“Maybe it was a reflection of moonlight then.” Undisturbed, Penny removed her skis. Carefully placing the running surfaces together, she threw them over her left shoulder.
Far away, in the city of Riverview, a tower clock began to chime the hour of midnight.
“Penny!” insisted Louise in a half-whisper. “I did see a light! Maybe the old monastery is haunted—”
“Now hush!” Penny silenced her. “What are you trying to do? Work up a case of nerves?”
“But—”
“Just climb out of those skis and come on, my pet.” Penny moved briskly away. “We’re late now.”
“Wait for me!” Frantically, Louise fumbled with her ski irons. “Don’t leave me here alone!”
“Then not another word about ghosts!” Penny chided.
However, she waited patiently until her chum had removed the skis. The two girls then walked rapidly toward the roadside where the car had been parked. No longer could they see the friendly campfire in the valley. As they drew closer to the monastery, towering pines blotted out the moonlight.
Like a powerful magnet, the old stone building drew their gaze.