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diff --git a/34369-h/34369-h.htm b/34369-h/34369-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..45652fd --- /dev/null +++ b/34369-h/34369-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6159 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<title>Penny Nichols and the Mystery of the Lost Key, by Joan Clark</title> +<style type="text/css"> + body { margin-left:1.5em; margin-right:1.5em; } + h1, h2, h3, h4, .center { text-align:center; clear:right; } + h2 { margin-top:4em; margin-bottom:2.5em; line-height:1.7em; } + h3 { font-style:italic; } + .jr1 { text-align:right; } + table { clear:right; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } + .sn { text-align:left; vertical-align:top; } + .snt { padding-bottom:1em; text-align:justify; } + p, blockquote { text-align:justify; } + .l0, .t, .t2, .t3, .t5 { margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } + .t, .fndef .t { margin-left:1em; } + .t2, .fndef .t2 { margin-left:2em; } + .t3 { margin-left:3em; } + .t5 { margin-left:5em; } + div.box { border-style:double; margin-bottom:2em; max-width:25em; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; } + .large { font-size:120%; } + .small { font-size:90%; } + .smaller { font-size:80%; } + l {display:block; } + .sc { font-variant:small-caps; } + .tb { margin-top:2em; } .fndef p { font-size:100%; margin-left:0em; text-indent:0em; } + div.fndef { margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em; text-align:justify; font-size:80%; margin-top:1em; } + a sup { font-size:60%; } + .pb { text-align:right; float:right; font-size:70%; + margin-left:2em; margin-right:-1em; margin-top:.5em; margin-bottom:.5em; + display:inline; } + dt.smaller { max-width:31.25em; } + dt { text-align:justify; max-width:25em; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; } + dd { text-align:justify; max-width:25em; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; } +dl.toc { clear:both; } /* CONTENTS (.TOC) */ .toc dt.center { text-align:center; clear:both; margin-top:3em; margin-bottom:1em; } .toc dt { text-align:right; clear:left; } .toc dd { text-align:right; clear:both; margin-left:2em; } .toc dd.t { text-align:right; clear:both; margin-left:4em; text-indent:0em; } .toc dt a, .toc dd a{ text-align:left; clear:right; float:left; } .toc dt.sc { text-align:right; clear:both; } .toc dt.scl { text-align:left; clear:both; font-variant:small-caps; } .toc dt.sct { text-align:right; clear:both; font-variant:small-caps; margin-left:1em; } .toc dt.jl { text-align:left; clear:both; font-variant:normal; } .toc dt.scc { text-align:center; clear:both; font-variant:small-caps; } .toc dt span.lj { text-align:left; display:block; float:left; } .toc dt a { font-variant:small-caps; }</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Penny Nichols and the Mystery of the Lost +Key, by Joan Clark + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Penny Nichols and the Mystery of the Lost Key + +Author: Joan Clark + +Release Date: November 19, 2010 [EBook #34369] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PENNY NICHOLS--MYSTERY OF LOST KEY *** + + + + +Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Brenda Lewis and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + +<div class="box"> +<p class="center"><span class="large">PENNY NICHOLS</span> +<br />MYSTERY STORIES</p> +<p class="center">Penny Nichols Finds a Clue (1936) +<br />Penny Nichols and the Mystery of the Lost Key (1936) +<br />Penny Nichols and the Black Imp (1936) +<br />Penny Nichols and the Knob Hill Mystery (1939)</p> +<p class="center"><i>by</i> +<br />“Joan Clark” +<br />(Mildred A. Wirt, 1905-2002)</p> +</div> +<div class="box"> +<h1>Penny Nichols +<br />and the +<br />Mystery of the +<br />Lost Key</h1> +<p class="center"><i>By</i> +<br /><span class="sc">Joan Clark</span></p> +<p class="center"><span class="large">★</span></p> +<p class="center">The +<br />Goldsmith Publishing Company</p> +<p class="center"><span class="smaller">CHICAGO</span></p> +<p class="center"><span class="smaller">COPYRIGHT 1936, BY +<br />THE GOLDSMITH PUBLISHING COMPANY</span></p> +<p class="center"><span class="smaller">MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA</span></p> +</div> +<h2><i>CONTENTS</i></h2> +<dl class="toc"> +<dt class="smaller"><span class="lj">CHAPTER</span> PAGE</dt> +<dt><a href="#c1">I. <span class="sc">A Valuable Letter</span></a> 11</dt> +<dt><a href="#c2">II. <span class="sc">A Mysterious Key</span></a> 25</dt> +<dt><a href="#c3">III. <span class="sc">An Arrogant Guest</span></a> 38</dt> +<dt><a href="#c4">IV. <span class="sc">A Face at the Window</span></a> 51</dt> +<dt><a href="#c5">V. <span class="sc">The Lost Key</span></a> 67</dt> +<dt><a href="#c6">VI. <span class="sc">Midnight Visitors</span></a> 76</dt> +<dt><a href="#c7">VII. <span class="sc">“Ghost” Music</span></a> 93</dt> +<dt><a href="#c8">VIII. <span class="sc">The Ivory Collection</span></a> 102</dt> +<dt><a href="#c9">IX. <span class="sc">A Scrap of Paper</span></a> 115</dt> +<dt><a href="#c10">X. <span class="sc">The Wall Safe</span></a> 131</dt> +<dt><a href="#c11">XI. <span class="sc">A Night Adventure</span></a> 140</dt> +<dt><a href="#c12">XII. <span class="sc">A Suspicious Act</span></a> 150</dt> +<dt><a href="#c13">XIII. <span class="sc">The Secret Stairs</span></a> 164</dt> +<dt><a href="#c14">XIV. <span class="sc">A Diamond Ring</span></a> 175</dt> +<dt><a href="#c15">XV. <span class="sc">Penny’s Evidence</span></a> 186</dt> +<dt><a href="#c16">XVI. <span class="sc">Mrs. Leeds’ Strategy</span></a> 199</dt> +<dt><a href="#c17">XVII. <span class="sc">The Man in the Boat</span></a> 209</dt> +<dt><a href="#c18">XVIII. <span class="sc">A Daring Theft</span></a> 220</dt> +<dt><a href="#c19">XIX. <span class="sc">The Tables Turn</span></a> 225</dt> +<dt><a href="#c20">XX. <span class="sc">A Break for Freedom</span></a> 239</dt> +</dl> +<div class="pb" id="Page_1">[1]</div> +<h2 id="c1"><span class="small">CHAPTER I</span> +<br />A Valuable Letter</h2> +<p>“Hurry, Susan! We have only ten minutes +before the store closes!”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“You nearly took off my heels that time, +Penny,” Susan Altman protested with a laugh as +they emerged into the crowded store.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>Threading their way through the outgoing +stream of shoppers, the girls went directly to the +<span class="pb" id="Page_2">[2]</span> +jewelry counter. Penny peered anxiously into +one of the glass cases to see if the coveted ivory +ornaments were still on display. They had not +been sold.</p> +<p>“Do you think they’ll look all right with my +red party frock?” she asked her chum as they +stood impatiently waiting for a clerk. In matters +of dress she valued Susan’s opinion more +highly than her own.</p> +<p>“Stunning. With your coloring you can wear +anything. Now if you had a skin like mine and +a snub nose—”</p> +<p>Penny did not hear the remainder of her +chum’s oft-repeated complaint for she was trying +vainly to attract the attention of a clerk. +The only available girl at the counter was occupied +in showing a tray of fine rings to a tall +man in gray tweeds.</p> +<p>“We’ll never be waited on,” Penny murmured +in annoyance. “You can tell it’s going +to take until closing time before he makes up his +mind which ring he wants.”</p> +<p>Susan turned to survey the customer. He was +expensively dressed and upon a casual inspection +<span class="pb" id="Page_3">[3]</span> +appeared to be a gentleman of considerable +means. Although the clerk offered several +diamond rings for his approval none of them +satisfied him.</p> +<p>“Haven’t you anything better than this?” he +questioned. “Show me that large diamond, +please.” He tapped the glass case lightly with +his cane.</p> +<p>The clerk obligingly placed the ring before +him. The man examined the diamond closely, +comparing it with another ring previously +shown him. For the first time he appeared +aware of Penny and Susan.</p> +<p>“Wait on these young ladies while I make up +my mind which ring I prefer,” he urged the +clerk. “I am in no hurry and I can see that +they are.”</p> +<p>The clerk hesitated. The rings in which the +customer was interested were valuable ones. It +was a rule of the store to keep them always in +the locked case. Yet it would take her only a +minute to wait upon the girls, and obviously +the man was a gentleman. She turned to serve +Penny.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_4">[4]</div> +<p>“I’ll take that pair of earrings,” Penny announced, +indicating the ivory pieces. “They’re +three dollars, aren’t they?”</p> +<p>“Yes, that is correct. I’ll have them wrapped +for you.”</p> +<p>Penny offered the girl a five dollar bill in +payment. She could not restrain a little sigh +as she saw it deposited in the store’s cash drawer. +Perhaps she had been foolish to buy the earrings. +It meant that she must do without a +great many little things in order to keep within +her allowance. Penny sighed again. At times +it was trying to have a father who believed in +maintaining his daughter strictly upon a +budget plan.</p> +<p>Her eyes roved aimlessly toward the man at +the ring counter. She saw him cast a quick +glance about. Then he walked rapidly away, +making for the nearest exit.</p> +<p>Penny’s keen blue eyes riveted upon the ring +tray. The large diamond was missing.</p> +<p>She had not seen the customer actually take +it—his movements had been too deft for that—yet +she knew for a certainty that while the +<span class="pb" id="Page_5">[5]</span> +clerk’s back had been turned he had secreted it +somewhere upon his person.</p> +<p>Penny did not hesitate. She darted after him.</p> +<p>“Stop!” she cried. And then to the surprised +shoppers who turned at the sound of her voice: +“Don’t let that thief get away!”</p> +<p>The man wheeled sharply, his face convulsed +in anger. With his cane he struck viciously at +a stout woman who clutched him by the coat.</p> +<p>A store detective blocked the main exit.</p> +<p>Recognizing that he could not hope to escape +that way, the thief turned and bolted up a moving +escalator which was carrying a capacity load +of passengers to the second floor.</p> +<p>Penny, the detective, and a few of the more +energetic customers took up the pursuit.</p> +<p>In a desperate attempt to escape, the thief +elbowed women roughly aside as he darted up +the stairway. Upon the uncertain footing of +the moving treads, several stumbled and fell. +In an instant hysterical women were screaming +and clutching at one another for support.</p> +<p>A slender girl in a shabby business suit was +rudely jostled. Penny, half way up the moving +<span class="pb" id="Page_6">[6]</span> +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.</p> +<p>“Are you hurt?” she asked the girl who had +fallen, trying to assist her to her feet.</p> +<p>“Never mind me! Save my pocketbook!” the +other cried, frantically beginning to gather up +the scattered objects.</p> +<p>The other passengers upon the stairway were +more of a hindrance than a help. Yet by working +fast Penny managed to accumulate nearly +all of the lost articles before the brief ride approached +its end.</p> +<p>“My letter!”</p> +<p>At the other girl’s shrill cry, Penny saw a +white envelope riding serenely on the uppermost +step. With a bound she covered the distance +which separated her from it, pouncing +<span class="pb" id="Page_7">[7]</span> +upon the letter an instant before the moving +belt disappeared into the flooring.</p> +<p>Clutching it triumphantly in her hand, she +turned to assist the girl who had lost it.</p> +<p>“Why, you’re limping,” she observed. “Here, +lean on me.”</p> +<p>“It’s nothing,” the girl maintained staunchly. +“I twisted my ankle when I fell.”</p> +<p>Penny helped her to a nearby chair. Despite +the girl’s brave words, her lips quivered when +she spoke and her attractive face had taken on +an ashen hue. Yet, strangely, her interest +centered not in her injury but in the letter +which she had nearly lost.</p> +<p>“Thank you for saving it,” she told Penny +gratefully. “I don’t know what I should have +done if I’d lost that letter. It means everything +to me.”</p> +<p>Penny stared at the envelope a trifle curiously +but she was too well bred to ask personal questions. +Before she could make any response +store officials hurried up to take charge of the +situation. The girl’s name was Rosanna Winters, +Penny learned, by listening. She lived at a +<span class="pb" id="Page_8">[8]</span> +rooming house on Sixty-fifth Street, not a great +distance from Penny’s own home.</p> +<p>Rosanna firmly turned down the suggestion +of store officials that she be sent to a nearby hospital +for first-aid treatment.</p> +<p>“It isn’t necessary. I merely twisted my ankle. +I’ll soon be able to walk on it.”</p> +<p>“Let me take you home,” Penny offered. +“My roadster is parked just outside the store. +We live close to each other.”</p> +<p>The girl hesitated, then smiled as she said: +“That’s very kind of you, I’m sure. You don’t +really mind?”</p> +<p>“Of course not. Here, let me help you downstairs.”</p> +<p>“Not by way of the escalator,” Rosanna said +hastily. “Hereafter I’ll ride on the elevator. +It’s safer.”</p> +<p>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. Penny readily was recognized +<span class="pb" id="Page_9">[9]</span> +as the girl who had observed the theft of the +ring.</p> +<p>“What became of that man who knocked me +down?” Rosanna questioned. “I suppose he +escaped.”</p> +<p>“I’m afraid so,” Penny admitted, looking +about for Susan. “The last I saw of him he was +running toward the kitchenware department +with the store detective after him.”</p> +<p>Sighting Susan near the outside door, Penny +steered her new friend in that direction. +Quickly she introduced the girls, mentioning +Rosanna’s unfortunate accident.</p> +<p>“I saw it all,” Susan declared. “Penny, you +certainly did stir up things when you set the +store detective on that thief.”</p> +<p>“And the worst of it was that he escaped,” +Penny acknowledged. “Of course, he may be +caught here in the building but I doubt it.”</p> +<p>In the excitement, she had completely forgotten +her package at the jewelry counter. The +girls would have left the store without it had +not the clerk come running after them with the +purchase.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_10">[10]</div> +<p>“Thank you so much for calling out the +alarm,” she told Penny gratefully. “If the thief +isn’t caught I may lose my job.”</p> +<p>“Oh, I hope not.”</p> +<p>“So do I, but I shouldn’t have broken a store +rule. I was completely taken in by the man’s +appearance.”</p> +<p>“I don’t wonder at that,” Penny said. “He +certainly looked anything but a crook. Was the +ring a valuable one?”</p> +<p>“It was priced to sell at eight hundred dollars. +I don’t see how I could have been so stupid.”</p> +<p>Penny felt sorry for the salesgirl, particularly +so when the floorwalker came up and began to +question her sharply.</p> +<p>“It really wasn’t the clerk’s fault,” Penny +insisted. “I feel certain that man was a professional +jewel thief.”</p> +<p>“Did you notice his appearance?” the floorwalker +asked.</p> +<p>“Yes, he was dressed in a gray tweed suit. I’d +say he was approximately six feet in height, +dark hair and eyes. His face was long and +angular.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_11">[11]</div> +<p>The store official noted down the description +and took Penny’s address in case she might be +needed later on to identify the crook if he were +captured.</p> +<p>“We’re watching all the lower floor exits,” +the floorwalker informed, “but the chances are +the man got away by means of one of the fire +escapes.”</p> +<p>The store rapidly was clearing of shoppers. +Penny and her companions lingered a few minutes +longer and then they too were politely requested +to leave.</p> +<p>“I’d like to know if the store detective caught +that man,” Penny declared as they paused for +an instant on the street. “I suppose now we’ll +have to find out by reading our newspapers.”</p> +<p>Rosanna Winters turned as if to leave the +girls.</p> +<p>“Thank you again for saving my pocketbook,” +she said to Penny. “My ankle is much better +now so I’ll just take a streetcar home.”</p> +<p>Penny caught her by the elbow.</p> +<p>“You’ll do no such thing. Why, I can see +that it hurts you every step you take. It isn’t +<span class="pb" id="Page_12">[12]</span> +more than a block or two out of my way to drive +you home.”</p> +<p>Despite Rosanna’s protests, she urged the girl +into the roadster which was parked at the curbing. +Penny was very proud of her car. Although +it was not a new model it ran very well and +she spent most of her spare time keeping it +washed and polished.</p> +<p>Since the Altman residence was close by, +Penny dropped her chum off before taking +Rosanna home. During the ride to Sixty-fifth +Street, the Winters girl spoke scarcely a word. +Several times Penny cast a curious glance in her +direction.</p> +<p>Rosanna was the quiet type, she decided. A +striking brunette with a thoughtful, almost sad +face.</p> +<p>“I live at the next house,” the girl said as they +turned a corner. “The one on the right.”</p> +<p>It was a modest but not unattractive boarding +house. The porch was clean and the yard +more orderly than the majority in the neighborhood.</p> +<p>“I’m only staying here a few days until I can +<span class="pb" id="Page_13">[13]</span> +find another place,” Rosanna mentioned, feeling +that some explanation was due her companion.</p> +<p>“You are a stranger in Belton City?” Penny +guessed.</p> +<p>“Yes, I came here looking for work. But now +that won’t be necessary.” Rosanna hesitated, +and then, because Penny had seemed so very +friendly, decided to offer additional information. +“I am an orphan, Miss Nichols. Until +this week I had begun to think that fortune had +turned against me.”</p> +<p>“And now you’ve had a piece of good luck?”</p> +<p>“Yes,” Rosanna’s face glowed as she opened +her purse and took out the letter which Penny +had picked up from the escalator. “If you +hadn’t saved this for me, I should have lost +everything.”</p> +<p>“Then I’m glad I snatched it up in time,” +Penny smiled.</p> +<p>She could not imagine the contents of the +mysterious letter. It was all she could do to +keep from asking questions.</p> +<p>“I’d like to have you read it if you care to,” +<span class="pb" id="Page_14">[14]</span> +Rosanna said a trifle timidly. “I’m anxious to +learn the opinion of another person.”</p> +<p>“Why, I’ll be glad to look at it if you wish,” +Penny returned, a little surprised at the request. +“And as far as advice is concerned, I love to +offer it.”</p> +<p>She accepted the envelope which Rosanna +proffered. As she took out the folded letter a +key dropped out into her lap.</p> +<p>“What’s this?” Penny demanded.</p> +<p>Rosanna laughed nervously. “If what the +letter says is true, it seems to be the key to my +inheritance! But read the letter for yourself.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_15">[15]</div> +<h2 id="c2"><span class="small">CHAPTER II</span> +<br />A Mysterious Key</h2> +<p>Unfolding the paper, Penny noticed +that the message had been written +under the letterhead: “J.C. Elfhedge, +attorney, Brookport.” The communication +stated briefly that Rosanna Winters was the sole +heiress of the late Jacob Winters, her uncle, and +that she had inherited his mountainside estate +at Raven Ridge. A key to the property was enclosed. +She was urged to inspect the estate at +her earliest convenience.</p> +<p>“Well, what do you think of it?” Rosanna +questioned as Penny studied the letter in silence.</p> +<p>“Why, it’s fine,” Penny returned after a slight +hesitation. “Did you know Jacob Winters +well?”</p> +<p>“I didn’t know him at all. In fact I never +even met him.”</p> +<p>“Oh! Then the inheritance must have come +as a surprise.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_16">[16]</div> +<p>“It did. Even now I can’t help thinking there +must be some mistake. Did you ever hear of +Raven Ridge?”</p> +<p>“Yes, indeed,” Penny told her. “It is a lovely +spot near Snow Mountain.”</p> +<p>“I must go there as soon as I can,” Rosanna +said. “Will the car fare be very much do you +think?”</p> +<p>“Probably not more than ten dollars.”</p> +<p>“That’s a large sum for me,” Rosanna smiled +ruefully. “Of course, now that I’ve actually inherited +Uncle Jacob’s estate, I suppose I +shouldn’t worry about money.”</p> +<p>“Well, I shouldn’t spend lavishly until I was +certain there would be no slip-up about getting +the property,” Penny advised bluntly. “Perhaps +I shouldn’t say it, but there’s a certain tone +to this letter that I don’t like.”</p> +<p>“What do you mean?” Rosanna questioned.</p> +<p>Penny found it difficult to explain.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_17">[17]</div> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“But what can I do except to obey the letter +and visit the property?”</p> +<p>Penny glanced again at the letterhead. “Why +not visit this lawyer and have a talk with him? +Brookport isn’t far from here and it might save +you a trip to Raven Ridge.”</p> +<p>“Can I reach Brookport by train or bus?”</p> +<p>“I’m afraid not,” Penny said. “It’s off the +main line of travel. You haven’t a car of your +own or one you could borrow?”</p> +<p>“No.”</p> +<p>“I’ll take you to Brookport if you like,” +Penny offered generously. “We might go tomorrow.”</p> +<p>“Oh, I shouldn’t like to trouble you, Miss +Nichols. I can probably rent a car.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_18">[18]</div> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“All right,” Rosanna smiled. “It’s good of +you to offer. Perhaps I can repay you someday.”</p> +<p>The girls parted, Penny driving directly to +her own home. Entering the house by the back +door she found Mrs. Gallup, the housekeeper, +cooking dinner. The kitchen was permeated +with the delightful aroma of frying chicken.</p> +<p>“Is Dad home yet?” Penny inquired, pausing +to sniff the air.</p> +<p>“He’s in the study,” the housekeeper informed.</p> +<p>Penny found Christopher Nichols occupied +at his desk. Sometimes it was difficult for her to +realize that she was the daughter of a detective +who had gained state-wide recognition for his +ability in solving baffling cases. Mr. Nichols +had served an apprenticeship on the police +force, had risen from the ranks, and later had +<span class="pb" id="Page_19">[19]</span> +started his own private detective agency. Yet, +despite his success, he was quiet and unaffected.</p> +<p>Mr. Nichols had no real hobbies and only two +absorbing interests in life—his work and his +daughter. Penny had been left motherless at +an early age. Because there had been only a +slight feminine influence in her life her outlook +upon the world was somewhat different from +that of the average high school girl. She thought +clearly and frankly spoke her mind. Yet if she +enjoyed an unusual amount of freedom for one +so young, she never abused the trust which her +father placed in her.</p> +<p>Penny loved adventure. Recently, somewhat +to her father’s chagrin, she had involved herself +with a daring gang of automobile thieves. The +story of her exciting encounter with underworld +characters has been recounted in the first +volume of the series, entitled, “Penny Nichols +Finds A Clue.”</p> +<p>“Now what?” Mr. Nichols demanded gruffly +as his daughter perched herself on the corner +of his desk. “Has that car of yours broken down +again?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_20">[20]</div> +<p>Penny laughed as she shook her head.</p> +<p>“No, believe it or not, I still have a few dollars +of my allowance left. I’m after information +this time.”</p> +<p>“What sort of information?”</p> +<p>“Preferably accurate,” Penny smiled. “Tell +me, did you ever hear of a lawyer by the name of +Elfhedge with an office at Brookport?”</p> +<p>“No, I never did,” Mr. Nichols returned instantly. +“There is an attorney in the Stover +building by the name of Hedgel. Perhaps +you’re mixed up.”</p> +<p>“I have the name right,” Penny insisted. She +then related the contents of Rosanna Winters’ +letter.</p> +<p>“It sounds like someone’s idea of a practical +joke,” Mr. Nichols declared. “I’d advise the +girl not to spend any money until she’s done a +little investigating.”</p> +<p>“That’s what I did tell her.”</p> +<p>“I’ll look this man Elfhedge up in a day or two +if you like,” Mr. Nichols promised. “It sounds +like a fictitious name to me but of course the +letter may be <i>bona fide</i>.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_21">[21]</div> +<p>Mrs. Gallup interrupted the discussion to +announce that dinner was ready. Immediately +after the meal had been served, Mr. Nichols left +for his office and Penny saw him no more that +evening. He left the house before she was up +the next morning so she had no opportunity to +explain that she was driving Rosanna Winters +to Brookport that day.</p> +<p>At ten o’clock she rang the doorbell of the +rooming house on Sixty-fifth Street. Rosanna +already was waiting.</p> +<p>“I thought you might have changed your +mind about wishing to make the trip,” she declared, +following Penny to the car.</p> +<p>“No, I’m more curious than ever to talk with +your lawyer. It will be wonderful, Rosanna, if +the estate turns out to be a valuable one.”</p> +<p>Rosanna smiled a trifle ruefully. “Yes, I will +have plenty of use for the money. I can’t believe +yet that Uncle Jacob left everything to +me.”</p> +<p>Penny refrained from saying anything which +might disturb Rosanna. Actually, she had not +the slightest reason for doubting that the girl +<span class="pb" id="Page_22">[22]</span> +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.</p> +<p>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. She +found work of a sort in a grocery store, but long +hours and trying conditions had worn her down. +She had taken sick. Hospital bills claimed the +greater part of the money which her mother had +left her. She could not secure her old job back, +nor could she find a new one. In desperation +she had decided to come to Belton City, hoping +that she might secure a position there.</p> +<p>“You can imagine that I was pretty well discouraged +when the letter arrived from Mr. Elfhedge,” +Rosanna ended. “You don’t know +what a fright you gave me by suggesting that it +might be a hoax.”</p> +<p>“I’m sorry if I caused you worry. I had no +<span class="pb" id="Page_23">[23]</span> +reason for thinking that someone wrote the letter +for a joke.”</p> +<p>“Uncle Jacob was noted for doing queer +things,” Rosanna informed. “I never met him +but Mother often mentioned his name. He +was quite a traveler, I believe, and collecting +was his hobby.”</p> +<p>“What did he collect?”</p> +<p>“Oh, things from the Orient and antiques +from all over the world.”</p> +<p>“Then if you’ve come into his property, you +may have inherited some real treasures,” Penny +commented. “It would be fun to visit that +house at Raven Ridge.”</p> +<p>“Yes, but I dread going there alone. Penny, +I wish you could go with me.”</p> +<p>“I wish I could too, but I guess I’ll have to +stay at Belton City this summer.”</p> +<p>It was only a little after eleven o’clock when +the girls reached Brookport. The town was +less than a hundred thousand population and +Penny had no trouble in finding the main business +section. After cruising about for some +minutes, they located the street where Mr. Elfhedge +<span class="pb" id="Page_24">[24]</span> +had his office. The number which they +sought brought them to an imposing seven-story +brick building.</p> +<p>Penny parked the roadster and they went inside, +searching the directory for Mr. Elfhedge’s +name. It was not listed.</p> +<p>“That’s odd,” Rosanna remarked with a +troubled frown. “His office must be here somewhere +in the building.”</p> +<p>Penny went over to make inquiry of the elevator +boy.</p> +<p>“There’s no one in this building by that +name,” he insisted.</p> +<p>Thinking that the boy might be misinformed, +Penny and Rosanna sought the building superintendent. +To satisfy them, the man looked +carefully through his list of tenants. No one by +the name of Elfhedge occupied an office in the +building.</p> +<p>“There is an attorney in Room 309 but his +name is Rogers,” the superintendent told the +girls. “You might talk with him. He may +know this man Elfhedge.”</p> +<p>They went up to Room 309 and after a brief +<span class="pb" id="Page_25">[25]</span> +wait were ushered into the lawyer’s private office. +Rosanna was too shy to state the purpose +of her visit, so Penny explained why they had +come. The lawyer had never heard of a colleague +by the name of Elfhedge.</p> +<p>“He’s never been in this building and I doubt +that he’s even located in the city,” they were +told. “You must have made a mistake in the +address.”</p> +<p>The girls had made no mistake, that they +knew. The address was plainly written on the +outside of the envelope which Rosanna had in +her purse. She showed it to the lawyer.</p> +<p>“Yes, that seems to be this building,” he admitted. +“It looks as if someone used a fake +address.”</p> +<p>They left the office completely discouraged. +Penny felt sorry for her companion. Rosanna +had counted so heavily upon the inheritance. +Now it appeared that someone had played a +cruel joke upon her.</p> +<p>“You were right,” Rosanna acknowledged as +they walked slowly back to the car. “You were +suspicious of that letter from the first.