“I’m freezing to death,” Penny chattered. “Come on, we’re going home!”
Louise hauled up the silken ladder from the well. Squeezing out the water, she compressed it into the carrying case.
“What were you saying about a discovery?” she inquired belatedly.
“Oh, nothing of consequence,” Penny answered, pounding her hands together to restore circulation. “Merely an opening in the side of the well. It probably leads into a tunnel.”
“Penny! Are you sure?”
“I’m not sure of anything except that I’m going home!” Penny replied crossly.
She started across the lawn with her chum hurrying after her.
“Oh, Penny, I’m terribly sorry,” Louise said contritely. “I know you had an awful time down in the well. But it wasn’t my fault those two men arrived just when they did.”
“Who were they?” Penny asked, mollified by the apology. “From their voices I took them to be Mr. Coaten and his friend.”
“That’s who they were. But, I can’t imagine why they came to see Mrs. Marborough. Anyway, they didn’t get into the house.”