distinguish nothing; then she
made out a shadowy figure at the far end. Someone was trying to open
the door which led up to the attic.

CHAPTER VII

Penny's Discovery

"Is that you, father?" Penny asked.

When there was no answer, she reached up and pressed the electric
switch. The hallway became flooded with light. Penny and Michael
Haymond stood blinking at each other, both deeply embarrassed.

"Oh, I'm sorry," stammered the young man. "I didn't mean to disturb
anyone. I was just after a drink of water."

"I'm afraid you won't find it in the attic," replied Penny. "Not
unless the roof is leaking."

"The attic?" Michael Haymond repeated. "I must be turned around then.
I thought this door led to the living room."

Penny could not be certain whether or not the young man was telling the
truth. It was entirely possible that he had become confused in the
dark hallway. She could not imagine any reason why he would have
wished to investigate the attic.

Before Penny could frame a reply Mr. Nichols' door opened and the
detective peered out.

"Anything wrong?" he asked.

"I am afraid I have disturbed the entire household," the young man
apologized. "I was only looking for a drink of water."

"There's no harm in that, I'm sure," replied Mr. Nichols pleasantly.
"I'll get you one."

"It really doesn't matter," the young man murmured.

Just then Mrs. Masterbrook's door swung open. The housekeeper, garbed
in an old-fashioned nightgown and with her hair done up in curlers,
looked out into the hall.

"Dear me, what is going on here?" she asked crossly. "After working
hard all day I'd like to get a little sleep."

"It was all my fault," Michael Haymond apologized again.

The housekeeper turned to gaze at him. As their eyes met, Mrs.
Masterbrook made a strange rasping sound in her throat. Her hand moved
instinctively toward her face as if to ward off a blow.

"Mrs. Masterbrook, I don't believe you have met our guest," Mr. Nichols
began.

The housekeeper gave him no opportunity to finish. She moved back into
her bedroom and closed the door.

"Did I offend your housekeeper?" asked Michael Haymond anxiously.

"Don't give it a thought," replied Mr. Nichols, lowering his voice.
"Mrs. Masterbrook is a very odd character. She may have felt
embarrassed because she wasn't dressed up for the occasion. Come along
now and we'll get that drink of water."

Penny went back into her room and sat down