Penny waited uneasily for embarrassing questions which did not come. Gradually she relaxed as the boatman took no interest in them and the guard’s attention was fully occupied with other cars which had driven up to the drawbridge.
A few minutes later, two elderly women, both elegantly gowned, were helped aboard the boat by their chauffeur. One of the women stared disapprovingly at Salt through her lorgnette and then ignored him.
“We’ll get by all right,” Salt whispered confidently.
“Wait until Mrs. Kippenberg sees us,” warned Penny.
“Oh, we’ll keep out of her way until we have our story and plenty of pictures. Once we’re across the river it will be easy.”
“I hope you’re right,” muttered Penny.
While Salt’s task of taking pictures might prove relatively simple, she realized that her own work would be anything but easy. She could not hope to gather many facts without talking to a member of the family, and the instant she admitted her identity she likely would be ejected from the grounds.
“I boasted I’d bring in a front page story,” she thought ruefully. “I’ll be lucky if I get a column of routine stuff.”
The boat was moving slowly away from the landing when the guard at the drawbridge called in a loud voice: “Hold it, Joe!”
Penny and Salt stiffened in their chairs, fearing they were to be exposed. But they were both greatly relieved to see that a long, black limousine had drawn up at the end of the road. The launch had been stopped so that additional passengers might be accommodated.