“I’m afraid your unfortunate encounter with Winkey prejudiced you,” smiled the investigator. “After all, the man apparently was acting under orders.”
“I didn’t like that monk either!” the artist scowled. “He acted as religious as my Aunt Sara!”
“His real name is Jay Highland,” Penny contributed. “He’s a crystal gazer.”
“Humph! A fine calling! If the authorities are smart, they’ll look into his business here!”
The trio now had reached the roadside where Penny’s car was parked. Politely, she offered to give the artist a lift to his home.
“Thanks, but I’ll walk,” he declined the offer. “I live only a short distance. I’ll just cut through the fields.”
His dark eyes still snapping like firebrands, the artist strode off through the snow.
“Quite a character!” remarked Mr. Ayling, once he and Penny were in the car. “An eccentric!”
“I’ve heard Mr. Eckenrod really is a fine artist,” Penny replied. “Too bad Father Benedict wouldn’t let him complete his paintings. By the way, what did you think of him?”
“Well, if I’m any judge of character, he’ll soon be back to make more trouble.”