Mildred A. Wirt

“ The reporter slumped into a chair, and picking up a sheet of copy paper, began to read what Penny had composed.
“I’m not working,” he replied absently. “Just killing time.” With a yawn he tossed the paper on the desk again.
“Is my stuff that bad?” inquired Penny.
“Not bad at all. Better than Miss Hilderman writes. But society always gives me a pain. Not worthy of your talents, Penny.”
“I wish you would tell Dad that, Jerry. I’d love to work on a big story again—one that would rock Riverview on its foundation!” ”

“ Parking at the side of the road, she continued afoot toward the Celestial Temple.
From a distance the building appeared dark. However, as she drew closer she could distinguish a dim light. Inside the Temple, a stout man wearing a hat sat with his chair tilted against the door of the bell tower room.
“He must be the guard,” thought Penny. “Probably the one they call Pete.”
Suddenly she paused, retreating into a clump of elder bushes near the walk. From the direction of the cemetery a figure emerged. At first, all that Penny could distinguish was a man carrying a suitcase. ”

“ Penny, you ask enough questions to be master of ceremonies on a radio quiz program.”
“I can’t recall ever having seen a silk ladder before,” Penny resumed, undisturbed by her chum’s quip. “Would acrobats use them, do you think?”
[14]
“Not to my knowledge,” Louise answered. “If I were in your shoes I should worry about more serious matters than those connected with a mere silk ladder.”
“The world is filled with serious things,” sighed Penny. “But mystery! One doesn’t run into it every day.” ”

“ Penny, your imagination simply works at high speed twenty-four hours of the day.”
“Oh, all right,” said Penny with a shrug. “But if Mr. Kohl’s car is stolen, don’t blame me.”
“It won’t be,” laughed Louise, linking arms with her chum. “Not with a chauffeur at the wheel.”
Entering the theatre, the girls were escorted to their seats only a few minutes before the lights were lowered. Penny glanced over the audience but failed to see either Mr. Kohl or his wife. The curtain went up, and as the entertainment began, she dismissed all else from her mind. ”

“ The séance began in much the same manner as the one Penny had attended. The medium called upon the spirit of a woman named Flora to appear.
“Now concentrate hard—everyone,” he instructed. “Flora, where are you? Can you not show yourself that we may know it is truly your spirit which communicates with us?”
From the cabinet, so close to Al Gepper that she could have touched his hand, Penny was able to see his every move. ”

“ Weems, you have worked for us long and faithfully and deserve a rest,” said Mr. Parker, trying to speak heartily. “Now if you would enjoy a trip, Penny and I will get along somehow for two or three weeks.”
“Oh, if I go, I’ll stay the entire summer.” The housekeeper hesitated, then added: “I’ve enjoyed working here, Mr. Parker, but doing the same thing year after year gets tiresome. Often I’ve said to myself that if I had a little money I would retire and take life easy for the rest of my days.”
“Why, Mrs. Weems, you’re only forty-eight!” protested Penny. ”

“ Penny spoke unexpectedly. “Mr. DeWitt, perhaps I can help you. I’m a whiz when it comes to writing society. Remember the Kippenberg wedding I covered?”
“Do I?” DeWitt’s face relaxed into a broad grin. “That was a real write-up. Say, maybe you could take over Miss Hilderman’s job until we can replace her.”
“Service is my motto.” Penny eyed her father questioningly. “It might save the Star from going to press minus a society page. How about it, Dad?”
“It certainly would solve our problem,” contributed DeWitt. “Of course the undertaking might be too great a one for your daughter.” ”

“ The longer Penny considered the idea, the more it pleased her. Jubilantly, she set forth for the Sidell home. Taking Louise into her confidence, she visited a novelty shop and purchased a supply of fake money.
Returning home, she then unlocked the drawer of Mrs. Weems’ desk and, removing the six thousand dollars, replaced it with neat stacks of imitation bills. Louise watched her with misgiving.
“Penny, this joke of yours isn’t likely to strike Mrs. Weems as very funny,” she warned. “You’re always doing things which get you into trouble.” ”

