ne of wariness.

"You are acquainted with Walter Crocker perhaps?" asked Penny, ignoring
her father's warning glance.

"I have heard of him," replied the young man after a brief hesitation.
He turned once more toward the door.

As he opened it a strong gust of wind blew a sheet of rain into the
room.

"See here, you can't go out in that," said Mr. Nichols firmly. "Let me
telephone Crocker and tell him you're here."

The young man shook his head.

"Then I'll put on chains and take you down there in my car."

"No, I'd rather not have you go to any bother on my account. I don't
mind a little rain."

"It's blowing a gale and the storm is getting worse every minute," the
detective insisted. "Herman Crocker keeps a vicious dog too. If you
walk in there without being expected, you may receive an unpleasant
reception."

"I wasn't looking for a very cordial one anyway," the young man said
slowly. "But thanks for the tip about the dog. Maybe it would be just
as well to go back to town for the night."

"There's no need to do that," said Mr. Nichols. "You're welcome to
stay here if you like. Our quarters aren't very luxurious, but at
least it will be better than walking back to the village."

"I'll get Mrs. Masterbrook to help me fix up one of the bedrooms right
away," Penny added quickly.

"It's very kind of you," said the young man, looking troubled. "You
know nothing about me----"

"We're not worried upon that score," replied Mr. Nichols with a smile.
"But you might tell us your name."

"Oh, yes, to be sure----" stammered the young man. "Just call me
Michael--Michael Haymond."

"I am very glad to know you, Mr. Haymond," returned the detective.
"May I take your coat and hat? I'll build up the fire so that your
things will dry out."

Penny crossed the room intending to call Mrs. Masterbrook. As she
opened the door leading into the hallway she saw the housekeeper
hastily retreating into her own bedroom. Obviously she had been
listening to the conversation.

"Mrs. Masterbrook!" called Penny.

"Well, what is it?" asked the housekeeper, re-opening her door.

"A guest is spending the night. Will you please help me prepare the
east bedroom?"

"This is a nice time to start making up beds," the housekeeper
complained. "I was just ready to undress."

"I'm sorry to bother you, Mrs. Masterbrook. I'll do it myself."

"I didn't say I wasn't willing to help," the housekeeper said quickly.
"Only if