A light went on in a downstairs room, and a moment later the front door opened. Framed on the threshold stood a very tall man in dark, hooded robe.
“What’s wrong, Winkey?” he called. “You rang?”
“There’s a girl here wants to see you,” shouted the hunchback. “She says she heard a scream and wants to know how-come.”
Treading lightly in the loose snow, the thin man came down the driveway to the gate. His long, brown robes were impressive, his demeanor pious. Penny suddenly felt very foolish indeed.
“Is anything wrong?” he asked in a kindly, silken-smooth voice.
“This girl’s tryin’ to get in,” announced Winkey. “Says she heard a scream.”
The hooded monk studied Penny with an intent gaze.
“You live near here?” he inquired.
“In Riverview. I was out skiing with a few friends when I passed this old building and heard the scream. Your gateman tried to tell me it was only the wind.”
“My child, doubtlessly you did hear a scream,” the monk replied. “It was Old Julia, a poor woman, who unfortunately sometimes becomes disturbed in her mind.”