“If you’re set on going out there, better make it a speedy trip,” Jerry returned. “The storm is rolling in fast.”
Reaching the mansion twenty minutes later, Penny was surprised to see an unfamiliar automobile parked on the Rhett driveway. As she went up the front walk, the door opened, and three men came outside. Without noticing the girl, they entered the car and drove away.
“Wonder who they are and what brought them here?” Penny mused.
In response to her knock, Celeste opened the door. Seeing Penny, the woman tried to close it in her face, but the girl pushed boldly past her into the hallway.
Penny purposely had worn the black packet on a string around her neck. While Celeste was closing the door, she pulled it from her dress front, and then opened her raincoat so that the housekeeper could not fail to see the object.
Celeste’s eyes instantly riveted upon the dangling packet.
“My good luck charm!” said Penny. “Someone gave it to me last night!”
Celeste’s lips dropped apart to show her uneven teeth.
“It is an evil packet!” she hissed. “If you wear it, sickness and death will pursue you!”
“Not this cookie,” chuckled Penny. “You see, I don’t believe such nonsense. Whoever tossed this thing through my window went to a lot of trouble for nothing.”