Mildred A. Wirt

“ Grumbling to himself, the hunchback stepped into the gatehouse and pressed a button which rang a bell inside the building.
A light went on in a downstairs room, and a moment later the front door opened. Framed on the threshold stood a very tall man in dark, hooded robe.
“What’s wrong, Winkey?” he called. “You rang?”
“There’s a girl here wants to see you,” shouted the hunchback. “She says she heard a scream and wants to know how-come.”
Treading lightly in the loose snow, the thin man came down the driveway to the gate. His long, brown robes were impressive, his demeanor pious. ”

“ Father Benedict beat an impatient tattoo with his foot. “The curse would remain,” he insisted. “Only by giving the gem to a worthy charity can evil be erased. For your own sake and that of your granddaughter, I beg of you, give us the sapphire.”
“A few days ago, I might have considered it,” said Mrs. Hawthorne peevishly. “Now I don’t even like this place. It is too much on the order of a prison. The food is wretched! Tomorrow if I am stronger, I shall take my granddaughter and leave.”
“Indeed?” Father Benedict sneered. “For you there will be no tomorrow. ”

“ Penny could not tell her the truth—that her granddaughter had been locked in the chapel bedroom by Father Benedict. Nor could she express the fear that an even worse fate was in store for the girl unless help came quickly to the monastery.
As she groped for words, Mrs. Hawthorne suddenly gasped. Her face became convulsed and she writhed in bed.
“Oh, those stomach cramps!” she moaned. “They’re starting again! Please—please, a doctor!”
[154]
Never had Penny felt so helpless as she watched the poor woman suffer. Mrs. Hawthorne’s wrinkled face broke out in perspiration. ”

“ The master now turned apologetically to the visitors.
“I trust my servant was not rude,” he said. “Poor creature! Her twisted mind causes her to believe that all persons who do not dwell within our walls are evil and to be feared.”
As the monk spoke, he smiled in a kindly, friendly way, yet his keen eyes were appraising the two visitors. Though it was cold and windy on the door step, he did not hasten to invite Penny and Mr. Ayling inside. He stood holding the half-opened door in his hand. ”

“ Touring over the slopes, they discarded first their mittens, then their jackets. After Louise had fallen down several times, soaking her clothes in melted snow, she proposed that they abandon the sport.
“So early in the afternoon?” Penny protested. “Oh, we can’t go home yet!”
“Then let’s try something else. It’s no fun skiing today.”
Penny’s gaze fastened speculatively upon the distant chimneys of the old monastery visible through the pine trees. “I have it, Lou!” she exclaimed.
“We’re not going there!” cried Louise, reading the thought.
“Why not?” Already Penny was removing her skis. ”

“ For some time Rhoda lay staring at the beamed ceiling and trying in her mind to reconstruct the old chapel as it might have been in the days when the monastery was a religious center.
The girl had not the slightest intention of falling asleep. She felt wide awake, tense in every muscle. Not a sound escaped her, and every noise seemed intensified.
A board creaked.
It’s nothing, she told herself. All old houses make strange sounds, especially when a wind is blowing.
[173]
Yet disturbing thoughts plagued the girl. What did Father Benedict intend to do with her? ”

“ Father Benedict did not join the group. After lingering a few minutes he quietly slipped away. This offered Penny an opportunity to leave without arousing the monk’s suspicions.
“I must learn more about that girl who is locked up here somewhere!” she thought. “Perhaps I can help her escape!”
Still wearing the white robe, Penny started back to the cloister. The cult ceremony which she had witnessed greatly disturbed her.
“Father Benedict is taking unfair advantage of these people,” she told herself. “He accepts their jewels and gives nothing in return. Furthermore, he is cruel!” ”

“ Before Penny or Louise could answer, the car door closed firmly in their faces.
“Well, how do you like that?” the latter demanded furiously. “If she isn’t a cool cucumber!”
“She may be running away from home,” Penny said, frowning. “Why otherwise, would she refuse to tell her name?”
“And why did she insist in getting out on this corner, of all places?”
“It’s a bad section of town, Louise. No one seems to be about, but even so, a girl shouldn’t be wandering around here alone.” ”

“ At the city editor’s desk a short wave radio blared routine police calls. Editor DeWitt, an eyeshade pulled low over his eyes, scowled as he rapidly scanned copy.
Seeing Penny, he looked up and smiled, which was the signal for her to explain the purpose of her call.
Going straight to the point, she asked to be assigned a feature story on the cult ceremony that night in the monastery.
“Think you can get it?” he demanded gruffly.
“Why not?”
“Two of our reporters already have failed. The high monkey-monk out there won’t allow any of our men in the building.” ”

“ Penny said bitterly.
“I’ll call Riverview for men!”
“We don’t dare wait, Mrs. Eckenrod. Your husband is half frozen now. We’ll have to get him out ourselves somehow.”
“If we must, we can,” replied the woman quietly. “I’ll telephone the doctor and be with you in a moment.”
On her way to the shed, Penny looked hopefully across the darkening hills for a glimpse of the lone skier she had seen earlier in the afternoon. He was nowhere visible.
By the time Penny had found a rope and the sled, Mrs. Eckenrod joined her. The woman had put on a heavy coat, galoshes, and carried woolen blankets. ”