“ Mr. Parker began to pace the floor. “I’ll write a scorching editorial,” he said. “We’ll fight ignorance with information. Our reporters must learn how these mediums do their tricks, and expose them to the gullible public.”
“I’ll do everything I can to help,” Penny promised eagerly. “May I have Al Gepper for my particular fish bait?”
“He’s your assignment. And I’m depending upon you to see that he doesn’t work any of his trickery on Mrs. Weems. If she can’t be persuaded to remain away from the Hodges’, then we must protect her as best we can.” ”

“ After a séance I should refresh myself with sleep.”
“Of course,” agreed Mrs. Hodges. “We are selfish to overtax you.”
Recovering their trinkets, the elderly couple and Mrs. Weems went from the room. Penny was the last to leave.
“Well, sister?” inquired the medium in a low voice. “Were you convinced, or do you still think that you can show up Al Gepper?”
“I think,” said Penny softly, “that you are a very clever man. But clever as you are, one of your well-trained ghosts may yet lead you to the city jail!” ”

“ Deciding not to take time to telephone her father, Penny once more climbed into the maroon sedan, posting Louise behind the wheel of the coupe. At a cautious speed the two cars proceeded along the street, coming presently to a large corner building which housed the Riverview Star. No parking space being available on the street, Penny pulled into the newspaper plant’s loading dock.
“Say, you!” shouted a man who was tossing stacks of freshly inked papers into a truck. ”

“ Why, Dad, she bears the autographs of nearly all my school friends! I should keep her as a souvenir, if for no other reason.”
“Penny, it’s high time you learned a few lessons in finance.” Mr. Parker spoke sternly although his mouth twitched slightly. “I regret that I cannot assume your debts.”
“But Dad! I’m a minor—under legal age. Isn’t it a law that a father has to support his child?” ”

“ Dad, if I can get those rubber cups from the police, I’ll have some fun!”
The telephone rang. It was Mrs. Weems calling to ask if Penny were safe. Mr. Parker replied in the affirmative and handed the receiver to his daughter.
“Penny, I just read your story in the paper,” the housekeeper scolded. “You never should have pitted yourself against those dangerous men! I declare, you need someone to watch you every minute.”
“I need you,” said Penny. “And so does Dad. Why not promise to stay with us instead of going away on a trip?” ”

“ Suddenly the telephone rang.
Penny was away in an instant to answer it. From the next room she called to her father:
“It’s for you, Dad! DeWitt, I think.”
“I told him to telephone me as soon as the raid was staged.” Mr. Parker arose and went quickly to take the receiver. Penny hovered at his elbow.
“Hello! DeWitt?” the publisher asked, and after a slight pause: “Oh, I see. No, I don’t think Penny was mistaken. It’s more likely there was a tip-off.” ”

“ Penny immediately locked her desk and gathered up hat and gloves. She was hard pressed to keep pace with her father as they hastened to the elevator.
“By the way, you have your car downstairs?” the publisher inquired absently. He seldom drove his own automobile to the office.
“What a memory you have, Dad!” chuckled Penny. “Yes, I have all two of them! Parked in the loading dock for convenience.”
“Penny, haven’t I told you a dozen times—” Mr. Parker began, only to check himself. “Well, it will save us time now. However, we may discuss a few matters when we get home.” ”

“ Climbing into the car again, Penny debated. It was reasonable to suppose that, having accomplished the burglary, Slippery would return to the Hodges’ cottage to meet the medium.
“If he does, the police should be on hand to seize him,” she thought. “At least, he and Al will be held for questioning. But there’s one place I forgot to cover—the Celestial Temple.”
Like a flash came the recollection that Slippery had been deeply interested in something which was guarded in the bell tower. Was it not possible that he might return there before leaving Riverview? ”

“ Jerking a yellow card from beneath the windshield of the shiny new maroon-colored sedan, Penny Parker turned flashing blue eyes upon her companion, Louise Sidell.
“Well, Penny,” responded her chum dryly, “in Riverview persons who park their cars beside fire hydrants usually expect to get parking tickets.”
“But we were only inside the drugstore five minutes. Wouldn’t you think a policeman could find something else to do?”
“Oh, the ticket won’t cost you more than five or ten dollars,” teased Louise wickedly. “Your father should pay it.” ”

