“Quick! Pull up the ladder!” she instructed.
The two men were so close that Louise dared not obey. Instead she loosed the iron hooks and dropped the ladder into the well. Penny barely was able to catch it and prevent a loud splash.
“Of all the tricks—” she muttered, but Louise did not hear. She had fled into a clump of bushes.
Penny huddled against the slimy wall, listening intently. Thinking that she heard footsteps, she switched out the flashlight.
“This is the place all right,” a masculine voice said. “Wonder if the old lady is at home?”
“There’s a light showing.”
The voices faded away, and Penny drew a deep sigh of relief. Impatiently she waited for Louise to come to her aid. After several minutes she realized why her chum delayed, for she again heard voices.
“The old lady must be inside the house. Funny she wouldn’t come to the door. They say she’s a queer one though.”
To Penny’s discomfort, the two men paused by the wishing well.
“Want a drink?” she heard one ask.