Part 19 (1/2)

A half hour later found the two girls at the Crocker shack. The door of the workshop stood open, but as Penny and Louise peered inside, they saw no sign of the old stonecutter. A number of tools lay on a bench where Crocker had been working, and with no hesitation Penny examined them.

”Here is a chisel,” she said in satisfaction. ”It seems to be the only one around too. Just what I need!”

”Penny, you wouldn't dare take it!”

”In my official capacity as a detective--yes. I'll leave more than enough money to pay for it. Then after I've had it examined by an expert, I'll return it to Mr. Crocker.”

”O Mystery, what crimes are committed in thy name,” Louise warbled. ”If you land in jail, my dear Penny, don't expect me to share your cell cot.”

”I'll take all the responsibility.”

Selecting a bill from her purse, Penny laid it in a conspicuous place on the workbench.

”There, that should buy three or four chisels,” she declared. ”Now let's leave here before Truman Crocker arrives.”

Emerging from the shop, Penny and Louise were surprised to see dark storm clouds scudding overhead. The sun had been completely blotted out and occasional flashes of lightning brightened a gray sky.

”It's going to rain before we can get to Riverview,” Louise declared uneasily. ”We'll be drenched.”

”Why not go by way of Mrs. Marborough's place?” Penny proposed. ”Then if the rain does overtake us, we can dodge into the summer house until the shower pa.s.ses over.”

Hastening toward the hillside trail, the girls observed that the river level was higher than when last they had seen it. Muddy water lapped almost at the doorstep of Truman Crocker's shack. A rowboat tied to a half submerged dock nearby swung restlessly on its long rope.

”I should be afraid to live so close to the river,” Louise remarked. ”If the water comes only a few feet higher, Crocker's place will sail South.”

”The river control system is supposed to take care of everything,” Penny answered carelessly. ”Dad says he doesn't place much faith in it himself--not if it's ever put to a severe test.”

Before the girls had gone far, a few drops of rain splattered down.

Antic.i.p.ating a deluge, they ran for the dilapidated summer house which stood at the rear edge of Mrs. Marborough's property. Completely winded, they sank down on a dusty wooden bench to recapture their breath.

”The clouds are rolling eastward,” Louise remarked, scanning the sky. ”It may not rain much after all.”

”Lou!” Penny said in a startled voice.

She was gazing toward the old wis.h.i.+ng well at a dark figure which could be seen bending far over the yawning hole.

”What is it?” Louise inquired, turning in surprise.

”Look over there!” Penny directed. ”Mrs. Marborough is doing something at the well. Is she trying to repair it or what?”

”She's examining the inside!” Louise exclaimed. ”Why, if she's not careful, she may fall. We ought to warn her--”

”Mrs. Marborough knows what she is about, Lou. Let's just watch.”

From a distance it was not possible to tell exactly what the old lady was doing. So far as the girls could discern she was tapping the inside stones of the well with a hammer.

”She's trying to discover if any of them are loose!” Penny whispered excitedly. ”Louise, I'm sure of it now! Something of great value is hidden in or near the wis.h.i.+ng well, and Mrs. Marborough came back to Riverview to find it!”

”What could it be?”