Penny ran to the window and peered into the dark interior. She scarcely was able to believe what she saw. A little girl, her face streaked with tears and dirt, pounded fiercely on the heavy door, seeking release.
“It’s Adelle!” she gasped. “How in the world did she get locked in Mr. McGuire’s shop?”
CHAPTER
13
AN EXTRA STROKE
With all the windows and the door of the shop locked, Penny did not know how to free the imprisoned child. However, as she considered the problem, Seth McGuire appeared on the porch of the cottage.
“Good morning,” he greeted her pleasantly.
“Oh, Mr. McGuire!” Penny exclaimed. “Did you know there is a child locked inside your shop?”
“A child!” the old man exclaimed, coming quickly down the steps. “Why bless me! How can that be?”
“I don’t understand how she got inside, but she’s there! Officials of the Riverview Orphans’ Home have been searching for Adelle Hanover since last night.”
“Wait until I get my key,” the old man said in an agitated voice. “I hope you don’t think I locked the child into the shop!”
Knowing Mr. McGuire as she did, Penny entertained no such thought. Waving encouragingly to Adelle through the window, she waited for the old man to return.