Part 17 (1/2)
The carriage of the machine began to move and the telegram was typed on the long roll of yellow copy paper.
”Why, it's for you, Dad!” Penny said in surprise. ”A wire from Chicago.”
”Chicago?” Mr. Parker repeated. ”Guess we'd better wait and see whom it's from. By the way, how did you and Mr. Ayling make out this afternoon at the monastery?”
”I haven't seen him since yesterday, Dad. When I went to the hotel to meet him, he wasn't there.”
”Busy with other matters perhaps.”
”I suppose so,” Penny agreed, ”but he might have notified me. He missed a lot of excitement by not going along.”
Before she could tell her father about the skiing accident, the teletype message was completed. Mr. Parker ripped it from the machine. He whistled softly.
”Why, this wire is from Mr. Ayling!”
”Then he's in Chicago!”
”Apparently so. Listen to his message: 'CALLED HERE UNEXPECTEDLY BY TELEGRAM SIGNED MRS. HAWTHORNE. TELEGRAM PROVED A FAKE. RETURNING TO RIVERVIEW IMMEDIATELY TO RESUME SEARCH.'”
CHAPTER 12 _THE LOCKED DOOR_
”Well, what d'you know!” Penny exclaimed as she peered over her father's shoulder to reread the telegram. ”So that explains why Mr. Ayling didn't meet me today!”
”If he takes the first train back, he should get in early tomorrow,” her father said. ”I wonder who tricked him into going to Chicago?”
”Whoever did it probably figured he'd give up the search for Mrs.
Hawthorne in disgust,” Penny added excitedly. ”Dad, this case is getting more interesting every minute!”
Mr. Parker smiled but made no comment as he pocketed the telegram.
Together he and Penny went downstairs to the waiting car.
”Maybe I could help Mr. Ayling by inquiring around the city if anyone has seen Mrs. Hawthorne or her granddaughter,” Penny suggested as she drove with skill through dense downtown traffic.
”I thought Mr. Ayling checked all hotels.”
”Only the larger ones, I imagine. Anyhow, I might run into interesting information.”
”Go ahead, if you like,” her father encouraged her.
Early the next morning, Penny set off alone to visit a dozen hotels. At none of them had anyone by the name of Hawthorne registered.
”She may have used an a.s.sumed name,” Penny thought, a trifle discouraged.
”In that case, I'll never find her.”
Hopeful that Mr. Ayling might arrive on the morning train, she went to the Union Railroad Station. Among those waiting on the platform for the incoming Chicago Express was Winkey, the hunchback.
He did not see Penny, and in the large crowd, she soon lost sight of him.