Penny Nichols And The Knob Hill Mystery Part 34

"None yet, but there are a lot of papers in the desk."

"We'll get to those later," Mr. Nichols nodded.

The detective made a swift but thorough inspection of the kitchen. He examined the floor boards to see if any had been pried loose and even poked into the rag bag.

"Here's something!" he said triumphantly, pulling out a piece of white cloth.

"Why, that is the same material I saw in Turner's store!" Penny exclaimed.

"Yes, it was used to make the wick of the lantern. We'll keep it for evidence."

Mr. Nichols stuffed the cloth into his coat pocket.

"I've looked all through the cupboards," Penny reported. "I'm going back and examine some of those papers now."

"All right," her father agreed.

Penny had never seen such a disordered desk. Apparently, Herman Crocker had kept every letter, receipt, and paper which ever came into his possession, tossing all together in one untidy heap.

Penny thumbed rapidly through the letters, discarding all which were of a strictly business nature. Suddenly she came upon a photograph which had turned yellow with age. A glance a.s.sured Penny that it was a likeness of Herman Crocker when he had been some years younger.

"Just what I need!" she thought triumphantly. "This will be a great deal better than a snapshot!"

Slipping the photograph into her pocket she went on with her search.

In one drawer of the desk she found nothing but old tax receipts showing payments paid by Herman Crocker for both the cottage property and his farm.

Penny knew she would not have time to examine each receipt in turn so she opened a second drawer. It was crammed with old checks and bank statements. In the very bottom was a thick green book.

Penny opened it up and saw that it was a detailed expense account running back many years. She was about to toss the book carelessly aside, when a notation on one of the pages caught her eye. The item read:

"Paid to the Glenhaven Orphan's Home--$100.00 for keep of Michael Gladwin."

Penny stared at the notation for an instant, and then turned toward her father.

"Dad, I've found something important!" she exclaimed. "This account book--"

Before she could finish, there was a loud pounding on the door.

"Herman Crocker is coming up the road!" Susan Altman called excitedly.

"Hurry or he'll be here!"

CHAPTER XIX

Michael's Admission

"Bring the book and come on, Penny," Mr. Nichols ordered tersely. "We don't want Crocker to catch us here."

Penny s.n.a.t.c.hed up the account book, slammed shut the desk and followed her father to the door. Susan was waiting there, nervously watching the entrance to the narrow lane. A car was just coming into view.

"Duck into the pine grove," commanded the detective.

The three disappeared behind the trees just as Herman Crocker's battered old car wheezed up the lane. Mr. Nichols and the girls remained motionless until the old man and his grandson had gone into the house. Then they moved noiselessly away, keeping to the evergreen grove until they reached the main road.

"Penny, what were you starting to tell me about an account book?"

questioned Mr. Nichols as they paused.

"I'll show you," offered Penny.

She opened the account book to the item which had drawn her attention, but in the dim light it was difficult for Mr. Nichols to make out the fine writing.

"Michael Gladwin," he read slowly aloud. "I seem to be thick headed----"

"Oh, Susan and I didn't tell you that part!" Penny cried. "We think Gladwin is Michael Haymond's real name! He dropped a handkerchief bearing the initials 'M. G.', and when we were over at Glenhaven we learned from the former matron of the inst.i.tution that a strange person who might have been Herman Crocker, brought a boy who was named Michael Gladwin to the Home."

"There seems to be quite a bit going on that I know nothing about," Mr.

Nichols remarked dryly. "Suppose you start at the beginning, Penny, and tell me everything."

"Are you sure you'll not think my ideas wild?" Penny asked teasingly.

"I am quite willing to retract my words," Mr. Nichols said. "Your ideas and theories are proving remarkably sound."

Penny and Susan were only too glad to relate everything they had learned about Michael Gladwin.

"I'll question the young man just as soon as we reach the cottage,"

promised Mr. Nichols. "We'll get at the bottom of this matter and see if it can be straightened out."

"Michael may deny everything," Penny said thoughtfully. "He has some particular reason for wis.h.i.+ng to keep his past a secret. Dad, I have an idea!"

"What is it, Penny?"

"Why couldn't we drive over to Ferndale to-night and take Michael with us? He'd have no suspicion that we were calling upon Mrs. Havers until he met her face to face!"

"Confronted with the former matron you believe that he would break down and confess the truth?"

"Yes, I think he might, Dad. At any rate, Mrs. Havers could establish definitely whether or not he is Michael Gladwin."

"Your plan is a good one," Mr. Nichols said after a moment's reflection. "We'll start right away if we can locate Michael."

"He usually walks down to the village after supper," Penny declared anxiously. "I hope he hasn't left yet."

Michael was just starting away from the cottage when Mr. Nichols and the girls arrived. The detective stopped him, explaining that they would like to have his company on a motor trip to a distant town.

"I don't enjoy changing a tire at night," Mr. Nichols said. "While I'm not looking for trouble, I'd like to have a handy man along just in case something happens."

"I'll be very glad to go, sir," replied Michael.