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_26">[26]</div> +<p>“It struck me as peculiar that it was written in +longhand instead of on a typewriter,” Penny +explained.</p> +<p>“I suppose it is nothing but a joke,” Rosanna +acknowledged, “and yet why should a key be +enclosed in the letter?”</p> +<p>“It’s beyond me, Rosanna. Even if the trip +is wasted, you might feel better about it if you +went to Raven Ridge and investigated.”</p> +<p>“I’d go in an instant if I had the money to +spare.”</p> +<p>“I’ll loan it to you.”</p> +<p>Rosanna shook her head.</p> +<p>“No, I can’t take it although it’s kind of you +to offer.”</p> +<p>“I wish I could help you, Rosanna.”</p> +<p>“You’ve helped me a great deal already. Perhaps +a little later on I’ll find some way of getting +to Raven Ridge.”</p> +<p>Penny tried to urge the loan, but Rosanna, +who was unusually proud, would not hear of it. +The girls parted at the latter’s boarding house +on Sixty-fifth Street.</p> +<p>“I’ll see you within a day or two,” Penny +<span class="pb" id="Page_27">[27]</span> +promised as she drove away. “Perhaps by that +time Father will learn something about Mr. +Elfhedge.”</p> +<p>She did not really believe that Mr. Nichols +could find anything to report. Doubtless, the +name had been a fictitious one. Yet who had +played the joke upon Rosanna and for what +purpose?</p> +<p>“There’s more to the affair than what appears +on the surface,” she reflected. “If only I had the +chance, I’d do a little investigating.”</p> +<p>Penny smiled at the thought, little dreaming +that such an opportunity was to present itself +very shortly.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_28">[28]</div> +<h2 id="c3"><span class="small">CHAPTER III</span> +<br />An Arrogant Guest</h2> +<p>That evening at the dinner table Penny +told her father about the unsuccessful +trip to Brookport.</p> +<p>“It looks like someone played a practical joke +on your friend,” he commented.</p> +<p>“But who could be so mean, Dad? Rosanna +has had such a desperately hard time to get +along. Now if she wastes money going to Raven +Ridge on a fruitless visit, it won’t seem fair.”</p> +<p>“Well, it’s likely to amount to just that,” +Mr. Nichols returned. “I tried to locate that +attorney, Elfhedge today.”</p> +<p>“Any luck?”</p> +<p>“No, I doubt if such a person exists.”</p> +<p>“So do I,” Penny agreed. “By the way, what +became of the newspaper today? I wanted to +read up about the department store theft.”</p> +<p>“To see if your name was mentioned?” her +father teased.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_29">[29]</div> +<p>“No, I was just curious to learn if the thief +was captured.”</p> +<p>“I can set your mind at rest on that point,” +Mr. Nichols informed. “He wasn’t. If you’re +interested in the details, you’ll find the paper on +the front porch.”</p> +<p>Penny helped Mrs. Gallup clear the table of +dishes, then went outside to get the paper. The +story appeared on the front page. It was a +slightly distorted version of what had happened +and Penny was just as well pleased that her +name was not mentioned. According to the account, +the thief had escaped by means of a rear +fire escape. The ring, valued at approximately +nine hundred dollars, was fully covered by insurance.</p> +<p>While Penny was reading the story, Mr. +Nichols came out and sat on the porch steps.</p> +<p>“How would you like to take a little trip?” he +asked casually.</p> +<p>Penny dropped the newspaper. “With you?” +she questioned eagerly.</p> +<p>“Yes, I’ve been working hard lately and I feel +like taking a rest over the week end.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_30">[30]</div> +<p>“Where will we go?”</p> +<p>“I thought of Mt. Ashland. It will be cool +in the mountains and at this time of year the +hotels will not be too crowded.”</p> +<p>“Why, Mt. Ashland isn’t very far from Snow +Mountain, is it?” Penny demanded with interest. +“I’m going to look it up on the map.”</p> +<p>She ran into the house for the big red atlas. +A moment later she returned, her eyes dancing +with excitement.</p> +<p>“Mt. Ashland isn’t more than a two hours’ +drive from Snow Mountain,” she told her father.</p> +<p>“And just what difference does it make?”</p> +<p>“Why, Raven Ridge is located on Snow +Mountain, you know.”</p> +<p>“Oh! So that’s what you have in your mind!”</p> +<p>Penny perched herself on her father’s knee, +smiling her most beguiling smile.</p> +<p>“Never mind, you little tease,” he said hastily. +“I give in.”</p> +<p>“You don’t even know what I want,” she +laughed.</p> +<p>“Yes, I do. You want to take this new friend +of yours along with us.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_31">[31]</div> +<p>“I think it would be nice, don’t you?” Penny +beamed. “Then while you’re having a good +rest at Mt. Ashland we could drive on to Raven +Ridge. Rosanna could investigate her property +there, if she has any, and it wouldn’t cost her +much of anything to make the trip.”</p> +<p>“You seem to have it well planned,” the detective +marveled.</p> +<p>“Well, what’s wrong with the idea?”</p> +<p>“Nothing. We’ll take her along if she wants +to go. She may help keep you out of mischief.”</p> +<p>“When do we start?” Penny demanded gaily.</p> +<p>“Tomorrow afternoon as soon as I can get +away from the office.”</p> +<p>“Then I’ll dash over to see Rosanna now and +ask if she can go with us,” Penny announced.</p> +<p>Without giving her father an opportunity to +change his mind, she hurried to the garage for +her roadster. At the rooming house on Sixty-fifth +Street, the landlady, a stout woman with +a tired, lined face, admitted her.</p> +<p>“Miss Winters has the attic room,” she informed. +“Five flights up.”</p> +<p>At the top of the last flight Penny paused to +<span class="pb" id="Page_32">[32]</span> +catch her breath before rapping on Rosanna’s +door. The orphan was a trifle startled at seeing +her.</p> +<p>“Do come in,” she said cordially.</p> +<p>The room was oppressive and warm, although +the tiny windows were open wide. A bed, a +chest of drawers, two chairs and a cracked +mirror composed the entire furniture.</p> +<p>“I don’t expect to stay here long,” Rosanna +said apologetically. “I thought it would do +until I found work.”</p> +<p>“Why, of course,” Penny agreed instantly. +“Did you have any luck today?”</p> +<p>Rosanna shook her head and sank wearily +down upon the bed.</p> +<p>“No, everywhere I went it was the same old +story. I’m beginning to think I’ll never find +employment.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps you’ll not need it if you come into +an inheritance,” Penny smiled. “Rosanna, I’ve +found a way for you to get to Raven Ridge.”</p> +<p>The orphan’s face brightened but for a full +minute after Penny had explained the plan, she +sat silent.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_33">[33]</div> +<p>“Don’t you want to go?” Penny asked, perplexed.</p> +<p>“Yes, of course I do. It isn’t that. You’ve +been so good and kind to me. I’ll never be able +to repay you for your trouble and expense.”</p> +<p>“Nonsense! The trip will be more fun if you +go along, Rosanna. Besides, I have an overwhelming +curiosity to see Raven Ridge and +your uncle’s estate. Please say you’ll go.”</p> +<p>“All right, I will,” Rosanna gave in.</p> +<p>“Good. Father and I will stop for you tomorrow. +I must get back home now and start +packing.”</p> +<p>Penny clattered down the creaking, narrow +stairway and disappeared into the night.</p> +<p>Although the trip was only a short one, and +at the longest would occupy less than a week’s +time, Penny spent many hours planning her +wardrobe. She packed an evening gown, several +afternoon frocks, and sports clothes. Then, +reflecting that Rosanna would not be so well +fixed, she hung the garments back in the closet, +substituting her plainest dresses.</p> +<p>“There, that will be much better,” she +<span class="pb" id="Page_34">[34]</span> +decided. “A wise traveler goes light anyway.”</p> +<p>At three o’clock the following afternoon, +Penny and her father stopped at Rosanna’s +rooming house to pick up the orphan. She was +waiting on the porch, and as Penny had thought, +confined her luggage to one overnight bag.</p> +<p>At first the road to Mt. Ashland wound +through fertile valleys and low hills. Gradually, +they climbed. The curves became more frequent. +Tall pines bordered the roadside.</p> +<p>Six o’clock found the party well into the +mountains, although still some miles from their +destination. Noticing a pleasant little inn at the +top of a ridge, they stopped for dinner which +was served on the veranda overlooking a beautiful +valley.</p> +<p>“I wonder if Raven Ridge will be as pretty +as this?” Rosanna mused.</p> +<p>“It’s even more beautiful,” Mr. Nichols told +her. “The scenery is very impressive.”</p> +<p>Before they arose from the table it was growing +dusk for they had lingered to watch the +sunset.</p> +<p>“It’s just as well that I wired ahead for hotel +<span class="pb" id="Page_35">[35]</span> +reservations,” Mr. Nichols remarked as they +hurried to the parked car. “Getting in after +dark it wouldn’t be so pleasant to find all the +rooms taken.”</p> +<p>At exactly nine o’clock the twinkling lights +of the Mt. Ashland Hotel were sighted, and a +few minutes later the automobile drew up in +front of the large white rambling building. An +attendant took the car and they all went inside.</p> +<p>“I doubt if you’ll get rooms here tonight, +sir,” a bellboy told the detective as he carried +the luggage to the main desk. “There’s been a +big rush of guests this week-end.”</p> +<p>Mr. Nichols was not disturbed. At the desk +he merely gave the clerk his name, claiming the +two rooms which he had reserved by wire.</p> +<p>“We saved two very fine rooms for you,” the +clerk returned politely. “Both overlook the +valley.”</p> +<p>While Mr. Nichols signed the register, Penny +and Rosanna sat down nearby. Their attention +was drawn to the main entrance. A large touring +car had pulled up to the door. A pompous +looking woman of middle age and a younger +<span class="pb" id="Page_36">[36]</span> +woman, evidently her daughter, had alighted. +Both were elegantly if somewhat conspicuously +dressed. Several suitcases, hat boxes and miscellaneous +packages were unloaded. The older +woman carried a fat lapdog in her arms.</p> +<p>“They seem to have brought everything but +the bird cage,” Penny said in an undertone.</p> +<p>The two women walked up to the desk.</p> +<p>“I am Mrs. Everett Leeds,” the one with the +dog announced a trifle too loudly. “I have a +reservation.”</p> +<p>“Just a minute please,” the clerk requested.</p> +<p>It seemed to Penny that he looked disturbed +as he thumbed through his cards.</p> +<p>“There is no occasion for delay,” Mrs. Leeds +declared blandly. “My daughter and I always +engage the same room—305.”</p> +<p>“Why, that was the number of one of the +rooms assigned to my party,” Mr. Nichols observed.</p> +<p>“There’s been some mix-up,” the clerk said +in distress. He turned again to the two women. +“Your reservation isn’t on file, Mrs. Leeds. +When did you send the wire?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_37">[37]</div> +<p>“I reserved the room by letter,” the woman +informed him coldly.</p> +<p>“It was never received here I am sure.”</p> +<p>“No doubt the letter was lost.”</p> +<p>“You are certain it was sent?”</p> +<p>“Of course I am,” Mrs. Leeds declared icily. +“My daughter mailed it. Didn’t you, Alicia, +my dear?”</p> +<p>A queer expression passed over the girl’s face. +It struck Penny that she probably had forgotten +to post the letter. However, Alicia staunchly +maintained that she had.</p> +<p>“It’s most provoking that you have misplaced +the reservation,” Mrs. Leeds said irritably to +the clerk. “But of course we can have the +room?”</p> +<p>“I am afraid that is impossible, Mrs. Leeds. +The room you wanted was reserved for two +young ladies.” With a nod of his head the clerk +indicated Penny and Rosanna.</p> +<p>Mrs. Leeds and her daughter turned to stare +somewhat haughtily.</p> +<p>“What other room can you give us then?” the +woman demanded angrily.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_38">[38]</div> +<p>The clerk cast Mr. Nichols a despairing +glance. He knew he was in for trouble.</p> +<p>“Practically everything is taken, Mrs. Leeds. +In fact the only available room is on the top +floor.”</p> +<p>“And you expect us to take that?” Mrs. Leeds +cried, her voice rising until everyone in the +lobby could hear. “I never heard of such outrageous +treatment. Call the manager!”</p> +<p>Penny had risen to her feet. She moved +quickly forward.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Why, of course,” Rosanna agreed. “It +doesn’t matter to me where I sleep.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_39">[39]</div> +<p>“I know, but I didn’t see any sense in making +such a fuss over a room, Dad. Besides, it’s only +for one night.”</p> +<p>“I’d insist that you girls take my room if it had +a double bed.”</p> +<p>Penny shook her head.</p> +<p>“No, you came here for a rest. Rosanna and +I really won’t mind.”</p> +<p>The three entered the elevator and a minute +later Mrs. Leeds and her daughter likewise +stepped into the lift.</p> +<p>“I hope you girls will not find it uncomfortable +on the top floor,” Mrs. Leeds remarked, +trying to make pleasant conversation.</p> +<p>“It isn’t very warm tonight,” Penny returned +politely. “Besides, it will only be for one night. +We’re going on to Raven Ridge in the morning.”</p> +<p>The elevator was whizzing them upward.</p> +<p>“Did you say Raven Ridge?” Mrs. Leeds questioned +sharply.</p> +<p>“Yes.”</p> +<p>A queer expression had come into Mrs. Leeds +sharp, blue eyes. She seemed on the verge of +<span class="pb" id="Page_40">[40]</span> +speaking, then apparently changed her mind.</p> +<p>The elevator stopped at the third floor. +Without a word, the woman urged her daughter +out the door, following her down the hall.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_41">[41]</div> +<h2 id="c4"><span class="small">CHAPTER IV</span> +<br />A Face at the Window</h2> +<p>The little room on the top floor of the +hotel was as hot and unpleasant as Mr. +Nichols had predicted. Even with all +the windows open wide the air still seemed +close.</p> +<p>“Rosanna, I shouldn’t have forced you into +this,” Penny said apologetically.</p> +<p>“I’ve slept in far worse places than this,” +Rosanna laughed. “We have a comfortable +bed and a private bath. I didn’t fare half so +well at Mrs. Bridges.”</p> +<p>“You’re a good sport anyway, Rosanna. +That’s more than could be said for Mrs. Leeds +or her daughter.”</p> +<p>“I wonder how old the girl is? She looked +about our age.”</p> +<p>“I’d guess she was two or three years older,” +Penny returned. “She had so much paint on it +was hard to tell.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_42">[42]</div> +<p>Both girls were tired from the long day’s drive. +Rosanna immediately began to undress. Penny +sat on the edge of the bed, thoughtfully staring +into space.</p> +<p>“Did it strike you as queer the way Mrs. Leeds +acted when I mentioned we were going to Raven +Ridge tomorrow?” she questioned her companion.</p> +<p>Rosanna kicked off her slippers before replying.</p> +<p>“Well, come to think of it, she did look a little +startled. She put on such a scene downstairs +that I didn’t pay much attention.”</p> +<p>“We’ll probably never see her again.” With +a shrug of her slim shoulders Penny arose and +began to unpack her overnight bag.</p> +<p>According to the plan which they had worked +out with Mr. Nichols, the girls expected to leave +for Raven Ridge the next morning directly after +breakfast. It was their intention to motor to +the mountain resort, inspect the Winters’ property +and see if they could learn anything concerning +Rosanna’s uncle. They intended to return +either the next night or the one following.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_43">[43]</div> +<p>Few guests were abroad when the detective +joined the girls at breakfast. It was only a little +after seven o’clock.</p> +<p>“Sleep well?” he inquired, looking over the +menu.</p> +<p>“Not very,” Penny admitted truthfully. She +might have added more had not Mrs. Leeds and +her daughter entered the dining room at that +moment. The two bowed slightly and selected +a table in the opposite corner of the room.</p> +<p>“Social climbers,” Mr. Nichols said in an +undertone. “I can tell their type a mile away.”</p> +<p>Breakfast finished, the girls prepared to leave +for Raven Ridge. Their bags were already +packed and downstairs.</p> +<p>“Now drive cautiously over the mountain +roads,” the detective warned as he accompanied +the girls to the waiting car. “If you can’t get +back by evening send me a wire.”</p> +<p>As Penny took her place at the steering +wheel she observed that Mrs. Leeds’ automobile +had been brought to the hotel entrance by an +attendant. Apparently, she too was making an +early morning departure.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_44">[44]</div> +<p>“You’re not listening to a word I am saying!” +Mr. Nichols said severely.</p> +<p>“Yes, I am.” Penny’s attention came back +to the conversation. “I’ll drive carefully and +deliver your precious car back to you without +a scratch.”</p> +<p>“I wasn’t exactly worried about the car.”</p> +<p>“Well, there’s no need to be uneasy about +Rosanna or me. We’ll have no trouble.”</p> +<p>With a laugh of careless confidence, Penny +started the car and drove slowly away. It was +not the first time she had driven over mountainous +roads. She handled the wheel exceptionally +well and used due caution on all of the +sharp curves. The brakes were good but she +dared not apply them too steadily on the steep +inclines.</p> +<p>“We’ll have to rush if we get back to Mt. +Ashland this evening,” Penny announced, slowing +down to read a signpost. “I declare, a mountain +mile seems to be three times the length of +an ordinary mile.”</p> +<p>They had gone only a short distance farther +when a tire went down. Penny knew it instantly +<span class="pb" id="Page_45">[45]</span> +by the feel of the steering wheel. She +pulled off at the side of the road.</p> +<p>“Now we are in it,” she said in deep disgust. +“At least ten miles from a garage. I can change +wheels on my own car, but I doubt if I can on +Dad’s automobile.”</p> +<p>The girls waited for a few minutes hoping +that someone would come along to help. When +no one did, Penny dragged out the tools, and +after considerable trouble succeeded in jacking +up the rear axle.</p> +<p>“I see a car coming,” Rosanna reported hopefully.</p> +<p>“Let’s flag it,” Penny suggested. “I could do +with a little masculine help.”</p> +<p>In response to her signal of distress, the approaching +automobile slowed down. The +driver was a man and there were no passengers.</p> +<p>“He’s stopping,” Penny said in relief.</p> +<p>There was a screech of brakes as the automobile +came almost to a standstill. Then surprisingly, +it speeded up again. But not before +Penny had caught a fleeting glimpse of the +driver’s face.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_46">[46]</div> +<p>“Well, of all things!” Rosanna exclaimed indignantly. +“I call that a mean trick.”</p> +<p>“I believe he was afraid to stop,” Penny announced +excitedly. “I think I recognized him. +It was the same man who stole the ring from +Bresham’s Department Store!”</p> +<p>“Are you sure?” Rosanna demanded incredulously.</p> +<p>“I couldn’t be absolutely certain, of course. +He was traveling too fast for me to catch more +than a passing glimpse of his face. But if he +didn’t recognize us, why did he slow down and +then speed up?”</p> +<p>“He did act suspiciously. But what can we +do about it?”</p> +<p>“Nothing, I’m afraid. We may as well devote +our energies to this wheel.”</p> +<p>Rosanna was more than eager to help but she +had never even seen a tire changed and had no +idea how to go about it. After a little annoying +experimentation, Penny got the wheel in place +and tightened the lugs.</p> +<p>“There, it’s done,” she said in relief, “but +my dress is a mess. I’m afraid we’ll have to stop +<span class="pb" id="Page_47">[47]</span> +at the first garage and have the old wheel fixed, +for I don’t carry another spare.”</p> +<p>A signpost at the next bend in the road advised +them that Simpson’s Garage was located +only six miles away. They made it in a few +minutes. There was no town, only a post office, +one general store, and the garage which obviously +was a remodeled blacksmith shop.</p> +<p>“I’m glad it’s nothing more than a tire which +needs repairing,” Penny commented as the garageman +came to learn what they wanted.</p> +<p>He promised that the tire would be ready in +half an hour. Glancing at her wrist watch, +Penny saw that it was already past lunch time. +She inquired if there was a cafe nearby.</p> +<p>“Not in Hamilton, there ain’t,” the garageman +told her. “Ma Stevens, across the street in +the big white house, serves meals to tourists now +and then.”</p> +<p>Rather than spend an unpleasant half hour +in the garage, the girls walked over to the rambling +white house. They were reassured to see +that the yard was well kept and that everything +appeared orderly and clean.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_48">[48]</div> +<p>“Let’s take a chance on the food,” Penny decided. +“I’m hungry enough to eat a fried +board!”</p> +<p>Mrs. Stevens, a motherly looking woman in +a blue checked gingham dress, opened the door. +She looked slightly troubled at their request for +food.</p> +<p>“It’s later than I usually serve,” she explained. +Then noticing their disappointed faces, she +added hastily: “But if you’re not too particular, +I can find you something.”</p> +<p>The “something” consisted of a generous +platter of mountain trout, fresh from the stream +and fried to a golden brown, French fried potatoes, +a salad, and cherry pie.</p> +<p>“Dear me, after such a meal, we may not be +able to get to Raven Ridge,” Penny remarked, +finishing her second piece of pie. “I never ate +so much in my life.”</p> +<p>“Did you say you were going to Raven +Ridge?” Mrs. Stevens inquired.</p> +<p>“Yes, we’re waiting now to have a tire +patched.”</p> +<p>“You’re the second party through here today +<span class="pb" id="Page_49">[49]</span> +that’s heading for Raven Ridge,” Mrs. Stevens +informed. “A man stopped for lunch about an +hour ago. Only he thought it wasn’t cooked +well enough for him.”</p> +<p>“He must have been particular,” Penny commented. +“What did he look like?”</p> +<p>“He was tall and dark and he had a sharp way +of watching one.”</p> +<p>“I wonder if it could have been that man who +passed us on the road?” Penny mused. “Was +he driving a gray coupé?”</p> +<p>“Yes, I believe he was.”</p> +<p>Penny was convinced that the man Mrs. +Stevens described was the same person who had +declined to help her on the road. She wondered +what business took him to Raven Ridge. Could +she have been mistaken in believing him to be +the thief who had stolen the diamond ring?</p> +<p>Paying for the luncheon, the girls went back +to the garage. The tire was ready for them. +Soon they were on their way again.</p> +<p>They had driven for perhaps an hour when +Penny observed that the road seemed to be leading +them out of the mountains. She began to +<span class="pb" id="Page_50">[50]</span> +wonder if they had taken a wrong turn. She +stopped at the next filling station to inquire. +To her dismay, she was told that she had traveled +nearly twenty miles out of her way.</p> +<p>“I thought this didn’t seem like the right +road,” 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.”</p> +<p>“I’ve put you to a great deal of trouble,” Rosanna +said regretfully.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“It looks as if we may have rain,” Rosanna +commented.</p> +<p>“A great deal of it, I’d judge. Those clouds +are black as ink.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_51">[51]</div> +<p>In less than half an hour the storm struck +them in full force. A great gust of wind dashed +huge drops of water against the windshield, +there was a vivid flash of lightning, then the rain +came down in steady sheets.</p> +<p>Even with the wiper going Penny could see +only a few feet ahead of the windshield. She +pulled up under a huge oak tree at the side of +the road. The girls waited a quarter of an hour +and still the rain fell in torrents. At length, +however, it slackened slightly, and not wishing +to lose any more time, Penny cautiously drove +on.</p> +<p>“It can’t last much longer,” Rosanna said +optimistically.</p> +<p>Despite her hopeful words, the rain showed +no sign of stopping. Penny reconciled herself +to a slow pace for the remainder of the journey. +She was beginning to grow tired. Her back and +arms ached and it was a strain to keep such close +watch of the road.</p> +<p>With the sun hidden from view, night came +on early. Nervous at the thought of driving +over unfamiliar mountain roads after dark, the +<span class="pb" id="Page_52">[52]</span> +girls did not stop for dinner. Nine o’clock, in +a pouring rain, found them drawn up at a filling +station to inquire how much farther it was +to Raven Ridge.</p> +<p>“Why, you’re practically there now,” the attendant +informed. “What place are you looking +for?”</p> +<p>“The Jacob Winters’ estate,” Penny replied.</p> +<p>“Then keep on this road for about two miles +more. When you come to the top of the ridge, +take the gravel road to the left. It will lead you +to the house. There’s no one there though, unless +maybe a caretaker.”</p> +<p>“Oh,” Penny murmured, “then perhaps you +can direct us to a place where we can spend the +night.”</p> +<p>“The nearest is at the town of Andover, five +miles beyond the Winters’ place.”</p> +<p>The girls thanked the man for his assistance, +and once more followed the winding road up +the mountainside.</p> +<p>“Shall we go on to Andover or stop at +the Winters’ house?” Penny asked her companion.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_53">[53]</div> +<p>“I don’t know what to do,” Rosanna faltered. +“We’re both so tired.”</p> +<p>“The place surely must have a caretaker, +Rosanna. Let’s take a chance and stop.”</p> +<p>At the top of the ridge they watched for the +gravel road and were elated to find it. The entrance +was barred by a white gate. Rosanna +stepped out in the rain to open it.</p> +<p>“This may have been a foolish thing to do,” +Penny admitted as they drove between tall rows +of whispering pines. “We could have gone on +to Andover only I dreaded driving down the +mountainside with slippery roads.”</p> +<p>Rosanna huddled closer to her friend. The +road was dark and the rustling of the wind in +the pine needles made her uneasy.</p> +<p>Soon they came within view of the house. +It was built of native stone, half hidden by the +luxuriant growth of shrubbery and trees which +surrounded it. No lights gleamed in the windows.</p> +<p>“There’s no one here,” Rosanna declared.</p> +<p>“Let’s knock anyway. The caretaker may be +at the rear somewhere.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_54">[54]</div> +<p>They parked the car as close to the front door +as possible and made a dash for the porch. +Penny knocked several times on the massive +door but there was no response.</p> +<p>“We might try your key, Rosanna,” she proposed. +“If it fits I’ll begin to think there’s something +to that mysterious letter you received.”</p> +<p>Rosanna groped in her pocketbook for the +key. Impatient for action, Penny turned the +handle of the door. To her astonishment the +latch clicked.</p> +<p>“Why, the door is already unlocked, Rosanna!”</p> +<p>“But of course we won’t dare go in.”</p> +<p>“Why not?”</p> +<p>“Well, it doesn’t seem right. The people may +not be at home.”</p> +<p>“Someone must be around or the door +wouldn’t be unlocked. Besides, you have a key, +Rosanna. And according to the letter, this is +your inheritance.”</p> +<p>Penny swung wide the door. She peered inside +but could see nothing. Her hand groped +for the electric switch. She found the button +<span class="pb" id="Page_55">[55]</span> +by the door and pressed it. Instantly everything +was flooded with light.</p> +<p>The girls found themselves in a long, narrow +living room. The ceiling was beamed, the +furniture was rustic, and a great fireplace occupied +one end of the wall.</p> +<p>Penny crossed over to the hearth. There was +no fire but logs were in readiness to make one.</p> +<p>“I don’t feel right about coming in here,” +Rosanna said nervously.</p> +<p>“Nonsense, if it’s your property you’re not +trespassing,” Penny insisted. “Besides, it looks +to me as if you were expected, for everything +seems in readiness for guests. I’m going to +build a fire and see if I can’t thaw out my chilled +bones.”</p> +<p>Reluctantly, Rosanna went to help her. Soon +they had a roaring fire in the hearth. As they +grew more comfortable they took more interest +in their surroundings. The room was plainly +but expensively furnished. Curious objects +from many lands occupied the tables and bric-a-brac +shelves.</p> +<p>“Your uncle must have lived an interesting +<span class="pb" id="Page_56">[56]</span> +life,” Penny commented, picking up a tiny ivory +box from a nearby stand.</p> +<p>“Yes, Mother often told me——”</p> +<p>Rosanna’s voice broke in the midst of the +sentence. Turning, Penny saw that her friend’s +eyes were fastened upon the window. All color +had drained from Rosanna’s face. Her eyes +were dilated with fear.</p> +<p>“What is it?” Penny demanded.</p> +<p>Rosanna clutched her hand.