The instant Penny heard the voice she knew where she previously had seen Mr. Judson’s daughter—on the steamer Goodtime! Pauletta was the girl who had tossed a wig and clothing into the river.
“How do you do, Miss Judson,” she responded. “Haven’t we met before?”
Pauletta kept her face averted from her father. She met Penny’s gaze with a bold stare.
“I think not,” she said evenly. “No, Miss Parker, you are mistaken.”
CHAPTER
12
OLD HORNEY
Penny made no reply to Pauletta and the silence became unbearable.
“Won’t you stay for a few minutes?” Mr. Judson invited. “Pauletta, why not show Miss Parker our rose garden?”
“It’s rather dark,” his daughter replied. “Anyway, she wouldn’t care to see it.”
“Indeed, I should,” contradicted Penny. Deliberately she switched off the car ignition.
Pauletta glared at her, but dared make no protest in her father’s presence. With a shrug she led Penny along a gravel path to the rear of the house. Mr. Judson remained behind.