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

police.
    “This story is developing into something big after all,” she thought with quickening pulse. “Now if Dad will only let me work on it!”
    At home she gave the newspaper to her father, remarking rather pointedly: “You see, your expert reporters haven’t learned very much more than I brought in yesterday. Why wouldn’t it be a good idea to send me out there again today?”
    “Oh, I doubt if you could get into the estate, Penny.”
    “Salt and I managed yesterday.”
    “You did very well, but you weren’t known then. It will be a different matter today since we antagonized the family by using the story. I’ll suggest that Jerry Livingston be assigned to it.”
    “With Penny as first assistant?”
    Mr. Parker smiled and shook his head. “This isn’t your type of story. Now if you would like to cover a lecture at the Women’s Club—”
    “Or a nice peppy meeting of the Ladies Sewing Circle,” Penny finished ironically. “Thank you, no.”
    “I am sure you wouldn’t have a chance of getting into the estate,” her father said lamely. “We must have good coverage.”
    “What does Jerry have that I haven’t got?” Penny demanded in an aggrieved voice.
    “Eight years of experience for one thing.”
    “But I really should go out there,” Penny insisted. “I ought to show Miss Kippenberg the ring I found.”
    “The ring might provide an entry,” Mr. Parker admitted thoughtfully. “I’ll tell you, why don’t you telephone long distance?”
    “And if I’m able to make an appointment, may I help Jerry cover the story?”
    “All right,” agreed Mr. Parker. “If Sylvia Kippenberg talks with you we’ll be able to use anything she says.”
    “I’m the same as on my way to the estate now, Dad.”
    With a triumphant laugh, Penny left the breakfast table and hastened to the telephone.
    “Long distance,” she said into the transmitter. “The Kippenberg estate at Corbin, please.”
    She hovered anxiously near the telephone while she waited for the connection to be made. Ten minutes elapsed before the bell jingled several times. Eagerly, she jerked down the receiver. She could hear a faint, far-away voice saying, “hello.”
    “May I speak with Sylvia Kippenberg?” Penny requested.
    “Who is this, please?”
    “Miss Parker at Riverview.”
    “Miss Kippenberg is not at home,” came the stiff response.
    “Then let me speak with Mrs. Kippenberg,” Penny said quickly. “I have something very important to tell her. Yesterday when I was at the estate I found a ring—”
    The receiver had clicked at the other end of the line. The connection was broken.
    CHAPTER 9
    A SOCIETY BAZAAR
    “You see, Penny,” said Mr. Parker sympathetically,“wealthy people have a way of being inaccessible to the press. They surround themselves with servants who have been trained to allow no invasion of their privacy. They erect barriers which aren’t easily broken down.”
    “If only I could have reached Miss Kippenberg I feel sure she would have wished to learn about the ring,” returned Penny. “Oh, well, let Jerry cover the story. I’ve lost interest.”
    All that morning the girl went about the house in a mood of deep depression. She felt completely out of sorts and would scowl at her own reflection whenever she passed a mirror. Nothing seemed to go right.
    “I declare, I wish you would forget that silly wedding,”Mrs. Weems said wearily. “Why don’t you try working out your resentment on a tennis ball?”
    “Not a bad idea,” admitted Penny. “Only I have no partner. Louise is going away somewhere today to a charity bazaar.”
    “Here in Riverview?” inquired Mrs. Weems with interest.
    “No, it’s to be held at Andover, twenty miles from Corbin. Louise is going with an aunt of hers. She invited me several days ago, but I didn’t think it would be any fun.”
    “You might enjoy it. Why don’t you go?”
    “I wonder if it isn’t too late?” Penny glanced at the clock.
    A telephone call