Penny found the sodden garment lying almost at her feet. She straightened it out and searched the pockets. Her father moved over to her side.

"Any clues?" he asked.

Penny took out a water-soaked handkerchief, a key ring and a plain white envelope.

"That may be something!" exclaimed Mr. Parker. "Handle it carefully so it doesn't tear."

They carried the articles into the cabin. Mr. Parker turned on the light and took the envelope from his daughter's hand. They were both elated to see that another paper was contained inside.

Mr. Parker tore off the envelope and flattened the letter on the table beneath the light. The ink had blurred but nearly all of the words could still be made out. There was no heading, merely the initials: "J. J. K."

"Could that mean James Kippenberg?" Penny asked.

The message was brief. Mr. Parker read it aloud.

"Better come through or your fate will be the same as Atherwald's. We give you twenty-four hours to think it over."

"How strange!" Penny exclaimed. "That man I pulled out of the water couldn't have been James Kippenberg!"

"Not likely, Penny. My guess would be that he had been sent here to deliver this warning note. Being unfamiliar with the road, and not knowing about the dangerous drawbridge, he crashed through."

"But James Kippenberg isn't supposed to be at the estate," Penny argued.

"It doesn't make sense at all."

"This much is clear, Penny. Jerry saw the man talking with the two seamen, and they all appear to be mixed up in Grant Atherwald's disappearance. We'll print what we've learned, and let the police figure out the rest."

"Dad, this story is developing into something big, isn't it?"

He nodded as he moved a swinging light bulb slowly over the paper, hastening the drying process.

"After the next issue of the _Star_ is printed, every paper in the state will send their men here. But we're out ahead, and when the big break comes, we may get that first, too."

"Oh, Dad, if only we can!"

"Count yourself out of the case from now on, young lady," he said severely. "You scared the wits out of me tonight, risking your life to save that no-good. Now shed those wet clothes before you come down with pneumonia."

He tossed her an overcoat, a sweater and a crumpled pair of slacks which Griffith had found under one of the boat seats. Leaving the cabin, he closed the door behind him.

Penny did not change her clothes at once. Instead, she sat down at the table, studying the warning message.

"'Better come through,'" she read aloud. "Does that mean Kippenberg is supposed to pay money? And what fate did Atherwald meet?"

CHAPTER 20 _AN IMPORTANT INTERVIEW_

Those same questions were pounding through Penny's mind the next morning when she read the first edition of her father's paper. Propped up in bed with pillows, she perused the story as she nibbled at the b.u.t.tered m.u.f.fins on her breakfast tray.

"Is there anything else you would like?" Mrs. Weems inquired, hovering near.

"No, I'm quite all right," smiled Penny. "Not even a head cold after my ducking. Have you heard about Jerry?"

"Your father said he was doing fine."

"Did he leave any message for me before going to the office?"

"He said he thought you should stay in bed all day."

"Dad would," Penny pouted. "Well, I feel just fine. I'm getting up right away." She heaved aside the bed clothes.

Then, because she couldn't get the Kippenberg case out of her head, she dressed quickly and went downstairs. She was going out the front door when Mrs. Weems stopped her.

"Now where are you going, Penny?"

Penny's bright eyes twinkled and she flashed the housekeeper an arch, provocative smile.

"Not sure just where I'm going," she replied, her smooth forehead creasing with thought. "But if Dad should get curious, you can tell him he shouldn't be surprised if he finds me visiting with the Kippenbergs."

"Penny! You're not going there again?"

"Why not? I'm after a story for the _Riverview Star_ and I mean to get it. See you later."

With a wave of her hand Penny walked jauntily off. A few moments later Mrs. Weems heard the clatter of Penny's Leaping Lena careening down the street in the direction of Corbin. First, however, she called for her chum, Louise, who was eager to accompany her on the long ride.

"I won't be able to stay long, Penny," said Louise. "Mother wants me to go shopping with her later this afternoon."

"That's all right," responded Penny as the old car bolted along the road.

"If I get delayed, you can take Leaping Lena back home, and I'll follow later on."

With both girls keeping up a steady run of conversation they soon reached their destination.

Penny wondered if she would be able to enter the Kippenberg estate without being challenged by the bridgeman or a servant. Her anxiety increased upon approaching the river, for she saw that a large group of persons had gathered by the drawbridge.

No one paid the slightest attention to the two girls as they abandoned the car and proceeded to the water's edge. Penny was pleased to find the youthful boatman at his usual haunt on the river. He rowed the girls across to the estate, promising to await their return.

Penny escorted Louise through the trees to the Kippenberg house. Boldly she rang the doorbell which was answered by a butler.

"I should like to speak with Mrs. Kippenberg," she requested.

"Madam will see no one," began the man.

Footsteps sounded behind him in the hallway and Mrs. Kippenberg stood in the door.

"So it is you?" she asked in an icy voice. "Julius, see that this person is ejected from the grounds."

"One moment please," interposed Penny. "If I leave now, I warn you that certain facts will be published in the _Star_, facts which will add to your embarra.s.sment."