Part 23 (1/2)
An Embarra.s.sing Interview
At sight of her friend talking with the museum workman, a confusion of thoughts raced through Penny's mind. Why had Amy made an appointment with him in the park? She could not believe that the meeting was casual for the girl's own words had revealed otherwise. She was even more startled by Amy's next remark which, carried by the wind, came to her very clearly.
”You brought the money?”
”Yes. I will pay you now if you wish.”
The workman drew from his inner pocket a fat wallet, removing a large roll of bills. Penny was so bewildered that for a moment she forgot to s.h.i.+eld her face with the newspaper she pretended to read. However, Amy and the man were so engrossed in their conversation, neither of them glanced toward the park bench.
Mr. Hoges stripped off two of the bills, handing them to the girl.
”There,” he said in a gruff voice, ”that ought to be enough for a start. Stick by me, sister, and you'll earn plenty more like it.”
Amy made no response, but pocketed the money. She was moving away when the workman detained her.
”You understand what's expected? You'll keep quiet if anyone asks you how you make your money?”
”I haven't made much yet.”
”You will, never fear, if my little plan goes through. Do I have your promise to keep silent?”
”Yes,” Amy answered shortly. She jerked away from Mr. Hoges and hurried off through the park.
Penny was so absorbed in the little scene that she did not hear footsteps behind her. ”h.e.l.lo, Penny,” a teasing voice greeted. ”What are you doing here?”
Penny sprang up from the park bench, then laughed ruefully as she saw that it was Susan Altman who had spoken to her so unexpectedly.
”My! You surely startled me, Susan.”
”What are you doing here all by yourself?”
”Oh, just watching the birds and squirrels and things.”
”Human squirrels, I suppose,” Susan smiled. ”When I came up you were craning your neck at that man over by the oak tree.”
”What became of him?” Penny demanded anxiously, turning to look.
She had talked with Susan scarcely a minute, yet the museum workman had disappeared. In vain she scanned the park. He was nowhere to be seen.
”I thought you were interested in him!” Susan proclaimed triumphantly.
”Of course I was!” Penny cried impatiently. ”He was that same museum workman we met at the Gage Galleries.”
”Not the one you suspected of stealing the Rembrandt?”
”Yes, and he was talking with--” Penny suddenly checked herself.
”What were you saying?”
”He was talking with a girl,” Penny finished. ”I intended to follow the man. Now it's too late.”
”I guess it was my fault. But I didn't suppose you were really shadowing anyone. I'm sorry if I ruined everything.”