ephone number?"

"Oh, he plagued Mrs. Gallup into revealing our address, and then he
found that we had a telephone installed today. Worse luck!"

"Mrs. Gallup was instructed not to tell where we were unless something
of great importance arose."

"The inspector evidently convinced her that this was a vital matter."

"What is it all about anyway?" Penny inquired curiously.

"Inspector Harris wants me to take a new case. Last night a big
robbery was committed at Hannibal, which is the nearest town to Kendon.
The inspector thought that since I was on the scene it would be
convenient for me to conduct the investigation."

"Convenient for him."

"Obviously."

Penny glanced quickly at her father. "And what did you tell him, Dad?"

"I said I wouldn't do it. This is my vacation and I mean to enjoy it."

"Good for you, Dad," Penny said approvingly.

"The inspector didn't like to take 'no' for an answer," Mr. Nichols
went on. "He claimed that this was not an ordinary robbery case and
that I'd be sorry if I turned it down."

"What was so unusual about it, Dad?"

"Nothing that I could tell. A private home was entered and the thieves
escaped with about a thousand dollars' worth of jewelry. The owner, a
man of wealth, insists upon private detectives taking over the case.
He's not satisfied with the local police talent."

While Penny and her father were discussing the robbery, Mrs.
Masterbrook announced dinner. To their relief, she did not talk during
the meal but maintained an aloof air.

"I don't like the look of the weather," remarked Mr. Nichols, glancing
out the window. "I shouldn't be surprised if we have a storm tonight."

"The wind does appear to be rising," Penny agreed. "Just listen to it
whistle in the grove of evergreens--it gives one a creepy feeling."

"I hope we have a good roof over us," Mr. Nichols declared. "One that
doesn't leak."

As he spoke, the room was suddenly plunged into darkness.

"Mercy on us!" screamed Mrs. Masterbrook in terror. "What's happened
to the lights?"

"Probably the current has been turned off, or the high wind may have
broken a wire," said the detective calmly.

"Or a fuse may have blown out," Penny added.

"I'll get my flashlight from the car and take a look," said Mr.
Nichols. "I don't know if I can locate the fuse box or not."

"It's in the cellar," contributed Mrs. Masterbrook.

"The only way to get down there is from the outside of the cottage,"
P