“So it’s you again!” he cried wrathfully, glaring at Penny.
“Please, we didn’t mean any harm. We can explain—”
“This stick is explanation enough for me!” the man shouted, waving it above his head. “You were trying to find out about the lily pool!”
“We were only trying to get a pin which I dropped into the water,” Louise said, backing a step away.
“I don’t believe you!” the man snapped. “You can’t fool me! I know why you came here, and you’ll pay for your folly! You’ll never take the secret away with you!”
With a swift, animal-like spring which belied his age, the gardener hurled himself toward the girls. He seized Penny’s arm giving it a cruel twist.
“You’re coming along with me,” he announced harshly.
“Let me go!” Penny cried, trying to free herself.
“You’re going with me to the house. You’ve been altogether too prying. Now you’ll take your punishment, both of you.”
The gardener might have managed Penny alone, but he was no match for two athletic girls. As he tried to seize Louise, Penny twisted free.