by Joan Clark
CHAPTER VI
The Attic Door
"It seems that you are wrong, Dad," commented Penny dryly. "Already wehave a visitor."
Mr. Nichols went to the door and flung it open. The light revealed abedraggled young man who might have been in his early twenties. He wasnot very well dressed and his clothes were rain soaked. Penny and herfather regarded the stranger a trifle suspiciously until he spoke.
"I beg your pardon," the young man said apologetically, "but I amlooking for the Herman Crocker place. Would you be kind enough todirect me?"
"Why, certainly," replied the detective. "Come in out of the rain,won't you?"
"Thanks, but my shoes are covered with mud."
"You can't harm anything in this cottage," said Penny. "Come right in."
The young man stepped over the threshold, removing his limp felt hat.He had sandy hair, Penny observed, and penetrating blue eyes whichroved swiftly about the room.
"It's a nasty night," said Mr. Nichols. "Have you walked far?"
"All the way from Kendon."
"Then you went right past Herman Crocker's place. It's a large houseto the left of the road."
"The rain is coming down so fast I couldn't see very far ahead of me,"the young man replied. "This was the first light I saw along the way."
"It may be that Mr. Crocker has gone to bed," Penny remarked. "Iimagine he retires early."
"Will he be expecting you?" inquired the detective.
"Why, no, he won't," the young man replied after a slight hesitation."I suspect he'll be very much surprised to see me."
"We have a telephone," Penny said. "If you like, I'll call Mr. Crockerfor you. He might be willing to drive up and get you."
"Oh, please don't go to any bother," returned the young man quickly,edging toward the door again.
"It won't be any trouble at all."
"Please, I'd rather you wouldn't. I'll not mind the walk."
Penny glanced sharply at the young man. It was plain to see that hehad some special motive for not wishing to give Herman Crocker advancenotice of his arrival in the community.
Without having any real reason for such a belief, it suddenly struckPenny that the young man's visit might have some connection with themysterious call which Walter Crocker had made upon his uncle.
"I take it you're a stranger in these parts," remarked Mr. Nichols. Hetoo was studying the young man curiously.
"Well, yes, I am. I'm here to see Mr. Crocker on rather importantbusiness."
"You'll be his second out-of-town visitor this week," Penny commentedin a casual tone. "Mr. Crocker's nephew was here, but I understand hehas gone back to the city."
"Mr. Crocker's nephew?" asked the young man quickly.
"Yes," said Penny, watching him closely. "Walter Crocker."
A strange look came into the young man's eyes. An expression ofastonishment gave way to one of wariness.
"You are acquainted with Walter Crocker perhaps?" asked Penny, ignoringher father's warning glance.
"I have heard of him," replied the young man after a brief hesitation.He turned once more toward the door.
As he opened it a strong gust of wind blew a sheet of rain into theroom.
"See here, you can't go out in that," said Mr. Nichols firmly. "Let metelephone Crocker and tell him you're here."
The young man shook his head.
"Then I'll put on chains and take you down there in my car."
"No, I'd rather not have you go to any bother on my account. I don'tmind a little rain."
"It's blowing a gale and the storm is getting worse every minute," thedetective insisted. "Herman Crocker keeps a vicious dog too. If youwalk in there without being expected, you may receive an unpleasantreception."
"I wasn't looking for a very cordial one anyway," the young man saidslowly. "But thanks for the tip about the dog. Maybe it would be justas well to go back to town for the night."
"There's no need to do that," said Mr. Nichols. "You're welcome tostay here if you like. Our quarters aren't very luxurious, but atleast it will be better than walking back to the village."
"I'll get Mrs. Masterbrook to help me fix up one of the bedrooms rightaway," Penny added quickly.
"It's very kind of you," said the young man, looking troubled. "Youknow nothing about me----"
"We're not worried upon that score," replied Mr. Nichols with a smile."But you might tell us your name."
"Oh, yes, to be sure----" stammered the young man. "Just call meMichael--Michael Haymond."
"I am very glad to know you, Mr. Haymond," returned the detective."May I take your coat and hat? I'll build up the fire so that yourthings will dry out."
Penny crossed the room intending to call Mrs. Masterbrook. As sheopened the door leading into the hallway she saw the housekeeperhastily retreating into her own bedroom. Obviously she had beenlistening to the conversation.
"Mrs. Masterbrook!" called Penny.
"Well, what is it?" asked the housekeeper, re-opening her door.
"A guest is spending the night. Will you please help me prepare theeast bedroom?"
"This is a nice time to start making up beds," the housekeepercomplained. "I was just ready to undress."
"I'm sorry to bother you, Mrs. Masterbrook. I'll do it myself."
"I didn't say I wasn't willing to help," the housekeeper said quickly."Only if you ask me, you're making a big mistake to take a perfectstranger into the house."
"What makes you think he's a stranger?" asked Penny quickly.
"I couldn't help hearing what he told you," Mrs. Masterbrook returnedwith a toss of her head. "I don't believe for a single minute that hisname is Michael Haymond. Anyone could tell that he was lying."
"Who do you think he is?" asked Penny. "A 'G' man in disguise?"
"He looks more like a young criminal to me," Mrs. Masterbrook repliedsoberly. "His face is very familiar."
"Dear me, how did you manage to see him? Not through the keyhole?"
The housekeeper had not meant to betray herself. She flushed and madeno answer.
"If you care to meet Mr. Haymond, come into the living room," Pennyinvited. "I think you'll find him to be a very nice young man."
"No, thank you, I don't wish to meet him," said the housekeeper coldly."And if the cottage is robbed during the night, kindly don't blame me."
"All right, I won't," laughed Penny.
The bedroom which the guest was to occupy adjoined Mr. Nichols'sleeping quarters. Long after the house had settled down for thenight, Penny could hear sounds from that part of the cottage. Eitherher father or Mr. Haymond was very restless.
"It may have been unwise to take a stranger into the house," the girlreflected, "but he seemed honest enough. I don't see why Mrs.Masterbrook had to act so hateful about it."
For some time Penny remained awake thinking over the information whichMichael Haymond had given about himself. He had not told where helived nor had he mentioned the nature of his business with HermanCrocker. She had fancied that the young man had seemed somewhat shakenby her reference to Walter Crocker.
"I may have imagined that part," she told herself. "Dad didn't seem tonotice anything wrong."
Shortly Penny fell asleep. Several hours later she found herself wideawake again. She did not know what had aroused her.
Although Penny had left the curtains up, the room was dark. She couldstill hear the rain pattering against the tin roof.
Then the girl became aware of another sound. She heard a floor boardcreak. Someone was moving softly down the hallway.
"I wonder who is up at this hour?" she thought.
For a minute Penny lay perfectly still, listening. Then she creptnoiselessly from bed. Drawing on her dressing gown, she tiptoed to thedoor.
The hall was dark. At first she could distinguish nothing; then shemade out a shadowy figure at the far end. Someone was trying to openthe door which led up to the attic.