rifle suspiciously until he spoke.

"I beg your pardon," the young man said apologetically, "but I am
looking for the Herman Crocker place. Would you be kind enough to
direct me?"

"Why, certainly," replied the detective. "Come in out of the rain,
won't you?"

"Thanks, but my shoes are covered with mud."

"You can't harm anything in this cottage," said Penny. "Come right in."

The young man stepped over the threshold, removing his limp felt hat.
He had sandy hair, Penny observed, and penetrating blue eyes which
roved swiftly about the room.

"It's a nasty night," said Mr. Nichols. "Have you walked far?"

"All the way from Kendon."

"Then you went right past Herman Crocker's place. It's a large house
to the left of the road."

"The rain is coming down so fast I couldn't see very far ahead of me,"
the young man replied. "This was the first light I saw along the way."

"It may be that Mr. Crocker has gone to bed," Penny remarked. "I
imagine he retires early."

"Will he be expecting you?" inquired the detective.

"Why, no, he won't," the young man replied after a slight hesitation.
"I suspect he'll be very much surprised to see me."

"We have a telephone," Penny said. "If you like, I'll call Mr. Crocker
for you. He might be willing to drive up and get you."

"Oh, please don't go to any bother," returned the young man quickly,
edging toward the door again.

"It won't be any trouble at all."

"Please, I'd rather you wouldn't. I'll not mind the walk."

Penny glanced sharply at the young man. It was plain to see that he
had some special motive for not wishing to give Herman Crocker advance
notice of his arrival in the community.

Without having any real reason for such a belief, it suddenly struck
Penny that the young man's visit might have some connection with the
mysterious call which Walter Crocker had made upon his uncle.

"I take it you're a stranger in these parts," remarked Mr. Nichols. He
too was studying the young man curiously.

"Well, yes, I am. I'm here to see Mr. Crocker on rather important
business."

"You'll be his second out-of-town visitor this week," Penny commented
in a casual tone. "Mr. Crocker's nephew was here, but I understand he
has gone back to the city."

"Mr. Crocker's nephew?" asked the young man quickly.

"Yes," said Penny, watching him closely. "Walter Crocker."

A strange look came into the young man's eyes. An expression of
astonishment gave way to o