Part 30 (1/2)
”Yes,” Rhoda said bitterly, ”it was only supposed to be for a day's visit. But once we were inside the monastery, we became as prisoners.
Letters are confiscated and there is no telephone.”
”You did get away once.”
”With Julia's help--yes. Only once though. The place is guarded by Winkey and he is very watchful.”
”Tell me, have you seen Mr. Ayling, the insurance company investigator?”
”Mr. Ayling?” Rhoda was puzzled.
”I mean the man who was with me the day you peeped at us from behind the curtain in Father Benedict's study,” Penny explained.
”Oh! No, only on that day.”
”Mr. Ayling came here to find you and your grandmother. Then he went to Chicago and hasn't returned. I'm afraid something has happened to him.”
”I've seen no one here except members of the society,” Rhoda said.
”Sometimes though, I wonder what goes on in the cellar. Once I heard a dreadful commotion! And the way Julia screams when she is upset!”
”She's a simple soul.”
”Simple perhaps, but she knows more than anyone else about the real secrets of this house.”
”Speaking of secrets,” said Penny hesitantly, ”I'm wondering what ever became of the star sapphire?”
”It's safe--at least I think so,” Rhoda replied. ”Not even Grandmother knows where I have hidden it.”
”Then there's no chance Father Benedict can get his hands on it while I go for police?”
”Not unless he forces me to tell where the gem is hidden. And I'll die first! But I'm afraid he may torture Grandmother in an attempt to make her reveal what she doesn't know.”
Penny prepared to close the peephole. ”I'll go for the authorities now as fast as I can,” she promised. ”Keep up your courage until I return.”
”Do be careful,” Rhoda warned nervously. ”If Father Benedict should catch you trying to escape, there's no guessing what he would do!”
Penny closed the peephole and stole out of the dark closet. The corridor was deserted.
Retracing her way to the cloister, the girl paused beside a wall niche a moment as she considered the safest way to attempt an escape.
”I'll try the kitchen window,” she decided. ”It worked well enough coming in.”
On tiptoe she approached the kitchen, only to halt as she heard voices.
Father Benedict was berating Old Julia again.
”There _were_ eleven bowls of soup served!” she heard him insist. ”Mrs.
Hawthorne and her daughter were not in the dining room. So that makes one extra person unaccounted for. Julia, someone entered this house tonight to spy, and you know who the person is!”
”No! No! I dunno nothin',” the servant moaned. ”Even if you strike me and break my bones I can't tell you no different!”