Penny did not reply as she lowered her typewriter into the cavity of the desk. She was thinking, however, that if Louise could be persuaded to accompany her, she would investigate the Celestial Temple at the first opportunity.
“I’ll take you home,” Jerry offered as Penny reached for her hat.
The night was a warm, mellow one in early June, marred only by dark clouds which scudded overhead, threatening rain. Deciding to walk, Penny and Jerry crossed the park to Oakdale Drive where many of Riverview’s most expensive homes had been built.
“Doesn’t Mr. Kohl live on this street?” Penny presently asked her escort.
“Yes,” he answered, “in a large stone apartment building. I’ll point it out when we get there.”
They walked for a time in silence. Then Penny found herself telling about the afternoon meeting with Mr. Kohl which had led her to Kano’s Curio Shop. She spoke, too, of the silken ladder which had so aroused her speculation. Jerry listened with polite interest.
“You and Louise shouldn’t have chased around Dorr Street alone,” he said severely. “It’s a bad district.”
“Oh, it was safe enough, Jerry. I’d like to go back there. I can’t help being curious about that strange ladder which the old Japanese man was sewing.”
“I doubt if there’s a story connected with it. The Japanese make any number of curious articles of silk, you know.”
“But a ladder, Jerry! What purpose could it serve?”