Penny Nichols and the Mystery of the Lost Key Part 32

Penny and Rosanna exchanged a swift glance. They knew now that the box contained Jacob Winters' priceless collection of ivory pieces!

After staring at the little figure for a minute Caleb carefully replaced it and closed the box. He then locked the safe and returned the oil painting to its former position on the wall.

"Stop him now or it will be too late," Rosanna whispered tensely.

Before Penny could act, there was a slight movement at the opposite end of the living room. The girls were horrified to see a closet door slowly open.

Caleb's back was turned. Oblivious of danger he bent down to pick up his lantern.

From within the closet a man was regarding Caleb with cold intensity. He held a revolver in his hand.

Rosanna, terrified at the sight, would have cried out a warning, had not Penny suddenly placed her hand over the girl's mouth.

Max Laponi, a cynical, cruel smile upon his angular face, stepped out into the living room, his revolver trained upon Caleb.

"Much obliged to you for opening the safe, Mr. Eckert," he said coolly.

"You saved me the trouble."

Caleb wheeled and instinctively thrust the metal box behind his back. The gesture amused Laponi. He laughed harshly.

"I guess you weren't quite as clever as you thought you were, Caleb! Hand over the ivories and be quick about it."

"You're nothing but a crook!" the old man cried furiously.

"Hand over the ivories if you value your life."

Instead of obeying the order, Caleb slowly retreated toward the door. Max Laponi's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"I don't want to shoot an old man but if you force me----"

"Don't shoot," Caleb quavered. "I'll give up the ivory."

"Good. Now you're acting sensibly. Drop the box on the table and raise your hands above your head."

Slowly, Caleb complied with the order.

Laponi moved with cat-like tread across the floor and s.n.a.t.c.hed up the box. With his revolver still trained on the old man, he backed toward the door.

"Thank you for a very profitable evening," he smirked. "And when you locate your friend Mr. Winters----"

His words ended in a surprised gasp. Something had struck his right hand a stunning blow. The weapon fell from his bruised fingers, clattering to the floor. He felt a cold, hard object in the small of his back.

"It's your turn now," said Penny Nichols. "I'll trouble you to hand over the little box!"

CHAPTER XIX The Tables Turn

Max Laponi whirled about and looked directly into the muzzle of Penny's revolver.

"Drop that box and put up your hands," she ordered crisply.

Laponi gazed at her jeeringly.

"The gun isn't loaded," he sneered.

"You should know," Penny retorted. "It's your own revolver. I took it from your room."

The expression of the crook's face altered for he well remembered that the weapon had been left in readiness for instant use.

While keeping Laponi covered, Penny kicked the other revolver across the floor in Caleb Eckert's direction. The old man hastily s.n.a.t.c.hed it up.

Laponi knew then that he did not have a chance. With a shrug of his shoulders he admitted defeat. He dropped the metal box on the table.

Rosanna darted forward and s.n.a.t.c.hed it up.

"I might have known you'd be the one to ruin things," Laponi said bitterly to Penny. "I was afraid of you from the first."

"Thank you for the compliment," Penny smiled. "Kindly keep your hands up, Mr. Laponi--if that's your true name."

"He's nothing but an impostor," Caleb Eckert broke in angrily. "I knew from the moment I set eyes on him that he was no relative of Jacob Winters."

"I can imagine that," Penny returned quietly. "But when explanations are in order, I think you'll need to clear up a few points yourself."

The old man looked confused. However, before he could answer, footsteps were heard on the stairs. Mrs. Leeds, wrapped in her bath-robe, came hurrying into the room. She had been disturbed by the sound of voices.

"Penny Nichols!" she cried furiously. "What are you doing in my house?"

Then she noticed the revolver and recoiled a step.

"What is the meaning of this?" she demanded. "Mr. Laponi, has this girl lost her senses?"

"Apparently, she has," the man sneered. "She claims I came here to steal that box while I was only trying to keep Caleb from making off with it."

"Release Mr. Laponi at once," Mrs. Leeds ordered haughtily. She glared at Caleb. "I always did distrust that man."

"Our dislike was mutual," Caleb retorted. "You are a grasping, selfish woman and your daughter is a chip of the old block!"

"How dare you!" Mrs. Leeds choked in fury. "Get out of this house, you meddlesome old man, or I'll have you arrested!"

Penny was actually enjoying the scene but now she decided to put an end to it.

"This little farce has gone far enough," she announced, turning to Caleb.

"Tell them who you are, Mr. Eckert."

The old man nodded. Eyeing Mrs. Leeds with keen satisfaction, he exploded his bomb sh.e.l.l.