“I’ll never forget how she screamed at night,” said Rhoda with a shiver.
“Nor will I,” added Penny. “If it hadn’t been for her cry which first drew me to the monastery—well, Highland would still be here, ruling supreme.”
Presently, along with other members of the strange household, Old Julia was taken away. One of the last to be removed was Mrs. Hawthorne, who would be sent to Riverview Hospital for a complete checkup.
Rhoda, preparing to accompany her grandmother, hurriedly said goodbye to Penny. “I’ll see you tomorrow and really thank you for all you did tonight,” she promised earnestly. “I hope we can be friends always.”
Mr. Ayling then tried to express his appreciation to the Parkers.
“As an investigator, you’re the tops,” he praised Penny. “If it hadn’t been for you, Jay Highland certainly would have made off with the sapphire, and our company would have had to pay plenty. If ever I can repay the favor, let me know.”
Her reply was cut short by Mr. Parker who glanced nervously at his watch.
“I don’t like to break up this little party, but we must hot-foot it to the Star office!” he exclaimed. “Penny, we have barely thirty minutes in which to catch the three-star edition!”
“That’s so!” she agreed, looking startled. “I forgot all about the assignment Mr. DeWitt gave me! And this is a big story!”
“Tremendous!” her father corrected. “Think you can shoot copy fast, or will you need Jerry to take over?”