“Sure. Front page stuff.”
“We simply must get the story somehow! If Mrs. Kippenberg would just answer our questions about this drawbridge painting—”
“I’m afraid Mamma Kippenberg isn’t going to break down and tell all,” Salt said dryly. “But buckle on your steel armor, little girl, because here she comes now!”
CHAPTER
4
BEHIND THE BUSHES
A large, middle-aged woman in rose-colored silk, crossed the room directly toward Salt and Penny. Her pale blue eyes glinted with anger and there were hard lines about her mouth. She walked haughtily, but with grim purpose.
“Unless we do some fast talking, out we go!” muttered Salt. “It’s Mrs. Kippenberg, all right.”
They stood their ground, knowing they had been recognized as intruders. But before the woman could reach them she was stopped by a servant who spoke a few words in a low tone. For a moment Mrs. Kippenberg forgot about Penny and Salt as a new problem presented itself.
“I can’t talk with anyone now,” she said in an agitated voice. “Tell them to come back later.”
“They insist upon talking with you now, Madam,” replied the servant. “Unless you see them they say they will look around for themselves.”
“Oh!” Mrs. Kippenberg drew herself up sharply as if from a physical blow. “Where are they now?”