Part 11 (1/2)
Scarcely aware of Penny and Mr. Ayling, who followed him to the gate, Mr.
Eckenrod stomped off with easel and palette.
”They can't get away with it!” he stormed, addressing no one in particular. ”I'll come back here with the sheriff!”
”I'm afraid Father Benedict is within his rights,” remarked Mr. Ayling.
”He's taken over the property.”
”What's that?” the artist became aware of his presence. ”Oh yes,” he admitted grudgingly, ”legally he is within his rights, I suppose. But what of justice?”
”It would seem only decent of him to allow you to complete your paintings.”
”I've been coming to the monastery for months, off and on,” the artist revealed in an aggrieved tone. ”Always figured I'd buy the place. The owner, Peter Holden, picked it up at a foreclosure sale for a mere nothing. He'd have sold to me too, if this fellow hadn't come along. Who is he, anyhow?”
”I wonder myself,” said Mr. Ayling.
”His gateman looks like a thug!”
”I'm afraid your unfortunate encounter with Winkey prejudiced you,”
smiled the investigator. ”After all, the man apparently was acting under orders.”
”I didn't like that monk either!” the artist scowled. ”He acted as religious as my Aunt Sara!”
”His real name is Jay Highland,” Penny contributed. ”He's a crystal gazer.”
”Humph! A fine calling! If the authorities are smart, they'll look into his business here!”
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. By the way, what did you think of him?”
”Well, if I'm any judge of character, he'll soon be back to make more trouble.”
”No, I mean Father Benedict.”
”He seemed pleasant enough,” Mr. Ayling said slowly. ”However, I can't say I went for the crystal ball demonstration.”
”Oh, anyone could tell that was the bunk!”
”Frankly, it gave me quite a jolt.”