“Merely a report on my proposed movements for the next hour. At eight-thirty I hope to be at Louise’s house. Eight thirty-four should find me on Adams Street, moving southward. At eight thirty-eight I pass Gulbert Park—”
“Never mind,” Mr. Parker interrupted. “I see by this lengthy document that your ultimate destination is Mrs. Marborough’s estate. Isn’t it rather late to pay a social call?”
“Eight-thirty?”
“What does this X on the map represent?” the publisher asked, his interest shifting.
“Oh that?” smiled Penny. “Merely one of the fixtures in Mrs. Marborough’s yard. Louise and I think treasure may be hidden there.”
Amused by what he took to be his daughter’s whimsy, Mr. Parker returned the diagram to her.
“Do I have your permission to leave the house?” she asked anxiously.
“Yes, you may go,” he agreed. “But mind, no late hours. And no more tall tales about falling into wells!”
Louise was waiting for Penny in the Sidell yard and the girls went as quickly as they could to the Marborough estate. The house was completely dark, leading them to believe that the widow might have absented herself for the evening.
“We’ll have to be especially careful,” Louise warned as they approached the old wishing well. “She might return at any moment and find us.”