Joan Clark

“ CHAPTER III A Queer Old Man
"My name is Penelope Nichols," the girl introduced herself after she had recovered from astonishment. "Are you Mr. Crocker?"
"I am," replied the old man grimly. "What do you want here?"
"Why, my father and I rented your cottage," Penny told him quickly. "Would you mind calling off your dog? He acts as if he'd enjoy chewing me to pieces."
"Rudy has been trained to attack anyone who tries to come up the lane," Herman Crocker said evenly. ”

“ Mr. Nichols went for a long walk in the woods but Penny chose to remain at the cottage with a magazine. Michael worked about the yard, washing the automobile. He did not seem in any hurry to make his call upon Herman Crocker.
"I don't believe he's anxious to go there at all," Penny thought. "I wonder if he didn't make up the entire story?"
She was somewhat surprised to observe that for the most part Mrs. Masterbrook left the young man entirely alone. The housekeeper seemed more subdued than usual as if she were brooding over some matter. ”

“ Walter Crocker went on.
"Fifty thousand dollars," the old man groaned. "It's robbery."
"You forget that I am entitled to the entire estate. It was you who robbed me. Well, do you agree?"
"You must give me time to raise the money."
"I'll expect a first installment in exactly one week from today," Walter Crocker said firmly.
"I'll pay it only on one condition," replied the old man with rising spirit. "You must deliver to me the packet of letters. Otherwise I'd be blackmailed out of every penny I own."
"You'll get the letters all right." ”

“ The living room had a large fireplace but no other item of comfort. The three chairs were all straight-backed, the carpet was moth-eaten and dusty, and a small table still bore a vase filled with shriveled flowers which someone had forgotten to throw away.
"Come along, Penny," said Mr. Nichols starting toward the door. "We'll not stay here."
"But where will we go?" Penny placed a detaining hand on his arm. "There's no hotel in the village."
"It would be more pleasant sleeping in the car."
"You know we'd be stiff in every muscle if we tried that, Dad. Let's open a few windows. ”

“ Crocker coming down the attic stairway. As he stepped out on the porch she noticed that he had nothing in his hands and he seemed somewhat disturbed.
"Did you find what you were after?" asked Penny.
"Oh, yes—yes," replied the old man absently.
Mrs. Masterbrook had emerged from the kitchen in time to hear the remark.
"Did you really?" she inquired with a slight smirk.
The words were spoken casually enough but Penny thought she detected a note of triumph in the woman's voice. Mr. Crocker noticed it too for he glanced sharply at the housekeeper. Her face was expressionless. ”

“ She hurried off to the barn, well aware that in taking matters into her own hands, she was certain to incur the wrath of Herman Crocker.
"I don't care if I do get into trouble," she thought indignantly. "He has no right to shut Perry up in the house without anything to eat. It's cruel."
Penny opened the barn doors and stepped inside. She stopped short to stare at an automobile which stood on the floor beside the granary. One glance assured her that it was not Herman Crocker's ancient car. ”

“ For many years he had been in charge of the Nichols Detective Agency and was well known not only in Belton City but throughout the state. Many persons believed that Penny had inherited her father's sleuthing ability, for even at the age of fifteen she had shown remarkable talent in solving mystery cases.
As Penny paused for a moment to chat with her father before going into the house, she noticed the tired lines of his face.
"Dad really needs a long rest," she thought. "I ought to be glad we're both running off to a quiet place like Knob Hill." ”

“ Susan asked in an undertone. "Who is Mrs. Masterbrook, and where is that old house you mentioned?"
"You'll hear all about it," Penny promised eagerly. "But let's wait until we're away from the cottage."
"Even the walls have ears?" laughed Susan.
"No, but our housekeeper has," Penny replied.
The girls soon left the cottage, walking down by the ravine where they would be alone. Penny told her chum everything that had happened since she and her father had arrived at Kendon. Susan did not feel that her friend had placed an imaginative interpretation upon any of the events. ”

“ Masterbrook probably has a job for me. When she can't think of anything else she has me peel potatoes."
"That's her work, not yours," Penny told him. "You're altogether too easy, Michael."
"Your father said that part of my job was to keep Mrs. Masterbrook quiet," the young man grinned as he turned away. "I've discovered that the best way is to do exactly what she wishes with no argument!"
Michael bowed again to the girls and walked on up the path.
"I like him better every day," Susan declared in an undertone. "I think it's a great joke on you, Penny! ”

“ Dropping in at the grocery store for a loaf of bread she deliberately drew the genial owner into conversation, seeking information regarding Herman Crocker.
"I feel rather sorry for him," she remarked. "I'm sure that he hasn't enough money to feed himself and his grandson properly."
"Don't you worry about that," replied the storekeeper with a quick laugh. "Old Herman has more money than anyone in this town. He inherited plenty when his sister Jennie died in the East. Herman was her only heir, and when he dies the money probably will go to his grandson, Perry." ”

