Clue of the Silken Ladder

  CHAPTER 19 _PENNY INVESTIGATES_

  Penny debated whether or not to follow Slippery. Deciding that she shouldtry to keep him within sight, she abandoned her post beneath the windowand ran to the front of the building.

  Already the young man was far down the lane, walking rapidly. BeforePenny could overtake him he hailed a taxi and drove away. By the time sheobtained another cab, pursuit was futile.

  "To the _Star_ office," Penny ordered the driver.

  Although Slippery had eluded her, she did not feel that her morning'swork had been wasted. She believed that her father would be very muchinterested in a report of her findings.

  "It's evident that Slippery is connected with Al Gepper and variousmediums of the Celestial Temple," she reflected. "I am sure, too, thathe's the one who broke into our house, but to prove it may not be soeasy."

  Penny had not fully understood the conversation which she had overheardbetween Slippery and Sade. That they distrusted each other was evident,but why had the woman feared Slippery might break into the bell towerduring the guard's absence?

  "Something of great value to the organization must be kept there," shereasoned. "But what can it be?"

  Penny believed that her father would not delay in requesting police tosearch the bell tower of the Celestial Temple. However, a disappointmentawaited her.

  Upon arriving at the newspaper office DeWitt stopped her as she went pasthis desk.

  "Don't go in there," he said, jerking his thumb toward Mr. Parker'sprivate room.

  "Why not?" asked Penny in surprise. "Is Dad having a conference?"

  DeWitt nodded as he composed a two column headline. "With J. P. Henley."

  "The _Star's_ Sugar Daddy?"

  "Our biggest advertiser. He's threatening to go over to the _Record_."

  "Why, that's serious!"

  "It is if he quits the _Star_. The old man--Mr. Parker--" DeWittcorrected hastily, "has been trying to soften him up for the past twohours. Whatever you do, don't bust in there now."

  "I won't, Mr. DeWitt, but I did wish to see Dad."

  "Anything I can do for you?"

  Penny hesitated. "Well, I wanted to talk to him about something I learnedtoday at the Celestial Temple."

  "Oh, yes," nodded the city editor, his attention on a sheet of copy. "Mr.Parker is handling the campaign personally. Sorry I can't be of service."

  Rather startled by DeWitt's unusual politeness, Penny glanced hopefullytoward Jerry Livingston's desk. It was littered with papers, but quitedeserted.

  With a sigh she left the building and walked to Dorr Street where she hadleft her maroon car. Upon reaching home she found that Mrs. Weems was notthere and she had forgotten her own key. For a time she satdisconsolately on the front porch. Then she decided to go to the HudellGarage where Leaping Lena had been left for repairs three days earlier.

  The car was ready, and with it a bill for eight dollars and forty-twocents.

  "I'll have to give you a dollar on account and pay the remainder nextweek," said Penny. "Or would you rather keep the car as a deposit?"

  "Give me the dollar," said the garage man hastily.

  Penny became even more depressed as she drove the automobile home. Notfor the world would she openly admit that she had made a mistake inrepurchasing Lena. Secretly she acknowledged that two cars were anunbearable financial drain upon slender resources.

  Turning into her own street, Penny saw Mrs. Weems walking toward home,and stopped for her.

  "I've just come from the Hodges'," the housekeeper commented, climbinginto the car.

  "You have?" inquired Penny eagerly. "Did you learn anything?"

  "No, I didn't. Mr. Gepper seemed very unwilling to conduct anotherseance. He acted so different this time--almost as if he bore me apersonal grudge."

  "He's probably provoked because your inheritance eluded him."

  "He did tell Mrs. Hodges that he doubted I had any money," Mrs. Weemsresponded.

  "What happened at the seance?"

  "Why, nothing. The table moved and we heard a few raps. That was all."

  "No message from Cousin David?"

  "Not a word or a sign. Mr. Gepper seemed very indifferent about it all.He said he couldn't give me another appointment unless I paid for it."

  "What do you think about him now?" Penny asked curiously. "Don't youagree with Dad and me that he was after your money?"

  "Yes, I was very silly," the housekeeper acknowledged. "Mrs. Hodges hasbegun to lose faith in him, too. She says he's been bringing all sorts offolks to her place. When she told him she didn't care to have the houseover-run with strangers, he became very unpleasant."

  "You mean he threatened her?"

  "In a mild way. He told her that he would stay as long as he pleased andshe could do nothing about it. Mrs. Hodges is afraid to go to the policefor fear she'll be arrested with Mr. Gepper."

  "I wonder if he ever has charged for his seances?" Penny saidthoughtfully.

  "I am sure he has, Penny. Of course I have no proof."

  "Mrs. Weems, you must go there again this afternoon," Penny urged."Insist upon another seance, and pay him for it! Then you'll be able totestify as a witness against him!"

  "But I don't wish to go into court," the housekeeper protested. "Besides,Mr. Gepper won't be at the cottage this afternoon."

  "Where is he going?" Penny questioned alertly.

  "I don't know. I heard him tell Mrs. Hodges he would be gone thisafternoon, but would return for an eight o'clock seance."

  "Why, that's fine--wonderful!" chuckled Penny.

  Mrs. Weems gazed at the girl with sudden suspicion. "Now what have youthought up?" she demanded.

  "Nothing alarming," grinned Penny. "I merely plan to visit Mr. Gepper'sstudio during his absence. Who knows, I may yet master a few of the finerpoints of ghost-making!"