“What have we here?” asked the monk eagerly.
Winkey spread the contributions on a handkerchief. Father Benedict held the lantern closer to inspect the articles.
“Junk! Trash!” he exclaimed. “Only the diamond has any value.”
“How about this ring?” demanded Winkey, picking up Penny’s dime store contribution.
“Glass!” In fury, the monk hurled the ring across the cloister.
Penny suppressed a giggle. But Father Benedict’s next words sent a shiver down her spine.
“This settles it!” he said. “I’ll talk to the old lady now! If she refuses to give up the sapphire, then you know what to do with the girl!”
“I’m waiting for the chance!” growled the hunchback. “Just say when!”
“Once the girl is where she can’t influence the old lady, we’ll have no trouble,” the monk continued. “However, we must work fast. After tonight, I have a feeling we will do well to move our institution elsewhere.”
“The newspapers are sending reporters around to ask a lot of questions,” agreed Winkey. “I don’t like it! If anyone should find out about the crypt—”