Joan Clark

“ Rosanna returned in disgust. “I never saw such disgraceful actions in all my life. As far as I’m concerned, I’d rather leave this place tomorrow and let the lawyers settle everything.”
“There will be nothing left to settle when Mrs. Leeds and Laponi get through. It’s pretty evident that one or the other is an impostor.”
“But we can’t prove that, Penny. If only I hadn’t lost my key and the credentials!”
“We’re only starting to work on this case,” Penny said cheerfully. “Let’s keep our eyes and ears open. We may discover something of value.” ”

“ Penelope Nichols, the slender girl in blue, urged her companion into the revolving doors at the entrance of the Bresham Department Store. A vigorous push sent the barriers spinning at such a rate that other shoppers turned to stare at the two girls.
“You nearly took off my heels that time, Penny,” Susan Altman protested with a laugh as they emerged into the crowded store.
“Sorry, but we’ve no time to waste if I get that pair of white earrings. The clerks are starting to put things away already.” ”

“ Penny smiled.
She closed the car door and they drove away.
“Perhaps we shouldn’t have been so short with her,” Rosanna said uneasily as they returned to the house on Snow Mountain. “If it’s true that the property has been left to her, then she was being generous to offer to give me anything.”
“Don’t worry, she’d forget her promise soon enough if she succeeded in getting you away from here, Rosanna. I detest that woman. She thinks she is so subtle and she’s as transparent as glass!” ”

“ Losing interest in the organ, Penny began to search for the secret panel through which she was firmly convinced that the “ghost” had disappeared. As her eyes moved swiftly over the smooth wall, she suddenly uttered a low exclamation.
“See, Rosanna! The imprint of a man’s hand!” ”

“ Leeds had managed to hold her tongue very well, but the moment that the door closed behind Caleb, she began an angry attack upon Rosanna and the newcomer, accusing both of being impostors. Unwilling to listen to such an unreasonable tirade, Penny and Rosanna fled out of doors.
“Such a mad house!” Penny exclaimed, taking a deep breath. “I have to keep pinching myself to believe it’s real!”
[86]
“I never saw such a hopeless muddle,” Rosanna added. “Everyone is so eager for the property no one gives the slightest thought to the tragedy which befell poor Mr. Winters.” ”

“ He liked to live alone and mind his own business which is more than most folks do. He traveled a lot too. I guess he must have visited every country in the world.” He added slyly: “If Jacob is dead, you’ll come into possession of some valuable things.”
“I hope that nothing has happened to him,” Rosanna said sincerely. “I don’t really care for riches. All I want is a home.”
“Jacob Winters never liked girls.”
“I know,” Rosanna sighed. “I guess that’s why he never answered my letter.”
“You counted a lot on the inheritance, didn’t you?” Caleb questioned shrewdly. ”

“ Penny said. “It’s off the main line of travel. You haven’t a car of your own or one you could borrow?”
“No.”
“I’ll take you to Brookport if you like,” Penny offered generously. “We might go tomorrow.”
“Oh, I shouldn’t like to trouble you, Miss Nichols. I can probably rent a car.”
[18]
“There’s no need of it for I would enjoy the ride. Besides, I am curious to learn if there is an attorney by the name of Elfhedge living in Brookport. Suppose I call here for you around ten o’clock tomorrow morning.”
“All right,” Rosanna smiled. “It’s good of you to offer. Perhaps I can repay you someday.” ”

“ For the greater part of the afternoon, Penny and Rosanna remained in their own room. Toward nightfall they walked about the grounds and later motored to a nearby inn for dinner. At nine o’clock when they returned to the big empty house, the downstairs was dark. They judged that Mrs. Leeds and Max Laponi had already gone to their rooms.
“We may as well turn in too,” Penny suggested. “The mountain air makes one drowsy.”
Both girls were soon sound asleep. However, sometime later Penny was awakened by the sound of footsteps in the hall. ”

