"Now don't apologize for my cooking," broke in Penny. "Quant.i.ty before quality is my motto. Anyway, if you are leaving, Dad will have to accustom himself to it."

"I'll hide the can opener," said Mr. Parker.

"That's a good idea, Dad."

"Before I go, I'll try to teach Penny a little more about cooking," Mrs.

Weems said uncomfortably. "Of course, you'll have no difficulty in getting someone efficient to take my place."

"No one can take your place," declared Penny. "If you leave, Dad and I will go to wrack and ruin."

"You are a pair when you're left to yourselves," Mrs. Weems sighed.

"That's the one thing which makes me hesitate. Penny needs someone to keep her in check."

"An inexperienced person would be putty in my hands," declared Penny.

"You may as well decide to stay, Mrs. Weems."

"I don't know what to do. I've planned on this trip for years. Now that it is possible, I feel I can't give it up."

Penny and Mr. Parker regarded each other across the table, and immediately changed the subject. Not until that moment had they actually believed that the housekeeper was serious about leaving Riverview.

Somehow they had never contemplated a future without Mrs. Weems.

"I happen to have two complimentary tickets to a show at the Rialto," Mr.

Parker said offhand. "I'll be tied up with a meeting tonight, but you folks might enjoy going."

"Shall we, Mrs. Weems?" inquired Penny.

"Thank you," responded the housekeeper, "but I doubt if I could sit still tonight. I thought I would run over to see Mrs. Hodges after dinner.

She'll be pleased to learn about my inheritance, I know."

"A friend of yours?" asked Mr. Parker.

"Yes, Penny and I have been acquainted with her for years. She lives on Christopher Street."

"Perhaps this is none of my affair, Mrs. Weems. However, my advice to you is not to tell many persons about your inheritance."

"Oh, Mrs. Hodges is to be trusted."

"I am sure of it, Mrs. Weems. I refer to strangers."

"I'll be careful," the housekeeper promised. "No one ever will get that money away from me once I have it!"

Penny helped with the dishes, and then as her father was leaving the house, asked him if she might have the two theatre tickets.

"Since Mrs. Weems doesn't care to go, I'll invite Louise," she explained.

Mr. Parker gave her the tickets. Making certain that the housekeeper was upstairs, he spoke in a low tone.

"Penny, Mrs. Weems is serious about leaving us. You must try to dissuade her."

"What can I do, Dad?"

"Well, you usually have a few ideas in the old filing cabinet. Can't you think of something?"

"I'll do my best," Penny said with a twinkle. "We can't let an inheritance take Mrs. Weems from us, that's certain."

After her father had gone, Penny telephoned Louise, agreeing to meet her chum at the entrance of the Rialto. Arriving a few minutes early, she idly watched various cars unloading their pa.s.sengers at the theatre.

Presently a long black limousine which Penny recognized drew up at the curb. The chauffeur opened the door. Mr. Kohl and his wife stepped to the pavement. Observing the girl, they paused to chat with her.

"I see you have the new fender installed on your car, Mr. Kohl," Penny remarked with a grin. "May I ask how much I owe the garageman?"

"The sum was trifling," responded the banker. "Twelve dollars and forty cents to be exact. I may as well take care of it myself."

"No, I insist," said Penny, wincing inwardly. "You see, I am one of the _Star's_ highly paid executives now. I write society in Miss Hilderman's absence and Dad gives me a salary."

"Oh, really," remarked Mrs. Kohl with interest. "We are giving a dinner for eight tomorrow night. You might like to mention it."

"Indeed, yes," said Penny eagerly.

Obtaining complete details, she jotted notes on the back of an envelope.

Mrs. Kohl, at Penny's request, was able to recall several important parties which had been held that week, providing material for nearly a half-column of society.

After the Kohls had entered the theatre, Penny turned to glance at the black limousine which was pulling away from the curb. A short distance away stood a young man who likewise appeared to be watching the car. He wore a gray suit and a gray felt hat pulled unnaturally low over his eyes as if to shield his face.

As Penny watched, the young man jotted something down on a piece of paper. His gaze remained fixed upon the Kohl limousine which was moving slowly down the street toward a parking lot.

"Why, that's odd!" thought Penny. "I do believe he noted down the car license number! And perhaps for no good purpose."

CHAPTER 5 _THE MAN IN GRAY_

Deciding that the matter should be brought to Mr. Kohl's attention, Penny looked quickly into the crowded theatre lobby. The banker and his wife no longer were to be seen.

Turning once more, the girl saw that the young man in gray had also disappeared.

"Now where did he go?" thought Penny. "He must have slipped into the alley. I wish I knew who he was and why he wrote down that car license number."

Curious to learn what had become of the man, she walked to the entrance of the alley. At its far end she could barely distinguish a shadowy figure which soon merged into the black of the starless night.

Penny was lost in thought when someone touched her arm. Whirling, she found herself facing Louise Sidell.

"Oh, h.e.l.lo, Lou," she laughed. "You startled me."

"Sorry to have kept you waiting," apologized Louise. "I missed my bus.

May I ask what you find of such interest in this alley?"