"I'm cutting cla.s.ses for the afternoon," the trailer camp girl replied, pausing. "Mr. Coaten expects me to meet him at the Fischer Building. Can you tell me where it is?"

"Three blocks straight down the street," Penny directed. She hesitated and then said: "Rhoda, it's none of my affair, but I do hope you're not agreeing to Mr. Coaten's proposal."

"The adoption? Yes, I am, Penny. I've tried to hold out against them all, but I can't do it. Ted signed the papers two days ago. Since then I've had no peace. Ted keeps after me, the Breens want me to do it, and Mr.

Coaten says I am selfish."

"We both know Mr. Coaten intends to profit in some way at your expense."

"I do feel that way about it. If only I dared stand firm--"

"You must," Penny said earnestly. Deliberately taking Rhoda's arm she turned her about. "You're to break that appointment and have luncheon with me. I'll a.s.sume all the responsibility."

CHAPTER 20 _RHODA'S PROBLEM_

Rhoda allowed herself to be dissuaded, but not without misgiving. As she lunched with Penny at the Dolman Cafe, she painted a gloomy picture of what lay before her.

"You don't understand how it is," she said, slowly stirring a cup of hot chocolate. "I really haven't a good reason for refusing to consent to the adoption. If I had one sc.r.a.p of evidence against Mr. Coaten it would be different."

"Can't you write to Texas and inquire about him and his friend?"

"I did," Rhoda admitted. "The answer came back that Mr. Coaten was unknown at the address he gave the Breens."

"I should think that would be sufficient reason for distrusting him."

"Oh, Mr. Coaten explained it by saying that his family just moved to a new house, and that he inadvertently had given me the wrong address."

"Did you ask for the second one, Rhoda?"

"Yes, he gave it to me. So far I've not had time for a reply."

"My advice is to stall for time," Penny said. "If we have even a few days more we may dig up some information. However, I'll confess I haven't an idea at the moment."

"Mr. Coaten will be furious because I didn't keep the appointment," Rhoda sighed. "He's certain to come to the trailer camp tonight and demand an explanation."

"Just tell him you changed your mind and refuse to say anything more. I wish I could talk to him."

"So do I," declared Rhoda with emphasis. "Why not take dinner with us tonight--if you can stand our brand of hospitality."

"Well, I don't know," Penny hesitated. "Louise and I plan to go to Mrs.

Marborough's place directly after school--"

"Oh, I wish I could go with you!" Rhoda declared impulsively. "I never have had an opportunity to finish my sketch. Mrs. Marborough is such an interesting character, too."

"You don't know the half of it," laughed Penny. "You're welcome to come along. I think Mrs. Marborough will be willing to share our secret with you."

"Secret?"

"No questions now, please," Penny requested, capturing both luncheon checks. "We must hurry or we'll be late for school."

Having a.s.sured Mrs. Marborough that she would disclose nothing about the lost pearl necklace, she could not honorably share the adventure with her friend. However, it was her hope and belief that the widow would be willing to allow Rhoda to aid in the exciting search of the premises.

Penny's surmise proved entirely correct. Later that afternoon when the three girls called at Rose Acres, Mrs. Marborough scarcely noticed that Rhoda was an uninvited member of the party. At once she began talking of the missing pearls, which to the satisfaction of Louise and Penny, necessitated a complete explanation.

"Imagine finding a tunnel leading from the old wishing well to the house!" Rhoda cried in delight. "Take me through it! Show me everything!"

"Perhaps you can find the pearls," Penny laughed. "So far Louise and I have failed."

"They're supposed to be hidden somewhere near the old wishing well,"

Louise contributed. "That's the only real clue we have."

"I suppose you looked under the flagstones?"

"I did that many days ago," answered Mrs. Marborough. "In fact, I don't think there's a single place I haven't searched."

"The roof of the well?" Rhoda suggested.

"We never once thought of that place!" Louise exclaimed. "But how could the necklace be secreted there?" She frowned as she stared at the steep-pitched, shingled covering which formed a protection over the well.

"It's worth looking at anyhow!" Penny declared. "I'll get a ladder if I can find one."

"In the woodshed," directed Mrs. Marborough.

Penny soon returned carrying a dust-laden step-ladder which had not seen service in many years. Bracing it against the well, she mounted and began to inspect the roof.

"Find anything?" inquired Rhoda impatiently.

"Two birds' nests. There seems to be a hole under the edge of the roofing--"

Penny broke off as she ran her hand into the narrow opening.

"Yes, there is something here!" she exclaimed a moment later. "It feels like a tiny box!"

Mrs. Marborough and the two girls waited tensely, hardly daring to hope.

Penny withdrew her hand from the hole, triumphantly holding up a small leather case.

"This isn't it?" she asked.

"Oh, yes, yes!" Mrs. Marborough cried. "It is the old jewel case. The pearls must be inside!"

In her haste to climb down from the ladder, Penny missed one of the steps. Rhoda seized her arm saving her from a hard fall. Recovering her breath, Penny politely offered the jewel case to Mrs. Marborough.

With the three girls cl.u.s.tered about her, the mistress of Rose Acres ceremoniously opened the lid. In a nest of yellowed silk lay a string of matched pearls, so beautiful and l.u.s.trous that no one could find words to admire it.

"The famous Marborough pearls," the widow murmured at last. "This necklace brought only unhappiness to our family. Now, however, they shall serve a useful purpose!"