“I believe it was this one.”
“We’ve just come from down by the river,” added Salt. “We didn’t see him there. The only person we met was an old gardener.”
The usher thanked them for the information and hurried on. When the man was beyond hearing, Salt turned to Penny, saying jubilantly:
“Say, maybe we’ll get a big story after all! Sylvia Kippenberg jilted at the altar! Hot stuff!”
“Aren’t you jumping to swift conclusions, Salt? He must be around here somewhere.”
“It’s always serious business when a man is late for his wedding. Even if he does show up, daughter Sylvia may take offense and call the whole thing off.”
“Oh, you’re too hopeful,” Penny laughed. “He’ll probably be here in another minute. I don’t believe he would have come at all if he had intended to slip away.”
“He may have lost his nerve at the last minute,” Salt insisted.
“Atherwald did act strangely on the boat,” Penny said reflectively. “And then that message he received—”
“He may have sent it to himself.”