The matter of the photograph settled, he and Penny turned to leave.
“We’ll send the hospital ambulance after you, Jerry,” Salt said by way of farewell. “Better get into some duds.”
“I’m not going back there!”
“It’s no use trying to make him,” said Penny who knew from experience that the reporter could be stubborn. “But do be careful, won’t you, Jerry?”
“Sure,” he promised. “And thanks to both of you for all your trouble!”
The hour now was well past midnight. Saying goodbye to Jerry, Penny had Salt take her directly home.
Quietly she slipped into the house and upstairs to her own room without disturbing Mrs. Weems.
However, next morning, explanations were in order, and as was to be expected, the housekeeper did not look with approval upon the trip to the swamp.
“Your motives may have been excellent,” she told Penny, “but your judgment was very poor. Even with Salt as an escort you shouldn’t have gone.”
To make amends, Penny stayed close at home that morning, helping with an ironing. At noon when her father came for luncheon, she eagerly plied him with questions about the Danny Deevers case.