Penny Nichols And The Knob Hill Mystery Part 22

"You're not hurt?"

"No, the dog knocked me over but his teeth missed me. I'm glad you happened to be here at the right time, Michael."

"So am I."

The young man glanced quickly at Penny and then looked away. He seemed to realize that she was expecting him to offer an explanation for his presence at the Crocker place.

The thought had occurred to Penny, but in view of the service which Michael had rendered, she decided not to question him. Instead she graciously introduced the young man to Susan.

"Since Mr. Crocker isn't at home we may as well be walking back to the cottage," Penny remarked after the three had chatted for a moment.

"Rudy may muster his courage and take after me again."

"I'll go along with you," said Michael falling into step with the girls. "I came to see Herman Crocker too."

Neither Penny nor Susan offered any comment. They were quite sure that the young man had been crouching behind the hedge. They believed that he had observed Mr. Crocker drive away, and they thought that probably he had been watching their own movements.

During the walk back to the cottage, the girls chatted pleasantly with Michael. Susan, unaware that the young man had been uncommunicative regarding his past history, began to ask him casual questions about his home town.

"You were born in the west, Penny tells me," she commented.

"That's right," the young man agreed uneasily.

"I'd never have suspected it," Susan went on. "You don't talk like a westerner. Did you live on a ranch?"

Michael shook his head. He hesitated and then said in a low tone:

"I spent most of my early life in an orphan's home. It was a place called Glenhaven."

"Why, there's a Home in this state by that name!" cried Penny.

"Well, that's certainly odd," replied Michael, avoiding her gaze. "But I suppose Glenhaven is a common name."

"Tell us more about yourself," urged Susan.

"There's nothing to tell. I don't know very much about my parents. I was just turned over to the Home until I was eighteen years of age. I worked hard there but I was well treated. Then I left and got a job in a factory, but times turned hard and I was laid off. That about brings me up to date."

Penny thought: "But it doesn't explain why you came to Kendon to see Herman Crocker." However, her serene countenance gave no hint that she doubted any of Michael's story.

Alone in Penny's bedroom, the girls discussed the young man.

"I like him a great deal," said Susan.

"And so do I," Penny agreed, "but that doesn't alter facts. I feel certain he's not telling us a straightforward story. He may have been born in the west but I believe he's spent a great deal of his life right herein this state."

"What makes you think so, Penny?"

"Because in talking with him I've noticed that he's always well versed in local history and state politics. And another thing--I doubt that Glenhaven is a common name for an orphan's home."

"He did act embarra.s.sed about that."

"Do you want to know what I think?" asked Penny earnestly. "I suspect Michael Haymond spent most of his life in the Glenhaven Home which is in this state--not out west."

"But why should he try to hide the fact?"

"I couldn't guess. It's remotely possible he's been mixed up in trouble, but Michael seems like a decent sort."

"If we were really prying we could write to the Glenhaven officials,"

Susan said slowly.

"I don't consider it prying to try to find out more about the man,"

returned Penny. "A good detective always investigates every angle of a case. I could send a letter off tonight only it will take so long to get a reply."

"A week at best, I'd judge."

"Glenhaven isn't far from here!" Penny cried. "Let's drive over there tomorrow. I think Dad would let me have the car if he doesn't need it himself."

"Why, I'd enjoy the trip," Susan declared promptly.

"We could start early and take our lunch," Penny planned enthusiastically.

When Mr. Nichols came home she asked him if they might use the car the following day. The detective readily agreed. He was delighted that Susan had arrived to visit Penny for he felt that the girls would have an enjoyable time together.

"Any news about your toy lantern?" Penny asked her father teasingly.

"None worth mentioning," the detective replied. "I'm getting a little discouraged."

"Don't hesitate to call upon me if you need my sleuthing services,"

Penny laughed. "I'm doing very well with my own case."

Early the next morning Penny and Susan set off for Glenhaven, telling no one save Mr. Nichols of their destination. They did not wish either Mrs. Masterbrook or Michael to gain an inkling of their mission.

Noon found the girls within view of the orphan's home. It was a private inst.i.tution and from the outside at least, a pleasant looking place. The brick building had several long wings and there was a wide expanse of bent gra.s.s lawn.

"Did you ever see such a beautiful yard?" asked Susan admiringly. "It looks as smooth as a floor."

"It's almost too pretty," said Penny. "I'd rather see the gra.s.s worn thin in places. Then I'd know that children had been playing on it instead of being cooped up inside."

The girls turned in at the grounds and drove up to the front door.

Upon asking to see the matron they were shown into Mrs. Barker's office.

"What may I do for you?" the woman inquired pleasantly.

Under her intent scrutiny, Penny found it difficult to state her mission. She managed to say that she was trying to learn if an orphan named Michael Haymond had ever lived at the Home.

"One moment and I will see," replied the matron.

She rang a bell and instructed an attendant to check over the inst.i.tution records. In a short while the report came back. No person by the name of Michael Haymond had ever resided at the Glenhaven Home.

"It's barely possible the young man took the name of Haymond after leaving the inst.i.tution," Penny said slowly. "I wonder if you would recognize him by description?"