</p> +<p>“I saw someone just then,” she whispered. +“A man’s face at the window!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_57">[57]</div> +<h2 id="c5"><span class="small">CHAPTER V</span> +<br />The Lost Key</h2> +<p>Penny turned quickly toward the window. +She saw nothing save the rain trickling +down the panes.</p> +<p>“You must have imagined it, Rosanna.”</p> +<p>“No, I didn’t. I know I saw a face.”</p> +<p>Rosanna huddled close to Penny. She was +afraid.</p> +<p>“I’ll go and look out,” Penny proposed daringly.</p> +<p>Before Rosanna could stop her she moved to +the door and flung it open. A man in oilskins +confronted her. His face was half hidden +by the felt hat which he wore low over his +eyes.</p> +<p>“What do you want?” Penny asked nervously.</p> +<p>Without answering, the man stepped into the +room. Under the electric light he did not look +as terrifying as he had at first glance. Penny +saw when he swept off his dripping hat that he +<span class="pb" id="Page_58">[58]</span> +was an elderly man although spry for his years. +She felt slightly reassured.</p> +<p>“I came to find out what you mean by entering +Mr. Winters’ house when he’s away?” the +man demanded curtly. “Don’t stand there staring +like a blind owl! Answer.”</p> +<p>Rosanna had completely lost her power of +speech, so Penny tried to explain the situation. +She told how they had been caught by the storm +and mentioned Rosanna’s key and letter which +gave her right to investigate the property.</p> +<p>“So you’re old Jacob Winters’ niece?” the man +questioned gruffly, peering intently at Rosanna. +“At least that’s what you say.”</p> +<p>“Of course he’s my uncle, although I never +saw him,” Rosanna defended. “I can prove it +by my letter.”</p> +<p>“Probably wrote it yourself,” the man +snapped. “But let’s see it anyway.”</p> +<p>“Just a minute,” Penny interposed, feeling +that it was time the newcomer answered a few +questions of his own. “Are you the caretaker +of this house?”</p> +<p>“Yes, and no. I’m a neighbor of Mr. Winters +<span class="pb" id="Page_59">[59]</span> +and he asked me to keep an eye on his house +while he was away. I saw the light in the windows +and came to see what was wrong.”</p> +<p>“My uncle is dead,” Rosanna said quietly. +“I have inherited the estate.”</p> +<p>“Jacob Winters dead!” the man exploded. +“Why, I had a card from him last week. Mailed +from some place down in Africa. Let me see +that letter you claim to have.”</p> +<p>Rosanna opened her pocketbook and searched +for it. A troubled look came over her face. She +was certain she had placed both the letter and +the key in the inside compartment. Now she +could find neither.</p> +<p>“So you haven’t got it?” the man said suspiciously.</p> +<p>“I must have it somewhere. I can’t imagine +how I misplaced it. You remember the letter +don’t you, Penny?”</p> +<p>“Of course. You had it in your pocketbook +the last time I saw it. We’re telling you the +absolute truth Mr.——”</p> +<p>“Caleb Eckert,” he supplied. “If you didn’t +have a key how did you get into the house?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_60">[60]</div> +<p>“Why, the door was open—that is, it was unlocked,” +Penny explained.</p> +<p>Caleb Eckert peered at her sharply as if trying +to make up his mind if she were speaking the +truth. Rosanna, who by this time had emptied +her purse out upon the table, was growing more +upset every minute.</p> +<p>“Oh, let’s leave this house, Penny,” she burst +out. “I’ve lost the letter and the key and so +we’ve no right to be here at all. I didn’t mean +to trespass. I wish we’d never have come at all. +That letter has caused me so much grief.”</p> +<p>Rosanna looked as if she might cry at any moment. +Caleb Eckert softened.</p> +<p>“Now, I wouldn’t want you to go out into +this storm. As far as I’m concerned you may stay +here for the night.”</p> +<p>“We don’t care to intrude,” Rosanna said +stiffly.</p> +<p>“It isn’t safe to go down the mountain in this +rain,” the man declared, adopting a more +friendly tone. “Now don’t be offended by the +way I acted. My bark is worse than my bite.”</p> +<p>“We can’t blame you for being suspicious,” +<span class="pb" id="Page_61">[61]</span> +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.”</p> +<p>Caleb Eckert’s eyes roved to the crackling fire, +then to the splattered windows.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“But if Mr. Winters is alive we have no right +to use this house,” Rosanna protested weakly.</p> +<p>“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. Have you had supper?”</p> +<p>The girls admitted that they had not had any +food since lunch time. Caleb led them to the +kitchen, showing them where canned goods were +stored.</p> +<p>“If you’re handy with a can opener there’s +no need to starve,” he declared.</p> +<p>The girls thanked him for his trouble. Rosanna +timidly ventured a few questions concerning +her uncle.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_62">[62]</div> +<p>“Did you never see him?” Caleb asked.</p> +<p>“No, once I wrote him a letter but he never +answered. I’ve heard Uncle Jacob was very eccentric.”</p> +<p>“Some might call him that. 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 <i>is</i> dead, +you’ll come into possession of some valuable +things.”</p> +<p>“I hope that nothing has happened to him,” +Rosanna said sincerely. “I don’t really care for +riches. All I want is a home.”</p> +<p>“Jacob Winters never liked girls.”</p> +<p>“I know,” Rosanna sighed. “I guess that’s +why he never answered my letter.”</p> +<p>“You counted a lot on the inheritance, didn’t +you?” Caleb questioned shrewdly.</p> +<p>Rosanna flushed but did not deny the accusation.</p> +<p>“I thought that it might make my future more +secure,” she acknowledged. “Since Mother died +I’ve battered around from one rooming house +<span class="pb" id="Page_63">[63]</span> +to another. But even if I don’t come into the +inheritance, I’ll be glad that my uncle is still +alive.”</p> +<p>“I don’t know that he is,” Caleb Eckert said +hastily. “He was alive when he sent that postcard +from Africa. Since then we’ve had no +word from him here at Raven Ridge.”</p> +<p>While the girls prepared food for themselves, +Caleb sat by the kitchen stove watching. He +showed them how to start a fire in the range +but would not partake of supper when it was +cooked.</p> +<p>“Had mine four hours ago. I’ll show you +where you can sleep and be getting on home.”</p> +<p>“Do you live near here?” Penny asked +curiously.</p> +<p>“Not far. If the rain would let up you could +see my cabin through the dining room window. +It’s perched on the edge of the cliff, overlooking +Lake Chippewa.”</p> +<p>Rosanna remarked that the scenery around +Raven Ridge must be beautiful.</p> +<p>“’Tis,” Caleb agreed enthusiastically. +“You’ll have to walk down to the lake in the +<span class="pb" id="Page_64">[64]</span> +morning. There are some mighty pretty trails +to follow too.”</p> +<p>“If we have time before we go, we’ll surely +explore,” Penny promised.</p> +<p>Caleb conducted them upstairs, opening the +door of one of the bedrooms. It was stuffy and +dusty but otherwise ready for occupancy. +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.</p> +<p>“I guess you can make out here for one night,” +Caleb said.</p> +<p>“We’ll be very comfortable,” Penny assured +him.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“Oh, yes, there was something I forgot to +mention. If you hear queer noises in the night +don’t be upset.”</p> +<p>“Queer noises?” Penny echoed.</p> +<p>Caleb nodded soberly.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_65">[65]</div> +<p>“Folks around here claim the house is haunted +but I never took stock in such stories myself. I +just thought I’d warn you.”</p> +<p>And before the girls could recover from their +astonishment, he firmly closed the door, disappearing +into the rain.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_66">[66]</div> +<h2 id="c6"><span class="small">CHAPTER VI</span> +<br />Midnight Visitors</h2> +<p>“I wish,” Rosanna commented emphatically, +“that I had never brought you to this +queer old house.”</p> +<p>Penny laughed as she went over to the fireplace +and dropped on another stick of wood. +She stood watching the sparks fly up the +chimney.</p> +<p>“I think Caleb Eckert was only trying to be +funny when he warned us of ghosts,” she declared. +“At any rate, I’m too tired and sleepy to +care much whether the place is haunted or not.”</p> +<p>“It’s a good night to sleep,” Rosanna admitted, +going to the window. “I believe the +storm is getting worse.”</p> +<p>Rain pounded steadily upon the roof and the +wind was rising. It whistled weirdly around the +corners of the house. The tall maple trees +which shaded the front porch bent and twisted +and snapped.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_67">[67]</div> +<p>For a time the girls sat before the fire. Presently +Penny suggested that they retire.</p> +<p>“I don’t believe I can sleep a wink tonight,” +Rosanna protested. “Even though Caleb Eckert +said it was all right for us to stay here, I don’t +feel entirely easy about it.”</p> +<p>“I don’t see why not,” Penny protested as +they mounted the creaking stairs to their bedroom. +“According to the letter, you’ve inherited +the house. And you have a key.”</p> +<p>“I had a key you mean. I can’t understand +how or where I lost it.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>The upstairs room was damp and chilly. The +girls hurriedly prepared to retire. Penny put +up the window, snapped out the light and made +<span class="pb" id="Page_68">[68]</span> +a great running leap which landed her in bed.</p> +<p>“Listen to the wind howl,” she murmured, +snuggling drowsily into her pillow. “Just the +night for ghosts to be abroad.”</p> +<p>“Don’t!” Rosanna shivered, gripping her +friend’s hand. “I can almost imagine that someone +is coming up the stairway now! I’m afraid +of this lonely old house.”</p> +<p>“I won’t let any mean old ghost get you,” +Penny chuckled teasingly. “I love stormy +nights.”</p> +<p>Rosanna lay awake long after her companion +had fallen asleep. She listened restlessly to the +crash of the tree branches against the roof, the +creaking of old timbers and boards. But the +steady beat of rain on the windowpanes had a +soothing effect upon tense nerves. Presently +she dozed.</p> +<p>Suddenly she found herself wide awake. She +sat upright in bed, straining to hear. She was +convinced that some unusual sound had aroused +her.</p> +<p>Then she heard it again. A peculiar pounding +noise downstairs.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_69">[69]</div> +<p>She clutched Penny by the arm.</p> +<p>“What is it?” the latter muttered drowsily.</p> +<p>“Wake up! I think someone is trying to +break into the house!”</p> +<p>As the words penetrated Penny’s consciousness, +she became instantly alert. She too sat up, +listening. Someone was pounding on the front +door.</p> +<p>“What shall we do?” Rosanna whispered in +terror.</p> +<p>Penny sprang from bed and snapped on the +light. “I’m going to dress and go down. It may +be Caleb Eckert.”</p> +<p>“Or a ghost,” Rosanna chattered. “If you’re +going down, so am I.”</p> +<p>With the appearance of a light in the bedroom, +the clanging on the door increased in +violence. Penny, who was dressing as rapidly +as she could, began to grow irritated.</p> +<p>“Are they trying to break down the door?” +she grumbled. “I should think whoever it is +would know we’re hurrying.”</p> +<p>Without delaying to lace up her shoes, she +ran down the stairs, Rosanna close at her elbow. +<span class="pb" id="Page_70">[70]</span> +Before snapping on the living room lights the +girls peered out the window.</p> +<p>Slightly reassured by the appearance of the +midnight visitors, they cautiously unbolted the +front door.</p> +<p>Mrs. Everett Leeds and her daughter Alicia, +swept into the room. Both were bedraggled and +obviously out of sorts.</p> +<p>Mrs. Leeds shook the rain from her cape, +flung her wet hat into the nearest chair, and then +coldly surveyed the two girls.</p> +<p>“What are you doing here, may I ask?” she +inquired.</p> +<p>“We <i>were</i> sleeping,” Penny smiled.</p> +<p>“I mean, what are you doing in this house?”</p> +<p>“It seems to belong to Rosanna,” Penny said +evenly. “She inherited it from her uncle, Jacob +Winters.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Leeds’ expression was difficult to interpret. +For an instant she looked stunned. But +she quickly recovered her poise.</p> +<p>“Nonsense!” she said shortly. “This house +belongs to me. Jacob Winters was my cousin. +He died recently, leaving me everything. I have +<span class="pb" id="Page_71">[71]</span> +a letter and key to prove it. Naturally I couldn’t +use my key to get into the house for you had it +bolted from the inside.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Leeds looked accusingly at the girls as +she offered the letter to Penny. A casual glance +assured the girls that it was identical with the +one Rosanna had received and lost.</p> +<p>“It’s too late to go into this tonight,” Penny +protested. “Let’s discuss it in the morning.”</p> +<p>“Very well,” Mrs. Leeds agreed coldly. +“Where are we to sleep?”</p> +<p>Penny informed her that there were several +empty bedrooms upstairs. She led the way to +the upper floor. Opening the door of one of +the rooms, she was surprised to see that it was +not as well furnished as the bedroom which she +and Rosanna shared. Mrs. Leeds uttered an +exclamation of disgust.</p> +<p>“Surely you don’t expect me to sleep here, +Miss Nichols. The room is dirty. Positively +filthy.”</p> +<p>“Look at that long cobweb hanging from the +ceiling!” Alicia added indignantly. “I’d have +hysterics if I slept here.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_72">[72]</div> +<p>“Perhaps the adjoining room is better,” +Penny commented.</p> +<p>An inspection revealed that if anything it was +even more neglected.</p> +<p>“I’m afraid you’ll just have to make the best +of it for tonight,” Penny declared, “unless you +care to drive on to the next town.”</p> +<p>“We’ll stay,” Mrs. Leeds decided instantly. +“I’d prefer to sit up all night, rather than brave +those horrible mountain roads again.”</p> +<p>“We slipped into a ditch coming here,” Alicia +informed. “That’s what made us so late. We’ve +had a terrible time.”</p> +<p>In a closet at the end of the hall, Penny and +Rosanna found blankets and linen. As they +made up the beds, neither Mrs. Leeds nor her +daughter offered to assist. It was after one +o’clock when the girls went back to their own +room.</p> +<p>“Mrs. Leeds means to make trouble about the +inheritance,” Penny remarked in an undertone +as they snapped out the light once more. “I +wonder if by any chance she could have picked +up your letter and key?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_73">[73]</div> +<p>“Oh, I doubt it,” Rosanna returned. “I remember +when we were at Mt. Ashland she +dropped the hint that she was going to Raven +Ridge. At least, she acted strangely when we +mentioned the place.”</p> +<p>“Yes, she did. I had forgotten for the moment. +Oh well, in the morning we’ll learn +exactly what she intends to do.”</p> +<p>Penny rolled over and soon was sleeping +soundly. Toward morning she awoke to hear a +clock somewhere in the house chiming four. +At first she thought nothing of it, then it occurred +to her that no one had wound any of the +timepieces the previous evening. While she +was musing over such an odd happening her +keen ears detected the sound of soft footsteps +in the long hall outside.</p> +<p>“It’s probably Mrs. Leeds or her daughter,” +she reasoned.</p> +<p>The sounds persisted. At length Penny +quietly arose and tiptoed to the door. She +looked out into the dark hall. No one was +within sight. Mrs. Leeds’ door was closed.</p> +<p>Penny went back to bed, taking care not to +<span class="pb" id="Page_74">[74]</span> +awaken Rosanna. Scarcely had she pulled the +blankets up than the soft pad of footsteps could +be heard again.</p> +<p>“I hope it isn’t that ghost Caleb warned us +about,” she thought uneasily. “Oh, bother! I +know there aren’t any ghosts!”</p> +<p>Penny closed her eyes and tried to sleep but +found it quite impossible. Even after the noise +in the hall ceased she caught herself listening for +the footsteps. At a quarter to seven she dressed +and stole downstairs to see what she could find +for breakfast.</p> +<p>At eight o’clock when Rosanna came into the +kitchen, Penny had coffee, cereal and crisp bacon +ready.</p> +<p>“The larder seems very well supplied,” she +informed cheerfully. “Someone left milk on +our doorstep too. I imagine it must have been +Caleb.”</p> +<p>“I’m hungry enough to eat anything,” Rosanna +declared. “Shall I call Mrs. Leeds and +Alicia?”</p> +<p>“Yes, do, although I don’t know how they’ll +take to my cooking.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_75">[75]</div> +<p>Rosanna went upstairs to rap on Mrs. Leeds’ +door. She returned a minute later, reporting +that neither of the guests would be down for +breakfast.</p> +<p>“They were quite put out at being disturbed +so early,” she told Penny ruefully.</p> +<p>“We’ll let them get their own breakfasts then. +Come on, we’ll have ours anyway.”</p> +<p>Penny had learned to cook very well under +the tutelage of Mrs. Gallup. She had done remarkably +well with the meager supplies at her +disposal and Rosanna declared that the breakfast +was excellent.</p> +<p>The girls had finished the dishes and were +stacking them away when Alicia came down +the stairs.</p> +<p>“Mother and I will take our breakfast now,” +she informed.</p> +<p>Rosanna started toward the kitchen, but +Penny neatly blocked the way.</p> +<p>“Sorry,” she said cheerfully, “but we’ve just +finished ours. You’ll find supplies in the +kitchen.”</p> +<p>Alicia started to reply but without waiting +<span class="pb" id="Page_76">[76]</span> +to hear what she might have to say, Penny and +Rosanna went out the back door.</p> +<p>“While she cools off we may as well look over +the grounds,” Penny laughed. “If Mrs. Leeds +and Alicia expect to get along with me, they’ll +have to learn that this household is going to +operate on a cafeteria basis.”</p> +<p>From the rear door a sandstone path led down +a steep incline to the brow of a high cliff. A +river wound its way directly below, emptying +into a crystal blue lake. Deep in the pine woods, +some distance from the path, a cabin could be +seen. The girls decided that it must belong +to Caleb Eckert.</p> +<p>While they were admiring the rugged scenery, +someone came up behind them. They wheeled +about to face Caleb himself.</p> +<p>“Well, well, you both look bright and gay this +morning,” he greeted heartily. “Sleep well?”</p> +<p>“Quite well,” Rosanna told him shyly. “That +is, we did until the visitors arrived.”</p> +<p>“Visitors?”</p> +<p>Rosanna explained about Mrs. Leeds and +her daughter while Penny added omitted details. +<span class="pb" id="Page_77">[77]</span> +For some reason they both were beginning +to feel that Caleb was their ally.</p> +<p>“All this talk about letters and keys and inheritances +certainly has me puzzled,” he proclaimed, +shaking his head. “It’s hard to believe +that Jacob Winters is dead. I think I’ll walk +back to the house with you and have a little talk +with Mrs. Leeds.”</p> +<p>“Did you leave milk at our doorstep this +morning?” Penny questioned as they returned +together.</p> +<p>Caleb admitted that he had placed it there.</p> +<p>“You’ve been very kind,” Rosanna said gratefully. +“I want to thank you before we leave.”</p> +<p>“You’re not aiming to leave today?” Caleb +asked quickly.</p> +<p>“Well, yes, I imagine we will. I don’t feel +right about staying here.”</p> +<p>Caleb lowered his voice. “Take my advice, +Miss Winters, and don’t leave while that other +woman and her daughter are here. From what +you’ve told me, I think they mean to grab the +property.”</p> +<p>“But what can I do?” Rosanna asked helplessly. +<span class="pb" id="Page_78">[78]</span> +“I’ve lost my letter and the key. I +haven’t any proof that the property was left to +me.”</p> +<p>“Maybe this Leeds woman hasn’t any proof +that it was left to her either,” Caleb said sagely. +“Anyway, we’ll find out what she has to say.”</p> +<p>At first, Mrs. Leeds, accosted in the living +room of the old house, had little comment to +make. She was out of sorts from lack of sleep +the previous night, and the breakfast which she +and Alicia had endeavored to cook had not been +a success. Nor was she impressed with Caleb +who wore high boots, an old pair of dirty +trousers and a crumpled felt hat.</p> +<p>“I don’t see why I should discuss my business +affairs with you,” she said aloofly. “I have inherited +this property from my cousin and I +mean to remain here in possession of it indefinitely +if necessary.”</p> +<p>“May I see the letter which you say you received?” +Caleb inquired.</p> +<p>Mrs. Leeds hesitated, then reluctantly handed +it over. Caleb studied it briefly and returned it.</p> +<p>“You will require more than this as evidence +<span class="pb" id="Page_79">[79]</span> +of Mr. Winters’ death,” he said quietly. “For +all I know, you may have forged this letter.”</p> +<p>“Preposterous!” Mrs. Leeds snapped. “I refuse +to discuss the matter with you further. I +shall send for my attorney and he will straighten +out everything.”</p> +<p>“Not without the will, he can’t,” Caleb returned +grimly. “And there’s no telling what +became of it.”</p> +<p>“The will?” Mrs. Leeds caught him up. “Are +you sure there was a will?”</p> +<p>“Mr. Winters told me once that he had made +one and hidden it somewhere in the house.”</p> +<p>“Then of course it can be found.”</p> +<p>“Mr. Winters wouldn’t want anyone prying +around in his private papers,” Caleb insisted. +“Until I have definite word that he is dead, I +can’t let anyone hunt for it.”</p> +<p>“I shouldn’t call searching for the will exactly +prying!” Mrs. Leeds retorted indignantly. +“What right have you to say what is to be done +here? Are you the caretaker?”</p> +<p>“Well, not exactly, but Mr. Winters asked me +to look after things until he got back.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_80">[80]</div> +<p>“That will must be found.”</p> +<p>Caleb’s face tightened. “Mrs. Leeds,” he +said severely, “I repeat, things in this house must +not be disturbed.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Leeds drew herself up proudly. “Unquestionably, +the will leaves everything to me.”</p> +<p>“That may be,” Caleb acknowledged, “but +this girl here has a claim too.” He indicated +Rosanna.</p> +<p>Mrs. Leeds froze her with a glance. Her eyes +snapped like brands of fire as she listened to +Rosanna’s account of the letter and key. But +a look of relief, which was not lost upon either +of the girls, came over her face as she learned +that they had been misplaced.</p> +<p>“The story sounds ridiculous to me,” Mrs. +Leeds declared coldly. “If you can’t produce +the letter or the key, what proof have you that +you actually are Jacob Winters’ niece?”</p> +<p>“I could get evidence within a few days,” +Rosanna declared. “The letter and key may +show up too.”</p> +<p>“I think perhaps you dropped them in the +car,” Penny interrupted. “Let’s look now.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_81">[81]</div> +<p>Leaving Mrs. Leeds and Caleb embroiled in +another argument, they went outside where the +automobile had been parked near the house. +A careful search of the flooring and pockets of +the car did not reveal the missing letter or key. +Rosanna was completely discouraged.</p> +<p>“Do you think Mrs. Leeds could have picked +it up?” she asked gloomily.</p> +<p>“I don’t see how,” Penny returned thoughtfully. +“But there’s one thing certain. She intends +to make trouble. You surely don’t intend +to go away from here while she and her daughter +are camped in the house?”</p> +<p>“What else can we do?”</p> +<p>“Send a wire to Dad that we’re staying on a +day or two,” Penny answered instantly.</p> +<p>“But won’t that inconvenience both of you?”</p> +<p>“No, I suspect Dad will be grateful for the +rest and as for myself, I’d enjoy seeing this thing +through.”</p> +<p>It required little urging to convince Rosanna +of the wisdom of remaining on the scene. She +had taken an immediate dislike to Mrs. Leeds +and her daughter, and agreed with Penny that +<span class="pb" id="Page_82">[82]</span> +they were determined to claim more than a +rightful share of the inheritance.</p> +<p>Once the girls arrived at a decision they lost +no time in driving to the nearest town where +Penny dispatched a message to her father. +Noticing an inviting looking restaurant, they ate +lunch before motoring back to the Winters’ +mansion. It was nearly two o’clock when they +reached the Ridge again.</p> +<p>An unfamiliar car stood on the driveway. +Penny was certain it did not belong to Mrs. +Leeds for her mud-splattered sedan was parked +some distance away.</p> +<p>“It looks like more visitors,” she commented +as they crossed the veranda together.</p> +<p>At the doorway both girls involuntarily +paused. Mrs. Leeds was engaged in conversation +with a stranger.</p> +<p>For an instant Penny and Rosanna stood and +stared. It was the same man who had refused +them help on the road.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_83">[83]</div> +<h2 id="c7"><span class="small">CHAPTER VII</span> +<br />“Ghost” Music</h2> +<p>As Penny and Rosanna entered the living +room, the stranger turned to face them. +For a long moment Penny was convinced +that he was the shoplifter who had stolen +the diamond ring from the Belton City department +store. His build was the same and the +general lines of his face were similar. Then the +man spoke and she was not certain at all. The +tone of his voice was entirely different as was +his abrupt manner of speaking.</p> +<p>A trifle nervously, or so it seemed to Penny, +Caleb Eckert introduced the stranger.</p> +<p>“Max Laponi,” he said. “He represents himself +as a nephew of Jacob Winters.”</p> +<p>“Not only do I represent myself as such, but I +have proof that I am Uncle Jacob’s nephew,” +the stranger retorted. “You’ll find my credentials +in order. I’ve come to take over the +estate.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_84">[84]</div> +<p>The girls were not greatly surprised when he +took from his pocket a letter similar to the one +which Mrs. Leeds had produced. They were +more impressed with the other papers which he +offered for Caleb’s inspection—a birth certificate, +a letter of identification from a well +known Chicago banker and various legal documents.</p> +<p>“It looks to me as if someone has played a +joke on all you folks,” Caleb said slowly. “We +don’t know that Mr. Winters is even dead.”</p> +<p>“Oh, yes, we do,” Max Laponi insisted, producing +another letter. “This came from my +attorney this morning. It definitely states that +Mr. Winters—Uncle Jacob—was buried at sea.”</p> +<p>Caleb sank down in a chair. He scarcely +read the letter although his face had turned an +ashen hue.</p> +<p>“I can’t believe it even now,” he murmured. +“There must be some mistake.”</p> +<p>“There’s no mistake,” Max cut in sharply. +“It’s clear enough that I am the heir too. By +the way, didn’t the old man have a valuable collection +of ivories?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_85">[85]</div> +<p>Caleb stiffened visibly. “Ivories?” he asked +blankly.</p> +<p>“Sure, some pieces he collected years ago on +his tours. Read about it in the paper.”</p> +<p>“Oh, so you read about it?” Caleb echoed +significantly.</p> +<p>“Uncle Jacob told me about the collection +too. He always intended me to have it.”</p> +<p>“Then you should know where to find it,” +Caleb retorted bluntly. “I’m sure I don’t.”</p> +<p>With that he turned and walked to the door. +There he paused to fling over his shoulder:</p> +<p>“I wash my hands of the whole matter. You +folks will have to fight it out among you.”</p> +<p>Mrs. 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.</p> +<p>“Such a mad house!” Penny exclaimed, taking +a deep breath. “I have to keep pinching +myself to believe it’s real!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_86">[86]</div> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps he isn’t dead,” Penny suggested.</p> +<p>Rosanna stared. “What makes you think +that? Didn’t Mr. Laponi have proof of it?”</p> +<p>“He seemed to have proof of everything,” +Penny admitted with a rueful laugh. “That’s +what makes me suspicious. There’s something +strange about this entire affair.”</p> +<p>“I agree with you there.”</p> +<p>“I’m convinced of one thing, Rosanna. +Either Mrs. Leeds or this man Laponi is an impostor. +At first I thought Laponi was the same +person who stole the ring. Now I can’t be +sure.”</p> +<p>Rosanna did not believe that the two were +identical although she admitted there was a close +resemblance. However, she was quite willing +to agree that the man seemed like an impostor +despite his credentials.</p> +<p>“He may have picked up that letter and key +you lost,” Penny went on, thinking aloud. “And +<span class="pb" id="Page_87">[87]</span> +there was something rather sinister in the way +he mentioned the collection of ivories.”</p> +<p>“I noticed that. Caleb seemed disturbed.”</p> +<p>“It wouldn’t surprise me if he knows where +Mr. Winters kept the collection,” Penny continued. +“At any rate, he’s wise to pretend +ignorance. With such a mad lot of people in +the house, anything might happen.”