Part 36 (1/2)
”Do you have an extra costume?”
”Costume?”
”Dress, I mean. Like one you're wearing.”
”Not here.” As the maid spoke she divested herself of an old pair of shoes, and setting them back against the closet wall, slipped on a pair of much better looking ones. ”I'm changing my clothes now to go home.”
”I'll give you another two dollars if you'll lend me the outfit for the evening.”
”Is it for a party?” the maid asked.
”A masquerade,” said Penny. ”I want to play a little joke on some acquaintances of mine.”
She waved another bill before the woman's eyes, and the temptation of making easy money was too great to resist.
”All right, I'll do it,” the maid agreed. ”Just wait outside until I get my clothes changed.”
Penny waited, watching the halls anxiously lest she be observed by someone who would recognize her. Soon the maid stepped from the closet, and handed over a bundle of clothing.
”And here is your money,” said Penny. ”Don't mention to anyone what we've done--at least not until tomorrow.”
”Don't worry, Miss, I won't,” replied the woman grimly. ”I might lose my job if they caught me.”
After the maid had gone away, Penny slipped into the closet and quickly changed into the costume. Pulling off her cap, she rumpled her hair and rubbed a streak of dirt across her face. The shoes were a trifle too large for her, and their size, together with the painful ankle, made her walk in a dragging fas.h.i.+on.
s.n.a.t.c.hing up a feather duster, she went hurriedly down the hall toward the corridor which led to the Green Room. As always, the guard sat in his chair by the door. But this time Penny had high hopes of gaining entrance.
Boldly, she walked over to him and said: ”Good evening. I was sent to tell you you're wanted in the office by Mr. Maxwell.”
”Now?” he inquired in surprise.
”Yes, right away.”
”Someone ought to stay here.”
”I'll wait until you get back.”
”Don't let anyone inside unless they have pa.s.ses,” the guard instructed.
Penny barely could hide her excitement. It had been almost too easy! At last she was to penetrate beyond the Green Door! And if she found what she expected, the entire mystery would be cleared up. She would gain evidence against Ralph Fergus and Harvey Maxwell which would make her case iron-clad.
From within the room, Penny could hear the low murmur of voices. She waited until the guard had disappeared, and then, summoning her courage, opened the green door and stepped inside.
Penny found herself in an elegantly furnished salon, its chairs, davenports, carpet and draperies decorated in soft shades of green and ivory. A little dark-haired man she had never seen before, who spoke with an artificial French accent, stood talking with three women who were trying on fur coats. A fourth woman, Maxine Miller, sat in a chair, her back turned to Penny.
”Now Henri, I want you to give my friends a good price on their coats,”
she was saying in a chirpy voice.
”_Oui_” he agreed, bobbing his head up and down. ”We say one hundred and ninety-two dollars for zis beautiful sealskin coat. I make you a special price only because you are friends of Mademoiselle Miller.”