Penny Nichols and the Mystery of the Lost Key Part 11

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.

The girls had finished the dishes and were stacking them away when Alicia came down the stairs.

"Mother and I will take our breakfast now," she informed.

Rosanna started toward the kitchen, but Penny neatly blocked the way.

"Sorry," she said cheerfully, "but we've just finished ours. You'll find supplies in the kitchen."

Alicia started to reply but without waiting to hear what she might have to say, Penny and Rosanna went out the back door.

"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."

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.

While they were admiring the rugged scenery, someone came up behind them.

They wheeled about to face Caleb himself.

"Well, well, you both look bright and gay this morning," he greeted heartily. "Sleep well?"

"Quite well," Rosanna told him shyly. "That is, we did until the visitors arrived."

"Visitors?"

Rosanna explained about Mrs. Leeds and her daughter while Penny added omitted details. For some reason they both were beginning to feel that Caleb was their ally.

"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."

"Did you leave milk at our doorstep this morning?" Penny questioned as they returned together.

Caleb admitted that he had placed it there.

"You've been very kind," Rosanna said gratefully. "I want to thank you before we leave."

"You're not aiming to leave today?" Caleb asked quickly.

"Well, yes, I imagine we will. I don't feel right about staying here."

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."

"But what can I do?" Rosanna asked helplessly. "I've lost my letter and the key. I haven't any proof that the property was left to me."

"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."

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.

"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."

"May I see the letter which you say you received?" Caleb inquired.

Mrs. Leeds hesitated, then reluctantly handed it over. Caleb studied it briefly and returned it.

"You will require more than this as evidence of Mr. Winters' death," he said quietly. "For all I know, you may have forged this letter."

"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."

"Not without the will, he can't," Caleb returned grimly. "And there's no telling what became of it."

"The will?" Mrs. Leeds caught him up. "Are you sure there was a will?"

"Mr. Winters told me once that he had made one and hidden it somewhere in the house."

"Then of course it can be found."

"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."

"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?"

"Well, not exactly, but Mr. Winters asked me to look after things until he got back."

"That will must be found."

Caleb's face tightened. "Mrs. Leeds," he said severely, "I repeat, things in this house must not be disturbed."

Mrs. Leeds drew herself up proudly. "Unquestionably, the will leaves everything to me."

"That may be," Caleb acknowledged, "but this girl here has a claim too."

He indicated Rosanna.

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.

"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?"

"I could get evidence within a few days," Rosanna declared. "The letter and key may show up too."

"I think perhaps you dropped them in the car," Penny interrupted. "Let's look now."

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.

"Do you think Mrs. Leeds could have picked it up?" she asked gloomily.

"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?"

"What else can we do?"

"Send a wire to Dad that we're staying on a day or two," Penny answered instantly.