“I think she might for she has no home of her own.”
Relieved to have the problem solved so easily, the doctor declared that the plan could be tried for a few days at least.
“I’ll drop in again late tonight,” he promised, picking up his bag.
Consulted by Penny, Rhoda said at once that she would be happy indeed to remain with Mrs. Marborough as long as her services were required. The widow too seemed pleased by the arrangement.
“It’s very good of you,” she murmured to Rhoda. “I can’t pay you though. Not unless my pearls are recovered.”
“Your pearls?” the girl echoed in astonishment.
Penny drew her friend aside, explaining what had occurred. Rhoda was shocked to learn that the necklace had been stolen.
“How dreadful!” she gasped. “Who could have taken the pearls?”
Apparently it did not occur to her that her own brother Ted might be regarded with suspicion. Penny was much too kind to drop such a hint, and kept her thoughts strictly to herself.
However, later in the day, with Mrs. Marborough’s permission, she made a full report of the theft to local police. An officer visited Rose Acres, but aside from establishing exactly how the house had been entered, obtained few useful clues. Questioned at considerable length, Penny disclosed that so far as she knew only Louise Sidell, the trailer camp family, Ted, Rhoda and herself had known that the pearls were in the mansion.