“ Upon reaching the cottage, Penny drew her father aside and reported everything she had learned.
"You're sure that the boy told the truth about having no food?" the detective inquired.
"I can't be absolutely certain," Penny admitted. "I've never been inside the house."
"Always there are two sides to every question," Mr. Nichols said slowly. "Folks around here with the exception of Mrs. Masterbrook, seem to think that Crocker isn't a bad sort."
"I'm positive he's not the right person to have entire control of a child, Dad." ”

“ Penny said teasingly.
"When a man commits a crime, then his actions become a matter of public concern," Mr. Nichols replied. "I had a long talk with Michael last night and if I'm any judge of character, he's a decent sort. I don't intend to pry into his personal affairs just for the pleasure of it."
"Well, if the tin spoons disappear don't blame me," Penny laughed, imitating the housekeeper's shrill voice.
"Young Michael will save me a great deal of petty annoyance," Mr. Nichols went on. "I mean for him to serve as a buffer between me and Mrs. Masterbrook." ”

“ Mr. Nichols ordered tersely. "I'll look after Crocker myself."
"You've nothing on me," the old man muttered. "I was being blackmailed, that's all."
"It's no use trying to put up a front," the detective told him. "We know everything. This man was a blackmailer right enough, but the real Walter Crocker has a just claim to a large portion of your estate. A more serious matter is that you are wanted for the robbery of the Kirmenbach residence."
"I'm wanted for what?" gasped the old man.
"You are under suspicion for stealing a diamond necklace." ”

“ Penny declared. "Perry told Mr. Turner that he had constructed the wick from an old piece of cloth in the house."
"Then it looks as if Herman Crocker may be mixed up in the robbery."
"Don't you remember that from the very first I said he was a suspicious character," Penny reminded her father.
"Yes, I remember," Mr. Nichols replied dryly.
"What will you do now, Dad? Have Mr. Crocker arrested?"
"Not without more evidence against him," returned the detective. "Our clue is an important one but it may not lead where we expect. It's a serious matter to arrest a man on a false charge." ”

“ To the right stretched a dense wood and only a short distance on up the road was the summit of Knob Hill.
"This place really isn't half bad by daylight," she told herself. "Dad would be certain to get a complete rest here."
Penny went back into the house and set about cleaning up the kitchen. She had just finished the task when Mr. Nichols appeared in the doorway.
"Are there any mirrors in this place?" he asked irritably. "I'd like to know how I'm to get my whiskers cut off!"
"Why not let them grow?" giggled Penny. "I think you'd look real cute with a beard!" ”

“ The girls ran down the path to the ravine, selecting a sunny spot by a large rock. From where they sat they could look far down the valley and see the swinging footbridge which Herman Crocker had designated as a meeting place with his nephew.
"Well, here are the letters," Penny said gaily, removing them from her dress. "Wouldn't Walter rave if he knew we had them!"
"They're worth fifty thousand dollars!" Susan laughed. "At least that's the price Walter expects to make his uncle pay for them. Penny, what would happen if we just kept these letters?" ”

“ The young man shifted his weight uneasily. "Oh, by the way," he said, "I don't suppose you found a package of letters in the rumble seat?"
"Letters?" repeated Penny.
"I thought perhaps they might have dropped from my pocket while I was riding with you."
"Were they valuable?" asked Penny very innocently.
"Only to me," answered Walter Crocker shortly. "But I must have them back. Do you mind if I look in the back end of your car?"
"You'd be welcome to search if it were here."
"Where is the car?" demanded the man, in his anxiety forgetting to be polite. ”

“ She called me at once. The wall safe had been forced and my box of jewels was missing. My husband sent for the police at once."
"And they learned nothing," Mr. Kirmenbach said in a tone of disgust. "There were no finger-marks, no evidence of any kind."
"How many servants do you employ?" asked the detective.
"Only three," answered Mrs. Kirmenbach. "Ellen is the maid, and we have a colored woman who does the cooking. Jerry, a young college boy, serves as our chauffeur. I can vouch for them all."
"I'll talk with them later," Mr. Nichols said. ”

“ It's remotely possible he's been mixed up in trouble, but Michael seems like a decent sort."
"If we were really prying we could write to the Glenhaven officials," Susan said slowly.
"I don't consider it prying to try to find out more about the man," returned Penny. "A good detective always investigates every angle of a case. I could send a letter off tonight only it will take so long to get a reply."
"A week at best, I'd judge."
"Glenhaven isn't far from here!" Penny cried. "Let's drive over there tomorrow. I think Dad would let me have the car if he doesn't need it himself." ”

