Part 25 (1/2)
Reaching the window, she tried the ventilator screen. To her delight, it folded like an accordian when she pushed one side against the edge of the window. Making no sound, she removed it.
Listening a moment to make certain no one was close by, Penny raised the window higher. Then on strong arms she swung herself up and over the ledge.
The girl found herself in a large kitchen lighted only by a smoldering log in a great cavern of a fireplace.
Rows of copper pans hung on the smoke-stained walls. In a huge black kettle, watery soup simmered over the fire.
Penny turned to close the window and stepped squarely on the tail of a drowsing cat.
”Ye-eow!” screeched the frightened animal.
Penny huddled against the wall, listening. Her heart sank as she heard heavy footsteps in the pa.s.sageway. The howling cat had brought someone to investigate!
Frantically, the girl glanced about the room. Huge cupboards which rose from the floor to the ceiling offered the only possible hiding place in the otherwise barren kitchen.
Pulling open one of the doors, she saw an interior cluttered with greasy pans and dishes. With desperate haste, she tried the adjoining door. This cupboard was empty except for a few dusty newspapers.
Penny stepped inside, softly closing the door. Only then, as she heard someone enter the kitchen, did she realize that in her haste to hide, she had forgotten to close the window.
CHAPTER 16 _THE KITCHEN CUPBOARD_
Into the kitchen lumbered Old Julia. She picked up the whimpering cat and began to croon endearments.
Penny breathed easier. The next instant she became tense again as she heard another person enter the room.
”What was that noise, Julia?” a man demanded harshly.
Penny recognized Father Benedict's voice.
”Only the cat, Father.”
”Why is the room so cold? Oh, I see! Against my orders you opened the window again!”
”No, I didn't!” Old Julia defended herself. ”I hain't been near a door or window since you told me not to talk to n.o.body nor let 'em in. I don't talk to n.o.body--only Patsy, the cat. Nice Patsy!”
”You're a stupid old woman! What made the cat howl?”
”I dunno. She must've seen a mouse.”
”Cats don't howl unless they are hurt! You opened the window!”
”No! No! I didn't!” the old woman cried. ”Don't strike me! I'm telling you the truth.”
Penny heard the monk walk to the window. Her heart skipped a beat when he said: ”Perhaps you are, Julia! I can see footprints in the snow! Someone crawled out through this window! You helped that girl get away!”
”I didn't! I didn't!” whimpered Julia. ”I dunno how the window got open.”
The monk seemed to be talking to himself as he went on: ”I knew that girl would make trouble the minute I set eyes on her! If it hadn't been for her interference, everything would have gone just as planned! Now she'll have to pay for her folly!”