Penny Nichols and the Mystery of the Lost Key

rogan

Penny told her father about the

ayed a practical joke on

erately hard time to get along. Now if she wastes money goi

hat," Mr. Nichols returned. "I tried t

y l

if such a p

became of the newspaper today? I wanted t

me was mentioned?"

ous to learn if the

hols informed. "He wasn't. If you're interested in t

htly distorted version of what had happened and Penny was just as well pleased that her name was not mentioned. According to the account, t

story, Mr. Nichols came ou

to take a little tri

spaper. "With you?" s

lately and I feel like taki

will

ol in the mountains and at this time of

Mountain, is it?" Penny demanded with int

ed atlas. A moment later she returne

a two hours' drive from Snow

t difference

s located on Snow M

what you have

her father's knee, smilin

tle tease," he said

know what I wa

take this new friend o

est at Mt. Ashland we could drive on to Raven Ridge. Rosanna could investigate her prop

t well planned," th

's wrong wi

if she wants to go. She may h

tart?" Penny

s soon as I can get a

osanna now and ask if she can

to the garage for her roadster. At the rooming house on Sixty-fifth Str

attic room," she infor

tch her breath before rapping on Rosanna's door.

," she said

dows were open wide. A bed, a chest of drawers, two cha

Rosanna said apologetically. "I thou

agreed instantly. "Did y

ead and sank wearil

same old story. I'm beginning to

an inheritance," Penny smiled. "Rosanna, I'

or a full minute after Penny had e

to go?" Penny

een so good and kind to me. I'll never be abl

anna. Besides, I have an overwhelming curiosity to see Ra

I will," Ros

for you tomorrow. I must get b

eaking, narrow stairway and

rs planning her wardrobe. She packed an evening gown, several afternoon frocks, and sports clothes. Then, reflecting

tter," she decided. "A wise

Rosanna's rooming house to pick up the orphan. She was waiting on the po

alleys and low hills. Gradually, they climbed. The curve

om their destination. Noticing a pleasant little inn at the top of a ridge, they

ge will be as pretty a

Mr. Nichols told her. "The

e it was growing dusk for they

Nichols remarked as they hurried to the parked car. "Getting in a

ighted, and a few minutes later the automobile drew up in front of the large

y told the detective as he carried the luggage to the mai

he merely gave the clerk his name, claiming

r you," the clerk returned polit

ulled up to the door. A pompous looking woman of middle age and a younger woman, evidently her daughter, had alighted. Both were elegantly if somew

verything but the bird cage,

n walked up

with the dog announced a trifle t

please," the

e looked disturbed as he

Leeds declared blandly. "My daughter

ne of the rooms assigned to my

. He turned again to the two women. "Your reservation

by letter," the woman

received her

the letter

ertain it

lared icily. "My daughter mailed

ck Penny that she probably had forgotten to post the le

he reservation," Mrs. Leeds said irritably to

you wanted was reserved for two young ladies." With a

ughter turned to star

ou give us then?" the

a despairing glance. He k

Mrs. Leeds. In fact the only ava

oice rising until everyone in the lobby could hear. "I ne

her feet. She mov

ntly. "If Rosanna doesn't mind, I am perfectl

a agreed. "It doesn't ma

down. She even thanked the girls graciously for the

he and the girls followed a bellboy to the elevato

in making such a fuss over a room, D

girls take my room if

hook he

r a rest. Rosanna and

minute later Mrs. Leeds and her dau

rtable on the top floor," Mrs. Leeds remar

litely. "Besides, it will only be for one night

was whizzin

Ridge?" Mrs. Leeds

es

sharp, blue eyes. She seemed on the verge of

ithout a word, the woman urged her daughte