"That must have been the night I overheard them talking at the wishing well," Penny returned.

She remained silent a moment, thinking. Suddenly, she glanced up, her eyes dancing. "Rhoda, I have an idea!"

"What is it, Penny?"

"It might not work, but if it should, we'd learn why Mr. Coaten is so eager to adopt you and Ted."

"Tell me what you have in mind."

"It's like this, Rhoda! If we could induce Mr. Coaten and his friend to come to Rose Acres on the night of the costume ball, I know how they might be made to talk!"

"Strong arm methods?" Rhoda asked, slightly amused.

"Indeed not! The old wishing well will turn the trick."

"You certainly have me puzzled, Penny."

"Getting those men here will be the most difficult," Penny went on, thinking aloud. "But I can sell them a ticket to the ball. Failing that, I'll give them one free."

"There's still no guarantee they would come."

"I know how we can make sure of it! Rhoda, you can write Mr. Coaten a note, asking him to meet you here at ten o'clock. The ball will be in full sway by that time. If you hint you've decided to sign the adoption papers, he's certain to come."

"And then how will I get out of it?"

"Leave that part to me," Penny chuckled. "We'll get Mr. Coaten here, and you're to talk with him beside the wishing well."

"Why in that particular place?"

"I can't tell you now," Penny said, smiling mysteriously. "Just accept my word for it that it's of utmost importance. As soon as you get the men at the wishing well, make an excuse and run into the house, leaving them together."

"And then what?" Rhoda asked, completely bewildered.

"From that point the old well and I will take over!" Penny laughed. "I can't tell you another thing. But if my scheme works--and I think it will--Mr. Coaten's little game will be exposed in a most dramatic way!"

CHAPTER 23 _GRAND BALL_

"Everything will be ruined--everything!" wailed Penny. She stood in the living room at Rose Acres, her face pressed almost against the window pane. "It's been raining for an hour straight! No one will come to the party."

"Oh, don't take it so hard," Rhoda said cheerfully. "You know over three hundred tickets were sold. Even if the rain does cut down the crowd we'll still have as many people as this house can accommodate."

Admiringly, her gaze wandered about the room which glowed brilliantly with the light of dozens of candles. Every chair was in place, flowers decorated the vases, and at the square, old-fashioned piano, sat Mrs.

Marborough, in rustling black silk, playing a few tinkling chords.

"You mustn't tire yourself," Rhoda said to her. "Not until the guests come, at least."

"I never felt better in my life," Mrs. Marborough insisted. "Why, I'm as excited as a school girl! Is Judge Harlan really coming to the ball?"

"Everyone of consequence in Riverview will be here," Rhoda a.s.sured her.

"Even two of Penny's special guests."

"That's what worries me," Penny confessed, beginning to pace the floor.

"I have my trap all ready to spring, but if this horrid rain keeps up, how can you meet Mr. Coaten by the well?"

"Why can't I talk to him in the library?"

"Because it won't do," Penny said patiently. "The entire scheme will fail unless you carry out your part exactly as we planned it."

"The rain is letting up," Mrs. Marborough declared, carefully moving from the piano to her wheel chair. "Mark my words, it will all be over within fifteen minutes."

"Oh, I hope so!" Penny breathed. "I hope so!"

To her gratification, the rain did cease within a short while, and members of the Festival Committee and hired musicians began to arrive.

For the occasion, Penny, Rhoda, and Louise, had rented colonial costumes with fancy powdered wigs. They hovered near the front door, ready to greet the first guests.

"It's going to be a wonderful party," Louise remarked happily.

Soon visitors began to arrive in groups. The orchestra struck up and the ballroom became thronged with dancers.

"Mrs. Marborough is having a marvelous time," Rhoda told Louise. "In fact, so is everyone except Penny. She's worried because Mr. Coaten hasn't come."

Two men alighted from a taxi and walked up the path to the house.

"Here they come now!" Penny whispered excitedly. "Quick, Rhoda. Keep out of sight until I give the word!"

Barely had the girl vanished than Mr. Coaten and his companion reached the reception line. Penny greeted them with unusual warmth.

"Is Rhoda Wiegand here?" Mr. Coaten asked curtly. "We came to see her, not to attend the party."

"She was around a moment ago," Penny answered. "Why don't you look for her in the garden--perhaps by the wishing well."

The instant the two men had gone, Penny quickly ran to find Rhoda.

"Now remember, don't talk to Mr. Coaten except at the wishing well," she issued final instructions. "Then when he asks you to sign the paper, make an excuse and leave."

"I won't forget," Rhoda nodded. "But I still don't understand what you're up to."

Anxiously Penny watched from the porch until she saw that her friend actually was talking to the two men beside the wishing well. Then, running into the crowded ballroom, she signaled the musicians to stop the music. Clapping her hands for attention, she announced:

"Ladies and gentlemen--a little surprise! The Old Wishing Well speaks!

Listen and you may hear the conversation of unwary guests who reveal their secrets beside it!"

Reaching for a box secreted in a clump of artificial palms, Penny turned a switch. The startled dancers heard a crackling sound, and then Rhoda's voice came in on the loudspeaker, clear and distinct.

"I've thought it over, Mr. Coaten," were her words. "Even though I can't understand why you wish to adopt Ted and me I'll agree to the guardianship."