“ In fury, the monk hurled the ring across the cloister.
Penny suppressed a giggle. But Father Benedict’s next words sent a shiver down her spine.
“This settles it!” he said. “I’ll talk to the old lady now! If she refuses to give up the sapphire, then you know what to do with the girl!”
“I’m waiting for the chance!” growled the hunchback. “Just say when!”
“Once the girl is where she can’t influence the old lady, we’ll have no trouble,” the monk continued. “However, we must work fast. After tonight, I have a feeling we will do well to move our institution elsewhere.” ”

“ Ayling.
Still there was no rustle of life from the gatehouse.
“Disgusting!” Penny muttered. “I know Winkey is watching us! He’s only being contrary!”
Mr. Ayling’s angular jaw tightened. “In that case,” he said, “we’ll have to get in the best way we can. I’ll climb over the fence.”
The words purposely were spoken loudly enough to be overheard in the gatehouse. Before the investigator could carry out his threat, the door of the circular, stone building swung back. Winkey, the hunchback, sauntered leisurely out. ”

“ Politely, Father Benedict escorted the girls through the cloister. Penny noted that much of the dirt and debris had been swept away. A beautifully carved stone stairway, which she had failed to notice upon her previous visit, led up to a narrow balcony.
Observing that many doors opened from it, she inquired if the dormitories were above.
“They are,” the monk replied in a brief tone which discouraged further questions.
“It’s so still in here,” remarked Louise as they walked on. “One never would dream many people are staying in the building.”
“We lead a quiet life,” the monk explained. ”

“ I’ll scream!”
“Scream at the top of your lungs, my dear. Only the dead will hear you.”
“The dead! Oh!” A shudder wracked Rhoda’s thin body as she became aware of the tombs in the crypt. “Why did you bring me here?”
“For one purpose. I want the sapphire. Hand it over and you will not be harmed.”
“I haven’t the gem.”
“But you know where it is.”
Rhoda remained silent.
“You’ll tell,” Highland rasped, losing all patience. “I haven’t all day! You tricked me with that cheap substitute, and you induced your grandmother to hold out against me. Now we are through playing.” ”

“ Penny resumed thoughtfully. “For instance, that girl I saw when I came here with Mr. Ayling. Who is she, and where does she keep herself?”
“Why not ask Father Benedict—that is, if we ever get out of here.”
“I can’t quite bring myself to do it, Lou. If ever I started asking questions, I wouldn’t know where to stop.”
“There’s only one that bothers me,” Louise said, roving toward the door. “How are we going to get out of here? Let’s call for help!” ”

“ Eckenrod. “I’ll get back as fast as I can!”
The closest house was the artist’s own cabin in the woods. Plunging through the big drifts, the girl pounded on the door.
Almost at once it was opened by a middle-aged woman with graying hair and alert, blue eyes. Seeing the girl’s rumpled hair and snow-caked skiing suit, she immediately understood that something was wrong.
“You’re Mrs. Eckenrod?” Penny gasped.
“Yes, I am. What has happened?”
“Your husband has had a bad fall and his leg may be broken! We’ll need a rope and a sled.” ”

“ Again Penny heard the soft creak, creak of wood as footsteps retreated.
[49]
She tried to speak, but the words stuck in her throat. Had her imagination played tricks upon her?
Slowly she turned her eyes upon Father Benedict, whose back had been toward the curtained door.
“Another picture is forming in the crystal ball,” he muttered. “I see a man walking through a lonely wood. But what is this? Evil persons lie in wait behind the tall pine trees. Now they are waylaying him!
“They fall upon him and beat him with their cudgels. Woe is me! They leave him lying on the ground. ”

“ Forgetting her own predicament, Penny listened intently. The pair were now almost at the brink of the crevasse.
“Say something!” Eckenrod roared. “What excuse have you got for stealing my wood?”
“Button your lip!” Winkey retorted. “The boss told me to get some wood for the fires at the monastery. So I done it.”
“He told you to steal, did he?”
“You’ll git your money.”
“Money isn’t the point! I cut that wood myself from my own land, and I want it for my own use! Here, give me that sled! You’re hauling it straight back where you got it!” ”

“ The monk sighed deeply. “Old Julia is only an unfortunate whose twisted mind never can be healed by doctors. Because she had no home—no friends, I have taken her beneath my roof.”
[14]
“I see,” nodded Penny. “I’m very sorry to have troubled you.”
“A natural mistake, my child. Is there anything else you wish to know? We have no secrets here—only serene faith and hope for a better world.”
“I might inquire your name.”
“Members of my flock call me Father Benedict. My baptismal name is Jay Highland. And yours?”
“Penny Parker. My father owns the Riverview Star.” ”

“ As she hesitated at the window, debating whether or not to smash the glass and take a chance, she heard the roar of an automobile motor.
For a moment she was hopeful a car was coming down the road. Then, with a sinking heart she realized that it was Winkey bringing the big black automobile from the front of the house to the rear exit.
“The minute he and Father Benedict get their thieving hands on the sapphire, they’ll leave here!” she reasoned. “Oh, why can’t I think of some way to stop them?”
Penny had left her own car parked on the road not far from the monastery. ”

