Whispering Walls

D THE

hes on the left side of the path. All now was still, with not the slightest

mansion window!" she thought. "Why, he might have struck

r the bushes, jerking them apart to expose th

ed, and some distance away, sh

I can prevent it! I'll have it out with him and

, Penny decided that the person who had shot the arrow

loping toward the beach. She had guessed correctly. In a moment she heard an agitation in the b

nto the cindered path. In one hand she carried an Indian bow with a quiver of

speak, the girl saw her and was brought up short. She gasped in dismay, tu

called

ace down, the

unner had an excellent start, but on coming to a series of wooden steps, her heel caug

l had not injured the

you kindly explain why you tried t

rubbed an ankle and gazed at

orted. "I had no intention of

ling despite a determination to appear ver

ural

may

ness being on our property. Secondly, I didn'

ask you

orinda

Rhett's

er," the gi

ee!" exclaimed Penny, overjoyed at

rl interrupted. "You may as well spare your

know w

y broke our door down with your poundi

serv

tion which suggested that she did not entirely approve of

ow that the thatched cottage isn't really da

long, steady look b

"After all, your stepfather's disappearance was very queer. But the

The police!" she gasped. "We'll

e police on your doorstep. A man of Mr. Rhett's prominen

our own private affair," she protested. "My st

missing

ing b

, inform your mother that $250,000 in ne

Surely you don't think my stepfather woul

re to get the true story. For some reason you a

ply, but seemed to

er is now?" Penny inquired, hoping that a

f cour

en him for the

reat reluctance. "But it's not so unusual.

ng anyone wher

tion," Lorinda said with a

ell," observed Penny pleasantly. "Nor do yo

he one who taught me how to shoot with a bow and arrow!

o inspected the fine workm

a collector?

as spent in the jungles of Africa, Brazil, and other places in

pecially interested in

living in the jungle." Lorinda suddenly broke off, aware tha

ther who built the t

ke to be unfriendly or impolite, but you must understand there

hand, the girl started up the path,

ll me the truth. Why were you afraid to hav

e path, gazing at Pen

pered. "The cottage is a place of evil omen.

t of a winged or plumed serpent.

s built soon after his marriage to my mother. It is a symbol of one of t

hen I suppose the drawing that the police found in Mr.

awi

ad been found, adding: "On the sheet were w

re cer

saw the pa

hat writing! It may mean-" she broke off and

lice ha

O

ear the police?" inqu

st that Mother and I prefer to keep our lives p

ted," said Penny. "For instance, it seems strange to me that

stepfather is queer. Mother and I never liked his interest in weird cult practices. He had so many

y have met

epfather occasionally went away before without telling us, though never for such a long period. If it w

it i

be a very serious matter.

y Par

y to get a story

ou I truthfully can say I also am very mu

th a quick smile. "I'm sorry abou

ou would tell me about your stepfather. I was sent

Lorinda considered a moment, then added: "Tell you what! I'll take you to he

nda, that

with Penny as they trudge

oesn't like reporters. It will be sheer luck if she gives y