The Penny Parker Megapack: 15 Complete Novels by Mildred Benson Page A

about the alligator?” Penny asked. “Would you like to have me bring that to the office, too?”
    “Move out of here and let me work,” her father retorted.
    Penny went to the photographic department and made her requirements known.
    “I’ll wait for the ring,” she announced. “You don’t catch me trusting you boys with any jewelry.”
    While the picture was being taken Salt came by with several damp prints in his hand.
    “Take a look at this one, Penny,” he said proudly. “Mrs. Kippenberg wielding a wicked plate. Will she burn up when she sees it on the picture page?”
    “She will, indeed,” agreed Penny. “Nice going.”
    When the ring had been returned to her she slipped it into her pocket and left the newspaper office. Her next stop was at a corner hamburger shop where she fortified herself with two large sandwiches.
    “That ought to hold me until the dinner bell rings,” she thought. “And now to pay my honest debts.”
    A trolley ride and a short walk brought Penny to the home of her chum, Louise Sidell. As she came within sight of the front porch she saw her friend sitting on the steps, reading a movie magazine. Louise threw it aside and sprang to her feet.
    “Oh, Penny, I’m glad you came over. I telephoned your house and Mrs. Weems said you had gone away somewhere.”
    “Official business for Dad,” Penny laughed. She dropped two dollars into Louise’s hand. “Here’s what I owe you. But don’t go spend it because I may need to borrow it back in a couple of days.”
    “Is Leaping Lena running up huge garage bills again?” Louise inquired sympathetically.
    Penny’s second-hand car was a joke to everyone save herself. She was a familiar figure at nearly every garage in Riverview, for the vehicle had a disconcerting way of breaking down.
    “I had to buy new spark plugs this time,” sighed Penny. “But then, I should get along better from now on. Dad raised my allowance.”
    “Doesn’t that call for a celebration? Rini’s have a special on today. A double chocolate sundae with pineapple and nuts, cherry and—”
    “Oh, no, you don’t! I’m saving my dollar for the essentials of life. I may need it for gasoline if I decide to drive over to Corbin again.”
    “Again?” Louise asked alertly.
    “I was over there today, covering the Kippenberg wedding,” Penny explained. “Only it turned out there was no ceremony. Grant Atherwald jilted his bride, or was spirited away by persons unknown. He was last seen near a lily pool in an isolated part of the estate. I picked up a wedding ring lying on the ground close by. And then as a climax Mrs. Kippenberg hurled a plate at Salt.”
    “Penny Parker, what are you saying?” Louise demanded. “It sounds like one of those two-reel thrillers they show over at the Rialto.”
    “Here is the evidence,” Penny said, showing her the white gold ring.
    “It’s amazing how you get into so much adventure,”Louise replied enviously as she studied the trinket. “Start at the beginning and tell me everything.”
    The invitation was very much to Penny’s liking. Perching herself on the highest porch step she recounted her visit to the Kippenberg estate, painting an especially romantic picture of the castle dwelling, the moat, and the drawbridge.
    “Oh, I’d love to visit the place,” Louise declared. “You have all the luck.”
    “I’ll take you with me if I ever get to go again,” promised Penny. “Well, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    And with this careless farewell, she sprang to her feet, and hastened on home.
    The next morning while Mrs. Weems was preparing breakfast, Penny ran down to the corner to buy the first edition of the Star . As she spread it open a small headline accosted her eye.
    “NO TRACE OF MISSING BRIDEGROOM.”
    Penny read swiftly, learning that Grant Atherwald had not been seen since his strange disappearance from the Kippenberg estate. Members of the family refused to discuss the affair and had made no report to the