“What do you suppose possessed Celeste to frighten me so?” she remarked thoughtfully. “Did Mother seem changed to you?”
“Not a particle.”
Reaching the study, Lorinda went directly to the table where she had left the signed will. The paper was not there.
“Why, Penny, what did I do with it?” she demanded in bewilderment. “I was certain I left it here.”
“I distinctly recall that you did,” Penny replied, her gaze wandering to an open window where a curtain fluttered in the breeze. “Lorinda, I think while we were away, someone came in from outside and took the will!”
CHAPTER
17
THE STOLEN WILL
Penny darted to the open window, peering out onto the dark street. No one was in sight, although Jerry’s car with dimmed headlights still stood at the curb.
“Who could have taken the will?” Lorinda wailed. “I’m sure it didn’t blow out the window and it didn’t sprout legs and walk off either!”
“Perhaps Celeste—”
“She was upstairs all the time we were out of this room,” Lorinda interrupted.