enny thought. "Dad ought to
discharge her for a trick like this."

She returned the letters to the suitcase and after locking the bag took
the key with her. Later in the afternoon when Mr. Nichols came back to
the cottage in company with one of the telephone men, she drew him
aside to reveal what the housekeeper had done.

"It's nothing so very serious," the detective said. "Of course the
trick was a contemptible one, but I doubt that she learned anything of
interest. The letters all dealt with matters of routine business."

"But if Mrs. Masterbrook reads our letters she'll pry into other things
too."

"We could discharge her," the detective said, frowning thoughtfully.
"The point is--where would we get another housekeeper on short notice?
Especially one who can cook."

"Mrs. Masterbrook does do her work well," Penny admitted grudgingly.

"I'll discharge her if you say the word, Penny."

"No, let her stay," the girl decided. "But we'll have to be very
careful about what we do and say around her."

With a telephone installed, the electric lights connected, and the
house stocked with groceries, Penny and her father felt that they were
fairly well established in the cottage. As was to be expected, Mrs.
Masterbrook acted very distant during the remainder of the day. She
went about the house with an injured air which was amusing to Penny and
Mr. Nichols.

Toward evening the telephone rang.

"Why, that was a long and two short!" exclaimed Penny, springing up
from her chair. "That's our ring."

"Must be a mistake," replied Mr. Nichols. "No one would be calling us
so soon."

Before Penny could reach the telephone, Mrs. Masterbrook answered it.
She appeared in the doorway and said primly to Mr. Nichols:

"Long distance is calling."

"Long distance!" exclaimed the detective. "That's queer. How did
anyone get my number so soon?"

"I'm sure you can't blame _that_ on me," replied the housekeeper
maliciously.

Mr. Nichols went to answer the call. Penny noticed that Mrs.
Masterbrook lingered not far away, evidently listening. Upon seeing
that the girl was watching, she retreated to the kitchen.

In a few minutes Mr. Nichols returned to the living room.

"I hope nothing is wrong at home," Penny said in a low tone. She was
afraid the call had been from Mrs. Gallup.

"No, everything is all right," returned the detective. "That was
Inspector Harris who telephoned me."

"But how did he get your tel