“It’s amazing how you get into so much adventure,” Louise replied enviously as she studied the trinket. “Start at the beginning and tell me everything.”
The invitation was very much to Penny’s liking. Perching herself on the highest porch step she recounted her visit to the Kippenberg estate, painting an especially romantic picture of the castle dwelling, the moat, and the drawbridge.
“Oh, I’d love to visit the place,” Louise declared. “You have all the luck.”
“I’ll take you with me if I ever get to go again,” promised Penny. “Well, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
And with this careless farewell, she sprang to her feet, and hastened on home.
The next morning while Mrs. Weems was preparing breakfast, Penny ran down to the corner to buy the first edition of the Star. As she spread it open a small headline accosted her eye.
“NO TRACE OF MISSING BRIDEGROOM.”
Penny read swiftly, learning that Grant Atherwald had not been seen since his strange disappearance from the Kippenberg estate. Members of the family refused to discuss the affair and had made no report to the police.
“This story is developing into something big after all,” she thought with quickening pulse. “Now if Dad will only let me work on it!”
At home she gave the newspaper to her father, remarking rather pointedly: “You see, your expert reporters haven’t learned very much more than I brought in yesterday. Why wouldn’t it be a good idea to send me out there again today?”