“ Penny declared ruefully to her companion. “Now we’ll be lucky to get to Raven Ridge by dinner time, to say nothing of returning to Mt. Ashland tonight.”
“I’ve put you to a great deal of trouble,” Rosanna said regretfully.
“Not at all. This trip to Raven Ridge is an adventure, and I like it. It will be more fun to stay over night anyway.”
An occasional road marker reassured the girls that at last they were on the right highway. The mountain curves were sharp, and Penny did not make as good time as she had anticipated. She became a little alarmed to see that storm clouds were rapidly gathering. ”

“ Rosanna was thinking of the expensive meals which they bought at Andover. Because her own supply of cash had run so low, Penny paid for everything. Rosanna meant to settle the debt and it steadily grew larger.
“Now don’t worry,” Penny advised kindly. “I’m staying on here largely because I’ve determined to discover the identity of our ghost. Then, too, I can’t bear to see Mrs. Leeds gain what doesn’t belong to her.” ”

“ Penny had risen to her feet. She moved quickly forward.
“There’s no need to do that,” she said pleasantly. “If Rosanna doesn’t mind, I am perfectly willing to exchange rooms with Mrs. Leeds.”
“Why, of course,” Rosanna agreed. “It doesn’t matter to me where I sleep.”
Satisfied at having her own way, Mrs. Leeds quieted down. She even thanked the girls graciously for the sacrifice they had made. The clerk gave out the keys.
“Why did you do that?” Mr. Nichols asked gruffly as he and the girls followed a bellboy to the elevator. “Your room up by the roof will be hot as blazes.” ”

“ Eagerly they moved forward, guided by the streak of light. A minute later Penny who was in the lead, gave a joyous shout.
“We’ve come to the end of it! I can see trees!”
“Thank goodness,” Rosanna sighed in relief. “I was afraid we’d never get out alive.”
Penny parted the bushes which barred the exit and they peered out.
“You were right, Rosanna. We did travel toward the lake. We’re almost in it for that matter!”
The water came within a few yards of the entrance and during a storm the girls imagined that it must flood the lower passageway. Penny noticed a rowboat tied up in a clump of bushes. ”

“ She again ran her hand into the cloth pocket and triumphantly brought it forth.
“He’s nothing but a rank impostor!” she told herself. “I’ll keep this letter as evidence against him and the key will come in handy too!”
Penny hastily rearranged the suitcase as she had found it and prepared to depart. The search had well repaid her for her efforts, but it had taken longer than she had intended.
However, as she crossed the room toward the window she noticed a number of small objects spread out over the dresser and could not resist pausing to inspect them. They held her interest only briefly. ”

“ Penny chuckled as she and Rosanna departed.
The girls impatiently awaited the coming of night. Penny had determined to make a supreme effort to discover the cause of the mysterious organ music. At first Rosanna had been enthusiastic over the plan but as nightfall approached she tried to dissuade her friend.
“It’s too dangerous,” she insisted. “Please give up the scheme.”
Penny shook her head. She had made up her mind to spend the night on the third floor. Soon after the household retired she intended to steal upstairs and establish herself by the door of the conservatory. ”

“ Penny was momentarily baffled. She had half expected to find the door unlocked. She had been so confident that by taking the key she could put a stop to the ghost music.
“How did the organist reach the third floor if he didn’t pass through this door?” she debated. “That ghost must be quite a clever fellow if he can enter without keys.”
The entire house had been carefully locked up for the night. Penny and Rosanna had attended to it the last thing before retiring, knowing that Max Laponi could come in later by using his own pass key. They had secured every door and window. ”

“ Penny urged: “A sleep will refresh you. I think I’ll go downstairs and see if I can discover what plot is brewing.”
She descended the spiral stairway and paused at the library. It was empty. The house was strangely silent. Penny crossed the hall to the living room. Heavy draperies screened the arched doorway. As Penny pulled them aside to enter, she saw Mrs. Leeds standing at the fireplace, her back to the door. Something about her manner aroused Penny’s suspicions. She waited and watched. ”

