Part 11 (2/2)

Mr. Franklin's action thoroughly annoyed her for she felt that he had deliberately deceived Mrs. Marborough. Wis.h.i.+ng to tell Louise Sidell what he had done, she immediately telephoned her chum.

”I've learned something you'll want to hear,” she disclosed. ”No, I can't tell you over the 'phone. Meet me directly after dinner. We might go for a sail on the river.”

The previous summer Mr. Parker had purchased a small sailboat which he kept at a summer camp on the river. Occasionally he enjoyed an outing, but work occupied so much of his time that his daughter and her friends derived far more enjoyment from the craft than he did.

Louise accepted the invitation with alacrity, and later that evening, driving to the river with Penny, listened indignantly to a colored account of how Jay Franklin would profit at the widow's expense. She agreed with her chum that he had acted dishonestly in trying to sell the stone.

”Perhaps Mrs. Marborough can claim owners.h.i.+p even now,” she suggested thoughtfully.

”Not without a lawsuit,” Penny offered as her opinion. ”She sold the rock to Mr. Franklin for two dollars. Remember his final words: 'Now I am the owner of the stone.' Oh, he intended to trick her even then!”

The car turned into a private dirt road and soon halted beside a cabin of logs. A cool breeze came from the river, but the girls were prepared for it, having worn warm slack suits.

”It's a grand night to sail,” Penny declared, leading the way to the boathouse. ”We should get as far as the Marborough place if the breeze holds.”

Launching the dinghy, Louise raised the sail while her chum took charge of the tiller. As the canvas filled, the boat heeled slightly and began to pick up speed.

”Now use discretion,” Louise warned as the dinghy tilted farther and farther sideways. ”It's all very well to sail on the bias, but I prefer not to get a ducking!”

During the trip up the river the girls were kept too busy to enjoy the beauty of the night. However, as the boat approached Truman Crocker's shack, the breeze suddenly died, barely providing steerage way. Holding the tiller by the pressure of her knee, Penny slumped into a half-reclining position.

”Want me to steer for awhile?” Louise inquired.

”Not until we turn and start for home. We'll have the current with us then, which will help, even if the breeze has died.”

Curiously, Penny gazed toward Truman Crocker's cabin which was entirely dark. High on the hillside stood the old Marborough mansion and there, too, no lights showed.

”Everyone seems to have gone to bed,” she remarked. ”It must be late.”

Louise held her watch so that she could read the figures in the bright moonlight and observed that it was only a quarter past ten.

”Anyway, we should be starting for home,” Penny said. ”Coming about!”

Louise prepared to lower her head as the boom swung over, but to her surprise the maneuver was not carried through. Instead of turning, the dinghy kept steadily on its course.

”What's the idea?” she demanded. ”Isn't there enough breeze to carry us around?”

”I was watching that light up on the hill,” Penny explained.

Louise twisted in the seat to look over her shoulder.

”What light, Penny?”

”It's gone now, but I saw it an instant ago. There it is again!”

Unmistakably, both girls saw the moving light far up the hill. As they watched, it seemed to approach the dark Marborough house, and then receded.

”Probably someone with a lantern,” Louise remarked indifferently.

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