Penny Nichols And The Knob Hill Mystery Part 31

"Why, that's so," Susan murmured in astonishment. "But it doesn't seem reasonable! What has Michael done that he's ashamed to have his true name known?"

"I may be jumping at another one of my false conclusions," Penny admitted. "Anyway, I think I'll keep this handkerchief."

"If only we had a picture of Michael we might send it to Mrs. Havers for identification," Susan said thoughtfully.

"I was thinking of that," Penny nodded. "We'll get a picture today."

"How? By telling Michael that you've suddenly taken a great fancy to him?"

"We'll take a snapshot. Fortunately I brought my camera along when we came to Kendon."

"Do you have a film?"

"Yes, it's all loaded ready to go."

"Then let's get our prey!" laughed Susan. "But Michael may refuse."

"He shouldn't unless we make him suspicious. Mind, not a word about the handkerchief."

The girls went directly to the cottage for Penny's camera. First they flattered Mrs. Masterbrook by requesting her picture. The housekeeper posed on the porch steps.

"We'd like your picture too," Penny said to Michael who was standing near.

"I'd break your camera," the young man laughed good-naturedly.

"Oh, don't be silly," Susan cried, and catching him by the hand, pulled him up on the porch.

Penny snapped the picture. To make certain that she would have a good one, she took still another.

"That's enough," declared Michael moving away.

Mrs. Masterbrook lingered on the porch, hoping that the girls would take another picture of her. However, they had no intention of wasting any film.

"Let's get it developed right away," Susan declared.

"There's one more picture I'd like to take just to make the record complete," Penny announced as she and her chum walked away from the cottage.

"Whose?" asked Susan.

"Herman Crocker's."

"It would be interesting to keep it as a souvenir of your vacation,"

Susan agreed. "But try to get it!"

"I believe I could."

"You'd try anything."

"We'll have an hour before the sun is low," Penny declared, glancing toward the western horizon. "Come on, let's go there now."

"I don't like the idea a bit," Susan complained but she allowed her chum to lead her down the road.

"I'll have to think up a new excuse for calling on Herman," Penny remarked as they drew near the house. "That one about wanting to buy eggs is getting pretty thread bare."

"You're inviting trouble to go there again," Susan warned darkly.

"Herman will suspect something is wrong the minute you ask for his picture."

"I don't mean to ask," Penny chuckled. "Perhaps I'll just snap it and run."

There was no sign of activity about the Crocker premises. They did not see the dog, and when they rapped on the door there was no response.

"Mr. Crocker and his grandson are gone," Susan said in relief.

"I guess I'll have to give up the picture then," Penny sighed. "I had a particular use for it too."

"Why don't you snap one of the house?" Susan suggested.

"I might do that just to finish out the roll. Then we can take the film down to Kendon and have it developed."

"You mean now?"

"Yes, I'm in a hurry to get the prints. Dad may take it into his head to leave this place any day and I have considerable unfinished business on my calendar."

"It seems as if I've walked a million miles today," Susan grumbled good-naturedly.

"It's good for your figure," Penny laughed. "You don't want to get fat."

"No chance of it around you," Susan retorted.

Penny took the picture and removed the roll of exposed film from her camera. Walking down k.n.o.b Hill, the girls left it at one of the drugstores in Kendon.

"How soon may we have the prints?" Penny asked.

"Tomorrow afternoon," the clerk promised.

When the girls had left the drugstore, Penny suggested that they drop in for a moment at Turner's.

"Are you still hopeful that someone will claim the toy lantern?" Susan inquired with a trace of amus.e.m.e.nt.

"No, I gave up long ago," Penny admitted. "I just keep asking as a matter of routine."

"Mr. Turner would let you know if anything develops."

"He might forget," Penny insisted. "Let's drop in for just a minute."

Susan sighed wearily and followed her chum into the store. Mr. Turner did not look very pleased to see them. He had grown tired of their frequent calls.

"Nothing new?" Penny asked pleasantly.