

persuaded to loan us his coupe. We coul

With shrewd calculation they snatched up rags and aided him in polishing the nickel work. Mr. Brady eyed them somewhat susp

t," he told her sternly, but the next m

city and soon was in open country. Having previously inquired the way, she thought they would have no difficulty in finding the farmhouse where

e waddled off hissing their protest. The commotion proclaimed their approach, and as the girls halted the ca

n, saying that they wishe

ly takes a nap about this time. But if she's up I know she'll be glad to

ing room. They begged her not to disturb Mrs. Grandale, but she went upst

re a white lace cap. Her face was wrinkled and sunken but her eyes were as bright as those of a young girl. She beamed kindly upon Madge and Cara

inquired, studying their faces intently.

stonishment. She never before had me

could tell those features anywhere. I used to know y

grace was attached to his memory. He had simply disappeared when Madge was a child, and no one had ever heard of him again. Some day s

edgewise, as Mrs. Grandale immediately went into a long monologue on the subject of the Wayne fam

y that it has fallen into decay! Not that folks didn't say the Swensters would rue

he Swensters," M

one time, old Mr. Swenster practically ran the town. His daughters were in society and

ls were there

ite with her father. She was a pretty thing too. Far too ha

n the story which she felt Mrs. Grandale was on the verge

nce were rivals and they were both anxious

them," Madge remarked

ad been bought abroad generations before and were perfectly

as to have them,

ted the girls to take turns wearing the pearls. They were very jealous of their father's favor in regard to the p

daughters had the surprise of their lives. It was lear

stirred up troub

claimed she had been cheated out of her rightful inh

e pearls?" Ma

doubt if anyone ever knew for certain

o forget the girls. Then she said, half to herself: "No one

ence friends after

should be between two sisters. Everyone said the pearls brought

ra murmured. "How poor

dale returned. "For years, she lived alone at the

g now, of course

little girl was called Agatha. She's the last of the Swenster l

Agatha Swenste

in Claymore until eight years ago and then closed up the place because she couldn't aff

," Madge prompted as Mrs. Grandale appeared

can't recall his name. He turned out badly. Agatha thought a lot of

o?" Cara quest

nst him. They separated, and after that she closed up her house. It may have been because of money or perhaps on account of the boy. At

became of the pearls?

d lady

hey were sol

cupants, but they lingered a half hour longer, before saying goodbye to Mrs. Grandale. Before

hear anyone more talkative than Mrs. Grandale? She's a walking encyclopae

rested than ever in the old mansion. S

out to be a sort

they were a

her friend in

randale said

"Of course, I have no reason for thinking th

They had remained at the farmhouse longer than they had planned and it was nearly supper time when they

e inquired as she halted the car

-wh

might do a lit

ith the Swenster mansion?"

tonight and watch. It would be f

have other ideas of am

suppose I can get Jane or

ter mansion again, but neither could she bear to have Enid o

ve in. "If I can ge

adge directed, as she shifted gears. "And don'