Penny struggled to her feet, dropping the stick.
“We mustn’t be caught here,” she whispered.
Taking Louise’s hand, she drew the girl into the dense bushes directly behind the pool. Scarcely had they secreted themselves when Sylvia Kippenberg and the head gardener came into view. They seated themselves on a rustic bench not far from where the two girls stood.
“I had to talk with you,” Sylvia said to the old man. “The police came this morning and asked so many questions. Mother put them off but they’ll be back again.”
“They didn’t learn about the alligator?” the gardener asked gruffly.
“No, they came here but only stayed a few minutes. I don’t think they noticed anything wrong.”
“Then that’s all right.”
“Their investigation is only beginning,” Sylvia said nervously. “Mother and I both believe it would be wise to get rid of the alligator.”
“Wise but not easy,” the gardener replied.
“You’ll see what you can do about it?”