Part 38 (2/2)
”Do you know the men?”
”The ringleader is Aaron Dietz. At one time he was employed by Mr.
Kippenberg.”
”Just as I thought.”
”The other two call themselves Gus and Jake. I don't know their last names. Then there is a girl who seems to be a sister to Gus.”
”How did they get you here?”
”On the day of the wedding I was handed a note just as I reached the estate. It requested me to come at once to the garden. While I waited there, two ruffians sprang upon me from behind. Before I could cry out they dragged me to their boat at the river's edge. I was handcuffed, blindfolded and brought to this cabin.”
The slamming of an outside door warned Penny that she was wasting precious time in talk.
”You understand your instructions?” she whispered hurriedly.
”Yes.”
”Then goodbye. With luck we'll have you free in a few hours.”
”With luck is right,” Jerry muttered as Penny slid to the ground.
Aaron Dietz stood on the front porch staring out into the night. Seeing him there, Penny and Jerry circled widely before attempting to return to the river. Satisfied that they had not been observed, they boarded the boat and descended to the cabin.
For possibly an hour they sat in the dark, waiting anxiously.
”Looks as if my little plan didn't work,” Penny remarked. ”I might have known it would be too simple.”
Jerry had risen to his feet. He went to the window and listened.
”Hear anything?” Penny whispered hopefully.
”Sounds like someone coming down the path. We ought to get into our cubby-hole.”
They tiptoed to the closet and closed the door.
Within a few minutes they heard a confusion of voices and the shuffle of feet as men boarded the cruiser. Penny wondered if the group included Grant Atherwald and was greatly relieved when she heard him speak.
”I don't see why you think I would double-cross you,” he said distinctly.
”I am considering my own welfare. You promised that if the gold is found you'll give me my freedom.”
”Sure, you'll get it. But if you're lying about the hiding place--”
The words were drowned out by the roar of the motor boat engine. Penny and Jerry felt the floor beneath them quiver and then gently roll. The cruiser was under way.
”We're heading for the Kippenberg estate!” Penny whispered. ”Oh, everything is starting out beautifully!”
<script>