</p> +<p>Noticing a nearby path which led to a spring +house, the girls followed it, drinking of the cool +mountain water. They sat down on a bench +which afforded a view of the tall chalk-like cliffs. +After a time they felt soothed and tranquil again. +They presently walked back to the house.</p> +<p>Max Laponi was nowhere to be seen although +Alicia told them that he was busy moving his +things into one of the upstairs bedrooms.</p> +<p>“Mother’s worried since he came,” the girl +confided, growing more friendly. “They had a +dreadful quarrel. Now she’s hunting for the +will.”</p> +<p>“But Caleb Eckert warned her not to do +that,” Penny protested.</p> +<p>“That old meddler has nothing to do with +<span class="pb" id="Page_88">[88]</span> +this place,” Alicia declared with a toss of her +head. “I hope he minds his own business and +stays away.”</p> +<p>The girls found Mrs. Leeds in the library. +She was going through the drawers of the desk +in systematic fashion, tossing papers carelessly +on the floor. One drawer was locked. She +shook it viciously.</p> +<p>“Like as not Jacob Winters’ will is locked up +in there,” she said irritably. “I’m half a notion +to break into it.”</p> +<p>“Oh, you mustn’t do that,” Rosanna cried indignantly, +before she could check herself.</p> +<p>“And why shouldn’t I?” Mrs. Leeds demanded +tartly. “Jacob Winters is dead isn’t he? And +his will must be found. I suppose you’re afraid +to have the document come to light for fear +you’ll be cut off completely.”</p> +<p>Rosanna’s cheeks flushed.</p> +<p>“I never thought of such a thing, Mrs. Leeds. +I think it’s disgraceful the way everyone is acting +about the property!”</p> +<p>Before Mrs. Leeds could reply, she ran from +the room. Penny loyally followed, joining Rosanna +<span class="pb" id="Page_89">[89]</span> +in the bedroom which they shared. She +found the orphan in tears.</p> +<p>“Forget it,” Penny advised kindly. “Mrs. +Leeds is so intent on getting the money that she +doesn’t realize what she says.”</p> +<p>“I’m sorry I ever came here. I want no part +in this disgraceful grab for Uncle Jacob’s +money.”</p> +<p>“I know how you feel,” Penny agreed, “but +let’s stay a day or two. I’m curious to learn just +what is going on here.”</p> +<p>In truth, she was completely baffled. It was +difficult for her to make up her mind whether +or not the entire arrangement was a hoax. +Somehow she had distrusted Laponi’s credentials. +She distrusted him too.</p> +<p>“I don’t believe he could be a nephew of Jacob +Winters,” she thought. “I wish there was some +way to trace down his past.”</p> +<p>It was clear to Penny that Rosanna would +never defend her claim to the inheritance. Unless +she personally took a hand in the affair, Mrs. +Leeds and Max Laponi would ignore the orphan +completely.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_90">[90]</div> +<p>“I’ll let them make the first move,” she decided +shrewdly. “For the time being I’ll play +a waiting game.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“We may as well turn in too,” Penny suggested. +“The mountain air makes one drowsy.”</p> +<p>Both girls were soon sound asleep. However, +sometime later Penny was awakened by the +sound of footsteps in the hall. She thought little +of it, and rolling over, tried to go to sleep again. +Suddenly she heard soft music from above.</p> +<p>She sat up in bed, listening. A strain of a +famous opera resounded through the room, rising +in volume, then falling away. Penny knew +that she was not imagining it. She nudged her +companion who quickly awakened.</p> +<p>“Do you hear the same thing I do?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_91">[91]</div> +<p>Rosanna clutched the sheets more tightly +about her.</p> +<p>“Ghost music,” she whispered in awe.</p> +<p>“It sounds like pipe organ music coming from +a long distance away,” Penny whispered. “I’m +going to find out!”</p> +<p>Before Rosanna could prevent it, she stole +from bed and swiftly tiptoed to the door.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_92">[92]</div> +<h2 id="c8"><span class="small">CHAPTER VIII</span> +<br />The Ivory Collection</h2> +<p>Penny quietly opened the bedroom door, +peering out into the long dark hall. She +could hear the music distinctly. It seemed +to be coming from almost directly overhead.</p> +<p>By this time, Rosanna, overcoming her fear, +crept beside her friend. They huddled together, +listening.</p> +<p>“It’s an organ. I’m sure of it,” Penny whispered. +“But where can it be hidden?”</p> +<p>“I’m afraid of this place,” Rosanna chattered. +“Let’s lock the bedroom door and leave in the +morning.”</p> +<p>Penny made no response. For that matter +she did not even hear for she was intent upon +trying to localize the sound of the music. Never +inclined to be superstitious, she had no thought +that the old house was haunted. She felt certain +that the ghost-like music was man made.</p> +<p>“This house must have a third floor or an +<span class="pb" id="Page_93">[93]</span> +attic,” she declared softly. “Let’s see if we can +find our way up.”</p> +<p>“Never!”</p> +<p>“Then I’m going alone.”</p> +<p>Penny started off down the hall. Rosanna +hesitated, and then, unable to watch her friend +walk into danger alone, hurriedly followed. +Halfway down the hall she reached for the electric +switch but Penny caught her hand before +she could turn on the light.</p> +<p>“Don’t! It would give warning that we’re +coming.”</p> +<p>Groping about in the dark the girls went +past Mrs. Leeds’ bedroom and the one occupied +by the stranger. Penny noted that the doors of +both were tightly closed. At the end of the hall +she found still another door. Gently she turned +the handle and opened it. A steep flight of +stairs led upward.</p> +<p>“Oh, please, let’s not go up,” Rosanna +pleaded, trembling.</p> +<p>“You stay here,” Penny said in a whisper. “If +anything goes wrong, let out a cry for help.”</p> +<p>The mysterious music had ceased for the moment. +<span class="pb" id="Page_94">[94]</span> +Penny waited until it began again, and +then, following the sound, crept noiselessly up +the stairs leaving Rosanna on guard below.</p> +<p>At the top of the last step Penny paused to +listen again. Actually, she was not as courageous +as she had pretended. She could hear her own +heart pounding.</p> +<p>It was so dark on the third floor that at first +she could distinguish nothing. The music had +increased in volume and Penny was more sure +than ever that it came from a hidden pipe +organ.</p> +<p>As her eyes focused better she found herself +standing upon a small landing from which +branched two closed doors. After a slight hesitation +she tiptoed to the nearest one and opened +it a tiny crack.</p> +<p>Although no sound had betrayed her, the +music from within ended with a discordant +crash. Startled, Penny allowed the door to swing +wide. She started forward, and suddenly +tripped. Until that moment her nerve had held +steady. But as she stumbled and fell she uttered +a shrill cry of terror.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_95">[95]</div> +<p>Rosanna, fearing the worst, came running up +the stairs.</p> +<p>“Penny! Penny! Are you hurt?”</p> +<p>Reassured by her friend’s voice, Penny +scrambled to her feet and met Rosanna at the +door.</p> +<p>“I’m all right,” she said shakily. “But I’ve +done enough investigating for one night!”</p> +<p>“What frightened you so?”</p> +<p>“I’ll tell you later.”</p> +<p>They lost no time in returning to the lower +floor. Down the hall, Mrs. Leeds’ door had +opened. A light flashed on.</p> +<p>“What is going on here?” Mrs. Leeds demanded, +emerging into the hallway. “Such a +house I never saw! First it’s music—then a +scream! It’s enough to send one into hysterics.”</p> +<p>Penny and Rosanna could not refrain from +smiling, for Mrs. Leeds looked ridiculous in her +curlers which were sticking out from her head +at all angles. Before they could answer, Alicia +joined her mother.</p> +<p>“I should think you could go to your room +and let folks sleep!” she said irritably. “You’ve +<span class="pb" id="Page_96">[96]</span> +been running up and down the hall all night.”</p> +<p>“You’re wrong there,” Penny returned. +“This is the first time Rosanna or I have stirred +from our room. We got up to investigate the +mysterious music.”</p> +<p>“Then you heard it too?” Mrs. Leeds breathed +in awe. “I thought perhaps I had imagined that +part of it.”</p> +<p>“No, you heard music all right,” Penny told +her grimly.</p> +<p>“It isn’t—you don’t think the house is +haunted?” Alicia stammered nervously. “That +old man—what’s his name—was trying to tell us +about someone having died in a room on the +upper floor!”</p> +<p>“Well, the music seemed to come from the +third floor,” Penny informed, relishing the effect +which her words produced. “As for the scream, +I can account for that. I tripped and fell. Now +I think we may as well all go back to bed. +There’s been so much commotion that I rather +judge our ‘ghost’ has been frightened away for +the time being.”</p> +<p>“I can’t sleep a wink after all this has happened,” +<span class="pb" id="Page_97">[97]</span> +Mrs. Leeds declared. “I shall sit up +until morning.”</p> +<p>“As you wish,” Penny said indifferently. “I’m +going to bed.”</p> +<p>As she walked down the hall to her own room +she glanced rather sharply at the door of Max +Laponi’s room. It was still tightly closed.</p> +<p>“Our friend appears to be a sound sleeper,” +she remarked to Rosanna.</p> +<p>In the privacy of their bedroom, Rosanna demanded +to know exactly what had happened.</p> +<p>“Well, I didn’t see much,” Penny admitted. +“But I did learn one interesting thing. There’s +a pipe organ installed in this house. I might +have discovered who was playing it too only I +tripped over a rope which had been strung up +in front of the door.”</p> +<p>“Placed there deliberately, you think?”</p> +<p>“Of course. It startled me so that I let out +that wild yell. I don’t care to do any more investigating +tonight, but in the morning I mean +to have a good look at that room upstairs.”</p> +<p>“You have more nerve than I,” Rosanna declared +admiringly.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_98">[98]</div> +<p>Penny carefully locked the outside door before +turning out the light. It was twenty +minutes after twelve by her wrist watch.</p> +<p>“I shouldn’t call it nerve exactly,” she replied +thoughtfully, climbing into bed. “The truth +is, I’m a little afraid, Rosanna.”</p> +<p>“Then why do you go up there again?”</p> +<p>“Oh, I don’t mean that. It isn’t the music +that has me frightened.”</p> +<p>“But what else is there to be afraid of?” Rosanna +persisted.</p> +<p>“It’s just a feeling, I guess,” Penny admitted. +“I can’t explain—only it seems to me that some +sinister plot is brewing in this old house.”</p> +<p>“I have the same sensation,” Rosanna confessed. +“Let’s leave in the morning.”</p> +<p>Penny laughed softly and settled herself more +comfortably in the pillows.</p> +<p>“Never!” she retorted. “I’m the daughter of +a detective you know! This is our own special +mystery case, and unless that ghost gets me first, +I intend to get him!”</p> +<p>With that threat, Penny rolled over and lost +herself in sleep.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_99">[99]</div> +<p>The warm sun was streaming in at the windows +when the girls aroused themselves. They +dressed and went downstairs, finding the house +quite deserted. Apparently Mrs. Leeds, her +daughter and Max Laponi had gone to the village +for breakfast.</p> +<p>“I wish they had vanished for good but there’s +no use hoping that,” Penny commented. “I +doubt if even a ghost could keep Mrs. Leeds +from remaining until the estate is settled.”</p> +<p>The girls cooked their own breakfast, utilizing +supplies which they had purchased at the +nearby town. As they washed the dishes and +stacked them away, Rosanna mentioned again +that she did not feel comfortable about making +such free use of her unknown uncle’s property.</p> +<p>“Perhaps it isn’t just the thing to do,” Penny +acknowledged, “but the situation isn’t a normal +one either. If Mr. Eckert says it is all right +for us to stay on, I don’t think we should +worry.”</p> +<p>“Will it do us any good to remain?” Rosanna +pondered in a troubled tone. “If Mr. Eckert +<span class="pb" id="Page_100">[100]</span> +can’t tell us what became of my uncle, who +could?”</p> +<p>“That’s just the point, Rosanna. I believe he +knows more than he lets on.”</p> +<p>Penny’s gaze wandered to the tiny log cabin +set back in the pine woods. Wisps of thin smoke +curled from the chimney. That meant that +Caleb must be at home.</p> +<p>“Let’s walk down there and talk with him,” +she proposed impulsively. “It’s time he answers +a few of our questions.”</p> +<p>Caleb did not come to the door to answer their +timid knock. Instead he called out a hearty, +“Come in,” which they instantly obeyed.</p> +<p>Caleb was the picture of comfort, sitting +propped back in his chair by the window, puffing +at an old pipe. He arose reluctantly and dusted +off two camp stools for the visitors.</p> +<p>“We thought perhaps you might furnish us +with a little information,” Penny began +pleasantly.</p> +<p>Her eyes roved swiftly about the room. She +noticed the open bookcase with four rows of +well-thumbed volumes. The titles were impressive. +<span class="pb" id="Page_101">[101]</span> +Caleb Eckert, despite his rough appearance, +seemingly had a liking for intellectual +books.</p> +<p>“Well, what is it you want to know?” Caleb +demanded, not unkindly. “I’ve told you before +that I’ll have nothing to do with this muddle +over Mr. Winters’ property.”</p> +<p>“I’ve given up all hope of inheriting any of +the estate,” Rosanna said. “But I should +like to hear about my uncle. What was he +like?”</p> +<p>“Some folks said he was the queerest man on +Snow Mountain. I liked him because he attended +to his own business. He was considered +a remarkable sportsman by some.”</p> +<p>Penny’s eyes traveled to a huge bear skin +which hung on the cabin wall. Caleb followed +her gaze.</p> +<p>“Mr. Winters gave me that skin last year when +he came back from his trip north. A mighty +nice specimen.”</p> +<p>“Do you have a picture of Mr. Winters?” +Penny asked, abruptly changing the subject.</p> +<p>Caleb shook his head. He began to talk about +<span class="pb" id="Page_102">[102]</span> +the bear skin again. Rosanna listened eagerly, +but Penny sensed that the old man was trying +to monopolize the conversation and thus keep +her from asking questions which he did not care +to answer.</p> +<p>When she succeeded in breaking in it was to +bring up the subject of Mr. Winters’ ivory collection. +Caleb seemed reluctant to offer definite +information.</p> +<p>“All I know is that Mr. Winters was supposed +to have one,” he answered. “Folks said it was +worth a fortune and that he had spent years +gathering it.”</p> +<p>“What became of the collection?” Penny inquired +curiously.</p> +<p>“How should I know?” Caleb retorted crossly. +“Seems to me you girls ask a lot of silly questions.”</p> +<p>“We didn’t mean to be inquisitive,” Penny +apologized. “Only it struck me that Max +Laponi has an unusual interest in that collection +of ivory.”</p> +<p>Caleb eyed her strangely. “So you noticed it +too?” he asked.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_103">[103]</div> +<p>Penny nodded. “Perhaps I shouldn’t say it, +but I don’t trust that man, Mr. Eckert. If Mr. +Winters’ collection of ivory is still in the house, +don’t you think it should be removed to a safer +place?”</p> +<p>“That’s what I’d like to do,” Caleb muttered, +looking out the window.</p> +<p>“Then you do know where the ivory collection +is,” Penny tripped him.</p> +<p>Caleb glared at her. “I didn’t say so, did I? +Why should Mr. Winters tell me where he kept +his valuables? Bosh! I tell you I won’t be +mixed up in the muddle. Now go away and +let me sleep!”</p> +<p>Caleb stretched himself out on the couch and +closed his eyes. Thus dismissed, the girls hastily +departed.</p> +<p>“Such a cross old man!” Rosanna exclaimed +when they were out of earshot. “But even +though he is irritable, I rather like him.”</p> +<p>“So do I,” Penny admitted with a laugh. +“You know, I think our questions about the +ivory collection disturbed him more than he +cared to show.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_104">[104]</div> +<p>“He did seem reluctant to tell us anything +about it.”</p> +<p>“We’ll nail him down yet,” Penny declared +grimly as they walked slowly toward the house +on the cliff. “Unless I’m sadly mistaken, that +ivory collection is hidden somewhere on the +premises and he’s scared silly for fear someone +will find it!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_105">[105]</div> +<h2 id="c9"><span class="small">CHAPTER IX</span> +<br />A Scrap of Paper</h2> +<p>Penny and Rosanna entered the house by +the side door. Hearing a murmur of +voices from the direction of the library, +they involuntarily paused to listen.</p> +<p>“If we go into this thing as partners we’re +both bound to profit,” they heard a man say +in an insistent tone. “Think it over and I know +you’ll see how easily it can be accomplished. +Those two girls are nit-wits. They’ll make no +trouble.”</p> +<p>Penny and Rosanna exchanged a startled +glance. They recognized Max Laponi’s voice. +So he was plotting against them! Undoubtedly, +planning to secure complete control of the Winters’ +estate.</p> +<p>“I’m going to find out with whom he is talking,” +Penny whispered.</p> +<p>Before Rosanna could protest, she walked to +the library door and opened it. Mrs. Leeds and +<span class="pb" id="Page_106">[106]</span> +Max Laponi were sitting at the desk, examining +some document which was spread out before +them. As Penny came in, Laponi whisked it +into his pocket.</p> +<p>“Oh, I beg your pardon,” Penny said casually. +“I didn’t mean to interrupt.”</p> +<p>“You aren’t at all, my dear,” Mrs. Leeds said +more graciously than was her custom. “Mr. +Laponi was just showing me a letter from his +sister.”</p> +<p>“Yes, from my sister,” Laponi echoed with a +slight smirk. “She lives in Naples and writes +such interesting letters.”</p> +<p>Penny found it difficult to refrain from smiling. +She pretended to search in the bookcase +for a volume.</p> +<p>“I thought possibly you had discovered the +will,” she remarked mischievously.</p> +<p>“The will! Oh, no!” Mrs. Leeds assured her.</p> +<p>“That is a good joke,” Laponi echoed. “Ha! +Ha! Even a ferret couldn’t find old Jacob Winters’ +will in this house!”</p> +<p>Penny was aware that both Mrs. Leeds and +Max Laponi were watching her shrewdly, trying +<span class="pb" id="Page_107">[107]</span> +to make up their minds if she had overheard +anything. She dared say no more lest she +betray herself. Picking up a book she quietly +withdrew.</p> +<p>“It’s just as I thought,” she told Rosanna when +they were together in their bedroom. “Laponi +is trying to get Mrs. Leeds involved in some +scheme to steal the property. Unless we watch +out, Rosanna, they’ll get everything away from +you.”</p> +<p>“I don’t much care,” 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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“But we can’t prove that, Penny. If only I +hadn’t lost my key and the credentials!”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_108">[108]</div> +<p>Since their arrival at the old house, the girls +had awaited an opportunity to inspect the third +floor, hoping to discover the cause of the mysterious +music which had disturbed the household. +Penny suggested that while Mrs. Leeds +and Laponi were occupied in the library they +might make their tour of investigation. Rosanna +agreed but without enthusiasm. She was +not as venturesome as her companion.</p> +<p>Penny led the way to the third floor landing. +The hall was dark and dusty; cobwebs hung +from the corners of the ceiling.</p> +<p>Penny cast an appraising glance about her. +The doors leading from the hall were all closed. +She was certain that upon her previous visit +one had been slightly ajar.</p> +<p>She reached for the knob and turned it. The +door did not give. It was locked.</p> +<p>“That’s funny,” Penny murmured.</p> +<p>“What is?”</p> +<p>“I’m sure this door was unlocked before.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps it was the other one,” Rosanna suggested.</p> +<p>They moved on down the hall to try the +<span class="pb" id="Page_109">[109]</span> +second door. It too was securely fastened.</p> +<p>“I distinctly recall opening that other door,” +Penny maintained. “I started to go in and +tripped over something. I suspect it was a rope +stretched just inside the door.”</p> +<p>“Well, if we can’t get in I guess we can’t learn +anything,” Rosanna said, somewhat in relief.</p> +<p>Penny made no response. She bent down to +peer through the keyhole.</p> +<p>“See anything?” Rosanna asked.</p> +<p>“Just a big empty room. But there is something +up against the far wall! Rosanna, it’s a +pipe organ!”</p> +<p>After a minute she stepped away that her +friend might see for herself. Rosanna agreed +that the shadowy outline was an organ and a +magnificent one.</p> +<p>“The music came from this room all right,” +Penny said excitedly. “I wish we could get in.”</p> +<p>After trying the door again, the girls returned +to the second floor. As Penny closed the stairway +door she noticed that it had a key. Upon +impulse she turned it in the lock and pocketed +the key with a smile of satisfaction.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_110">[110]</div> +<p>“That should put a stop to the music for a +few nights,” she remarked. “I’ll show that +ghost I can lock a few doors myself!”</p> +<p>As they reached their own bedroom, Rosanna +said that she believed she would lie down for a +half hour. The events of the past few days had +worn her down, both physically and mentally.</p> +<p>“Do,” Penny urged: “A sleep will refresh +you. I think I’ll go downstairs and see if I can +discover what plot is brewing.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>Mrs. Leeds had built up a roaring fire on the +hearth. She held a paper in her hand. Deliberately, +she tore it into a dozen pieces and +dropped them into the flames.</p> +<p>Penny hastily entered the room.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_111">[111]</div> +<p>Mrs. Leeds wheeled, her cheeks flushing. +“How you startled me, Miss Nichols! You +surely have a way of coming in quietly.”</p> +<p>“Sorry,” Penny said, walking over to the +hearth. “How nice to have a fire, although it +is a little warm today.”</p> +<p>“The room seemed damp,” Mrs. Leeds said +nervously. “I was cold. I think I’ll go to my +room and get a sweater.”</p> +<p>The instant Mrs. Leeds had disappeared, +Penny snatched a charred piece of paper from +the hearth. It was the only scrap which had not +been completely consumed by the flames.</p> +<p>Only a few scattered lines with many words +missing were visible. The others were blackened +or torn away.</p> +<p>Penny distinguished a part of the writing: +“Last will and testam— —do bequeath to my +niece, Ro—”</p> +<p>“This must be a portion of Jacob Winters’ +will!” she thought. “Mrs. Leeds probably +found it somewhere in the house and decided to +destroy it because she or her daughter weren’t +mentioned!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_112">[112]</div> +<p>She stared at the word which began Ro——. +The remaining letters had been torn away. Had +Mr. Winters written Rosanna’s name? If only +she had entered the living room a minute earlier +she might have prevented the document from +being destroyed!</p> +<p>In reviewing Mrs. Leeds’ actions during the +past two days, Penny could not doubt that the +woman had actually found the missing will. +Since her arrival at Raven Ridge she had spent +most of her time poking about into odd corners +of the house. The locked drawer of the desk +had annoyed her exceedingly.</p> +<p>“I’ll just take a look and see if it’s still locked,” +Penny thought.</p> +<p>She opened the desk and tried the drawer. +It readily opened.</p> +<p>“Empty,” Penny commented grimly. “Just +as I suspected.”</p> +<p>She examined the lock. It was evident at a +glance that it had been broken by a sharp instrument +and not unlocked with a key.</p> +<p>“The will was hidden in this drawer,” she +mused. “I feel confident of it. And it must +<span class="pb" id="Page_113">[113]</span> +have been drawn up in Rosanna’s favor or Mrs. +Leeds never would have destroyed it.”</p> +<p>Penny closed the desk and carefully placed +the charred bit of paper in her dress pocket. +She was deeply disturbed over the discovery, +realizing that Mrs. Leeds, by destroying the document, +had gained a great advantage. However, +she had no intention of abandoning the fight.</p> +<p>“I’ll keep this strictly to myself,” she decided. +“For the present I’ll not even tell Rosanna. It +would only disappoint her to learn that the will +has been burned.”</p> +<p>Since Mrs. Leeds’ arrival at Raven Ridge, +Penny had done everything in her power to +avoid a break with the arrogant society woman. +She had ignored snubs and many unkind remarks. +Now she felt that if Rosanna’s interests +were to be safeguarded, she no longer could afford +to play a waiting game.</p> +<p>“Mrs. Leeds and Max Laponi have shown +their hand,” she reflected. “They mean to gain +their ends by any possible means. But since +they’re stooping to underhanded tricks, I may +have a few little schemes of my own!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_114">[114]</div> +<p>Penny was unusually silent that evening. +Rosanna noticed it at once but thinking that her +friend was absorbed in her own thoughts, refrained +from questioning her.</p> +<p>At six o’clock the girls motored to Andover +for dinner. To their chagrin, Mrs. Leeds and +her daughter Alicia chanced to select the same +cafe. All during the meal, Penny noticed the +woman’s eyes upon her. As she and Rosanna +arose to leave, Mrs. Leeds hastily followed them.</p> +<p>“Miss Winters, may I speak with you a moment?” +she began coldly.</p> +<p>“Why, yes, of course,” Rosanna responded.</p> +<p>“I mean alone.”</p> +<p>Rosanna hesitated and glanced at Penny. +The latter started to move away.</p> +<p>“No, don’t go,” Rosanna said quickly. “I +am sure that anything Mrs. Leeds may wish to +say to me can be said in front of you.”</p> +<p>“Very well,” Mrs. Leeds returned icily. +“Evidence has reached me today which proves +conclusively that I am Jacob Winters’ sole heir.”</p> +<p>Rosanna took the blow without the quiver +of an eyelash.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_115">[115]</div> +<p>“What evidence, may I ask, Mrs. Leeds?”</p> +<p>“I don’t feel compelled to go into that, Miss +Winters. Certainly not in the presence of +strangers or on the street.”</p> +<p>“Penny isn’t exactly a stranger,” Rosanna +smiled.</p> +<p>“From the first I have been very tolerant, I +think,” Mrs. Leeds went on, ignoring the orphan’s +remark. “By your own admission you +have no credentials—we have only your word +that you are even related to Jacob Winters.”</p> +<p>“I had a letter and key—the same as you,” +Rosanna faltered. “Either I lost them or they +were stolen.”</p> +<p>“And Rosanna happens to be a niece of Mr. +Winters,” Penny added significantly. “I believe +you are only a cousin, Mrs. Leeds?”</p> +<p>The woman eyed her furiously.</p> +<p>“Just what is it that you want me to do?” +Rosanna asked.</p> +<p>“I think you both should leave immediately.”</p> +<p>“And allow you to have everything your +way,” Penny interposed sweetly. “Now +wouldn’t that be nice—for you!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_116">[116]</div> +<p>She took Rosanna by the arm and urged her +toward the car.</p> +<p>“Don’t allow Miss Nichols to poison your +mind!” Mrs. Leeds pleaded, following Rosanna +to the curbing. “Unless you leave immediately +you will receive no part of the fortune. If you +go without making any further trouble, I might +agree to some small settlement. After all, I +mean to be generous.”</p> +<p>“Thanks for telling us,” Penny smiled.</p> +<p>She closed the car door and they drove away.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>“I wonder what evidence she referred to?” +Rosanna mused.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_117">[117]</div> +<p>Penny started to speak, then changed her +mind. Although Mrs. Leeds had no suspicion +that she guessed the truth, she was well aware +of the nature of the new evidence. However, +she refrained from mentioning the burned will, +realizing that Rosanna, in her present depressed +state of mind, would be greatly disturbed by +the information. If the orphan believed that +she no longer had a definite claim to the fortune, +she would insist upon leaving Raven Ridge +without further delay.</p> +<p>Penny did not intend to quit the scene until +she had answered several questions to her satisfaction.</p> +<p>The entire case seemed a trifle fantastic as +she reviewed it. First, Rosanna had received +the strange letter signed by a fictitious name. +Then, although the orphan had lost the key, +they had found the door of the Winters’ mansion +unlocked. Close upon the heels of their +arrival, Mrs. Leeds, her daughter, and Max +Laponi appeared. Since then, the house had +been disturbed by haunting organ music and +one baffling event had crowded upon another.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_118">[118]</div> +<p>“It’s all very bewildering,” Penny reflected. +“But I believe that everything can be fitted together +if only I am able to learn the identity +of the mysterious ghost.”