CHAPTER 16 _BEHIND THE LILACS_
Without disclosing by her actions that she had observed anything amiss,Penny walked steadily on toward the house. Her first thought had beenthat it was Peter Fenestra who spied upon her. However, as the figurestraightened she knew she had been mistaken. The man was not Fenestra.
Before she could see his face, he moved to another clump of bushes, andthen was enveloped by darkness.
Entering the house, Penny blew out the kerosene lamp and stood by thewindow, watching. She could not see the man. He had vanished completely.
"That proves that Tillie was correct," she thought. "This house _is_being watched. I wonder why."
As she waited, Tillie came down the stairway, carrying her luggage.Observing that the kitchen was dark, she paused in alarm.
"It's all right," Penny called reassuringly. "I blew the light out sothat I wouldn't be seen from outside."
"Is anyone there?" Tillie demanded, coming quickly to the window. Herpallid features were rigid with fear and her breathing quickened.
"He's gone now, I think."
"There was someone a moment ago?"
"Yes, a man, hiding behind the lilacs. I believe he must have beenwatching the house--or possibly the storm cellar!"
"Then you see I was right," Tillie declared. "Oh, this is a dreadfulplace, and I'll be glad to leave it."
"I almost wish you were staying," said Penny slowly. "You might be ableto learn what's hidden in that cave."
"Not with Peter Fenestra so suspicious. Anyway, you couldn't hire me toremain even if he would allow it. I'd rather starve."
"You have no place to go, Tillie?"
"I'll find work. If not in Riverview then I can return to the country.Anything will be better than what I've had."
Penny groped in the dark for the lamp, relighting it.
"Tillie," she said, "how would you like to work at our place for a fewdays?"
"You don't mean it."
"I do if it can be arranged," Penny affirmed. "We have a housekeeper, butit occurred to me that she might take your place here."
"She'd be very foolish to give up a good job for this."
"It would only be temporary. I think I can induce her to make the changefor a few days. The question is, can we get Peter Fenestra to accepther?"
"I doubt if he'll hire anyone now that I am leaving. Why do you want yourhousekeeper in such a place as this, Penny?"
"Only for one reason. To learn what's going on here. I confess you'vemade me very curious about the storm cave."
"Fenestra would watch her every minute, the same as he did me. It won'twork."
"It will if Mrs. Weems can get the job," declared Penny confidently."First of all, we must make Fenestra so uncomfortable he'll want someoneto take care of the house. Is he a good cook?"
"Oh, wretched. And the trick of keeping a good fire going is simplybeyond him. Why, if we turned the damper, it never would occur to him tochange it."
"Thanks for the idea," laughed Penny. "Let's hide the breakfast supplies,too."
Tillie was quite certain that her friend did not know what she was doing,but she offered no objection to the plan. Before leaving the house theyaltered the stove damper, hid the coffee pot, and placed salt in thesugar bowl.
"If Old Peter doesn't get his coffee in the morning he'll simply rave,"chuckled Tillie. "Missing it may be the one thing which will make himhire a new housekeeper."
The girls were watchful as they crossed the yard, but they observed noone lurking about the premises. Evidently the man who had hidden behindthe lilacs had taken himself elsewhere.
Penny escorted Tillie to the parked automobile, leaving her there whileshe went to the cottage for Mrs. Weems. The housekeeper was ready andwaiting by the time she arrived.
"Penny, I nearly gave you up," she sighed. "Why did it take so long?"
"I've been busy finding you a new position," chuckled Penny. "Startingtomorrow morning, you're to work for Peter Fenestra instead of us."
In the act of locking the cottage door, Mrs. Weems turned to face thegirl.
"Penny," she said, "I am tired tonight and in no mood for your jokes."
"This isn't a joke, Mrs. Weems. I really do want you to change jobs withTillie Fellows. You remember I told you about her."
Not giving the housekeeper an opportunity to speak, she rapidly outlinedher plan.
