Two men alighted from a taxi and walked up the path to the house.
“Here they come now!” Penny whispered excitedly. “Quick, Rhoda. Keep out of sight until I give the word!”
Barely had the girl vanished than Mr. Coaten and his companion reached the reception line. Penny greeted them with unusual warmth.
“Is Rhoda Wiegand here?” Mr. Coaten asked curtly. “We came to see her, not to attend the party.”
“She was around a moment ago,” Penny answered. “Why don’t you look for her in the garden—perhaps by the wishing well.”
The instant the two men had gone, Penny quickly ran to find Rhoda.
“Now remember, don’t talk to Mr. Coaten except at the wishing well,” she issued final instructions. “Then when he asks you to sign the paper, make an excuse and leave.”
“I won’t forget,” Rhoda nodded. “But I still don’t understand what you’re up to.”
Anxiously Penny watched from the porch until she saw that her friend actually was talking to the two men beside the wishing well. Then, running into the crowded ballroom, she signaled the musicians to stop the music. Clapping her hands for attention, she announced:
“Ladies and gentlemen—a little surprise! The Old Wishing Well speaks! Listen and you may hear the conversation of unwary guests who reveal their secrets beside it!”