“ Penny admitted. “It may be that someone played a joke on Rosanna in sending her the letter and key. We were afraid of that from the first.”
Caleb Eckert’s eyes roved to the crackling fire, then to the splattered windows.
“Tell you what,” he proposed gruffly. “You girls stay here for the night. In the morning we’ll see if we can’t straighten things out.”
“But if Mr. Winters is alive we have no right to use this house,” Rosanna protested weakly.
“You’re his niece, aren’t you?” Caleb demanded. “Jacob Winters wouldn’t turn anyone out in a storm, much less one of his own kin folks. ”

“ Leeds and Max Laponi when they were closeted together in the library. They had been engrossed in writing a document of some sort. Doubtless it was the will which Mrs. Leeds now claimed to have found.
Penny’s face puckered into a worried frown. Mrs. Leeds’ unexpected action might complicate the entire situation and ruin her own plans. She feared too that the woman actually had destroyed Jacob Winters’ true will.
“She was burning it in the fireplace that day when I came upon her,” Penny thought. “That’s why she feels so safe about forging another one in her own favor.” ”

“ Penny told her.
“But what purpose can he have in playing such pranks?” Rosanna asked in bewilderment. “Caleb seemed rather nice even if he was gruff and outspoken. I never dreamed he’d resort to anything like this.”
“Don’t take it so hard,” Penny advised. “He may have a reason for what he is doing.”
The light had disappeared. The girls hurriedly moved on, fearing that they might lose sight of the old man entirely. With nothing to guide them it was difficult to find their way.
“It’s lucky we explored in the daytime or we’d have trouble following,” Rosanna declared. “The ground is so rough.” ”

“ Rosanna cried.
“And I think it has been. It’s my opinion that Max Laponi found your letter and the missing key. He’s a rank impostor.”
“Then you believe he is the one who has been frightening the household by playing on the pipe organ?”
“I haven’t made up my mind about that yet,” Penny returned thoughtfully. “But one thing I’m certain about. Laponi is a dangerous man.”
“Let’s get away from here right away.”
Penny laughed shortly. “I should say not! This mystery is growing more exciting every minute. I mean to discover Max Laponi’s little game!”
“But he may harm us,” Rosanna protested. ”

“ Rosanna questioned.
Penny found it difficult to explain.
“Brookport is only a few miles from here and yet I’ve never heard of a lawyer by the name of Elfhedge. It seems a trifle strange too that he should enclose a key to the property.”
[17]
“It struck me that way too at first,” Rosanna admitted unwillingly. “Of course, I do have an uncle named Jacob Winters—my mother often spoke of him. He was always considered queer.”
“It may be all right. No doubt you have inherited a fortune. Only I think I’d be a trifle cautious until I was certain it wasn’t a hoax.” ”

“ Penny shook her head. “Not yet. But I do intend to wire my father. I’m going to ask him to learn all he can about Laponi. It may turn out that the man has a prison record.”
“You suspect that because you found the revolver in his room?”
“Well, honest citizens don’t carry weapons without permits.”
“You’re thinking of doing it,” Rosanna challenged.
Penny laughed. “This is an extra special emergency. But I have another reason for believing that Laponi is a crook. I suspect he has a stolen ring in his possession.”
She then told of finding the diamond ring under the dresser scarf. ”

“ It’s obvious that someone is playing at being a ghost, trying to frighten the occupants of this house. But what can be the purpose behind it all?”
Although Penny had been careful to make no such admission to Rosanna, she was becoming increasingly troubled. Nor were her worries confined solely to the hide-and-seek organist. [146] She feared that the time was fast approaching when Mrs. Leeds or Max Laponi would make a legal claim to the Winters’ property.
“The chances are that Mrs. Leeds destroyed the will,” she reasoned. “In that event, Rosanna may lose everything.” ”

“ Penny turned back the coverlet of the bed and found that it was equipped with clean sheets and blankets. The furniture was massive and all hand carved.
“I guess you can make out here for one night,” Caleb said.
“We’ll be very comfortable,” Penny assured him.
Returning to the lower floor, Caleb lighted his lantern and prepared to leave. With his hand on the door knob he turned to face the girls again.
“Oh, yes, there was something I forgot to mention. If you hear queer noises in the night don’t be upset.”
“Queer noises?” Penny echoed. ”