</p> +<p>The night closed in dark and windy. Penny +and Rosanna sat by the fire, trying to read. +They were relieved when Mrs. Leeds and her +daughter retired to their rooms shortly after +eight o’clock for it gave them an opportunity +to talk. At ten o’clock the girls went to their +own room. Max Laponi had not yet returned +from Andover where he took his meals.</p> +<p>Penny was tired and fell asleep almost as +soon as her head touched the pillow. Hours +later she was awakened by Rosanna who was +sitting upright in bed.</p> +<p>“What is it?” Penny mumbled drowsily.</p> +<p>Then she knew. The house reverberated +with the soft chords of a pipe organ.</p> +<p>Without switching on the electric lights, +Penny drew on her dressing gown. She started +toward the door, then returned to grope in the +drawer of the dresser where she found the key +which locked the door leading to the attic floor.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_119">[119]</div> +<p>“What are you going to do?” Rosanna asked +anxiously, drawing the bedclothes closer about +her.</p> +<p>Penny already had gone. Stealing quietly +down the dark hall she reached the end of it +and stood listening. The door leading to the +third floor was closed. She could hear the music +more distinctly than before and knew for a certainty +that it came from above.</p> +<p>She gently tried the door. It was still locked.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_120">[120]</div> +<p>“Well, I won’t learn anything by standing +here,” Penny thought uncomfortably. “I’ll +have to go up there.” Her usual courage was +at low ebb. She dreaded the ordeal.</p> +<p>However, before she could open the stairway +door, a shrill scream echoed down the hall.</p> +<p>Terrified, Penny crouched back against the +wall and waited.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_121">[121]</div> +<h2 id="c10"><span class="small">CHAPTER X</span> +<br />The Wall Safe</h2> +<p>Recovering from her fright, Penny +reached up and snapped on the light. +She heard a door open down the hall. +Mrs. Leeds, a dressing gown clutched about her +unshapely figure, stumbled toward the girl.</p> +<p>“There’s something in my room! It struck +my face while I was sleeping! Oh, oh, such a +horrible house!”</p> +<p>“Control yourself,” Penny advised, taking +her by the arm. “We’ll see what it is.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Leeds jerked away, assuming an attitude +of tense listening. For the first time she had +paid heed to the organ music from above.</p> +<p>“There it is again!” she whispered in awe. +“This house is haunted.”</p> +<p>Rosanna came down the hall, joining the +two at Mrs. Leeds’ door. Alicia huddled nearby, +too frightened to speak a word.</p> +<p>Penny opened the door and groped for the +<span class="pb" id="Page_122">[122]</span> +electric switch. As the room was flooded with +light, she looked quickly about. Everything +was in disorder but that was because Mrs. Leeds +had done no straightening or cleaning since her +arrival.</p> +<p>Suddenly Penny began to laugh.</p> +<p>“Pray what do you find that is so humorous?” +Mrs. Leeds demanded indignantly.</p> +<p>“Bats!” Penny answered, laughing again.</p> +<p>There were four of them blinded by the light, +cowering in the corners of the room. Penny +opened a window and with Rosanna’s help +drove them out into the night.</p> +<p>“They must have come in through an open +window,” she said to Mrs. Leeds.</p> +<p>“I didn’t have a window open,” the woman +retorted. “I can’t bear to sleep in this room +again. Tomorrow I shall move into another. +Come Alicia, we’ll sit up until morning in the +living room.”</p> +<p>Returning to her own room, Penny listened +for the organ music. It had ceased as mysteriously +as it had begun. She glanced curiously +toward the room occupied by Max Laponi. +<span class="pb" id="Page_123">[123]</span> +The door was closed. He alone of the entire +household seemed undisturbed by the strange +things which went on about him.</p> +<p>“I’d like to know if he really is in his room,” +Penny thought.</p> +<p>She hesitated by the door but did not have +the courage to try the knob. After a moment +she followed Rosanna to their bedroom at the +other end of the hall.</p> +<p>Morning found Mrs. Leeds even more upset +than upon the previous night. Her eyes were +bloodshot, her face sallow, her clothes unpressed. +She quarreled with her daughter and +ignored Penny and Rosanna. However, when +Max Laponi came down the stairs looking as +dapper as ever, her attitude instantly changed. +She spoke to him in a softer tone.</p> +<p>“We were beginning to wonder if the ghost +made off with you last night,” she said archly.</p> +<p>“What ghost?”</p> +<p>“You mean to say you didn’t hear the music?”</p> +<p>“Not a sound,” Laponi told her. “I am a +very hard sleeper.”</p> +<p>He seemed disinclined to listen to Mrs. +<span class="pb" id="Page_124">[124]</span> +Leeds’ account of all that had transpired, and +very shortly drove away in his automobile, ostensibly +to have breakfast in a nearby town.</p> +<p>After straightening their room and making +the bed, Rosanna and Penny went for a short +walk. They sat down by the cliff where they +could see the river below, discussing the situation.</p> +<p>“I don’t see that it’s doing a particle of good +to stay here,” Rosanna insisted. “I don’t feel +right about letting you waste so much time and +money.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I’d be glad to stay if I thought it would do +the slightest good—”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_125">[125]</div> +<p>“I think it will Rosanna. I have a scheme +which I intend to try. It will take a few days +before we can work things out.”</p> +<p>Penny then explained a part of what was in +her mind. She was not certain as to all the details +of her plan, but little by little it was taking +shape.</p> +<p>After a time the girls walked down to Caleb +Eckert’s cabin. He was not at home. They +sauntered leisurely back to the house on the +cliff.</p> +<p>Neither Mrs. Leeds’ car nor the one belonging +to Max Laponi was on the driveway.</p> +<p>“I guess we’re the only ones here this morning,” +Penny commented.</p> +<p>They entered by the front door. From the +direction of the living room they heard a muffled +exclamation of impatience. Signaling for +silence, Penny tiptoed toward the velvet curtains +which hid the living room from view. She +parted them.</p> +<p>Caleb Eckert was working at the dials of a +wall safe which had been concealed in a secret +panel behind a large oil painting.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_126">[126]</div> +<p>Although the girls had made no sound, Caleb +sensed their presence. He turned and faced +them.</p> +<p>“Why, Mr. Eckert, doesn’t this call for some +explanation?” Penny asked in bewilderment. +“Surely you have no right to tamper with Mr. +Winters’ safe.”</p> +<p>The old man plainly was embarrassed. He +moistened his lips, looked away, then said +gruffly:</p> +<p>“I didn’t come here to steal. I came because +I wanted to protect Mr. Winters’ valuables. +There’s folks in this house that I don’t trust.”</p> +<p>“But how does it happen you know the combination +of the safe?” Rosanna inquired.</p> +<p>“Mr. Winters gave it to me before he left. +You see, he was my best friend. Jacob trusted +me.”</p> +<p>“He must have,” cut in a sneering voice from +directly behind.</p> +<p>Everyone turned to see Max Laponi standing +in the doorway. His sharp little eyes moved +swiftly about the room taking in everything. +They came to rest upon the wall safe.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_127">[127]</div> +<p>Caleb spun the dials. He hastily pressed a +concealed button and the picture swung back +into place, hiding the safe.</p> +<p>“Neat little device,” Laponi commented +dryly. His eyes narrowed. “Trying to steal +the Winters’ booty, were you?”</p> +<p>“Certainly not,” Caleb retorted angrily.</p> +<p>Laponi caught him roughly by the shoulder, +forcing him back against the wall.</p> +<p>“You know a lot more than you let on,” he +accused. “Tell me, is that where old Winters +hid his ivory collection?”</p> +<p>“I’ll tell you nothing,” Caleb snapped.</p> +<p>“You’ll tell or I’ll—”</p> +<p>“Mr. Laponi, you’re hurting him!” Rosanna +cried.</p> +<p>“Perhaps we should call the police if there’s +to be trouble,” Penny added cunningly.</p> +<p>At the mention of police, Laponi instantly +released his grip on Caleb. He laughed +harshly.</p> +<p>“We’ll let it go this time,” he said, “but I’m +warning you, Eckert, stay away from this house +and this safe if you know what’s good for you.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_128">[128]</div> +<p>“You might take that advice to yourself, too,” +the old man retorted, edging toward the door.</p> +<p>From the window the girls watched him hurry +down the path to his own cabin. His departure +was almost flight. Obviously, Caleb was afraid.</p> +<p>Penny did not know what to believe. An +hour before she would have taken oath that he +was strictly honest, devoted to the interests +of Jacob Winters. Now she could not be +sure.</p> +<p>Max Laponi lingered in the living room. +Suspecting that he intended to investigate the +wall safe the instant he was alone, Penny and +Rosanna settled themselves for a long stay. +They pretended to read.</p> +<p>After an hour, Laponi grew tired of the game, +and went off, grumbling to himself.</p> +<p>“We outlasted him that time,” Penny +chuckled. “However, we’ll have to be on the +lookout or he’ll sneak back sometime when +we’re gone. I wonder if Mr. Winters did leave +his ivory collection in the safe?”</p> +<p>“Laponi seems to think so,” Rosanna commented. +“I’m glad he doesn’t know the combination. +<span class="pb" id="Page_129">[129]</span> +I distrust him even more than I do +Caleb.”</p> +<p>“So do I, but I intend to watch them both,” +Penny responded thoughtfully. “I’m convinced +there’s a deep plot brewing—something far +more sinister than we’ve suspected.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_130">[130]</div> +<h2 id="c11"><span class="small">CHAPTER XI</span> +<br />A Night Adventure</h2> +<p>Since taking leave of Mr. Nichols at Mt. +Ashland, Penny had received no word +from her father. She did not worry actively, +yet it was a great relief when later in +the afternoon a uniformed messenger boy delivered +a telegram into her hand.</p> +<p>“Remain as long as you wish,” her father +wired. “Am enjoying good rest here.”</p> +<p>From an upstairs window Mrs. Leeds had +noted the arrival of the messenger boy. She +came hurrying down to see if the message was +for her. While Penny read the communication, +the woman eyed her suspiciously.</p> +<p>At last her curiosity could no longer be restrained. +She asked carelessly: “I don’t suppose +your wire has anything to do with Jacob Winters +or the estate?”</p> +<p>“Only indirectly,” Penny responded mischievously.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_131">[131]</div> +<p>To avoid further questioning, the girls went +outdoors.</p> +<p>“Let’s see if Caleb is at home,” Penny proposed.</p> +<p>They rapped several times upon the door of +the cabin and were about to turn away, when +the old man opened it.</p> +<p>“Sorry to bother you,” Penny apologized. “I +wanted to ask a few more questions about Mr. +Winters.”</p> +<p>Caleb looked ill at ease. “Questions!” he +fumed. “Well, what is it you want to know this +time?”</p> +<p>“Tell me, isn’t there a pipe organ on the third +floor of Mr. Winters’ house?”</p> +<p>“Certainly. Jacob was a talented musician. +He installed the organ nearly fifteen years ago. +But what of it may I ask?”</p> +<p>“We’d like very much to see the organ.”</p> +<p>“Well, why don’t you look at it then?”</p> +<p>“We can’t because the door is locked.”</p> +<p>“Locked?” Caleb seemed surprised. “That’s +funny. I didn’t know Mr. Winters ever locked +up his conservatory.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_132">[132]</div> +<p>“Then you haven’t a key?” Penny asked.</p> +<p>“Why should I have a key?” Caleb snorted. +“You act as if I’m the caretaker of that house. +It’s nothing to me what goes on there, except +that I don’t like to see folks overrun the place +and steal Mr. Winters’ fine things.”</p> +<p>“You needn’t look at us so accusingly,” Rosanna +said with surprising spirit. “We wouldn’t +take or damage one single thing in that house.”</p> +<p>Caleb’s face softened.</p> +<p>“I didn’t mean to suggest that you would. +I believe you two girls aren’t like those others. +But you were speaking of the organ. Why are +you so interested in it?”</p> +<p>“Because we’ve been hearing music at night,” +Penny informed. “It seems to come from that +room on the third floor.”</p> +<p>Caleb regarded her in awe. “Then it’s true, +the things they say.”</p> +<p>“What things?” Rosanna asked impatiently.</p> +<p>“That the house is haunted. If Mr. Winters +really is dead it may be——”</p> +<p>“Nonsense!” Penny cut in. “Rosanna and I +don’t believe in ghosts. And what’s more, I +<span class="pb" id="Page_133">[133]</span> +doubt if you do, Caleb Eckert! That so-called +ghost is a very live one. If you won’t help me, +I’ll solve the mystery alone!”</p> +<p>And with this declaration, Penny stalked +from the cabin, followed by the faithful Rosanna.</p> +<p>“Perhaps you’ve antagonized him now,” the +latter said as they went back to the house on the +cliff.</p> +<p>“I don’t care if I have! Caleb knows a great +deal more than he pretends. He could help +us if he wanted to!”</p> +<p>No one was stirring on the lower floor of the +Winters’ house when the girls entered. To +Penny it seemed an admirable time to institute +a search of the premises.</p> +<p>“We’ll let Mrs. Leeds hunt for the will,” +Penny declared, “but we’ll look for something +which may prove equally valuable.”</p> +<p>“What?” Rosanna asked curiously.</p> +<p>“A picture of Jacob Winters.”</p> +<p>“I can’t see what good it will do to find one +except that I’d like to have a photo of my uncle +as a keepsake.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_134">[134]</div> +<p>“If my plans work out I’ll have a more important +use for it,” Penny smiled mysteriously.</p> +<p>“I should think we could find one somewhere +in the house,” Rosanna declared. “Most people +have old photographs stuck around in odd +places.”</p> +<p>For nearly an hour the girls poked about +in drawers and clothes closets until Rosanna +protested that she felt as prying and sneaking +as Mrs. Leeds.</p> +<p>“This is in a better cause,” Penny laughed.</p> +<p>“It looks that way to us because it’s my cause,” +Rosanna smiled. “Still, I’d never examine private +papers or locked drawers.”</p> +<p>Penny made no response for in a lower table +drawer she had come upon an old album. She +displayed her discovery and page by page the +girls went through it, laughing a little at the +strange old-fashioned costumes and the stiff +poses of the subjects. Names were written under +a few of the photographs but Rosanna +recognized only one or two as relatives.</p> +<p>“I never knew many of my relation,” she admitted. +<span class="pb" id="Page_135">[135]</span> +“If Mrs. Leeds and her daughter are +samples, perhaps it’s just as well.”</p> +<p>“The people in this album look nice, Rosanna. +I suppose most of them are dead by this +time.”</p> +<p>Penny turned a page and stared blankly +down at an empty folder.</p> +<p>“Why, here is your uncle’s name,” she cried, +indicating a signature at the bottom of the page. +“But the photo is gone!”</p> +<p>“Oh, how disappointing.”</p> +<p>“Someone removed the photo, Rosanna. Perhaps +deliberately too.”</p> +<p>“What makes you think that?”</p> +<p>“I only said it. I have no evidence of course. +Oh, all my plans will be upset if I don’t find the +photograph!”</p> +<p>The arrival of Mrs. Leeds cut short the conversation. +The girls hastily returned the album +to the table drawer but not quickly enough +to avoid being detected. Mrs. Leeds triumphantly +pounced on the leather bound book.</p> +<p>“Only an old-fashioned album,” she said in +disappointment, tossing it aside.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_136">[136]</div> +<p>“Did you think it was the will?” Penny +chuckled as she and Rosanna departed.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“It’s too dangerous,” she insisted. “Please +give up the scheme.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>Evening came. At nine Mrs. Leeds and her +daughter shut themselves into the bedroom +which they had selected since their upsetting +experience with bats. At eleven Penny heard +Max Laponi’s door close.</p> +<p>She looked out into the hall. It was dark and +deserted.</p> +<p>“Please don’t attempt it,” Rosanna shivered. +“What if something should happen?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_137">[137]</div> +<p>“I hope it does,” 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.”</p> +<p>“If anything goes wrong scream for help,” +Rosanna urged. “I’ll run for assistance.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>There she hesitated. Without a light the +region above looked even more dark and awe-inspiring +than she had remembered it.</p> +<p>“Coward!” she accused herself, and quietly +went up, leaving the door unlocked behind her.</p> +<p>All was quiet on the third floor. Penny tried +the door to the conservatory expecting to find +it locked. To her astonishment it opened. The +discovery disconcerted her for an instant. A +minute later she mustered her courage and +stepped inside the room.</p> +<p>In the darkness she could make out objects +only vaguely. The organ with its huge pipes +<span class="pb" id="Page_138">[138]</span> +occupied one end of the room. Sheet-draped +chairs gave everything a ghostly atmosphere not +at all conducive to a peaceful state of mind.</p> +<p>After making a brief inspection of her quarters +Penny sat down on the floor with her back +against the outside door. She riveted her eyes +upon the organ.</p> +<p>Time dragged slowly. When it seemed to +Penny that several hours must have passed, she +heard a clock downstairs striking eleven-thirty.</p> +<p>“At least another half hour to wait,” Penny +thought, shifting into a more comfortable position.</p> +<p>She grew drowsy. Several times she caught +herself on the verge of napping. She aroused +herself only to find her eyes growing heavy +again. It became increasingly difficult to watch +the organ.</p> +<p>“I wish that ghost would hurry up and come,” +she mused impatiently. “Perhaps after all my +trouble this won’t be one of his working nights!”</p> +<p>That was the last thought of which she was +aware. Suddenly she heard soft organ music +rolling and swelling about her. With a start +<span class="pb" id="Page_139">[139]</span> +she aroused herself. She had been sleeping.</p> +<p>It took an instant for Penny to gather her +wits. She was still sitting with her back to the +conservatory door. Yet at the far end of the +great room, she distinctly could see a shadowy +figure seated at the organ.</p> +<p>Penny scrambled to her feet, starting forward. +The floor creaked alarmingly.</p> +<p>Penny halted, but too late. She had given +warning of her presence.</p> +<p>The shadowy figure at the organ jerked into +alert attention. There was a discordant crash +of chords, then silence.</p> +<p>Penny blinked. She thought she had heard +a sharp click as if a secret panel had opened and +closed. That was all.</p> +<p>And the organist had disappeared.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_140">[140]</div> +<h2 id="c12"><span class="small">CHAPTER XII</span> +<br />A Suspicious Act</h2> +<p>Penny caught herself shivering. She decided +that she had seen quite enough for +one night.</p> +<p>She turned toward the door, but with her +hand on the brass knob, stood tensely listening. +Someone was tiptoeing along the hall. It occurred +to her that the mysterious organist +might have escaped from the music room by +means of a secret panel which opened directly +into the adjoining corridor. Even now he could +be effecting his escape to the lower floor.</p> +<p>Crouching against the wall, Penny waited. +She was startled to hear the footsteps coming +closer. Then the door opened a tiny crack and +the beam of a flashlight slowly circled the room.</p> +<p>“Penny!” an anxious voice whispered. +“Where are you?”</p> +<p>Penny laughed in relief as she reached out +to grip Rosanna’s hand.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_141">[141]</div> +<p>“Oh! How you startled me!” the girl gasped. +“I’m so glad you’re safe, Penny. You stayed up +here so long that I was frightened.”</p> +<p>“I had to wait for the ghost.”</p> +<p>“I heard the music,” Rosanna said in awe. +“It broke off so suddenly.”</p> +<p>“That was because I frightened the ghost +away. At first I thought perhaps I had dreamed +it all, but if you heard the music too then it +must have been real.”</p> +<p>“It was real enough. But it lasted only a +minute or two.”</p> +<p>“When the organist saw me I suspect he +slipped out of the room by means of a secret +panel,” Penny reported. “But where he went +is a mystery. You didn’t see anyone as you +came up the stairs to find me?”</p> +<p>“No, I’m sure no one was in the hall, Penny.”</p> +<p>“I’m as certain as anything that this room has +a secret entrance. Give me your flashlight and +we’ll see what we can discover.”</p> +<p>“Not tonight,” Rosanna shivered, pulling her +friend toward the door. “We can come back +in the morning.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_142">[142]</div> +<p>“The room may be locked again then.”</p> +<p>“That’s so.”</p> +<p>“Let’s take advantage of the opportunity +while we have it.”</p> +<p>Rosanna handed over the flashlight and together +they crossed the room to the big organ. +They inspected it with interest and Penny ran +her fingers lightly over the keys. However, no +sound came forth.</p> +<p>“That’s queer,” Rosanna whispered.</p> +<p>“I think someone has to pump air,” Penny +said. “It’s probably shut off.”</p> +<p>She next turned her attention to the walls in +the immediate vicinity of the organ. She could +locate no hidden panel although in one place +it seemed to her that when she rapped on a certain +sector it emitted a hollow sound.</p> +<p>“It’s too dark to see anything tonight,” Rosanna +protested nervously.</p> +<p>“I guess we may as well give it up until morning,” +Penny agreed.</p> +<p>The girls stole quietly down the stairs to the +lower floor. However, an unpleasant surprise +awaited them. As they opened the door into +<span class="pb" id="Page_143">[143]</span> +the main passageway they found themselves +face to face with Mrs. Leeds and Alicia.</p> +<p>“So I find you here again!” the woman exclaimed. +“I suspected before that you girls +were at the bottom of these nightly disturbances. +Now I have the proof.”</p> +<p>Penny was too annoyed to even try to explain +why she had visited the third floor. She would +have ignored the woman and passed on to her +own room had not Rosanna been so distressed +by the ridiculous accusation.</p> +<p>“We’ve had absolutely nothing to do with +the queer things which have been going on in +this house,” the orphan maintained indignantly.</p> +<p>“Then why were you upstairs at this time of +night? Only a minute or two ago Alicia and +I heard music.”</p> +<p>“We were trying to learn what caused it, +Mrs. Leeds.”</p> +<p>“A likely story!” Alicia said with a toss of her +head.</p> +<p>“You may believe it or not, just as you wish,” +Penny returned coldly.</p> +<p>“It seems to me, Miss Nichols, that you are +<span class="pb" id="Page_144">[144]</span> +taking it upon yourself to do entirely too much +investigating,” Mrs. Leeds said cuttingly. +“This isn’t your home and you’re not a relative +of Jacob Winters.”</p> +<p>“And unless I’m sadly mistaken there are +others here who are similarly situated!” Penny +retorted.</p> +<p>“Do you mean to suggest that Alicia and I +are not related to Jacob Winters?”</p> +<p>“I’m not suggesting anything,” Penny replied +evenly. “However, since you brought up the +matter of an investigation, I might ask you about +that paper which I saw you burn in the living +room fireplace.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Leeds’ face changed color and she grew +confused.</p> +<p>“Why, I don’t know what you’re talking +about.”</p> +<p>“You know well enough, but we’ll let it pass +for the time being. Come on, Rosanna.”</p> +<p>The two girls walked down the hall and entered +their own room, closing the door firmly +behind them.</p> +<p>“You held your own with her that time,” Rosanna +<span class="pb" id="Page_145">[145]</span> +chuckled. “My, I wish I could talk up to +people the way you can.”</p> +<p>“I talk entirely too much. But she made me +provoked when she accused us of causing all +the disturbance in this house.”</p> +<p>“What did you mean by asking about a paper +she had burned?” Rosanna asked curiously.</p> +<p>“Oh, I just wanted to throw a scare into her,” +Penny responded evasively as she snapped out +the light and crept into bed. “I really have no +proof of anything.”</p> +<p>Long after Rosanna had fallen asleep she lay +awake thinking. Proof! The word seared itself +into her brain. If only she could secure +some evidence which would aid Rosanna!</p> +<p>“The entire affair seems unreal,” she mused. +“Almost like a movie. 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?”</p> +<p>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. +<span class="pb" id="Page_146">[146]</span> +She feared that the time was fast approaching +when Mrs. Leeds or Max Laponi would make +a legal claim to the Winters’ property.</p> +<p>“The chances are that Mrs. Leeds destroyed +the will,” she reasoned. “In that event, Rosanna +may lose everything.”</p> +<p>Penny felt baffled, yet she was unwilling to +admit defeat. Certainly not until Mrs. Leeds +had thrown all her cards on the table. Events +were fast approaching a crisis. Penny sensed +that from the woman’s attitude of increasing +hostility and assurance.</p> +<p>“I’m not defeated yet,” she thought grimly +as she closed her eyes and tried to sleep. “I still +have a few tricks up my sleeve!”</p> +<p>When Rosanna and Penny descended the +stairs the next morning they heard a murmur +of voices in the library. The door was closed.</p> +<p>“I imagine Laponi and Mrs. Leeds are having +another one of their secret conferences,” Penny +commented. “They’re up to some mischief.”</p> +<p>“Why not leave this place today?” Rosanna +demanded, “I don’t care about the fortune any +more. I’m so tired of all this plotting and +<span class="pb" id="Page_147">[147]</span> +scheming. I’d rather just go away and let them +have it.”</p> +<p>“Now don’t look so distressed,” Penny smiled. +“The battle of wits has only begun.”</p> +<p>“But I don’t like to battle. It isn’t my nature.”</p> +<p>“I’m your appointed gladiator, Rosanna. +You have no idea how much pleasure it would +give me to see these grasping imposters exposed.”</p> +<p>“We haven’t any proof they’re imposters,” +Rosanna said soberly. “After all, they had letters +and keys to the house. I haven’t even that +much.”</p> +<p>“It’s too bad they were lost, but you mustn’t +let it worry you,” Penny chided. “Right now +I’m more concerned over another matter.”</p> +<p>“The mysterious ghost?”</p> +<p>“Yes, although I wasn’t thinking of that at +the moment. It’s Mr. Winters’ photograph. +Who tore it out of the album?”</p> +<p>“For all we know it may have been removed +years ago.”</p> +<p>“Yes, that’s so, but somehow I have a hunch +<span class="pb" id="Page_148">[148]</span> +it disappeared at a far more recent date. If I +don’t find a picture of Jacob Winters, I’m afraid +my little plan will fall through.”</p> +<p>“You haven’t told me much about this secret +plan of yours, Penny.”</p> +<p>“That’s because I haven’t worked it out clearly +in my own mind yet. But unless I find the +photograph there simply won’t be any.”</p> +<p>“We might search the house again.”</p> +<p>“I intend to do that if we can ever find a time +when Mrs. Leeds and Max Laponi are both +gone. Just now I’m eager to make another inspection +of the organ room upstairs. This is +our chance while those two are closeted in the +library.”</p> +<p>Rosanna was not especially anxious to visit +the third floor again, but she offered no objection +to the suggestion. Penny led the way up +the creaking stairs.</p> +<p>The door of the music room was unlocked +as they had left it the previous evening. However, +the window shades were all drawn and the +room was dark. Penny raised the blinds to admit +light.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_149">[149]</div> +<p>Curiously, the girls gazed about them. Everything +was covered with a thick coating of dust +and cobwebs hung in misty veils from the corners +of the room. Penny crossed over to the +organ. She indicated the bench in front of it.</p> +<p>“I guess that proves whether or not our ghost +was real.”</p> +<p>“You mean the imprint on the dusty surface +of the organ bench?” Rosanna asked doubtfully.</p> +<p>“Yes, you can see where the organist sat.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps one of us brushed off the dust without +realizing it. You tried to play a few notes +on the organ, you know.”</p> +<p>“Yes, but I didn’t sit down on the bench, +Rosanna.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“See, Rosanna! The imprint of a man’s +hand!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_150">[150]</div> +<p>The marking upon the wall was so faint that +at first the other girl did not see it. But she +too became excited as Penny pointed it out.