sly watching
the entrance to the narrow lane. A car was just coming into view.

"Duck into the pine grove," commanded the detective.

The three disappeared behind the trees just as Herman Crocker's
battered old car wheezed up the lane. Mr. Nichols and the girls
remained motionless until the old man and his grandson had gone into
the house. Then they moved noiselessly away, keeping to the evergreen
grove until they reached the main road.

"Penny, what were you starting to tell me about an account book?"
questioned Mr. Nichols as they paused.

"I'll show you," offered Penny.

She opened the account book to the item which had drawn her attention,
but in the dim light it was difficult for Mr. Nichols to make out the
fine writing.

"Michael Gladwin," he read slowly aloud. "I seem to be thick
headed----"

"Oh, Susan and I didn't tell you that part!" Penny cried. "We think
Gladwin is Michael Haymond's real name! He dropped a handkerchief
bearing the initials 'M. G.', and when we were over at Glenhaven we
learned from the former matron of the institution that a strange person
who might have been Herman Crocker, brought a boy who was named Michael
Gladwin to the Home."

"There seems to be quite a bit going on that I know nothing about," Mr.
Nichols remarked dryly. "Suppose you start at the beginning, Penny,
and tell me everything."

"Are you sure you'll not think my ideas wild?" Penny asked teasingly.

"I am quite willing to retract my words," Mr. Nichols said. "Your
ideas and theories are proving remarkably sound."

Penny and Susan were only too glad to relate everything they had
learned about Michael Gladwin.

"I'll question the young man just as soon as we reach the cottage,"
promised Mr. Nichols. "We'll get at the bottom of this matter and see
if it can be straightened out."

"Michael may deny everything," Penny said thoughtfully. "He has some
particular reason for wishing to keep his past a secret. Dad, I have
an idea!"

"What is it, Penny?"

"Why couldn't we drive over to Ferndale to-night and take Michael with
us? He'd have no suspicion that we were calling upon Mrs. Havers until
he met her face to face!"

"Confronted with the former matron you believe that he would break down
and confess the truth?"

"Yes, I think he might, Dad. At any rate, Mrs. Havers could establish
definitely whether or not he is Michael Gladwin."

"Your plan is a good one," Mr. Nichols said after a moment's
ref