“ He gave me the name and address of a woman who will do the work."
"That's fine," said the detective. "If she's any good as a housekeeper, why not hire her ourselves by the week? Then you'd be free to roam around and have a good time."
"The idea sounds all right to me," Penny declared quickly. "To tell you the truth, I don't know much about cooking on an old-fashioned stove."
"Let's drive down to the village now," suggested the detective. "We'll have breakfast and then find the cleaning woman."
Penny and her father rode down Knob Hill to the little town of Kendon. ”

“ Then too, it seems he wished to pass it on to his own grandson, Perry. You remember he was the child of Herman's daughter, Ella—the only person whom the old man ever loved."
"Yet he mistreated Perry."
"In a way, yes, but he probably thought more of the boy than any other living person."
"And what is to become of Mrs. Masterbrook?" Penny questioned, lowering her voice.
"I didn't bring her name into the case at all. At heart I doubt that the woman is bad—she is merely a natural born trouble maker. As far as I'm concerned she's free to go on living in this community. ”

“ Masterbrook seems to have her finger in every pie," commented Mr. Nichols. "But I'm not much concerned with her affairs, or whether or not Old Herman has cheated his nephew. I'm only interested in learning if he is the one who stole the diamond necklace."
"If he'd rob his nephew it follows that he'd be the type to take jewels too."
"Not necessarily," answered the detective. "House breaking is a different sort of crime entirely. The fact is, Herman Crocker doesn't impress me as being the kind of person who would commit such an act."
"The evidence is all against him," Penny argued. ”

“ Can you drive a car?"
"Yes."
"Then you could drive to town for our groceries, see that we have a daily wood supply, and repair all the things around here that are falling to pieces."
"Our landlord is expected to see that the place is in livable condition," Penny said quickly. She felt a little troubled because her father wished to engage the strange young man.
"If we wait for him to take care of things, we'll never be comfortable here," returned Mr. Nichols. He turned again to Michael Haymond. "Perhaps I have spoken out of turn. Probably you aren't in need of a job." ”

“ But come on! You'll never be satisfied until we're chewed to bits."
The girls did not choose their usual route which led along the road. Instead they cut through the woods, intending to approach Mr. Crocker's place from the direction of the barn.
When Susan and Penny emerged from the trees they were on Mr. Crocker's farm. They could see two men standing by the barn.
"There is Herman Crocker now!" exclaimed Penny as they halted. "But who is with him?"
"It looks a little like Michael Haymond," said Susan.
"It's not Michael," Penny corrected. "Why, I do believe it's Walter Crocker!" ”

“ Masterbrook, I think you can tell us a great deal more," said Penny quietly. "For instance when did you first meet the man who calls himself Walter Crocker."
"I don't know what you're talking about," stammered the housekeeper.
"Either you explain everything or we'll take you to the police station," interposed Mr. Nichols.
"All right, I'll tell you exactly what happened," Mrs. Masterbrook agreed after a long moment of thought. "The man is a lawyer—his name is Jay Kline."
"Mr. Madden's missing partner!" exclaimed the detective. ”

“ He's not satisfied with the local police talent."
While Penny and her father were discussing the robbery, Mrs. Masterbrook announced dinner. To their relief, she did not talk during the meal but maintained an aloof air.
"I don't like the look of the weather," remarked Mr. Nichols, glancing out the window. "I shouldn't be surprised if we have a storm tonight."
"The wind does appear to be rising," Penny agreed. "Just listen to it whistle in the grove of evergreens—it gives one a creepy feeling."
"I hope we have a good roof over us," Mr. Nichols declared. "One that doesn't leak." ”

“ She asked his name, his business, where he was from, why he had come to Kendon and how long he meant to stay.
Penny glanced impishly at her father, who was growing slightly annoyed. She had warned him that Mrs. Masterbrook would prove to be a gossip.
"I met Mr. Crocker's grandson this morning," she remarked, hoping to switch the conversation to a less personal topic. "He seems like a fine lad."
"Yes, but it's a shame the way Herman brings him up," replied Mrs. Masterbrook, shaking her head sadly. "Perry has never had much schooling and he's kept at home all the time." ”

“ Penny and Susan left the store with their purchases.
"I'm going straight back to the cottage and compare this cloth with the wick of the toy lantern!" Penny exclaimed when they were beyond the storekeeper's hearing.
"It's a pity so many persons bought the material," Susan commented. "Otherwise it might be possible to trace the buyers."
"Yes," agreed Penny, "but the clue may prove to be a valuable one anyway. If this cloth is the same as the toy lantern wick, it's very possible that the thief who stole the Kirmenbach jewels lives right in this town." ”