inspection of the kitchen. He
examined the floor boards to see if any had been pried loose and even
poked into the rag bag.

"Here's something!" he said triumphantly, pulling out a piece of white
cloth.

"Why, that is the same material I saw in Turner's store!" Penny
exclaimed.

"Yes, it was used to make the wick of the lantern. We'll keep it for
evidence."

Mr. Nichols stuffed the cloth into his coat pocket.

"I've looked all through the cupboards," Penny reported. "I'm going
back and examine some of those papers now."

"All right," her father agreed.

Penny had never seen such a disordered desk. Apparently, Herman
Crocker had kept every letter, receipt, and paper which ever came into
his possession, tossing all together in one untidy heap.

Penny thumbed rapidly through the letters, discarding all which were of
a strictly business nature. Suddenly she came upon a photograph which
had turned yellow with age. A glance assured Penny that it was a
likeness of Herman Crocker when he had been some years younger.

"Just what I need!" she thought triumphantly. "This will be a great
deal better than a snapshot!"

Slipping the photograph into her pocket she went on with her search.
In one drawer of the desk she found nothing but old tax receipts
showing payments paid by Herman Crocker for both the cottage property
and his farm.

Penny knew she would not have time to examine each receipt in turn so
she opened a second drawer. It was crammed with old checks and bank
statements. In the very bottom was a thick green book.

Penny opened it up and saw that it was a detailed expense account
running back many years. She was about to toss the book carelessly
aside, when a notation on one of the pages caught her eye. The item
read:

"Paid to the Glenhaven Orphan's Home--$100.00 for keep of Michael
Gladwin."

Penny stared at the notation for an instant, and then turned toward her
father.

"Dad, I've found something important!" she exclaimed. "This account
book--"

Before she could finish, there was a loud pounding on the door.

"Herman Crocker is coming up the road!" Susan Altman called excitedly.
"Hurry or he'll be here!"

CHAPTER XIX

Michael's Admission

"Bring the book and come on, Penny," Mr. Nichols ordered tersely. "We
don't want Crocker to catch us here."

Penny snatched up the account book, slammed shut the desk and followed
her father to the door. Susan was waiting there, nervou