CHAPTER
18
ADELLE’S ACCUSATION
“Oh, Mrs. Van Cleve! You’ve been cheated!”
The signing of the papers had taken Penny so by surprise that she did not weigh her words before speaking. Too late, she realized that her father never would approve of revealing the facts in such blunt fashion. However, having said so much, she was determined to go on.
“My dear, what do you mean?” inquired Mrs. Van Cleve, troubled by the unexpected accusation.
“Any money paid for this land will be lost! My father has just learned—”
“I resent such loose talk!” Mr. Blake broke in irritably. “Mr. Bowman, whom I represent, has taken a substantial loss on the property.”
“And who is Ben Bowman?” Penny challenged. “You can’t produce him, nor prove that he owns the land. The title is faulty. Neither you nor Ben Bowman has any right to sell it!”
“This isn’t true?” Mrs. Van Cleve asked the real estate man.
“Certainly not! You may be sure that if there is the slightest flaw in the title, I shall return your cheque.”
“Perhaps, considering the uncertainty, it might be wise to postpone payment until I have talked again with Mr. Parker,” Mrs. Van Cleve said diffidently.