Penny Nichols and the Mystery of the Lost Key Part 2

"Why, it's fine," Penny returned after a slight hesitation. "Did you know Jacob Winters well?"

"I didn't know him at all. In fact I never even met him."

"Oh! Then the inheritance must have come as a surprise."

"It did. Even now I can't help thinking there must be some mistake. Did you ever hear of Raven Ridge?"

"Yes, indeed," Penny told her. "It is a lovely spot near Snow Mountain."

"I must go there as soon as I can," Rosanna said. "Will the car fare be very much do you think?"

"Probably not more than ten dollars."

"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."

"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."

"What do you mean?" Rosanna questioned.

Penny found it difficult to explain.

"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."

"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."

"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."

"But what can I do except to obey the letter and visit the property?"

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."

"Can I reach Brookport by train or bus?"

"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?"

"No."

"I'll take you to Brookport if you like," Penny offered generously. "We might go tomorrow."

"Oh, I shouldn't like to trouble you, Miss Nichols. I can probably rent a car."

"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."

"All right," Rosanna smiled. "It's good of you to offer. Perhaps I can repay you someday."

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.

"Is Dad home yet?" Penny inquired, pausing to sniff the air.

"He's in the study," the housekeeper informed.

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 apprentices.h.i.+p on the police force, had risen from the ranks, and later had started his own private detective agency. Yet, despite his success, he was quiet and unaffected.

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.

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, ent.i.tled, "Penny Nichols Finds A Clue."

"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?"

Penny laughed as she shook her head.

"No, believe it or not, I still have a few dollars of my allowance left.

I'm after information this time."

"What sort of information?"

"Preferably accurate," Penny smiled. "Tell me, did you ever hear of a lawyer by the name of Elfhedge with an office at Brookport?"

"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."

"I have the name right," Penny insisted. She then related the contents of Rosanna Winters' letter.

"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."

"That's what I did tell her."

"I'll look this man Elfhedge up in a day or two if you like," Mr. Nichols promised. "It sounds like a fict.i.tious name to me but of course the letter may be _bona fide_."

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.

At ten o'clock she rang the doorbell of the rooming house on Sixty-fifth Street. Rosanna already was waiting.

"I thought you might have changed your mind about wis.h.i.+ng to make the trip," she declared, following Penny to the car.

"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."

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."

Penny refrained from saying anything which might disturb Rosanna.

Actually, she had not the slightest reason for doubting that the girl 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.

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.

"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."

"I'm sorry if I caused you worry. I had no reason for thinking that someone wrote the letter for a joke."