Noiselessly, she crept up the stairs to the kitchen door, opening it a tiny crack. Though she could not see Ma, footsteps told her that the woman had stepped out onto the balcony overlooking the river.
“This will be as good a chance as I may get,” she reasoned.
The door squeaked as she opened it wide enough to slip through. Unnerved by the sound, Penny moved swiftly across the kitchen to the living room.
“So there you are!” cried Ma Harper from the balcony.
Penny threw caution to the winds. Darting across the room, she jerked at the outside door. It opened, but on the porch, facing her, stood Sweeper Joe and Clark Clayton!
CHAPTER
18
OVER THE BALCONY
Panic-stricken, Penny’s first thought was to try to dart past the men. But she realized that to do so would be impossible. Warned by Ma Harper’s excited cries, they had moved into position to completely block her path.
“Stop that girl!” shouted Ma Harper, bearing down, upon her from the direction of the river balcony. “She’s from the police and sent here to get evidence!”
Whirling around, Penny ran back toward the kitchen, with the woman in pursuit. She did not waste time testing the rear door, for she already knew it to be locked.
However, opening from the kitchen was another closed door which appeared to give exit. With no time to debate, Penny jerked it open and darted inside.