passed. Mr. Hoges grew more impatient. He paced back and
forth in front of the tree. Then abruptly he halted, and his face
lighted up.

From the other side of the park a girl in a blue coat rapidly
approached. As she hurried up to the waiting Mr. Hoges, her face was
slightly averted.

"I'm sorry to be late," she murmured.

The voice was musical and low. Penny recognized it instantly, yet
found it difficult to believe her own ears. If only the girl would
turn her head----

Just then she did, and Penny could no longer hope that she had been
mistaken. The newcomer was Amy Coulter.

CHAPTER XIII

An Embarrassing Interview

At sight of her friend talking with the museum workman, a confusion of
thoughts raced through Penny's mind. Why had Amy made an appointment
with him in the park? She could not believe that the meeting was
casual for the girl's own words had revealed otherwise. She was even
more startled by Amy's next remark which, carried by the wind, came to
her very clearly.

"You brought the money?"

"Yes. I will pay you now if you wish."

The workman drew from his inner pocket a fat wallet, removing a large
roll of bills. Penny was so bewildered that for a moment she forgot to
shield her face with the newspaper she pretended to read. However, Amy
and the man were so engrossed in their conversation, neither of them
glanced toward the park bench.

Mr. Hoges stripped off two of the bills, handing them to the girl.

"There," he said in a gruff voice, "that ought to be enough for a
start. Stick by me, sister, and you'll earn plenty more like it."

Amy made no response, but pocketed the money. She was moving away when
the workman detained her.

"You understand what's expected? You'll keep quiet if anyone asks you
how you make your money?"

"I haven't made much yet."

"You will, never fear, if my little plan goes through. Do I have your
promise to keep silent?"

"Yes," Amy answered shortly. She jerked away from Mr. Hoges and
hurried off through the park.

Penny was so absorbed in the little scene that she did not hear
footsteps behind her. "Hello, Penny," a teasing voice greeted. "What
are you doing here?"

Penny sprang up from the park bench, then laughed ruefully as she saw
that it was Susan Altman who had spoken to her so unexpectedly.

"My! You surely startled me, Susan."

"What are you doing here all by yourself?"

"Oh, just watching the birds and squirrels and