“I shall not answer your question.”
“Then you prefer that I print my own conclusions?”
“You are an impudent, prying young woman!” Mrs. Kippenberg stormed. “What if the picture was given to Sylvia by her father! Is that any crime?”
“Certainly not,” said Penny soothingly. “It merely proves that you both know the whereabouts of Mr. Kippenberg.”
“Perhaps I do. But I’ll tell you nothing, absolutely nothing!”
“I have a few questions to ask about your new gardener,” Penny went on, unmoved. “For instance, why does he wear a wig?”
The door slammed in her face.
“That certainly was a very cold reception,” remarked Louise as the girls walked away, the sound of the slamming door still ringing in their ears.
Penny shrugged her shoulders and smiled. “That’s nothing. When you’re a reporter you have to expect those things.” She looked about the deserted estate. “Well, I think I’ll do some more sleuthing in the vicinity of the pool.”
Louise looked at her wristwatch. “Goodness, it’s getting late,” she stated. “I’d like to stay, Penny, but I think I’d better be getting home to meet Mother.”