“ Penny offered. “My roadster is parked just outside the store. We live close to each other.”
The girl hesitated, then smiled as she said: “That’s very kind of you, I’m sure. You don’t really mind?”
“Of course not. Here, let me help you downstairs.”
“Not by way of the escalator,” Rosanna said hastily. “Hereafter I’ll ride on the elevator. It’s safer.”
Although the store’s gong had announced the closing hour some minutes previously, shoppers were slow to leave the building. As the girls returned to the street floor they were embarrassed to find themselves the target for many curious stares. ”

“ With Caleb in the organ room he would be certain to see the panel open. [206] There was danger too that he might return at any instant to find them crouching at the head of the stairs.
“Shouldn’t we turn back?” Rosanna whispered nervously.
“Let’s wait until he begins to play the organ.”
They listened expectantly. Minutes passed but not a strain of music did they hear.
“That’s queer,” Penny murmured. “I’m sure Caleb is the one who has been disturbing the household with his ghost music. Why doesn’t he play as he’s always done before?” ”

“ Penny said grimly. “It won’t be any fun to sit up half the night without any purpose. I’ll be disappointed if our ghost fails to provide his usual midnight concert.”
“If anything goes wrong scream for help,” Rosanna urged. “I’ll run for assistance.”
Penny promised. While Rosanna stood at the bedroom door watching, she tiptoed down the hall, past Mrs. Leeds’ room, past Laponi’s chamber to the third floor stairs. ”

“ In thinking back over the activities of the day, Rosanna could not recall taking either the key or the letter from her purse. However, several times for one purpose or another she had opened her pocketbook, and it was quite likely that the articles had fallen out unobserved. She thought possibly she might find them on the floor of Penny’s car. She intended to search in the morning.
The upstairs room was damp and chilly. The girls hurriedly prepared to retire. Penny put up the window, snapped out the light and made [68] a great running leap which landed her in bed. ”

“ Winters’ safe is rather puzzling. It seems to me that everyone at Raven Ridge acts queerly.”
“Including me?” Penny teased.
Rosanna laughed and squeezed her arm affectionately. “Of course I don’t mean you. You’ve been wonderful and I’ll never never be able to repay you for all you’ve done.”
“Nonsense, so far I’ve accomplished exactly nothing. But I have a feeling that before another twenty-four hours elapse things are going to start breaking for us.”
“I hope so,” Rosanna sighed.
Neither Max Laponi nor Caleb Eckert were in the living room when the girls returned to the house. ”

“ I believe you two girls aren’t like those others. But you were speaking of the organ. Why are you so interested in it?”
“Because we’ve been hearing music at night,” Penny informed. “It seems to come from that room on the third floor.”
Caleb regarded her in awe. “Then it’s true, the things they say.”
“What things?” Rosanna asked impatiently.
“That the house is haunted. If Mr. Winters really is dead it may be——”
“Nonsense!” Penny cut in. “Rosanna and I don’t believe in ghosts. And what’s more, I [133] doubt if you do, Caleb Eckert! That so-called ghost is a very live one. ”

“ Penny refrained from saying anything which might disturb Rosanna. Actually, she had not the slightest reason for doubting that the girl [22] had come into an inheritance, save that the letter from Mr. Elfhedge did not have a genuine tone. It occurred to her that a scheme might be under way to induce the orphan to part with her own savings.
During the ride to Brookport, Rosanna mentioned a few of the hard experiences she had undergone in the past year. First her mother had died, then an aunt with whom she made her home, likewise had been taken from her. ”

“ In an instant hysterical women were screaming and clutching at one another for support.
A slender girl in a shabby business suit was rudely jostled. Penny, half way up the moving [6] stairway, tried to save her from a hard fall. She was not quick enough. Down the girl went, and as she fell, the contents of her pocketbook spilled out upon the moving stairway. The thief took advantage of the resulting confusion to melt into the throng of shoppers at the top of the escalator. While store detectives carried on the pursuit, Penny tried to help the terrified women to alight from the stairway. ”