st wait here."

Penny was a little surprised because the old man did not invite her
into the house.

"It won't take me long," he said, deliberately closing the door behind
him.

Penny seated herself on the steps of the sagging porch and kept her eye
upon Herman Crocker's dog which had stationed himself only a few feet
away.

"That animal is vicious," she thought uneasily. "I don't see why
Crocker keeps him around."

Hearing a slight sound Penny gazed toward the right and was surprised
to observe a small boy peering at her from the corner of the house. He
was tall and very thin but did not appear to be more than nine or ten
years of age.

"Hello there," said Penny in a friendly voice.

"Hello," answered the boy. He moved slowly toward her, staring rather
blankly.

"You're not Mr. Crocker's little boy?" Penny asked, hoping to draw him
into conversation.

"I'm his grandson."

"Oh, his grandson," repeated Penny, studying the lad with interest. He
bore slight resemblance to Herman Crocker. "And is Rudy your dog?"

"No!" replied the lad bitterly. "I hate him. If I tried to go away
from here he'd attack me. My grandfather has trained him to do that."

Penny was not certain that she had understood correctly. She could not
believe that Herman Crocker deliberately kept his grandson a prisoner
on the property.

"You don't mean----" she began, but the words died away.

The kitchen door had opened. Herman Crocker stood scowling at his
grandson.

"Perry!" he said harshly. "Get inside! There's work to be done!"

"Yes, sir," replied the boy meekly.

With a frightened glance directed toward Penny he scuttled into the
house. Mr. Crocker closed the door again.

"I do believe that old man was afraid to have me talk with his
grandson!" Penny thought shrewdly. "How strange!"

She did not have long to reflect upon the queer actions of her new
landlord, for in a very few minutes he reappeared with an armload of
linen and blankets.

"I've telephoned the electric company for you," he told her. "Your
lights ought to be on before night."

"And will you have the cottage cleaned for us?" Penny requested.

"I can't do the work myself," scowled the man. "But if you want to get
Mrs. Masterbrook, I'll pay the bill."

"Who is she?" inquired Penny.

"I'll give you her address. She does cleaning work by the day."

Penny was not very well pleased with the arrangement because it meant
that she must make a s