"Early tomorrow morning I'll drive you to Fenestra's farm," she endedgleefully. "You're to knock on the door, and say you're looking for a jobat very low wages. Fenestra will be so desperate he'll welcome you withopen arms. Then as soon as he's off his guard you learn what is hidden inthe storm cave."
"How lovely," said Mrs. Weems. "I've listened to your crazy schemes foryears, Penny, but this one takes the prize!"
"You'll do it, won't you?"
"I certainly will not." The housekeeper spoke with biting emphasis.
"Oh, Mrs. Weems," Penny moaned. "You don't realize how much this means tome! If only you'll go there, I may be able to get a wonderful scoop forthe _Weekly Times_."
"I wish you never had started that paper. I declare, ever since you tookover the old _Press_ plant, you've done the wildest things."
"This isn't wild," Penny argued. "It's absolutely logical. I would tryfor the job myself only I know Fenestra wouldn't give it to me. Besides,I am kept busy at the plant."
"I refuse to play detective for you, Penny. That's final."
Completely downcast, Penny followed Mrs. Weems along the river trail.However, she had no intention of giving up so easily.
"Then if you won't," she remarked, "I must take Tillie to a charity home.She had intended to start working at our place."
"The girl may spend the night with us, if you like. We have an extraroom."
"Tillie would never accept such a favor," insisted Penny. "More thananything else she wants a job. Mrs. Weems, please reconsider--"
"It's a crazy scheme!"
"No, it isn't," Penny refuted, and noting indications of weakening,launched into another lengthy argument.
Mrs. Weems drew a deep sigh. "I don't know why I allow you to twist mearound your finger the way you do."
"You'll try for the job?"
"I suppose so. But what will your father say?"
"He'll call it clever journalism," chuckled Penny. "Don't you worry aboutDad. Just leave everything to me."
During the ride to Riverview Mrs. Weems was further influenced by TillieFellows' account of Fenestra's peculiar actions. Gradually she began toshare Penny's opinion that the man might have reason to fear for hislife. However, she could not agree with the girls that anything of greatvalue was hidden in the cave.
"Perhaps we're wrong," Penny conceded, "but you must go there with anopen mind, Mrs. Weems. Observe everything you can and report to me.Particularly I want to learn what Fenestra knows about John Munn and theoctopus tattoo."
"I shan't try very hard to get the job," threatened the housekeeper.
At seven the next morning Penny awakened Mrs. Weems from a sound slumber,reminding her that it was time to start for the Fenestra farm. Protestingthat the idea seemed crazier than ever, the housekeeper snuggled downbeneath the covers again.
"You promised you would go," reminded Penny brutally. "Please hurry,because I must get you established before I go to school."
By the time Mrs. Weems was dressed, breakfast and the car awaited her.She drank the bitterly strong coffee and, still protesting, allowed Pennyto drive her within view of the Fenestra farm.
"Is that the place?" she inquired with distaste as the automobile halted.
"Yes, I don't dare go any closer for fear Fenestra will see me. You knowthe story you're to tell him."
"Which one? You've suggested so many that my mind is a-whirl."
"Then make it simple. Just say you're a widow, out of work, and thatyou're a wonderful housekeeper. I'll wait here. If you go inside I'l
lknow you've been given the job."
"When will you come for me?"
"I'll try to see you tomorrow. But hold the fort until I arrive even ifit's a week."
A bundle of clothing under her arm, Mrs. Weems trudged on down the road.Penny watched her with misgiving. The adventure was not to thehousekeeper's liking, and it was doubtful that her application for workwould be an enthusiastic one.
Turning the car in the road, she pulled to one side and waited. Mrs.Weems had reached the farmhouse. Following instructions, she knocked atthe side entrance. In a moment or two the door was opened by PeterFenestra.
Anxiously, Penny watched. The interview seemed to be taking a long while,but at least Fenestra had not closed the door in the housekeeper's face.
Then, to her delight, Mrs. Weems followed the man into the house.
"The job is hers!" she thought exultantly. "If she doesn't fail me, I mayyet break an important story in my paper! I feel in my bones that PeterFenestra's cave soon will yield its secret!"