"I did," the housekeeper nodded grimly.

"But how did you know where to find Walter Crocker?"

"I suspected that he was a certain boy named Michael Gladwin," Mrs.
Masterbrook answered. "From various bits of evidence which came my way
while I worked for Herman, I gathered that Jenny's child had been
placed in the Glenhaven Orphan's Home under that name."

"I must say you have shown a distinct talent for detective work," Mr.
Nichols told her dryly. "You sent the anonymous letter to Michael at
that address. Then what happened?"

"Nothing. There was no reply. That's all I know of the matter."

"Mrs. Masterbrook, I think you can tell us a great deal more," said
Penny quietly. "For instance when did you first meet the man who calls
himself Walter Crocker."

"I don't know what you're talking about," stammered the housekeeper.

"Either you explain everything or we'll take you to the police
station," interposed Mr. Nichols.

"All right, I'll tell you exactly what happened," Mrs. Masterbrook
agreed after a long moment of thought. "The man is a lawyer--his name
is Jay Kline."

"Mr. Madden's missing partner!" exclaimed the detective.

"I don't know anything about him being missing," said the housekeeper
crossly. "But he's made me plenty of trouble. I wish I had never set
eyes on him."

"Tell us how you came to meet Jay Kline," the detective ordered.

"It was this way. I waited months to hear from the letter which I sent
to the Glenhaven Home. When none came I decided that Michael Gladwin
must be dead. I saw no reason in that case why I shouldn't profit a
little myself. After all, I worked like a slave for Old Herman and he
never paid me a living wage! I took the letters to a city law firm."

"So Mr. Madden is mixed up in this affair too?" asked the detective.

"I don't know anything about him," replied the housekeeper. "I met
only Jay Kline. He told me to leave everything to him and that he
would force Old Herman to pay me a good sum to get the letters back
again."

"There is an ugly name for that sort of thing," said Mr. Nichols.
"Blackmail."

"I only meant to make Herman pay me a hundred dollars."

"The principle was exactly the same. I judge that Jay Kline being an
unscrupulous rascal took matters out of your hands."

"Yes, the next thing I knew he came here and pawned himself off as
Walter Crocker. I tried to make him go away but he wouldn't. I didn't
mean to do wrong, Mr. Nichols.