Whispering Walls

AINED DIS

and then said to Albert Potts: "Can you explain the mea

seemed at a loss for words. Finally he stammered: "Why, no-I've never

ure," interposed Penny. "At least

at least that is what I take it to be. I'

beneath it?" pr

urmured, ill at ease. "It slight

in how the paper came to

ivate life is non

mean-his pr

he truth is, Mr. Rhett was a strange man. He had queer interests and h

bly has a connection wit

r the handwriting, I might think someone had sent a

tt had e

refinement. Why, only two days before his disappearance, he deliberately kept one of our largest stockholders waiting an hour while he cha

graph of Mr. Rhett?"

For that matter, I never h

an describ

he temples. He wore an expensive tailored suit-brown, I believe. One of

ay promised. He had completed his investigation and w

ur to Penny that throughout the greater part of the interview he had stoo

trolman left the office. Penny lingered, intending to ask Albert Pott

n he turned toward her, making

get out of her

er determined to take her time in leaving. De

this lead?"

tsi

r, but Potts immedia

out of this office so I can lock up and go home!

eep urge to annoy the nervous little man further. Ignorin

ps fifty feet along several offices. At each end, projecting fr

. "There's nothing here

Its carved stone body angled out from the building, te

y at Potts she started to thrust

shove through the doorway into Mr. Rhett's office. She resisted

e cried furiously. "Now get

ny could not be afraid of him. However, she decide

e muttered. "Thanks f

tts hurled after her as she went out the door. "I

se was nowhere to be seen. Deciding that her chum had grown tired of w

and Penny gave him the

ker!" he exclaimed. "Sur

sit

i and run out to the Rhett estate. Get all the dope you can from Mrs. Rhett, and don't forget pictures! We'l

hink

thing you can about her quarrel with Rhett! I'll send

would bring in a bang-up story when she returned to the newspaper office. But from what sh

passing taxi. As the cab sped along the winding river bou

ervously examining her pocketbook to be certain she had paper

erself an essential part of the Star office. Even as a youngster in pigtails, she had

rs who adored her, the alert girl had gleaned much useful information. But there

per under the title, "Tale of the Witch Doll." Another yarn, "The Vanishing Houseboat," also had been banner

rnalistic career. Sadly she declared that Penny's nose for news and mystery would lead her into serious trouble. Mr. Parker

ed brick mansion. Large acreage was enclosed by a

uired the cab drive

m, then thought of a better idea. "Ch

were fearful of losing the fare, so Penny flas

" he agreed. He shifte

catch a ride with the Star photographer back to the paper, the mansion had a deserted

" she thought. "I've

Instead she found a brass knocker in the shape of an ugly carved fac

ing away in defeat, when she fancied she saw a shade move i

nctly she saw the curtain flutter. S

tower rooms. For a moment appraising eyes focused upon her.