</p> +<p>“How do you suppose it came to be there?” +she asked in awe.</p> +<p>“I suspect our friend the organist was groping +about in the dark searching for the secret +panel. No doubt his hand was dusty and when +he pressed it against the wall it left a faint imprint.”</p> +<p>“If you’re right, we have a valuable clue as +to the location of the panel!”</p> +<p>Penny nodded eagerly. Already she was exploring +the wall with her hand.</p> +<p>“It’s funny,” she murmured impatiently. +“I’m as sure as anything that the panel is +here——”</p> +<p>She broke off suddenly as her fingers touched +a tiny round object which was hidden under the +wall paper.</p> +<p>“I believe I’ve found it!” she exclaimed gleefully +pressing the button.</p> +<p>The girls heard a faint click. But the panel +did not open.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_151">[151]</div> +<p>“The stubborn thing!” Penny cried impatiently. +“Why doesn’t it open?”</p> +<p>She pushed with both hands against the section +of wall where she felt convinced the panel +was located. To her own surprise and the horror +of her companion, it suddenly gave way.</p> +<p>Penny plunged headlong through the opening. +And before Rosanna could recover from +the shock of seeing her friend disappear, the +panel fell back into place.</p> +<p>“Penny, Penny,” she cried anxiously, pounding +upon the wall. “Are you hurt?”</p> +<p>For several minutes there was no answer. +Then Rosanna heard a smothered little giggle.</p> +<p>“All my bones are still together I guess. But +I seem to have tumbled down a flight of stairs. +Come on in.”</p> +<p>“I don’t know how to get in. The panel +slammed shut when you fell through.”</p> +<p>“It’s hinged at the top I think. Find the +little button and press on it. Then when you +hear a click push on the panel. Only push easy +or you’ll take a tumble the way I did.”</p> +<p>In a minute Rosanna had located the button. +<span class="pb" id="Page_152">[152]</span> +She pressed upon it as she had seen Penny do. +Then as the lock clicked, she cautiously pushed +against the panel. Light as was her touch the +sector of wall swung instantly back and she +stepped through the opening. So concerned +was she over Penny that she failed to hear the +panel close behind her.</p> +<p>At first Rosanna could see nothing. Then +as her eyes became accustomed to the gloomy +interior she made out a long flight of stone steps +leading downward into inky blackness.</p> +<p>She felt reassured when Penny grasped her +hand.</p> +<p>“Come on, Rosanna! Isn’t it exciting? Let’s +explore!”</p> +<p>“Oh, it’s too dark!” Rosanna whispered +nervously. “What if we should run into that +dreadful man—the organist?”</p> +<p>“Well, perhaps it would be wiser to go back +for a flashlight,” Penny conceded. “Only we +mustn’t let Mrs. Leeds or Max Laponi suspect +what we’re up to. We must keep this discovery +strictly to ourselves.”</p> +<p>She returned to the head of the stairs but +<span class="pb" id="Page_153">[153]</span> +although she groped her hand carefully along +the wall she could find no hidden button or +spring which controlled the panel. By this time +Rosanna had grown frightened.</p> +<p>“Don’t tell me we’re locked in!”</p> +<p>Penny forced herself to speak calmly. She +knew that it would never do to let Rosanna +realize that she too was alarmed.</p> +<p>“For the moment I’m afraid we are,” she admitted +quietly. “But don’t give up hope. +We’ll get out of here somehow.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_154">[154]</div> +<h2 id="c13"><span class="small">CHAPTER XIII</span> +<br />The Secret Stairs</h2> +<p>Ten minutes of unrewarded search convinced +Penny that they were only wasting +their time in attempting to locate the +hidden spring without a light.</p> +<p>“Let’s follow the steps down and see where +they lead,” she suggested. “Surely there must +be another exit.”</p> +<p>Rosanna permitted Penny to lead her down +the steep flight of stairs. They presently +reached the bottom. It was too dark to see very +much but by feeling along the damp stone wall +they discovered that they were in a narrow passageway. +As they moved cautiously forward a +breath of cold air struck Penny’s face.</p> +<p>“This must be the way to the exit,” she declared +cheerfully. “We’ll soon be out of here +now.”</p> +<p>“It can’t be too soon for me,” Rosanna chattered.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_155">[155]</div> +<p>Hand in hand they groped their way along +the subterranean passage. Soon they came to +the end of it but instead of an exit they found +another flight of steps leading downward at a +steep angle.</p> +<p>“Careful or you’ll fall,” Penny warned as they +began the treacherous descent. “Some of the +stones are loose.”</p> +<p>“I wish we had a light,” Rosanna complained. +“Where do you suppose we’re going anyway?”</p> +<p>“Maybe to the center of the earth,” Penny +chuckled. “It seems like it anyway.”</p> +<p>“Unless I’m mixed up in my directions we’re +moving toward the lake.”</p> +<p>“It seems that way to me too,” Penny readily +agreed. “But we’ve twisted and turned so many +times I couldn’t be sure of anything.”</p> +<p>By this time the girls were convinced that they +were underground for they had made a long, +straight descent. The walls were moist and +damp; the air chilly. Yet one thing puzzled +them. If they actually were traveling toward +the lake that meant that the tunnel had been +bored into the side of the cliff. But such a feat +<span class="pb" id="Page_156">[156]</span> +obviously was nothing less than an engineering +enterprise.</p> +<p>At length the girls reached the bottom of the +second flight of stairs only to find themselves in +another passageway. It was much larger than +the other and lighter.</p> +<p>“Do you think we could be in an abandoned +ore mine?” Penny suddenly demanded, pausing +to inspect the walls.</p> +<p>“It does look a little like it. Only I never +heard of stone steps in a mine.”</p> +<p>“No, they have shafts. But it strikes me that +the steps may have been added later, if you +noticed, the upper passage was much smaller +than this one.”</p> +<p>“As if it had been dug out to join with this +one,” Rosanna added eagerly.</p> +<p>“Exactly. It’s my theory that some person +knew about this old mine and decided to connect +it with a smaller tunnel which would lead +up into the house.”</p> +<p>“But who do you suppose conceived such a +plan?”</p> +<p>“I can’t answer that one,” Penny laughed. +<span class="pb" id="Page_157">[157]</span> +“But come on, let’s see if we aren’t approaching +the exit.”</p> +<p>Eagerly they moved forward, guided by the +streak of light. A minute later Penny who was +in the lead, gave a joyous shout.</p> +<p>“We’ve come to the end of it! I can see +trees!”</p> +<p>“Thank goodness,” Rosanna sighed in relief. +“I was afraid we’d never get out alive.”</p> +<p>Penny parted the bushes which barred the +exit and they peered out.</p> +<p>“You were right, Rosanna. We did travel +toward the lake. We’re almost in it for that +matter!”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“I suppose that’s how our ghost makes his +quick get-away,” Penny remarked dryly.</p> +<p>“We might take a ride on the lake,” Rosanna +proposed.</p> +<p>“Don’t you think it might advertise that +we’ve discovered this tunnel? Especially if the +<span class="pb" id="Page_158">[158]</span> +ghost should happen to see us using his boat.”</p> +<p>“Of course, I didn’t stop to think. Oh, Penny +if only we knew the identity of this person who +annoys the household!”</p> +<p>“It shouldn’t be so hard to learn it now,” +Penny declared in satisfaction. “At night we’ll +station ourselves here by the mouth of the +tunnel and watch.”</p> +<p>“It wouldn’t surprise me if it should turn out +to be Max Laponi,” Rosanna remarked. “He +never seems to be in his room at night.”</p> +<p>Penny offered no response.</p> +<p>Fearing that their long absence from the +house might have aroused suspicion, the girls +hurriedly left the scene. They found a trail +which wound along the base of the cliff and +which presently took them toward the house on +the hill.</p> +<p>As they passed the Eckert cabin they saw the +old man cleaning fish by the back door. They +greeted him perfunctorily and would have +walked on had he not seemed in a mood to talk.</p> +<p>“Out early this morning, aren’t you?” he +questioned.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_159">[159]</div> +<p>“Yes, we were down by the lake,” Penny +answered.</p> +<p>“You must have crawled out of bed before +the sun was up. I’ve been cleaning fish here all +morning and I didn’t see you go past.”</p> +<p>“We went around a different way,” Penny +answered, and then before he could ask another +question, interposed one of her own. “By the +way, do you know where I could get a picture +of Jacob Winters?”</p> +<p>Old Caleb dropped his fish knife. It took +him a long time to recover it from the ground.</p> +<p>“What do you want of a picture?” he questioned +gruffly.</p> +<p>“Oh, I just need it,” Penny said evasively.</p> +<p>“I’d like to have one myself,” Rosanna added +sincerely. “I never had a photo of my uncle.”</p> +<p>“If you find he’s cut you out of all his property +I guess you probably won’t be so anxious +to have a picture of the old cod,” Caleb observed.</p> +<p>Rosanna drew herself up proudly.</p> +<p>“It wouldn’t make the slightest difference, +Mr. Eckert. After all, my uncle never saw me +<span class="pb" id="Page_160">[160]</span> +so why should he have left me any of his money? +You say such disagreeable things!”</p> +<p>“I’m a disagreeable old man,” Caleb admitted +cheerfully, “but my bark is worse than my bite.”</p> +<p>“Well, please don’t call my uncle names,” +Rosanna went on with spirit.</p> +<p>“Names?”</p> +<p>“You spoke of Uncle Jacob as an old cod. I +don’t like it a bit.”</p> +<p>Old Caleb was startled by the outburst. But +his eyes twinkled as he replied soberly:</p> +<p>“Well, now, Miss Rosanna, I didn’t mean to +offend you or to speak disrespectfully of Jacob +either. It was just my way of talking.”</p> +<p>“Then I’ll forgive you,” Rosanna smiled.</p> +<p>The girls were on the verge of moving off +when Caleb checked them with a question.</p> +<p>“You haven’t heard Mrs. Leeds or that Laponi +fellow say anything about leaving have you?”</p> +<p>“I don’t believe they intend to go unless +they’re put out,” Penny responded. “I heard +Mrs. Leeds say the other day that she had sent +for her lawyer.”</p> +<p>“They stick tighter than cockle burs,” Caleb +<span class="pb" id="Page_161">[161]</span> +commented. “If only I had the right, I would +send them both packing. Especially that Max +Laponi. I don’t trust him.”</p> +<p>“Neither do I,” Penny agreed promptly. +“That’s why I think you should try to help me +clear up this dreadful muddle.”</p> +<p>“What can I do? I have no authority.”</p> +<p>“It will help if you can find me a photograph +of Mr. Winters.”</p> +<p>Caleb’s face puckered into troubled wrinkles.</p> +<p>“It’s too late,” he muttered under his breath. +“It wouldn’t do any good.”</p> +<p>“What was that you said?” Penny questioned +sharply.</p> +<p>“Nothing. I was just talking to myself. +About the picture. I’ll see what I can do. Don’t +count much on getting it though because I +doubt if I can locate one for you.”</p> +<p>The girls chatted a few minutes longer but +Caleb was not very good company. He responded +briefly if at all to their conversational +sallies and for the most part seemed lost in +thought. They soon left him to his fish cleaning +and went on toward the house.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_162">[162]</div> +<p>“I wonder what got into him all at once?” +Rosanna mused. “Perhaps he was offended at +the way I spoke to him.”</p> +<p>“I don’t think he gave it a second thought,” +Penny responded. “I suspect Caleb rather likes +to have folks talk up to him. No, I’m sure it +wasn’t anything you said that annoyed him. +Likely enough it was my request for Mr. Winters’ +photograph.”</p> +<p>“Why should that bother him?”</p> +<p>“That’s what I’d like to know. Caleb is a +queer one to say the least.”</p> +<p>“Do you think he’ll ever produce the photo?”</p> +<p>Penny laughed shortly.</p> +<p>“It would be a great surprise to me if he did. +And yet from the way he acted, I’m convinced +he could get me one if he chose. Like as not he +has one in his cabin now.”</p> +<p>Penny lapsed into a moody silence. From +the day of her arrival at Raven Ridge she had +sensed old Caleb’s reluctance to help her. +While she could not say that he was exactly unfriendly +he had made no positive move of assistance. +She had believed for a long time that he +<span class="pb" id="Page_163">[163]</span> +knew a great deal more than he would tell regarding +Jacob Winters’ absence.</p> +<p>The girls entered the house by a side door. +They noticed that Mrs. Leeds’ car no longer +stood on the driveway and took it for granted +that she and her daughter had driven to Andover +as was their daily custom.</p> +<p>They glanced casually into the library and +noticed that it was empty. However, Penny’s +keen eyes traveled to the desk. She observed +that the ink bottle had been left uncorked and +that a pen had been removed from its holder.</p> +<p>“I wonder what Mrs. Leeds and Laponi were +up to?” she speculated. “Oh, well, I’ll probably +find out soon enough.”</p> +<p>“I believe I’ll go upstairs for a few minutes,” +Rosanna excused herself. “I haven’t straightened +my things yet this morning.”</p> +<p>Left alone, Penny crossed over to the desk +and examined the paper in the wastebasket. +She looked closely at the blotter, even holding it +to the mirror, but it had been used so many +times that the words which appeared upon it +could not be read. There was not a scrap of +<span class="pb" id="Page_164">[164]</span> +evidence to show what Mrs. Leeds and Max +Laponi had been writing.</p> +<p>In disappointment Penny picked up a book +and sat down to read. Presently she heard soft +steps in the hallway but paid slight attention +thinking that it was Rosanna.</p> +<p>She was on the verge of calling her friend’s +name when she thought better of it. The sound +of the footsteps told her that the person had +gone into the living room. And by this time +she was convinced that it was not Rosanna.</p> +<p>She waited, listening. She heard a faint +metallic click which caused her to lay aside her +book and quietly steal to the doorway of the +living room.</p> +<p>Max Laponi stood with his back toward her, +so absorbed in what he was about that he had +not the slightest suspicion that he was being +observed.</p> +<p>Penny saw him carefully remove the oil painting +from the wall. He deftly opened the panel, +exposing the safe. Then, with a sureness of +touch which amazed Penny, he began to spin the +dials.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_165">[165]</div> +<h2 id="c14"><span class="small">CHAPTER XIV</span> +<br />A Diamond Ring</h2> +<p>“Mr. Laponi, kindly move away from +that safe!”</p> +<p>Penny spoke sharply as she quietly +stepped into the living room. The man whirled +and saw her. Taken by surprise, his hand fell +away from the dials and he looked confused.</p> +<p>“You seem to be very much interested in Mr. +Winters’ valuables,” Penny said sternly.</p> +<p>By this time Max Laponi had recovered his +composure.</p> +<p>“Why shouldn’t I be?” he retorted. “After +all, I am Mr. Winters’ heir.”</p> +<p>“That remains to be seen, Mr. Laponi. You +appear to be very handy at opening safes, I +notice.” Penny crossed the room and after +turning the handle to make certain that Laponi +had not succeeded in his purpose, closed the +panel and returned the oil painting to its +former position.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_166">[166]</div> +<p>“I suppose you think I was trying to steal,” +Laponi began after a minute of dead silence. +“Nothing was further from my intention.”</p> +<p>“No?”</p> +<p>“Ever since I caught Caleb Eckert trying to +break into this safe I’ve been worried. Last +night I saw him prowling around the house +after dark and it made me uneasy. I was afraid +he would make another attempt to steal Mr. +Winters’ valuables.”</p> +<p>“So you thought you would just beat him to +it!” Penny retorted sarcastically.</p> +<p>“Certainly not. When you entered the room +I was merely inspecting the safe to make certain +that it was securely locked.”</p> +<p>Penny could not refrain from smiling. She +did not believe a word of what Max Laponi was +telling her.</p> +<p>“That safe seems to be the real attraction of +this house,” she remarked. “I’ve suspected for +some time that it contains Mr. Winters’ ivory +collection.”</p> +<p>If Max Laponi were taken aback he did not +disclose it. But he eyed Penny shrewdly.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_167">[167]</div> +<p>“You’re a smart little girl. Too smart to go +around making trouble for yourself. Now if +you’re wise you’ll team up with me and I’ll +promise you that you’ll come out at the top of +the heap.”</p> +<p>“Just what is your proposition?” Penny asked +quickly.</p> +<p>Max Laponi was too alert to place himself in +any trap.</p> +<p>“If you’re willing to follow my orders I’ll +promise you that when I come into my fortune +you’ll be well paid.”</p> +<p>“And what are your orders?”</p> +<p>“I’ll tell you after you give me your promise.”</p> +<p>Penny regarded him coldly.</p> +<p>“I’ll promise nothing, Mr. Laponi, except +that I intend to see justice done to Rosanna +Winters! You and Mrs. Leeds are trying to +cheat her out of her rightful inheritance.”</p> +<p>“She’ll never get a cent. If you had an ounce +of sense you’d ditch her and come in with us. +It’s all fixed—”</p> +<p>“Fixed!” Penny tripped him. “And by ‘us’ I +imagine you mean Mrs. Leeds. You’re both +<span class="pb" id="Page_168">[168]</span> +hatching some scheme to defraud Rosanna.”</p> +<p>Laponi smiled impudently.</p> +<p>“Well, don’t say I didn’t give you your choice, +Miss Nichols. It is your decision to have no +share in the spoils?”</p> +<p>“It is.”</p> +<p>Laponi’s face darkened slightly. “As you +wish, Miss Nichols. But let me give you a little +warning. Keep your nose out of my affairs or it +will be the worse for you!”</p> +<p>He turned and walked from the room. A +minute later Penny saw him leave the house by +the side door.</p> +<p>“If he thinks he can frighten me with a threat +he has another guess coming!” she thought indignantly. +“For two cents I’d call in the police.”</p> +<p>Upon second consideration she decided that +such a move would not be wise. After all she +had no real evidence against Laponi. While +she was convinced in her own mind that his +motives were dishonest the police might take a +more conservative attitude. Then too, she +would be forced to offer a satisfactory explanation +for her own presence in the house.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_169">[169]</div> +<p>“Laponi is after something more valuable +than a will,” Penny mused as she stood at the +window watching his car vanish down the driveway.</p> +<p>Her eye wandered to the oil painting on the +wall. She felt certain that the safe which was +screened beneath it guarded Mr. Winters’ collection +of ivory. And from the expression of +Laponi’s face when she had mentioned her belief, +she was sure that he shared the same conviction.</p> +<p>“He practically admitted he was involved +in some scheme to defraud Rosanna,” she +thought. “I can’t help feeling he’s a crook even +if he is a relative of Mr. Winters. I wish I +dared search his room for evidence!”</p> +<p>The more she considered the idea, the greater +became its appeal. Probably Laponi would not +return to the house for at least an hour. She +would have ample time. Still, the undertaking +would be a risky one and not at all to her +liking.</p> +<p>“I suppose a professional detective wouldn’t +feel squeamish about entering another person’s +<span class="pb" id="Page_170">[170]</span> +room if the case demanded it,” she encouraged +herself. “Laponi practically admitted his guilt—that +was because he thought I couldn’t do anything +about it. Maybe I’ll show him!”</p> +<p>By this time Penny’s mind was made up. +Quietly she stole up the stairway. In the upper +corridor she paused to listen for a minute. +Everything was still.</p> +<p>Penny tiptoed down the hall to Max Laponi’s +room. She tried the door. It was locked.</p> +<p>“That’s funny,” she thought. “He must keep +something inside that he’s afraid to have folks +see.”</p> +<p>She was more eager than before to search the +room. But with the key gone it seemed out +of the question. Then Penny’s face lighted as +she recalled the empty bedroom adjoining the +one occupied by Laponi. It was possible that +they might have a connecting door.</p> +<p>Looking carefully about to make certain that +she was not under observation, she moved on +down the hall and tried the next door. To her +delight it opened. She entered the dusty +chamber, gazing quickly about. She was disappointed +<span class="pb" id="Page_171">[171]</span> +to see that the two bedrooms had no +connecting door.</p> +<p>However, when she walked to the window +and raised it, she noted a wide ledge which ran +the length of the building.</p> +<p>“If only I dared lower myself to it I could +reach Max Laponi’s room, for the ledge is only +a few feet below from his window!” she reasoned.</p> +<p>Penny decided that the chance was worth +taking. She naturally was athletic and had +confidence that she could maintain a foothold. +Lowering herself to the ledge she flattened herself +to the wall of the house and moved an inch +at a time toward the next window. +It was a long fall to the ground. Penny did +not dare glance downward. Although the distance +between the two windows was not more +than twelve feet it seemed an age until her hands +clutched the sill.</p> +<p>As she pried at the window a sudden fear +assailed her. What if it too were locked?</p> +<p>The window had only stuck a little. A quick +jerk brought it up. By sheer strength of muscle, +<span class="pb" id="Page_172">[172]</span> +Penny raised herself to the level of the sill, +swinging her feet through the opening.</p> +<p>“I must work fast,” she told herself, glancing +appraisingly about. “I’d not care to be caught +here.”</p> +<p>Her attention was drawn to Max Laponi’s +open suitcase which had been left carelessly on +the bed. Crossing over to it she began to explore +the contents systematically.</p> +<p>“My hunch about Laponi may have been +wrong,” she thought uncomfortably as the +search revealed nothing of interest.</p> +<p>Just then her hand touched something hard +and cold. Penny knew instantly that it was a +revolver. She was not afraid of firearms for her +father had taught her to shoot. Carefully she +inspected the weapon.</p> +<p>“All this heavy artillery must have been +brought here for a purpose,” she reflected +grimly. “It’s clear Laponi is out to get what he +wants by one means or another.”</p> +<p>After an instant’s hesitation Penny placed the +revolver on the table. She had decided to take +it with her when she left.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_173">[173]</div> +<p>“Things in this house are fast approaching a +crisis,” she reasoned. “Before I get through I +may need that weapon myself.”</p> +<p>Save for an inner pocket in the suitcase, Penny +had completed her inspection. She ran her +hand into the cloth pouch and brought to light +several papers. Rapidly she went through them.</p> +<p>Suddenly she uttered a cry of delight. She +had discovered the letter which Max Laponi +claimed had been sent him by the same lawyer +who had notified Rosanna of her newly inherited +fortune.</p> +<p>Although Laponi, upon his arrival at Raven +Ridge, had flourished the document, he had permitted +no one to inspect it closely.</p> +<p>Now as Penny read the letter carefully she recalled +that the wording was identical with the +message which Rosanna had received. Closely +she studied the salutation, holding the paper to +the light.</p> +<p>“I believe the name has been changed!” she +exclaimed. “Max Laponi has cleverly removed +Rosanna’s name and substituted his own. This +must be the letter which Rosanna lost!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_174">[174]</div> +<p>It occurred to her that the man doubtlessly +had found the missing key as well. She again +ran her hand into the cloth pocket and triumphantly +brought it forth.</p> +<p>“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!”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>She turned away again but as she moved off +a button on her sleeve caught in the lace work +of the runner which covered the dresser top. It +pulled awry and Penny paused to straighten it.</p> +<p>As she rearranged the piece, her fingers +touched a small hard object on the under side. +Her curiosity aroused she turned back the runner +and looked beneath it.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_175">[175]</div> +<p>There lay a diamond ring.</p> +<p>“A diamond!” she exclaimed. “As big as a +house too. It’s evidently been hidden here by +Max Laponi!”</p> +<p>She picked it up and examined it, reflecting +that somewhere she had seen a similar piece of +jewelry. She was certain the diamond was not +an imitation for it sparkled brightly. However, +she had no opportunity to give it more than a +hasty glance for she was startled to hear footsteps +coming down the hall.</p> +<p>“Max Laponi may be coming back,” she +thought nervously.</p> +<p>Leaving the diamond ring where she had discovered +it she hastily rearranged the dresser +cover. With her newly acquired evidence, she +darted to the window and lowered herself to the +outside ledge.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_176">[176]</div> +<h2 id="c15"><span class="small">CHAPTER XV</span> +<br />Penny’s Evidence</h2> +<p>The bedroom door opened and Max Laponi +entered.</p> +<p>Penny Nichols had lowered herself to +the narrow ledge not an instant too soon. There +had been no time to pull the window down after +her.</p> +<p>As she heard the man walk across the room +she huddled fearfully against the wall, feeling +certain that he would notice the open window +immediately. Her position was a precarious +one. She dared not move lest even a slight +sound betray her to the man inside. On the +other hand, it was doubtful how long she could +remain where she was without losing her footing. +She knew that if she once glanced downward +her courage would fail her.</p> +<p>Penny could hear Laponi muttering to himself.</p> +<p>“I thought I left that window down,” she +<span class="pb" id="Page_177">[177]</span> +heard him say. “If anyone has been in here—”</p> +<p>He crossed to the bed and ran his hand under +the pillow. Penny peeped through the window +just as he removed a shiny object.</p> +<p>“Another revolver!” she gasped. “That’s one +I missed.”</p> +<p>The sight of the weapon seemed to reassure +Laponi for he appeared relieved. He next +crossed over to the bureau and searched for the +diamond ring. Penny was very glad that she +had not touched it.</p> +<p>“I guess everything is the same as I left it,” +the man muttered to himself. “Still, I’d have +sworn I left that window down.”</p> +<p>As Penny huddled flat against the wall, he +moved over toward it. She held her breath, +waiting. Would he look out? If he did, then +all was lost.</p> +<p>Laponi stood for some minutes at the open +window, seemingly absorbed in his thoughts. +Then he abruptly slammed it down and turned +away.</p> +<p>“That was a narrow escape!” Penny congratulated +herself. “If I ever get out of this mess I’ll +<span class="pb" id="Page_178">[178]</span> +take care not to get myself into another position +like it!”</p> +<p>She cautiously crept along the ledge until at +last she was able to stretch out her hand and +grasp the sill of the next window. After pulling +herself through she quietly closed it behind her. +Then she tiptoed to the bedroom door and +looked out. No one was in sight.</p> +<p>Carefully secreting the articles which she had +taken from Laponi’s room, she darted past his +door and safely on to the bedroom which she +shared with Rosanna. The latter arose as she +burst in upon her.</p> +<p>“How you startled me, Penny.”</p> +<p>She was due for another shock as Penny +dropped the revolver upon the dresser.</p> +<p>“Penny, where did you get that thing?” she +demanded nervously.</p> +<p>“Not so loud or someone may hear you,” +Penny warned. “It came from Laponi’s room, +and that’s not all I found either.”</p> +<p>She drew forth the letter and the missing key. +Rosanna stared incredulously.</p> +<p>“Surely they can’t be mine, Penny.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_179">[179]</div> +<p>“I suspect they are. Take a look at this letter +and tell me if you notice anything wrong.”</p> +<p>Rosanna studied the letter briefly, then shook +her head.</p> +<p>“It reads just like the one I received.”</p> +<p>“That’s the point. Notice the name at the +top.”</p> +<p>“Why, it looks as if it might have been +changed!” Rosanna cried.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Then you believe he is the one who has been +frightening the household by playing on the +pipe organ?”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Let’s get away from here right away.”</p> +<p>Penny laughed shortly. “I should say not! +This mystery is growing more exciting every +minute. I mean to discover Max Laponi’s little +game!”</p> +<p>“But he may harm us,” Rosanna protested. +<span class="pb" id="Page_180">[180]</span> +“Especially if he suspects you’ve searched his +room.”