“ It was her theory that the agent who had called at the Parker home days earlier had in actuality been one of Al Gepper’s assistants.
“Don’t you see, Dad!” she cried. “The man obtained a picture of Cousin David, and probably turned it over to the medium.” Her face fell slightly. “Of course, that still doesn’t explain how the painting slowly materialized.”
[129]
“Nor does it explain the ghost or the banjo. Penny, couldn’t Gepper have painted the picture himself in the darkness?”
“There wasn’t time, Dad. Besides, he held a flashlight on the painting. No human hand touched it.” ”

“ To Louise’s amazement, Penny actually carried through her plan. A heavily guarded express truck presently drew up before the Parker residence, and Mrs. Weems’ money was turned over to the two armed men who promised that it would be delivered safely to the First National Bank.
“There, that’s a load off my mind,” said Penny. “Just let Al Gepper try to steal Mrs. Weems’ money now!”
Louise shook her head sadly. “You may be accused of stealing yourself. I wouldn’t be in your slippers when Mrs. Weems learns about this.” ”

“ Weems!” Penny prepared to launch into a violent argument. “I never heard of such nonsense! How could Mrs. Hodges have psychic powers? Everyone realizes that communication with the spirit world is impossible!”
“You are entitled to your opinion, Penny, but others may differ with you. Who can know about The Life Beyond? Isn’t it in the realm of possibility that Mrs. Hodges may have had a message from Cousin David?” ”

“ During her absence, Mr. Parker had towed Leaping Lena to a vacant lot adjoining the property. The maroon car awaited her beneath shelter, and she drove it through dark streets to the Hodges’ modest home.
Lights glowed cheerily from the lower floor windows. In response to Penny’s knock, a bent old man, his hands gnarled by hard labor, opened the door.
[64]
“Is it Penelope?” he asked, squinting at her through the rain. “Come in! Come in!”
“Good evening, Mr. Hodges. Is Mrs. Weems still here?”
“Yes, I am, Penny,” called the housekeeper. “Goodness, what time is it anyway?” ”

“ The show ended shortly before eleven and the girls mingled with the crowd which filed from the theatre. Penny watched for Mr. and Mrs. Kohl but did not see them. As she walked with Louise toward the bus stop she spoke of her new duties as society editor of the Star.
“Lou,” she asked abruptly, “do you mind going home alone?”
“Why, no. Where are you taking yourself?”
“To the Star office, if you don’t mind.”
“At this time of night?”
“I have a few notes I should type. Unfinished work always makes me nervous.”
“You, nervous!” Louise scoffed. “I’ll bet you want to see Jerry Livingston!” ”

“ Parker stiffly. “None whatsoever.”
“Then I’ll start her in at once,” DeWitt replied. “Come with me, Miss Parker.”
At the door Penny paused and discreetly allowed the city editor to get beyond hearing. Then, turning to her father she remarked innocently:
“Oh, by the way, we overlooked one trifling detail. The salary!”
The editor made a grimace. “I might have expected this. Very well, I’ll pay you the same as I do Miss Hilderman. Twenty-five a week.”
“Why, that would just take care of my debt to Jake Harriman,” protested Penny. “I simply can’t do high pressure work without high pay. ”

“ Weems asked in disappointment.
“Not today. Possibly tomorrow at this same hour.”
“Couldn’t you call up another Spirit by using my pin or Pa’s watch?” Mrs. Hodges suggested wistfully.
Al Gepper raised one of the window blinds. “I am very, very tired,” he said. “This séance was particularly exhausting due to the presence of someone antagonistic. Tomorrow if conditions are right, I hope actually to materialize Cousin David. The poor soul is trying so hard to get a message through to the one he calls Maud.” ”

“ May I interest you in a car?”
[4]
“No, thank you,” replied Penny. “We’re just looking.”
“Now here is a fine car,” went on the dealer, indicating the coupe. “A 1934 model—good mechanical condition; nice rubber; a lively battery and fair paint. You can’t go wrong, ladies, not at a price of forty dollars.”
“But will it run?” asked Louise, smothering a giggle.
“There’s thousands of miles of good service left in this little car, ladies. And the price is only fifteen dollars above the junk value.”
The thought of Leaping Lena coming to an inglorious end in a junk yard was disconcerting to Penny. ”