Using the rear stairs the girls were able to leave the house without being observed. They drove directly to Andover where Penny dispatched a lengthy wire to her father. She requested him to learn all he could concerning Max Laponi and if possible to send her a complete description of the diamond ring which had been stolen from the department store.
“I wonder why Caleb and Max Laponi were going at each other in such dreadful fashion?” Rosanna mused as they drove back toward the Winters’ mansion.
Penny had been pondering over the same question.
“I suppose Caleb may be suspicious of him,” Rosanna went on when Penny did not answer.
“Possibly. Old Caleb hasn’t acted too honestly himself, Rosanna.”
“I know he hasn’t. He doesn’t like to answer questions and his interest in Mr. Winters’ safe is rather puzzling. It seems to me that everyone at Raven Ridge acts queerly.”
“Including me?” Penny teased.
Rosanna laughed and squeezed her arm affectionately. “Of course I don’t mean you. You’ve been wonderful and I’ll never never be able to repay you for all you’ve done.”
“Nonsense, so far I’ve accomplished exactly nothing. But I have a feeling that before another twenty-four hours elapse things are going to start breaking for us.”
“I hope so,” Rosanna sighed.