f the timber. They found no
one.

"It's no use going on," the detective declared. "We'd never catch the
fellow now. He may have been a tramp who noticed that our door was
unlocked."

"I wonder if Michael Haymond is in his room?" Penny asked abruptly.

"Why wouldn't he be?"

"It seems odd he didn't awaken with me screaming all over the place."

"Mrs. Masterbrook slept through it," Mr. Nichols replied.

"Just the same I'm curious to know if Michael is in his room. Dad, why
don't you----"

"Penny, I'll not do it," the detective interrupted. "I like that young
man and I'm not going to barge into his room in the middle of the night
and ask him a lot of stupid questions."

"All right," Penny returned with a sigh. "But how easy it would be
just to peep in the door and see if he's there."

"I'll not do that either," replied Mr. Nichols. "You may have been
mistaken about the prowler. You've taken such an imaginative turn this
summer."

"Thanks, Dad," Penny drawled. She added mischievously: "Let me know
when you've found the owner of the toy lantern."

"There's good common sense behind my theory," said Mr. Nichols
seriously. "Inspector Harris seems to think I'm on the wrong track but
I have a hunch----"

"In that case you should be generous with your daughter," Penny
laughed. "She has a hunch too."

"We'll call a truce," Mr. Nichols smiled. "You're free to trace down
all the mystery you can find at Kendon providing that you don't ask me
to discharge Michael."

"Seriously, Dad, I think something is going on here that would bear
investigation," Penny said soberly. "I'd like to delve into it but I
need a sympathetic helper."

"I'm sorry, Penny, but I haven't time to play around."

"I didn't mean you at all, Dad," Penny laughed. "I was thinking about
Susan Altman. Would you mind if I invited her down here for a few
days?"

"Go ahead if you like. She'll be company for you while I'm working on
the Kirmenbach case."

"I'll send a letter right away," Penny declared eagerly.

The next morning after writing to her friend she walked down to the
village to post the letter. Dropping in at the grocery store for a
loaf of bread she deliberately drew the genial owner into conversation,
seeking information regarding Herman Crocker.

"I feel rather sorry for him," she remarked. "I'm sure that he hasn't
enough money to feed himself and his grandson properly."

"Don't you worry about that," replied the