Twenty minutes later, with a police cruiser dispatched to Fenestra’s place, she and Jerry drove there in Mr. Parker’s car. Parking some distance down the road, they walked cautiously toward the farmhouse which loomed dark against the sky. No lights burned in the windows. The grounds appeared deserted.
“Looks as if Fenestra isn’t here,” observed Jerry. “No use waiting for the police.”
Boldly going to the front door he pounded on it, ordering in a loud voice: “Open up!”
“He’s not here,” said Penny after a moment. “Unless perhaps he’s hiding.”
“The place looks deserted to me.”
Penny glanced toward the storm cave, remembering that she had the key to the padlock in her pocket. Jerry read her thought, and followed as she went quickly toward the mound.
“It’s locked,” he said, indicating the padlock.
“Here’s the key.” Eagerly Penny offered it to Jerry. “I’m sure this must be the one.”
The reporter gave her a flashlight to hold while he tried to fit the key into the lock.
“It’s no go, Penny.”