. He greeted her in a
more cordial tone than usual.

"Is everything all right here?" he asked.

"Oh, yes, we're getting along very well," Penny answered, glancing
shrewdly at the old man. She felt certain that his real purpose in
coming to the cottage was not to inquire for their comfort.

"Mrs. Masterbrook at home?" Mr. Crocker questioned casually.

"I saw her walking down toward the road a few minutes ago. Shall I
call her?"

"No, I didn't want to see her anyway," he answered quickly. "Just
thought I'd take a look around. I have some things stored up in the
attic that I'd like to get."

"Just go right in," said Penny. She fell into step with him. "Oh, by
the way, do you know Michael Haymond, our new hired man?"

"Never heard of him."

"I thought he might have been to see you."

"Why should he?" Herman Crocker demanded, looking at Penny suspiciously.

"I'm sure I don't know," she laughed uneasily.

When the man made no comment Penny waited a moment and then decided
upon a bold attack.

"For some reason Michael reminds me of your nephew," she said. "I
suppose he'll be coming back one of these days."

"Walter?" asked the old man gruffly. "I don't look for it."

"But won't he wish to get his car which is stored in your barn?" Penny
asked with pretended innocence.

Herman Crocker's expression became guarded. The girl's words startled
him but only a slight twitch of his eye muscles disclosed that he had
been taken unawares.

"I suppose Walter will get the car sometime," he answered slowly. "He
told me he didn't have the money to pay a repair bill just now."

"You had it towed to your place for him?"

"That's right," replied Herman Crocker irritably. "Any more questions?
If not I'll go on up to the attic."

"Oh, I'm sorry," said Penny apologetically.

She had intended to go along with the old man to the attic, but there
was something about the look he gave her which made her change her
mind. She was afraid she had made her questions too pointed. It would
not do for Mr. Crocker to suspect her motives.

"I guess you know your way," she said evenly, opening the screen door
for him.

"I ought to," snapped the old man. "I lived in this cottage for eight
years."

He entered the house alone and Penny heard him tramping up the stairs
to the attic.

"I wonder what he's doing up there?" she thought. "I'd give a lot to
find out."

CHAPTER X

Searching the Loft

While Penny sto