“I never thought of such a thing, Mrs. Leeds. I think it’s disgraceful the way everyone is acting about the property!”
Before Mrs. Leeds could reply, she ran from the room. Penny loyally followed, joining Rosanna in the bedroom which they shared. She found the orphan in tears.
“Forget it,” Penny advised kindly. “Mrs. Leeds is so intent on getting the money that she doesn’t realize what she says.”
“I’m sorry I ever came here. I want no part in this disgraceful grab for Uncle Jacob’s money.”
“I know how you feel,” Penny agreed, “but let’s stay a day or two. I’m curious to learn just what is going on here.”
In truth, she was completely baffled. It was difficult for her to make up her mind whether or not the entire arrangement was a hoax. Somehow she had distrusted Laponi’s credentials. She distrusted him too.
“I don’t believe he could be a nephew of Jacob Winters,” she thought. “I wish there was some way to trace down his past.”
It was clear to Penny that Rosanna would never defend her claim to the inheritance. Unless she personally took a hand in the affair, Mrs. Leeds and Max Laponi would ignore the orphan completely.
“I’ll let them make the first move,” she decided shrewdly. “For the time being I’ll play a waiting game.”
For the greater part of the afternoon, Penny and Rosanna remained in their own room. Toward nightfall they walked about the grounds and later motored to a nearby inn for dinner. At nine o’clock when they returned to the big empty house, the downstairs was dark. They judged that Mrs. Leeds and Max Laponi had already gone to their rooms.