and you to say we are renting the Crocker cottage?"
questioned Mr. Nichols quickly.

"Yes, it's owned by old Herman Crocker up on Knob Hill. Do you know
him?"

"Oh, I've merely heard his name mentioned," replied the detective
carelessly.

"I guess just about everyone has heard tell of Herman," chuckled the
real estate man. He sat down at his desk and motioned Penny and her
father into near-by chairs. "He's an eccentric character."

"I trust that his cottage is at least habitable," said Mr. Nichols.

Mr. Kilkane looked puzzled. Then his face lighted and he declared
heartily: "Oh, you'll find the place to your liking. There's nothing
wrong with the cottage. If everything isn't perfectly satisfactory
I'll have Herman Crocker fix it right up for you."

"And shall we pay our rent to him?"

"No, I'll take care of that," replied the agent. "Herman said he'd
rather not have you coming to the house with the money. As I say, he's
something of a recluse."

"We met his nephew this evening."

"His nephew?" asked Mr. Kilkane raising his eyebrows. "That's a new
one on me. I didn't know Herman had one. But then, he's close
mouthed."

"We gave this fellow a ride in our car," Mr. Nichols said. "Then he
went off somewhere. I suppose he's on his way to see his uncle."

"Did you say that Herman Crocker's home is close to our cottage?"
inquired Penny.

"Yes, Miss. They're about a quarter of a mile apart on the Knob Hill
road."

"Will we have many other neighbors?" asked the detective.

"None at all," replied the agent, staring at him. "Oh, you'll find it
lonely up on Knob Hill. But you said in your letter that you wanted a
quiet, isolated place----"

"That's right, Mr. Kilkane. I'm not complaining, merely inquiring.
However, it might be wise for us to spend the night at a hotel and pay
our first visit to the cottage by daylight."

The real estate agent tapped his pen against the desk and frowned.

"We never had but one hotel here and it went out of business three
years ago. I could put you up at my house----"

"No, we don't wish to cause you any trouble," Mr. Nichols said quickly.
"Penny and I will just drive on to the cottage."

"You can't miss the place," declared Mr. Kilkane eagerly. "I'll loan
you my lantern too."

"Will we need a lantern?" gasped Penny.

"Well, you might, Miss. The cottage is wired for electricity but
sometimes the company is slow about getting it turned on."

Penny and