</p> +<p>“Laponi is armed,” Penny admitted with a +frown. “But for that matter so are we.”</p> +<p>“You wouldn’t dare to carry that revolver!”</p> +<p>“I most certainly would. Not that I’d care +to use it, but it might serve as protection.”</p> +<p>“It seems to me we should call in the police.”</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>“You suspect that because you found the revolver +in his room?”</p> +<p>“Well, honest citizens don’t carry weapons +without permits.”</p> +<p>“You’re thinking of doing it,” Rosanna challenged.</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>She then told of finding the diamond ring +under the dresser scarf.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_181">[181]</div> +<p>“All diamonds look somewhat alike,” she acknowledged, +“but I’m sure I’ve seen that ring +before.”</p> +<p>“Where?”</p> +<p>“In Bresham’s Department Store. I think +it’s the same ring that was stolen the afternoon +I met you there.”</p> +<p>“Laponi does bear a slight resemblance to the +shoplifter,” Rosanna admitted thoughtfully. +“Only the store thief was a much older man.”</p> +<p>“Disguised perhaps. Oh, I may be wrong, +but at least it will do no harm to have Father +look into the matter.”</p> +<p>“When he gets your wire, Penny, he’ll probably +be so alarmed that he’ll send word for you +to start back to Mt. Ashland at once.”</p> +<p>“Not Dad. He’d rather catch a crook than +eat. I’m sure he’ll help me.”</p> +<p>“When will you send the wire?”</p> +<p>“Right away. I’d like to leave the house before +Laponi sees me.”</p> +<p>However, as the girls stepped out into the +hall a few minutes later they heard loud voices +coming up from the living room. Penny instantly +<span class="pb" id="Page_182">[182]</span> +recognized Laponi’s sharp tones and +paused at the top of the stairs to peer down.</p> +<p>“It’s Max and Caleb Eckert,” she reported in +a whisper. “My, what a quarrel they’re having!”</p> +<p>The girls listened for a minute but the voices +of the two men died to a low murmur and they +could distinguish only an occasional word.</p> +<p>“Unless you want Laponi to see you we’d +better slip down the back way,” Rosanna suggested.</p> +<p>Using the rear stairs the girls were able to +leave the house without being observed. They +drove directly to Andover where Penny dispatched +a lengthy wire to her father. She requested +him to learn all he could concerning +Max Laponi and if possible to send her +a complete description of the diamond ring +which had been stolen from the department +store.</p> +<p>“I wonder why Caleb and Max Laponi were +going at each other in such dreadful fashion?” +Rosanna mused as they drove back toward the +Winters’ mansion.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_183">[183]</div> +<p>Penny had been pondering over the same +question.</p> +<p>“I suppose Caleb may be suspicious of +him,” Rosanna went on when Penny did not +answer.</p> +<p>“Possibly. Old Caleb hasn’t acted too honestly +himself, Rosanna.”</p> +<p>“I know he hasn’t. He doesn’t like to answer +questions and his interest in Mr. Winters’ safe +is rather puzzling. It seems to me that everyone +at Raven Ridge acts queerly.”</p> +<p>“Including me?” Penny teased.</p> +<p>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.”</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“I hope so,” Rosanna sighed.</p> +<p>Neither Max Laponi nor Caleb Eckert were +in the living room when the girls returned to +the house. Alicia was reading a book by the +<span class="pb" id="Page_184">[184]</span> +fireplace but at sight of Penny and Rosanna she +coldly withdrew.</p> +<p>“I’m glad she’s gone,” Penny smiled. “It +clears the atmosphere.”</p> +<p>“Must we stay here tonight?” Rosanna asked. +“Couldn’t we go to a hotel and come back in the +morning? Since I know that Max Laponi——”</p> +<p>She broke off as Penny shot her a warning +glance.</p> +<p>“Even the walls seem to have ears in this +house, Rosanna. Come outside and we’ll do +our planning there.”</p> +<p>They went out into the yard and sat down on +a stone bench.</p> +<p>“I know I’m a dreadful coward,” Rosanna +acknowledged. “Only I’m so afraid something +terrible is about to happen.”</p> +<p>“Now don’t let your nerves get the best of +you,” Penny advised kindly. “I shouldn’t have +shown you that revolver I found in Laponi’s +room. You haven’t been the same since.”</p> +<p>“It wasn’t just the revolver. It’s everything.”</p> +<p>Penny was silent for a moment. Then she +said quietly:</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_185">[185]</div> +<p>“I don’t blame you for feeling the way you +do. Perhaps we are taking a chance to remain +here tonight. I shouldn’t do it only I feel that +it will give me an opportunity to clear up the +mystery.”</p> +<p>“But if you suspect Max——”</p> +<p>“I do suspect him of a great many things, but +I’m not certain of his game yet, Rosanna. Besides, +I must have absolute proof before I dare +notify the police. Tonight I intend to watch +the mouth of the tunnel.”</p> +<p>“I can’t permit you to do it by yourself. If +you insist on taking such a chance I’ll go with +you!”</p> +<p>Penny remonstrated but at length it was +agreed that shortly after nightfall the two would +steal down to the lake’s edge and lie in wait at +the mouth of the tunnel for the mysterious +ghost to appear.</p> +<p>For a long time the two girls sat staring out +across the lake, each absorbed with her own +thoughts. What would the night bring forth?</p> +<p>“I believe I’ll walk down to Caleb Eckert’s +cabin and chat with him for a few minutes,” +<span class="pb" id="Page_186">[186]</span> +Penny remarked a little later as her companion +arose from the bench. “Want to come along?”</p> +<p>“No, I think I’ll go inside. The air is growing +chilly and my sweater is upstairs.”</p> +<p>“I’ll be glad to wait for you.”</p> +<p>“If you don’t mind, I believe I’ll just rest. +You go on alone.”</p> +<p>“You really don’t mind?”</p> +<p>“Of course not. But I doubt if you’ll find +Caleb at home. He usually goes fishing about +this time of day.”</p> +<p>“Well, I may as well see anyhow. I want to +ask him about that picture of Jacob Winters. I +intend to keep annoying him until he gives +me a satisfactory answer.”</p> +<p>As Rosanna returned to the house, Penny +walked swiftly in the direction of the cabin.</p> +<p>“I’m only wasting my time,” she thought. +“Caleb has no intention of ever producing that +photograph.”</p> +<p>Penny rapped on the door, noticing that it +was partly ajar. There was no response. She +knocked a second time.</p> +<p>Far out on the lake she could see a small rowboat +<span class="pb" id="Page_187">[187]</span> +with one lone fisherman. No doubt it was +Caleb, she decided.</p> +<p>She started away from the cabin, then abruptly +halted as she was struck with a sudden +thought. With Caleb out on the lake she would +have an excellent opportunity to search his shack +for the photograph of Jacob Winters. She felt +convinced she would find it there.</p> +<p>“Entering people’s private quarters seems to +be a bad habit of mine,” she chuckled. “Still, +it’s all in a good cause.”</p> +<p>Penny surveyed the lake again. The rowboat +was nearly out of sight.</p> +<p>After a moment of indecision, she pushed +open the cabin door and entered. Caleb had +left everything in a clutter and she scarcely knew +where to begin her search.</p> +<p>She looked in the desk and in several table +drawers. She searched in the magazine rack and +even in the kitchen cupboard. She was growing +discouraged when she finally opened a closet +and peered up at the high shelves. Far above +her head was a stack of old papers.</p> +<p>Although Penny had given up hope of finding +<span class="pb" id="Page_188">[188]</span> +the picture, she brought a chair and climbing +up on it, took down the papers.</p> +<p>As she lifted the stack, an object which had +been lying on the shelf was brushed to the floor. +She bent down to pick it up. To her amazement +and delight it was a photograph.</p> +<p>She stared in disbelief at the man’s face and +then turned the photo over to read what had +been written on the back.</p> +<p>“<i>Jacob Winters.</i>”</p> +<p>“And Caleb told me he didn’t know where +he could get a photograph!” Penny thought indignantly. +“All the time he had this one hidden +here on the shelf. Why, I’m positive this picture +came out of the album Rosanna and I +found. Very likely Caleb tore it out himself!”</p> +<p>Hastily replacing the papers on the shelf, +Penny tucked the photograph into her pocket +and prepared to leave the cabin. She was highly +elated over her discovery.</p> +<p>“This will prove quite a valuable addition to +my collection of evidence,” she chuckled. “No +wonder Caleb was afraid to have me see it.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_189">[189]</div> +<h2 id="c16"><span class="small">CHAPTER XVI</span> +<br />Mrs. Leeds’ Strategy</h2> +<p>Penny was highly jubilant as she walked +rapidly toward the house on the hill. The +day had been an unusually successful one +for her and with the photograph of Jacob Winters +in her possession she felt that it would only +be a matter of time until the mystery was +solved.</p> +<p>“But I must act quickly or it may be too late,” +she thought.</p> +<p>Drawing near the house she saw Rosanna +hurrying to meet her. Penny quickened her +step as she observed that the girl appeared +greatly agitated.</p> +<p>“Oh, Penny,” Rosanna gasped, “Mrs. Leeds +has locked me out of the house!”</p> +<p>“What?”</p> +<p>“When I tried to get in after leaving you a +few minutes ago she met me at the front door. +She said I couldn’t come in because the house +<span class="pb" id="Page_190">[190]</span> +and everything surrounding it belongs to her +now.”</p> +<p>Penny laughed shortly. “She’s been saying +that ever since she came here.”</p> +<p>“I know, but this is different, Penny. She +has the will to prove it.”</p> +<p>“The will?”</p> +<p>“Yes, she showed it to me. And it’s true. My +uncle left all his property to her.”</p> +<p>“And where did she claim to have found this +document?” Penny asked.</p> +<p>“Why, somewhere in the house. I was so +upset I didn’t think to inquire. Now that I +know Uncle Jacob left everything to her, I shall +leave at once.”</p> +<p>Penny caught Rosanna by the arm. “Don’t +be in too much of a hurry to get away,” she advised. +“It may be that Mrs. Leeds’ claims are +false.”</p> +<p>“But I saw the will for myself.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps it was forged.”</p> +<p>“I never thought of that,” Rosanna gasped. +“Do you think she would resort to such a +trick?”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_191">[191]</div> +<p>“I believe she’d do almost anything to gain a +fortune.”</p> +<p>Penny had been thinking swiftly. She recalled +the secretive actions of Mrs. 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.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“What were you saying?” Rosanna inquired.</p> +<p>Penny had not realized that she was speaking +aloud.</p> +<p>“Only thinking,” she responded. “We’ll go +in and talk with Mrs. Leeds.”</p> +<p>“But we can’t get in for she has locked all the +<span class="pb" id="Page_192">[192]</span> +doors. Our luggage is sitting out on the porch.”</p> +<p>“Very considerate of her I must say,” Penny +grinned. “But we can get in all right.” She +produced the key which she had found in Max +Laponi’s room.</p> +<p>“Weren’t you smart to keep it!” Rosanna +cried.</p> +<p>“That remains to be seen. But come on, let’s +beard Mrs. Leeds in her den.”</p> +<p>Penny boldly walked up to the front door. It +was locked as Rosanna had said, so inserting her +key she opened it.</p> +<p>As the girls entered, they heard Alicia calling +shrilly to her mother and an instant later Mrs. +Leeds came storming into the hall.</p> +<p>“What is the meaning of this outrage?” she +demanded furiously.</p> +<p>“That is what we should like to know,” Penny +retorted. “Why did you lock us out?”</p> +<p>“Because this is my house. Jacob Winters +left everything to me and I have the will to +prove it.”</p> +<p>“May I ask where you found it?” Penny inquired.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_193">[193]</div> +<p>The question confused Mrs. Leeds. She began +to stammer.</p> +<p>“Why, I—that is, it’s none of your affair, Miss +Nichols!”</p> +<p>“I disagree with you there. I am interested +in seeing Rosanna treated fairly. May I examine +the will?”</p> +<p>Mrs. Leeds hesitated and the girls thought +that she would refuse the request. However, +the woman said:</p> +<p>“I will permit you to read it if you promise +not to destroy it.”</p> +<p>“Destroying wills isn’t in my line,” Penny +returned pointedly.</p> +<p>Mrs. Leeds tossed her head angrily. An expression +of bitter hatred which she made no +attempt to hide, came into her eyes. She went +to the living room desk and from a pigeon hole +removed a document which she offered Penny.</p> +<p>“There, read it for yourself.”</p> +<p>Penny inspected the will briefly. Since +neither she nor Rosanna had ever seen Jacob +Winters’ handwriting it was impossible to tell +if the document had been forged.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_194">[194]</div> +<p>To Rosanna’s astonishment, she suddenly +seemed to experience a change of attitude regarding +Mrs. Leeds’ claim to the property.</p> +<p>“I may have made a mistake,” Penny acknowledged. +“This paper seems to give everything to +you, Mrs. Leeds.”</p> +<p>“I am glad you are coming to your senses at +last, Miss Nichols.”</p> +<p>“I suppose Rosanna and I may as well take +our things and leave,” she went on.</p> +<p>“Your luggage is ready,” the woman said with +satisfaction. “Alicia and I packed for you.”</p> +<p>“Very thoughtful,” Penny murmured ironically. +“However, I think I’ll just run upstairs +and see if anything was missed.”</p> +<p>“Why, yes, you may do that if you like.” Now +that she was assured of victory, Mrs. Leeds felt +that she could afford to make slight concessions.</p> +<p>No sooner had the bedroom door closed behind +the two girls than Rosanna faced Penny +with a puzzled look.</p> +<p>“Did you really think the will was genuine, +Penny?”</p> +<p>“No, of course not, but I decided that probably +<span class="pb" id="Page_195">[195]</span> +we could gain our ends best by appearing +to give in to Mrs. Leeds.”</p> +<p>As she spoke, Penny ran her hand under the +pillow of the bed and brought forth the revolver +which she had taken from Max Laponi’s +room.</p> +<p>“Penny, what do you intend to do with that +weapon?” Rosanna demanded anxiously.</p> +<p>“Don’t worry, I’m not planning on committing +any murders. But it may come in handy +tonight.”</p> +<p>“You just told Mrs. Leeds that we would +leave the house immediately,” Rosanna reminded +her in bewilderment.</p> +<p>“I know, but that doesn’t mean we’ll leave the +grounds. We’ll appear to go away, but after +dark we’ll sneak back to the entrance of the +tunnel.”</p> +<p>“To watch for the ghost?”</p> +<p>“Yes, that’s my plan. You’ll not be afraid to +go with me, will you?”</p> +<p>“No,” Rosanna returned quietly. “Only I +can’t see what good it will do now. Mrs. Leeds +definitely has the property and anything we +<span class="pb" id="Page_196">[196]</span> +learn about the ghost can’t alter the situation.”</p> +<p>“I’m not so sure of that,” Penny smiled.</p> +<p>She was so jubilant as they prepared to take +their luggage and leave the house that Mrs. +Leeds regarded her slightly with suspicion. +However, the woman was reassured to see the +girls drive away in their car.</p> +<p>Rosanna and Penny dined early at Andover +but the former ate little. Although she made +every effort to carry on a cheerful conversation +it was obvious to her companion that she was +completely discouraged.</p> +<p>“Cheer up,” Penny advised optimistically. +“I tell you everything will come out right yet. +Even if my own plan fails, there are still lawyers +to be hired. Mrs. Leeds can’t take over the +property legally until the court approves.”</p> +<p>“She’ll have things fixed up her way,” Rosanna +maintained gloomily. “I’ll have no +money to hire a lawyer. I must try to find myself +a job.”</p> +<p>“Father will help you get one if you need it.”</p> +<p>“I’ve accepted so many favors from you already,” +Rosanna protested.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_197">[197]</div> +<p>“You have not!” Penny cut in. “This trip +to Raven Ridge has been sheer fun for me. +And unless I’m mistaken tonight will prove the +most exciting of all.”</p> +<p>“I’m afraid so,” Rosanna shuddered.</p> +<p>She glanced curiously at her companion. She +could not understand Penny’s eagerness to return +to the mouth of the tunnel. In her own +opinion the mysterious ghost was none other +than Max Laponi and she had no desire to encounter +him again.</p> +<p>“Do you still want to go through with the +plan?” she inquired doubtfully.</p> +<p>“I certainly do. I’d never feel satisfied if I +left Raven Ridge without solving the mystery. +It’s about time we start for the tunnel too.”</p> +<p>They left the restaurant, returning to Penny’s +car which had been parked outside.</p> +<p>“Probably our friend the ghost won’t put in +an appearance much before midnight,” Penny +remarked as they drove slowly toward Raven +Ridge, “but it will be wise I think to allow ourselves +plenty of time to find a good hiding place.”</p> +<p>It had grown dark and the girls were pleased +<span class="pb" id="Page_198">[198]</span> +to note that heavy clouds would hide the moon +and stars.</p> +<p>Some distance from the Winters’ house they +parked in a dense thicket near the road. Before +alighting, Penny removed a small package +from the side pocket of the car.</p> +<p>“What’s that?” Rosanna asked curiously.</p> +<p>“Dynamite,” Penny chuckled.</p> +<p>“Dynamite!”</p> +<p>“In the form of evidence. Unless I’m mistaken, +this little package will produce some +startling results!”</p> +<p>“You’re talking in absolute riddles.”</p> +<p>“Just be patient and you’ll soon know what +I mean,” Penny declared teasingly. “I’d tell +you now only it would ruin the surprise.”</p> +<p>She locked the automobile and afoot they +quietly stole down a steep winding trail which +led to the entrance of the old mine.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_199">[199]</div> +<h2 id="c17"><span class="small">CHAPTER XVII</span> +<br />The Man in the Boat</h2> +<p>Penny and Rosanna approached the mine +entrance cautiously, fearing that someone +in the vicinity might observe their movements. +However, the place seemed deserted.</p> +<p>“The rowboat is gone,” Penny commented as +she pulled aside a clump of bushes to survey the +spot where it had been hidden.</p> +<p>“Why, it is! Perhaps the ghost has come and +left.”</p> +<p>“I certainly hope not. That would ruin +everything. Anyway, we’ll wait and see. It’s +early yet.”</p> +<p>After investigating the shore line thoroughly, +they found an excellent hiding place in a dense +thicket not far from the entrance to the mine. +Then they settled themselves to wait.</p> +<p>“What time is it?” Rosanna yawned.</p> +<p>“Only a little after nine. We’ll have a long +siege of it.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_200">[200]</div> +<p>The night was cold and damp. Although +both girls had worn sweaters they soon grew uncomfortable +and huddled close together for +warmth. Rosanna tried not to show her nervousness +but even the screech of an owl startled +her. She was aware of every sound and any unusual +movement caused her to grow tense.</p> +<p>“You’ll be a wreck long before midnight,” +Penny declared. “We’re armed and there’s +nothing to fear.”</p> +<p>Rosanna made a supreme effort to relax but +it was not until several hours had elapsed that +she began to grow accustomed to her surroundings. +Penny, on the other hand, found it difficult +to remain awake.</p> +<p>At first she riveted her attention upon the lake +but as there was no evidence of a boat, soon lost +interest. For a time she watched the twinkling +lights at Raven Ridge but one by one they disappeared +until the old mansion on the hill was +cloaked in darkness.</p> +<p>“Now that the household has gone to bed our +ghost should be starting in on his night’s work,” +she remarked hopefully to Rosanna.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_201">[201]</div> +<p>Another half hour dragged by. Still no one +came. Even Rosanna found it increasingly difficult +to fight off drowsiness.</p> +<p>“I don’t believe the ghost is coming tonight,” +she declared.</p> +<p>“It begins to look that way. But perhaps it’s +still too early. Surely it can’t be any more than +midnight.”</p> +<p>“It seems later than that,” Rosanna sighed. +“My back is nearly broken.”</p> +<p>A few minutes later, from far over the hills, +the girls heard the faint chiming of a town clock. +They counted twelve strokes.</p> +<p>Minutes passed and still there was no sign of +any visitor. At length, Penny arose to stretch +her cramped limbs.</p> +<p>“I thought I heard something just then!” +Rosanna whispered tensely.</p> +<p>Penny stood listening.</p> +<p>“You’re right. I can hear oars dipping in and +out of the water. It must be a boat coming this +way.”</p> +<p>Peering out through the bushes, the girls surveyed +the lake. It was too dark to distinguish +<span class="pb" id="Page_202">[202]</span> +objects but they distinctly could hear the rhythmical +splash made by the moving oars.</p> +<p>“See anything?” Penny demanded.</p> +<p>“Not yet—oh, yes, now I do. It is a boat, +Penny.”</p> +<p>“And it’s heading right for this spot! Let’s +creep a little closer to the opening of the tunnel.”</p> +<p>Stealthily they changed positions but remained +well hidden by a screen of bushes.</p> +<p>The boat by this time had drawn into the +tiny cove. However, the night was so dark that +neither of the girls was able to distinguish the +features of the man who crouched in the stern.</p> +<p>He beached the boat and carefully drew it up +into the bushes. Next he lighted a lantern, but +his back was toward the girls and they did not +see his face.</p> +<p>“Who can it be?” Rosanna whispered.</p> +<p>Penny gripped her companion’s hand as a +warning to remain silent.</p> +<p>The man with the lantern looked quickly +about and then moved swiftly into the mouth +of the tunnel.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_203">[203]</div> +<p>“We must follow him,” Penny urged.</p> +<p>They waited a minute, then noiselessly stole +from their hiding place. As they peered into +the dark mine tunnel they could see a moving +light far ahead.</p> +<p>Fearing that they might lose sight of the man, +the girls hastened their steps. They did not +walk as quietly as they imagined, for soon the +man ahead paused.</p> +<p>With one accord Penny and Rosanna froze +against the tunnel wall.</p> +<p>As the man turned to look back, the light +from the lantern shone full upon his face.</p> +<p>It was Caleb Eckert.</p> +<p>Rosanna and Penny remained flat against the +wall scarcely daring to breathe. Would they +be seen?</p> +<p>Apparently satisfied that no one was behind +him in the tunnel, Caleb turned and walked +slowly on.</p> +<p>“That was a narrow escape,” Penny whispered. +“He nearly saw us.”</p> +<p>Rosanna was a trifle shaken. She had not expected +to see Caleb Eckert.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_204">[204]</div> +<p>“I suspected it several days ago but I wasn’t +absolutely certain,” Penny told her.</p> +<p>“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.”</p> +<p>“Don’t take it so hard,” Penny advised. “He +may have a reason for what he is doing.”</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>“It’s lucky we explored in the daytime or we’d +have trouble following,” Rosanna declared. +“The ground is so rough.”</p> +<p>Even as she spoke she stubbed her toe on a +rock and would have fallen had not Penny +caught her by the arm.</p> +<p>They came presently to the first flight of stairs +and were relieved to glimpse the lantern far +above them. Taking care to keep out of range +of the beam, they followed through the narrower +passage to the second flight of steps.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_205">[205]</div> +<p>By this time the girls were positive that Caleb +intended to enter the house by means of the +secret panel. At the risk of detection they drew +a little closer.</p> +<p>Caleb paused at the head of the stairs to listen +for a moment. Then he blew out his lantern.</p> +<p>Sensing that the old man would unlock the +panel, Penny stole forward. She was just in +time to see a section of the wall drop down. +Caleb passed through the opening and with a +click the panel closed behind him.</p> +<p>“Now what shall we do?” Rosanna demanded. +“We’re locked in here the same as we were before.”</p> +<p>“I think I saw the place where he pressed the +wall,” Penny whispered. “I was watching +closely.”</p> +<p>For several minutes she groped about in the +dark. At last her fingers touched a small knob.</p> +<p>“I believe I’ve found it,” she proclaimed +triumphantly.</p> +<p>As she was on the verge of turning the knob, +she stayed her hand. With Caleb in the organ +room he would be certain to see the panel open. +<span class="pb" id="Page_206">[206]</span> +There was danger too that he might return at +any instant to find them crouching at the head +of the stairs.</p> +<p>“Shouldn’t we turn back?” Rosanna whispered +nervously.</p> +<p>“Let’s wait until he begins to play the organ.”</p> +<p>They listened expectantly. Minutes passed +but not a strain of music did they hear.</p> +<p>“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?”</p> +<p>They both knew that the wall was not soundproof. +For that matter they could hear old +Caleb walking about in the room.</p> +<p>“He must be up to new tricks tonight,” +Penny whispered.</p> +<p>“He’ll be coming back here any minute. +Let’s get away before he catches us.”</p> +<p>Penny was reluctant to leave, for it struck her +that Caleb Eckert had come to the Winters’ +house for a different purpose than that of his +usual nightly visit. She was curious to learn +what it was.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_207">[207]</div> +<p>“Listen!” she warned, as they heard a strange +noise from within.</p> +<p>“It sounded like a door closing,” Rosanna +declared.</p> +<p>“That’s exactly what I think it was. Caleb +must have gone out of the room. We’ll be safe +in entering now.”</p> +<p>To make certain she listened for a few +minutes but there was no sound of movement +from within. Convinced that the coast was +clear, she groped about for the knob which +opened the panel.</p> +<p>It turned in her hand. She heard a sharp +metallic click, and almost before she was prepared +for it, the panel swung open. It closed +again before either of the girls could recover +from their surprise.</p> +<p>However, Penny turned the knob a second +time and as the section of wall swung back, both +girls stepped through into the room.</p> +<p>As they had expected, it was deserted.</p> +<p>“Where do you suppose he went?” Rosanna +murmured.</p> +<p>They tiptoed to the outside door and softly +<span class="pb" id="Page_208">[208]</span> +opened it. The hall was dark. At first they +could distinguish nothing. Then Penny +noticed that the door opening upon the second +floor corridor was ajar.</p> +<p>“He went downstairs,” she whispered. “Let’s +find out what he’s up to.”</p> +<p>The stairs creaked alarmingly as they crept +down to the second floor. On the landing they +hesitated an instant and were relieved to hear +no unusual sound.</p> +<p>They peered into the long corridor and saw +that it was empty. Caleb was nowhere to be +seen.</p> +<p>“Perhaps he brought another bat for Mrs. +Leeds’ room,” Rosanna suggested, glancing toward +the chamber which the woman shared with +her daughter.</p> +<p>The door, however, was tightly closed. The +one at the other end of the hall which opened +into Max Laponi’s room was slightly ajar. +Rosanna and Penny failed to notice.</p> +<p>Somewhere on the lower floor a board +creaked. The two girls moved noiselessly to the +stairway and looked down over the banister.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_209">[209]</div> +<p>Even Penny was unprepared for the sight +which greeted her eyes. Caleb Eckert was working +at the dials of the living room safe!</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_210">[210]</div> +<h2 id="c18"><span class="small">CHAPTER XVIII</span> +<br />A Daring Theft</h2> +<p>Old Caleb had relighted his lantern +and in its dim yellow glow the girls +could make out every detail of the +center hall and living room. In astonishment +they watched the man spin the tiny dials of the +safe. He manipulated them with a speed and +skill which was amazing.</p> +<p>“Why, I do believe the scoundrel intends to +steal Mr. Winters’ valuables,” Rosanna whispered +with growing anger. “We can’t let him +do that.”</p> +<p>With one accord they tiptoed down the long +spiral stairway to the center hall. For a minute +they were exposed to view but Caleb was so absorbed +in what he was doing that he did not even +glance up.</p> +<p>Hiding behind a heavy velvet curtain which +partially screened the arched door of the living +room, the girls watched.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_211">[211]</div> +<p>Twice Caleb tried without success to open +the safe. Although his movements were deft +and sure it was obvious that he had made some +slight mistake in the combination. Each time +he failed he grew more impatient. They could +see his hand shake.</p> +<p>“Drat it all!” they heard him mutter to himself. +“That’s the right combination. It ought +to open.”