Just then she did, and Penny could no longer hope that she had been mistaken. The newcomer was Amy Coulter.
CHAPTER XIII
An Embarrassing Interview
At sight of her friend talking with the museum workman, a confusion of thoughts raced through Penny's mind. Why had Amy made an appointment with him in the park? She could not believe that the meeting was casual for the girl's own words had revealed otherwise. She was even more startled by Amy's next remark which, carried by the wind, came to her very clearly.
"You brought the money?"
"Yes. I will pay you now if you wish."
The workman drew from his inner pocket a fat wallet, removing a large roll of bills. Penny was so bewildered that for a moment she forgot to shield her face with the newspaper she pretended to read. However, Amy and the man were so engrossed in their conversation, neither of them glanced toward the park bench.
Mr. Hoges stripped off two of the bills, handing them to the girl.
"There," he said in a gruff voice, "that ought to be enough for a start. Stick by me, sister, and you'll earn plenty more like it."