“ Under guard, the former master of the monastery and Winkey, were removed from the patrol car to be confronted with victims they had fleeced. Jay Highland arrogantly denied he had accepted or stolen any object of value.
“You have no evidence against me,” he defied the group. “True, I established a cult here, but entirely within the law. Not even the sapphire was found in my possession! These people lie if they say I took jewelry from them. They were not charged a penny, even for room and lodging.” ”

“ The trio now had reached the roadside where Penny’s car was parked. Politely, she offered to give the artist a lift to his home.
“Thanks, but I’ll walk,” he declined the offer. “I live only a short distance. I’ll just cut through the fields.”
His dark eyes still snapping like firebrands, the artist strode off through the snow.
“Quite a character!” remarked Mr. Ayling, once he and Penny were in the car. “An eccentric!”
“I’ve heard Mr. Eckenrod really is a fine artist,” Penny replied. “Too bad Father Benedict wouldn’t let him complete his paintings. ”

“ Rhoda longed to ask Old Julia if she had seen Penny or if the girl had escaped. However, knowing that the old woman might divulge the secret to Father Benedict, she wisely did not bring up the subject.
[175]
Julia thrust a hard crust of bread in through the peephole, and then shoved a cup of steaming black coffee into her hand.
“Thanks, Julia,” Rhoda said. “I know you mean well. Working in a place like this isn’t your fault. How did you ever meet Father Benedict anyhow?” ”

“ It occurred to her that the girl might be running away from home—certainly she was bewildered and in trouble.
“Don’t be foolish!” she exclaimed. “This snow is coming down heavier every minute. Of course, you want a ride.” She flung the car door wide open.
[19]
A moment longer the girl hesitated. Then without a word, she swung the suitcase into the automobile and squeezed in beside Louise. However, she scarcely glanced at the girls, but centered her sober gaze on the snowflakes which danced across the windshield.
The car moved ahead. “Going far?” inquired Penny. ”

“ He would have seized the visitor by the arm, had not Father Benedict called to him from the doorway: “Winkey!”
“Yes, Father,” the hunchback mumbled.
“Now tell me what is wrong,” the cult leader bade as he went down to the gate, followed by Penny and Mr. Ayling. “Who is this gentleman?”
“My name is Vernon Eckenrod,” the visitor introduced himself. “I’m an artist. I live down the road a quarter of a mile.”
“He wants to come in and paint a picture,” interposed Winkey. “I told him nothin’ doing.”
“Your man doesn’t understand,” said Mr. Eckenrod, glaring at the hunchback. ”

“ Do you suppose he abuses her?”
“Oh, Penny! A man of his calling?”
“He’s not a real monk. Apparently this cult is only an order that has been in existence a short time. Father Benedict doesn’t impress me as a very religious man. Furthermore, all that crystal-glass-gazing business leads me to think he’s more of a charlatan than anything else!” ”

“ Penny watched the riverfront intently. She was the first to glimpse the familiar long, black automobile parked close to the dock where Rhoda had hidden her suitcase.
[195]
“There’s Highland’s car!” she cried. “He and Winkey must be here! Probably they’re under the dock now! Highland is armed, Dad.”
“Then our best bet is to try to keep the men in sight until police catch up with us,” Mr. Parker said, pulling up beside the other car. “We’re unarmed and can put up no fight.”
“If those birds are under the dock on the ice, they’re taking their lives in hand,” observed Jerry quietly. ”

“ Ayling.
“To be sure, Mrs. Hawthorne. Apparently you were under the misapprehension that she is in some way connected with this establishment.”
“It was only a hope. My client has a deep interest in cults. I traced Mrs. Hawthorne and her granddaughter to Riverview, and thought possibly they might have been attracted to your place.”
“My little flock is limited to only twelve members at present. All are very humble people who have sworn to live a life of poverty, devoted to charity and faith. We have no Mrs. Hawthorne here.”
“Mightn’t she have given another name?” suggested Penny. ”

“ The door closed in her face. Distinctly she heard a key grate in the lock.
“Well, how do you like that?” Penny muttered angrily. “Who does he think he is, anyhow?”
She started away, only to pause and gaze thoughtfully back at the darkened windows. To return to the newspaper office without a story would be humiliating. A good reporter never failed.
[122]
“There must be some way to see that ceremony!” she reasoned. “Perhaps I can slip in through a rear door.”
Penny circled the building, taking care to avoid snow patches where revealing footprints would be left behind. ”

“ Enroute to Riverview, Penny and Mr. Ayling discussed all phases of their strange interview with Father Benedict.
“The man may be all right,” the investigator said. “Nevertheless, as a matter of routine I’ll check on him. Where was he before he came to Riverview?”
“I never heard.”
“And who are the members of his mysterious cult? Riverview people?”
“Not so far as I know. The only persons I’ve seen on the premises are Winkey, the one they call Julia, and a girl.”
“A girl? Who is she?”
“I don’t know. She peeped from behind a door while Father Benedict was giving the crystal ball reading. ”