Part 20 (1/2)
”Oh, Penny! Father Benedict denied that she was, didn't he?”
”Yes, but that crystal ball reading he gave for Mr. Ayling's benefit was a strange affair. And Lou! The worst was, _he predicted harm would befall him_! Maybe it has!”
”So you're superst.i.tious! Do you really believe in those crystal ball readings?”
”No, I'm not!” Penny denied hotly. ”Not for a minute do I put any faith in that crystal ball! But--”
”Mr. Ayling is delayed in Chicago, so you start to worry,” completed Louise. ”Penny, you're certainly building up a case!”
”Maybe I am,” Penny admitted with a shrug. ”However, other things bother me too.”
”For instance?”
”That scream we heard at midnight. Mr. Eckenrod and his wife told me they had been awakened by strange noises here.”
”Didn't you understand from Father Benedict that Old Julia causes the commotion?”
”Yes, and it's plain to see she is a poor demented creature. Still, there's something about her--when we came in today, I had a feeling that she was trying to tell us something.”
”She did warn us away. However, in her condition she might say anything.
So I dismissed it.”
”I wish I could talk to Old Julia when Father Benedict isn't around,”
Penny said soberly. ”I have a hunch she could tell us interesting things about this place!”
”Then you do distrust Father Benedict!”
”Not exactly,” Penny denied. ”He's been pleasant enough to us, and I suppose he has a perfect right to start a crazy cult here if he chooses.”
”It's not only crazy but profitable,” Louise reminded her. ”Those contributions listed total up to several thousand dollars!”
”According to Father Benedict, the money goes to charity. But what charity? It's a cinch he isn't spending much in supporting the members of his cult. This building is as barren as a barn, and I've not seen any supplies come into the place while we've been around!”
”And where are the cult members?”
”They must stay in their rooms.”
”A fine life!”
”I'm sure there are people in this household who aren't listed in the ledger,” 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!”
”Okay,” Penny agreed reluctantly. ”I hate to do it though.”