There was no sign of the old gardener as they came presently to the lily pool. Penny searched about in the grass for a few minutes.
“Here is where I found the ring,” she revealed. “And see this!”
“What?” Miss Kippenberg drew in her breath sharply.
“Footprints.”
“That doesn’t seem so remarkable.” The young woman bent to examine them. “They probably were made by Grant’s own shoe.”
“But it looks as if there might have been a struggle here,” Penny insisted. “From those marks wouldn’t you say a body had been dragged across the ground toward the pool?”
“No!” cried Miss Kippenberg. “The grass is trampled, but I can’t believe Grant has met with violence. I refuse to think of such a thing! The pool—” she broke off and a shudder wracked her body.
“It is best to know the truth. Have you notified the police about Mr. Atherwald’s disappearance?”
Miss Kippenberg shook her head. “Until today I thought he would return. Or at least I hoped so.”
“It seems to me an expert should be called into the case,” Penny urged. “Why don’t you telephone the police station now?”