</p> +<p>At length the old man’s efforts were rewarded. +As he manipulated the dials for the third time +there was a significant click from within the safe.</p> +<p>Chuckling to himself, Caleb turned the +handle and swung open the steel door.</p> +<p>Save for a long metal box, the safe was empty. +In the act of reaching for the container, Caleb +suddenly wheeled.</p> +<p>The girls were startled at the action for they +had heard nothing.</p> +<p>After looking searchingly about the room the +old man apparently was satisfied that he was +alone. With an uneasy laugh he again turned +his attention to the safe.</p> +<p>“Guess I’m getting a mite jittery,” he +<span class="pb" id="Page_212">[212]</span> +muttered. “I was positive I heard someone behind +me just then.”</p> +<p>He thrust his hand into the safe and drew out +the box. With fumbling fingers he unfastened +the lid. A smile illuminated his wrinkled face +as he regarded the contents.</p> +<p>“Still here, safe and sound. I was a little +afraid——”</p> +<p>Without finishing, he lifted an object from +the box and held it in the light. It was a tiny +figure made of purest ivory.</p> +<p>Penny and Rosanna exchanged a swift glance. +They knew now that the box contained Jacob +Winters’ priceless collection of ivory pieces!</p> +<p>After staring at the little figure for a minute +Caleb carefully replaced it and closed the box. +He then locked the safe and returned the oil +painting to its former position on the wall.</p> +<p>“Stop him now or it will be too late,” Rosanna +whispered tensely.</p> +<p>Before Penny could act, there was a slight +movement at the opposite end of the living +room. The girls were horrified to see a closet +door slowly open.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_213">[213]</div> +<p>Caleb’s back was turned. Oblivious of danger +he bent down to pick up his lantern.</p> +<p>From within the closet a man was regarding +Caleb with cold intensity. He held a revolver +in his hand.</p> +<p>Rosanna, terrified at the sight, would have +cried out a warning, had not Penny suddenly +placed her hand over the girl’s mouth.</p> +<p>Max Laponi, a cynical, cruel smile upon his +angular face, stepped out into the living room, +his revolver trained upon Caleb.</p> +<p>“Much obliged to you for opening the safe, +Mr. Eckert,” he said coolly. “You saved me the +trouble.”</p> +<p>Caleb wheeled and instinctively thrust the +metal box behind his back. The gesture amused +Laponi. He laughed harshly.</p> +<p>“I guess you weren’t quite as clever as you +thought you were, Caleb! Hand over the ivories +and be quick about it.”</p> +<p>“You’re nothing but a crook!” the old man +cried furiously.</p> +<p>“Hand over the ivories if you value your life.”</p> +<p>Instead of obeying the order, Caleb slowly +<span class="pb" id="Page_214">[214]</span> +retreated toward the door. Max Laponi’s eyes +narrowed dangerously.</p> +<p>“I don’t want to shoot an old man but if you +force me——”</p> +<p>“Don’t shoot,” Caleb quavered. “I’ll give +up the ivory.”</p> +<p>“Good. Now you’re acting sensibly. Drop +the box on the table and raise your hands above +your head.”</p> +<p>Slowly, Caleb complied with the order.</p> +<p>Laponi moved with cat-like tread across the +floor and snatched up the box. With his revolver +still trained on the old man, he backed +toward the door.</p> +<p>“Thank you for a very profitable evening,” +he smirked. “And when you locate your friend +Mr. Winters——”</p> +<p>His words ended in a surprised gasp. Something +had struck his right hand a stunning blow. +The weapon fell from his bruised fingers, clattering +to the floor. He felt a cold, hard object +in the small of his back.</p> +<p>“It’s your turn now,” said Penny Nichols. +“I’ll trouble you to hand over the little box!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_215">[215]</div> +<h2 id="c19"><span class="small">CHAPTER XIX</span> +<br />The Tables Turn</h2> +<p>Max Laponi whirled about and +looked directly into the muzzle of +Penny’s revolver.</p> +<p>“Drop that box and put up your hands,” she +ordered crisply.</p> +<p>Laponi gazed at her jeeringly.</p> +<p>“The gun isn’t loaded,” he sneered.</p> +<p>“You should know,” Penny retorted. “It’s +your own revolver. I took it from your room.”</p> +<p>The expression of the crook’s face altered for +he well remembered that the weapon had been +left in readiness for instant use.</p> +<p>While keeping Laponi covered, Penny kicked +the other revolver across the floor in Caleb +Eckert’s direction. The old man hastily +snatched it up.</p> +<p>Laponi knew then that he did not have a +chance. With a shrug of his shoulders he admitted +defeat. He dropped the metal box on +<span class="pb" id="Page_216">[216]</span> +the table. Rosanna darted forward and snatched +it up.</p> +<p>“I might have known you’d be the one to +ruin things,” Laponi said bitterly to Penny. “I +was afraid of you from the first.”</p> +<p>“Thank you for the compliment,” Penny +smiled. “Kindly keep your hands up, Mr. +Laponi—if that’s your true name.”</p> +<p>“He’s nothing but an impostor,” Caleb Eckert +broke in angrily. “I knew from the moment I +set eyes on him that he was no relative of Jacob +Winters.”</p> +<p>“I can imagine that,” Penny returned quietly. +“But when explanations are in order, I think +you’ll need to clear up a few points yourself.”</p> +<p>The old man looked confused. However, +before he could answer, footsteps were heard +on the stairs. Mrs. Leeds, wrapped in her bath-robe, +came hurrying into the room. She had +been disturbed by the sound of voices.</p> +<p>“Penny Nichols!” she cried furiously. “What +are you doing in my house?”</p> +<p>Then she noticed the revolver and recoiled +a step.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_217">[217]</div> +<p>“What is the meaning of this?” she demanded. +“Mr. Laponi, has this girl lost her senses?”</p> +<p>“Apparently, she has,” the man sneered. +“She claims I came here to steal that box while +I was only trying to keep Caleb from making +off with it.”</p> +<p>“Release Mr. Laponi at once,” Mrs. Leeds +ordered haughtily. She glared at Caleb. “I +always did distrust that man.”</p> +<p>“Our dislike was mutual,” Caleb retorted. +“You are a grasping, selfish woman and your +daughter is a chip of the old block!”</p> +<p>“How dare you!” Mrs. Leeds choked in fury. +“Get out of this house, you meddlesome old +man, or I’ll have you arrested!”</p> +<p>Penny was actually enjoying the scene but +now she decided to put an end to it.</p> +<p>“This little farce has gone far enough,” she +announced, turning to Caleb. “Tell them who +you are, Mr. Eckert.”</p> +<p>The old man nodded. Eyeing Mrs. Leeds +with keen satisfaction, he exploded his bomb +shell.</p> +<p>“I am Jacob Winters!”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_218">[218]</div> +<p>Mrs. Leeds gasped in astonishment and even +Max Laponi looked dazed. Of the entire group +only Rosanna appeared pleased. Yet she too recalled +that at times she had spoken with embarrassing +frankness to the old man.</p> +<p>“I don’t believe it!” Mrs. Leeds snapped when +she had recovered from the first shock. “It’s +another one of your trumped up stories.”</p> +<p>“He has no proof,” Max Laponi added.</p> +<p>“If he hasn’t, I have,” Penny interposed. She +took the small package from her dress pocket, +giving it to Rosanna to unwrap for her.</p> +<p>“Why, it’s a photograph!” the girl exclaimed. +“It’s of you, Mr. Eckert, taken many years ago.”</p> +<p>“Look on the back,” Penny directed.</p> +<p>Rosanna turned the picture over and read the +bold scrawl:</p> +<p>“Jacob Winters—on the occasion of his fiftieth +birthday.”</p> +<p>“That’s all the proof I need,” Rosanna cried, +her eyes shining. “You are my uncle, aren’t +you, Mr. Eckert? This isn’t another of your +jokes?”</p> +<p>“No, it isn’t a joke this time, Rosanna, although +<span class="pb" id="Page_219">[219]</span> +for a time it looked as if the joke would +be on me. And if it hadn’t been for Penny +Nichols this scoundrel certainly would have +made off with my ivory collection.”</p> +<p>“I didn’t mean to pry into your private +affairs,” Penny apologized. “I shouldn’t have +taken the photograph only I suspected the truth +and needed proof of it.”</p> +<p>“It’s just as well that you did take matters into +your own hands. I guess I botched things up.”</p> +<p>The little package of evidence which Penny +had produced contained not only the photograph +but the letter and key which she had found in +Max Laponi’s room.</p> +<p>Penny now directed attention to the signature +appearing at the bottom of the letter.</p> +<p>“Compare it with the writing on the back of +the photograph.”</p> +<p>“They’re identical,” Rosanna declared.</p> +<p>“Then Caleb Eckert wrote those letters himself!” +Mrs. Leeds cried furiously.</p> +<p>“Guilty,” Caleb acknowledged with a grin.</p> +<p>“You ought to be arrested!” Mrs. Leeds fairly +screamed. “It was a cruel joke to play. You +<span class="pb" id="Page_220">[220]</span> +led us all to believe that we had inherited a +fortune.”</p> +<p>“Tell me, why did you write the letters?” +Penny inquired. “That’s one thing I’ve not +been able to figure out although I think I might +make an excellent guess.”</p> +<p>Caleb sank down in the nearest chair.</p> +<p>“I may as well tell the entire story,” he said. +“Since my wife died some years ago I have been +a very lonely man. I longed for an agreeable +companion in my old age, someone who would +enjoy traveling with me. My friends were few +for I had spent most of my time abroad. My +only living relatives were unknown to me. I +felt ashamed because I had never looked them +up.”</p> +<p>“So you decided to become better acquainted,” +Penny prompted as Caleb hesitated.</p> +<p>“Yes, but I wanted to be liked for myself and +not my fortune. I conceived the plan of sending +out letters inviting my relatives here. I +thought I would subject them to a series of tests +and all the while I could be studying their characters.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_221">[221]</div> +<p>“An insane plan!” Mrs. Leeds interposed.</p> +<p>“The idea didn’t work the way I expected,” +Caleb continued ruefully. “I sent out four +letters but two of them were returned unopened +as the individuals to whom they were addressed +were no longer living. However, as you know, +three persons came to Raven Ridge claiming +to have received one of the communications.”</p> +<p>“Max Laponi must have found the letter and +key which Rosanna lost,” Penny declared. “He +was the impostor.”</p> +<p>“You have it all figured out very nicely,” the +crook sneered.</p> +<p>“I suspected right off that he was the one,” +Caleb went on with his story. “I knew I had +no relative answering to his name.”</p> +<p>“Why didn’t you send him away at once?” +Rosanna questioned.</p> +<p>“I couldn’t very well do that without exposing +my hand. If I admitted my identity then my +little plan would be ruined.”</p> +<p>“You were caught in an awkward position,” +Penny smiled.</p> +<p>“It kept getting worse all the time. I soon +<span class="pb" id="Page_222">[222]</span> +suspected that Laponi was nothing less than a +crook. When I discovered that he knew the +ivory collection was in the house I decided to +remove it from the safe.”</p> +<p>“That was the day I came upon you when you +were trying to open it,” Penny recalled.</p> +<p>“Yes, but Laponi was prowling about the +house and it was my bad luck that he happened +in upon me at exactly the wrong time. Of +course he guessed instantly that the ivories were +locked in the safe.</p> +<p>“After that, I decided to get rid of him at any +cost. I had a talk with him but even threats +did no good.”</p> +<p>“Why didn’t you call in the police?” Penny +asked. “Surely they would have provided you +with protection.”</p> +<p>“I thought I would make one more effort to +get the ivories from the safe. Then if I failed +I intended to admit my identity and send for +help. I might have done it sooner only the +police commissioner and I once had a little +trouble—nothing serious. It was an argument +over a tract of land. Still, I knew he’d enjoy +<span class="pb" id="Page_223">[223]</span> +making me look ridiculous if ever he learned +what I had done.”</p> +<p>“Your pride very nearly cost you a fortune,” +Penny commented. She directed her gaze upon +Max Laponi as she questioned: “How did you +learn that Mr. Winters kept the ivory collection +in this house?”</p> +<p>“That’s for you to find out,” the man jeered. +“You’ll have a hard time proving anything +against me.”</p> +<p>“This letter will be evidence enough,” Penny +retorted. “It’s a plain case of forgery with intent +to defraud. And then there’s the matter of +the will.”</p> +<p>“The will wasn’t forged,” Mrs. Leeds cut in +although Penny had not made such a claim.</p> +<p>“There never was a will,” Caleb informed.</p> +<p>Mrs. Leeds stared at him. “What of the document +I found in the drawer of the desk?” she +demanded.</p> +<p>“You mean the one you discovered in the +<i>locked</i> drawer,” Caleb corrected with a chuckle. +“The one that was made out in Rosanna’s favor. +That was just another of my little jokes. If you +<span class="pb" id="Page_224">[224]</span> +had examined the will closely you would have +noticed that the signature was never witnessed. +It was a fake.”</p> +<p>“That was the document which I saw you +burn in the fireplace,” Penny accused.</p> +<p>Mrs. Leeds flushed angrily. She realized that +she had trapped herself.</p> +<p>“By the way, how do you explain the will +made out in your favor?” Penny probed maliciously.</p> +<p>Mrs. Leeds turned her gaze upon Laponi for +an instant. Then she said glibly:</p> +<p>“I found the will just as I said.”</p> +<p>“You didn’t find one made out in your favor,” +Caleb contradicted. “Because I never wrote +such a document.”</p> +<p>“Let’s take a look at it,” Penny suggested. +“Where is the will, Mrs. Leeds?”</p> +<p>“I don’t know what became of it. I misplaced +it.”</p> +<p>“You’re afraid to produce it,” Penny challenged.</p> +<p>Rosanna had been looking through the desk. +She now triumphantly brought to light the +<span class="pb" id="Page_225">[225]</span> +paper which Mrs. Leeds had claimed to be Jacob +Winters’ last will and testament.</p> +<p>“I never wrote a line of it,” Caleb declared as +he examined the document. “It’s a forgery.”</p> +<p>“Forgery is a serious offense, Mrs. Leeds,” +Penny remarked significantly.</p> +<p>“I didn’t do it!” the woman cried nervously.</p> +<p>“I expect we’ll have to send you to jail along +with Laponi here,” Caleb cackled.</p> +<p>Mrs. Leeds did not realize that he was only +baiting her. She began to tremble with fright.</p> +<p>“Don’t send me to jail,” she pleaded. “I’ll +tell everything.”</p> +<p>“Hold your tongue,” Laponi cut in sharply.</p> +<p>Mrs. Leeds whirled upon him.</p> +<p>“You say that because you want me to take +all the blame! Well, I won’t do it. You forged +that will yourself.”</p> +<p>“At your suggestion, Mrs. Leeds.”</p> +<p>“It wasn’t my suggestion. I’d never have considered +such a thing if you hadn’t put the idea +into my head.”</p> +<p>“You burned the first will which you believed +to be genuine.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_226">[226]</div> +<p>“Perhaps I did. But I never forged anything +in my life.”</p> +<p>“That was because you were afraid you’d be +caught,” Laponi sneered. “You wanted someone +else to take the rap for you.”</p> +<p>“You tricked me,” Mrs. Leeds accused. “If +I had known you intended to rob Mr. Winters +of his ivories I should have had nothing to do +with you.”</p> +<p>“I suppose you thought it wasn’t robbery +when you decided to cheat Rosanna Winters out +of her inheritance?”</p> +<p>“She had no inheritance.”</p> +<p>“But you thought she did. No, Mrs. Leeds +you paid me well to forge the will in your favor. +You’re involved every bit as deeply as I.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Leeds collapsed into a chair and burying +her face in her hands began to sob.</p> +<p>Penny felt a little sorry for her, realizing that +at heart the woman was not a criminal. She had +been goaded on by an overpowering ambition +to improve her social position by gaining Jacob +Winters’ fortune.</p> +<p>“We may as well call the police,” Penny said +<span class="pb" id="Page_227">[227]</span> +after a slight hesitation. She had noticed that +Laponi was casting cunning glances about the +room and guessed that he was hoping for an opportunity +to escape.</p> +<p>Mrs. Leeds sprang to her feet. She darted +over to Jacob Winters, grasping him by the arm.</p> +<p>“Oh, please, please don’t have me arrested. I +didn’t mean to do wrong. For the sake of my +daughter let me go free. After all, we are relatives.”</p> +<p>“Unfortunately, we are,” he agreed. Turning +to Rosanna, he said quietly: “It is for you +to decide, my dear.”</p> +<p>“Let her go free,” Rosanna urged instantly.</p> +<p>“I think that is best,” he nodded. “But as +far as Max Laponi is concerned we can’t get +him to the lock-up soon enough to please me.”</p> +<p>“If you’ll guard him I’ll telephone for the +police,” Penny offered.</p> +<p>Leaving the old man with both revolvers she +went into an adjoining room to place the call.</p> +<p>No sooner had she disappeared than Max +Laponi saw his opportunity to escape. For an +instant Jacob Winters’ attention wavered.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_228">[228]</div> +<p>That instant was enough for Laponi. Seizing +the metal box which Rosanna had replaced upon +the table, he darted out through the doorway.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_229">[229]</div> +<h2 id="c20"><span class="small">CHAPTER XX</span> +<br />A Break for Freedom</h2> +<p>Max Laponi bolted across the center +hall, flinging open the outside door. +He looked directly into the face of +Christopher Nichols.</p> +<p>“Hello, what’s the big hurry?” the detective +demanded, grasping him firmly by the arm.</p> +<p>Laponi tried to jerk free but he was no match +for the detective.</p> +<p>By this time Penny and the others had come +streaming into the hall.</p> +<p>“Don’t let him get away!” Penny cried.</p> +<p>As the crook struggled to escape, Mr. Nichols +slipped a pair of handcuffs over the man’s wrists. +Recovering the metal box he handed it to his +daughter.</p> +<p>“Dad, how did you get here?” she asked +eagerly.</p> +<p>The detective did not hear for he was regarding +Laponi with keen interest.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_230">[230]</div> +<p>“Well, well, if it isn’t my old friend Leo Corley. +Or possibly you have a new alias by this +time.”</p> +<p>“He calls himself Max Laponi,” Penny informed. +“Is he a known criminal?”</p> +<p>“Very well known, Penny. He’s wanted in +three states for forgery, blackmail and robbery. +His latest escapade was to steal a diamond ring +from the Bresham Department Store.”</p> +<p>“Then you did get my wire?” Penny cried.</p> +<p>“Yes, that’s what brought me here. After I +received it I got busy right off and with the information +you furnished it was easy to look up +this man’s record. The police have been after +him for months.”</p> +<p>“You didn’t waste any time coming here,” +Penny smiled.</p> +<p>“I was afraid you girls might be in more +danger than you realized. Max here isn’t such +a nice companion. By the way what’s in the +box?”</p> +<p>Penny opened it to reveal Mr. Winters’ fine +collection of ivory. The detective whistled in +awe.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_231">[231]</div> +<p>“That would have been a nice haul, Max,” he +said. “Too bad we had to spoil your little +game.”</p> +<p>“If it hadn’t been for that kid of yours I’d have +gotten away with it,” the crook growled. “I was +dumb not to suspect she was the daughter of +a detective.”</p> +<p>“You may as well cough up the diamond +ring,” Mr. Nichols advised. “It will save an +unpleasant search.”</p> +<p>With a shrug of his shoulders, Laponi took +the gem from an inner pocket and gave it to the +detective.</p> +<p>“When do we start for the station?” he asked. +“We may as well get going.”</p> +<p>“I’ve already called the police,” Penny told +her father.</p> +<p>“Then we won’t have long to wait.” He +shoved Laponi toward a chair. “May as well +make yourself comfortable until the wagon gets +here.”</p> +<p>“Your kindness overwhelms me,” the crook +returned with exaggerated politeness.</p> +<p>“How did you get wind that Mr. Winters’ +<span class="pb" id="Page_232">[232]</span> +ivories were kept in the house?” the detective +inquired curiously.</p> +<p>Although the crook had refused to answer +the same questions a few minutes before, he +was now willing to talk, knowing that his last +chance for escape had been cut off.</p> +<p>“I read an item in the paper some months +ago,” he confessed. “It was a little news story +to the effect that Jacob Winters had recently +purchased several new pieces for his collection +and that he intended to build special exhibit +cases in his house as a means of displaying them. +I clipped the item and forgot about it.</p> +<p>“Then one day I chanced to pick up a letter +which someone had dropped. It contained a +key to this house. I decided it was too good an +opportunity to miss. Posing as Jacob Winters’ +nephew I came here to look over the situation.”</p> +<p>“I never had a nephew,” Mr. Winters declared.</p> +<p>“That was the first mistake I made. The +second was in underestimating the ability of +Penny Nichols. I thought she was only a school +girl.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_233">[233]</div> +<p>Penny smiled broadly as she inquired: +“Didn’t you enter into an agreement with Mrs. +Leeds to defraud Rosanna?”</p> +<p>“I forged the will for her if that’s what you +mean. I wasn’t interested in getting any of the +money myself.”</p> +<p>“That was because you knew it couldn’t be +done,” the detective interposed. “You considered +the ivory collection more profitable.”</p> +<p>“Of course you forged the letter stating that +Jacob Winters had been buried at sea,” Penny +mentioned.</p> +<p>With a nod of his head, the man acknowledged +the charge. It was Christopher Nichols’ +turn to ask a question. Penny’s letters had +mentioned the mysterious mansion ghost and +he was deeply interested in the subject.</p> +<p>“I suppose you were the ghost, Max?”</p> +<p>Jacob Winters answered for him.</p> +<p>“I was the ghost. It was part of my joke to +frighten the occupants of this house. Not a +very good joke, I’ll admit.”</p> +<p>“And you were the one who put bats in my +room,” Mrs. Leeds accused.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_234">[234]</div> +<p>“Yes, and a garter snake in your bed which +you never found.”</p> +<p>“Oh!”</p> +<p>“Of course, Mr. Eckert, your ghostly pranks +included playing the organ,” Penny smiled. “I +suspected it when I learned Jacob Winters had +been a talented musician.”</p> +<p>“I built the pipe organ into the house before +my wife died,” Mr. Winters explained. “I +haven’t used it a great deal in recent years.”</p> +<p>“You haven’t told us about the tunnel,” +Rosanna reminded him. “How did you happen +to construct it?”</p> +<p>“I didn’t. The lower branch of the passage +was an old mine tunnel. The mine closed down +forty years or so ago. The upper passage which +connects with the house was built by my grandfather. +This house, you know, has been in the +Winters’ family for generations. And I hope, +upon my death, that it will pass on to another +by the same name.”</p> +<p>He looked significantly at Rosanna as he +spoke.</p> +<p>Before the conversation could be continued, +<span class="pb" id="Page_235">[235]</span> +the police car drove up to the door. Max +Laponi was loaded in and taken away. Mr. +Nichols went with the police, promising to +return to the Winters’ house as soon as he +could.</p> +<p>After the commotion had subsided, Jacob +Winters turned severely to Mrs. Leeds.</p> +<p>“As for you, madam, kindly pack your things +and leave this house at once. I never want to +see you again.”</p> +<p>“But it isn’t even daylight yet. Alicia, poor +child, is sleeping——”</p> +<p>“Wake her up. I’ll give you just an hour to +get out of the house.”</p> +<p>“You’re a hard, cruel, old man!” Mrs. Leeds +cried bitterly, but she hurried up the stairs to +obey his command.</p> +<p>After the woman had disappeared, Rosanna +picked up her sweater which she had dropped +on a chair. She turned toward the door.</p> +<p>“Hold on there,” Jacob called. “Where are +you going?”</p> +<p>“I was just leaving. You told Mrs. Leeds——”</p> +<p>“Well, you’re not Mrs. Leeds, are you?” the +<span class="pb" id="Page_236">[236]</span> +old man snapped. “If you’re willing, I want you +to stay here.”</p> +<p>“You mean—indefinitely?”</p> +<p>“Yes, if you think you could stand to live +with me. I’m cross and I like things done my +own way, but if you could put up with me——”</p> +<p>“If I could put up with you!” Rosanna ran to +him and flung her arms about him. “Why, I +think you’re a darling! I was afraid to tell +you so for fear you’d believe I was after your +money.”</p> +<p>“Money! Fiddlesticks!” Jacob sniffed. He +wiped a tear from his eye. “I’m going to try +to make up to you for all that you’ve missed.”</p> +<p>The two had a great deal to say to each other, +but presently they remembered Penny. She +had been watching the little scene with eager +delight.</p> +<p>“I’ll never be able to thank you,” Rosanna +declared happily. “You’re responsible for +everything, Penny.”</p> +<p>“I wish you’d permit me to reward you in a +substantial way,” Mr. Winters added.</p> +<p>Penny smilingly shook her head. “It was fun +<span class="pb" id="Page_237">[237]</span> +coming here to Raven Ridge. But it would ruin +everything if I accepted pay for it.”</p> +<p>“At least you’ll stay a few days longer,” Mr. +Winters urged.</p> +<p>“If Father will agree to it.”</p> +<p>When Mr. Nichols returned from police +headquarters another pleasant surprise was in +store for Penny.</p> +<p>“It looks as if you’ve won the reward which +the Bresham Store offered for the capture of +Laponi,” he told her. “Five hundred dollars.”</p> +<p>“Don’t turn it down,” Rosanna urged.</p> +<p>“I won’t,” Penny laughed. “In fact, I know +just how I’ll use that money when I get it.”</p> +<p>“How?” her father inquired.</p> +<p>“I’ll buy myself a new car.”</p> +<p>“I thought perhaps you’d use it to go into +business in competition with me,” he teased.</p> +<p>“Some day I’ll solve a mystery which will be +so big and important that you’ll not be able to +twit me about it,” Penny announced.</p> +<p>“I wasn’t really teasing, my dear. I think you +did a fine bit of work this time and I’m proud +of you.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_238">[238]</div> +<p>“Honestly?”</p> +<p>“Honestly,” Mr. Nichols repeated, smiling +broadly. “And I predict that you’re only starting +on this career of crime detection which you +find so very thrilling.”</p> +<p>“I wish I could be sure of that,” Penny sighed.</p> +<p>With all her heart she longed for another adventure +as exciting as the one she had experienced. +Although she had no way of knowing +what the future held, she was destined soon +to have her wish gratified. In the third volume +of the Penny Nichols’ series, entitled, “The +Secret of the Black Imp,” she encounters a +mystery more baffling than any she has previously +solved.</p> +<p>After Mrs. Leeds and her daughter left the +house, the others took Mr. Nichols for a tour of +the secret passageway. Jacob Winters explained +in detail how the panel operated and entertained +them by playing several selections on the pipe +organ.</p> +<p>“I love music,” Rosanna remarked wistfully. +“I’ve never even had an opportunity to learn +to play the piano.”</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_239">[239]</div> +<p>“You’ll have it now,” he assured her.</p> +<p>Mr. Nichols remained during the day but +late in the afternoon he was forced to start for +home as his work had been neglected. He was +very willing, however, that Penny should remain +as long as she wished at the old mansion.</p> +<p>The days were all too short for the two girls +who enjoyed rambling through the woods, rowing +and swimming in the lake, and exploring +every nook and cranny of the interesting old +house. But at length the time came when +Penny too was obliged to depart.</p> +<p>“Come back and see us often, won’t you?” +Rosanna urged as they parted.</p> +<p>“Whenever I can,” Penny promised. “I’ve +had a glorious time.”</p> +<p>She drove away, but at the bend in the road +halted the car to glance back. The house, +cloaked in the shadows of evening, looked nearly +as mysterious as upon the occasion of her first +visit. However, to her it would never again +have a fearful aspect.</p> +<p>Jacob Winters and his niece stood framed in +the doorway. They waved.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_240">[240]</div> +<p>Penny returned the salute. Then regretfully +she turned her back upon Raven Ridge and +drove slowly down the mountain road which +led home.</p> +<p class="jr1">M. W.</p> +<p class="center">THE END</p> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Penny Nichols and the Mystery of the +Lost Key, by Joan Clark + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PENNY NICHOLS--MYSTERY OF LOST KEY *** + +***** This file should be named 34369-h.htm or 34369-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/3/6/34369/ + +Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Brenda Lewis and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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