why doesn't your grandfather like me?"

"Because you'll ask too many questions," the boy answered. "Please go
away now, before grandpa finds you talking with me."

The cottage became flooded with light as Mr. Nichols and Herman Crocker
replaced the old fuse. Penny knew that they would be coming up the
steps in a moment. She did not wish Perry to be punished so she
slipped back into the house.

However, as soon as Herman Crocker had driven away Penny ran back
outside to meet her father. She told him what Perry had said.

"Herman Crocker is a queer old duck," the detective replied. "I don't
doubt he abuses the boy."

"We ought to do something about it, Dad," Penny said earnestly.

"Now don't get worked up over the affair. We haven't any proof that
the boy is mistreated. If the local authorities aren't interested in
the case, we have no call to interfere. We'd only stir up a tempest in
a teapot."

"I suppose you're right," Penny admitted reluctantly. "You usually
are."

"I'd forget the Crocker family if I were you. Try to enjoy your
vacation."

Penny did not wish to forget about Perry. She felt that he deserved a
better fate than life with a queer old man like Herman Crocker.

Later in the evening as she sat with a book, she kept thinking of the
boy. She could not keep her mind on anything she read.

At nine o'clock it began to rain. The wind, steadily growing stronger,
rattled the windowpanes.

"I'm afraid this will be a noisy place tonight," commented Mr. Nichols.
"But I'm drowsy enough to sleep through anything."

Mrs. Masterbrook had retired soon after the dishes were washed. After
getting himself a drink in the kitchen, Mr. Nichols announced that he
too was going to bed.

"I'll be coming along in a few minutes," Penny said. "How about the
doors? Shall I lock them?"

"Oh, it wouldn't do any harm," replied the detective carelessly. "But
on a night like this there's no chance anyone will visit us----"

Mr. Nichols' voice trailed slowly away. As if in contradiction to his
words, there came a sharp rap on the door.

CHAPTER VI

The Attic Door

"It seems that you are wrong, Dad," commented Penny dryly. "Already we
have a visitor."

Mr. Nichols went to the door and flung it open. The light revealed a
bedraggled young man who might have been in his early twenties. He was
not very well dressed and his clothes were rain soaked. Penny and her
father regarded the stranger a t