Penny Nichols and the Mystery of the Lost Key

at th

t and unpleasant as Mr. Nichols had predicted. Even wit

e forced you into this,"

a laughed. "We have a comfortable bed and a privat

nna. That's more than could be sa

he girl is? She loo

s older," Penny returned. "She had s

sanna immediately began to undress. Penny sat on th

acted when I mentioned we were going to Raven

ff her slippers

little startled. She put on such a scene do

h a shrug of her slim shoulders Penny aro

ing directly after breakfast. It was their intention to motor to the mountain resort, inspect the Winters' property and see

ive joined the girls at breakfast. It

inquired, looki

Mrs. Leeds and her daughter entered the dining room at that moment. The t

s said in an undertone. "I ca

d to leave for Raven Ridge. Their bag

ective warned as he accompanied the girls to the waitin

. Leeds' automobile had been brought to the hotel entrance by an at

a word I am saying!" Mr

conversation. "I'll drive carefully and deliver

ctly worried

be uneasy about Rosanna or

she had driven over mountainous roads. She handled the wheel exceptionally well and used due caution on al

enny announced, slowing down to read a signpost. "I declare, a mou

went down. Penny knew it instantly by the feel of the

ast ten miles from a garage. I can change wheels on

along to help. When no one did, Penny dragged out the tools, and

ing," Rosanna re

ggested. "I could do with

approaching automobile slowed down. The dri

ng," Penny s

a standstill. Then surprisingly, it speeded up again. But not b

nna exclaimed indignantly.

citedly. "I think I recognized him. It was the same m

Rosanna demand

fast for me to catch more than a passing glimpse of his face. But

iously. But what c

may as well devote our

e changed and had no idea how to go about it. After a little annoying

mess. I'm afraid we'll have to stop at the first garage and

only six miles away. They made it in a few minutes. There was no town, only a post of

ich needs repairing," Penny commented as t

Glancing at her wrist watch, Penny saw that it was already

her. "Ma Stevens, across the street in the big wh

ked over to the rambling white house. They were reassured to see that

od," Penny decided. "I'm hungr

checked gingham dress, opened the door. She loo

oticing their disappointed faces, she added hastily: "Bu

tain trout, fresh from the stream and fried to a golden

et to Raven Ridge," Penny remarked, finishing her se

going to Raven Ridge?"

ing now to have

en Ridge," Mrs. Stevens informed. "A man stopped for lunch about a

cular," Penny commented.

k and he had a sharp

man who passed us on the road?" Penny

believe

ined to help her on the road. She wondered what business took him to Raven Ridge. Could

ack to the garage. The tire was ready for

the mountains. She began to wonder if they had taken a wrong turn. She stopped at the next filling st

efully to her companion. "Now we'll be lucky to get to Raven Ridge

at deal of trouble," R

s an adventure, and I like it. It will

way. The mountain curves were sharp, and Penny did not make as good time as she had an

e may have rain,"

I'd judge. Those clou

gust of wind dashed huge drops of water against the windshield, there w

oak tree at the side of the road. The girls waited a quarter of an hour and still the rain fell in torrents.

longer," Rosanna s

self to a slow pace for the remainder of the journey. She was beginning to grow tire

iliar mountain roads after dark, the girls did not stop for dinner. Nine o'clock, in a pouring r

now," the attendant informed. "

ters' estate,"

e top of the ridge, take the gravel road to the left. It will lead yo

haps you can direct us to a pla

n of Andover, five miles b

ssistance, and once more followed t

r stop at the Winters' house

do," Rosanna faltered.

e a caretaker, Rosanna. Le

and were elated to find it. The entrance was barred by

ve between tall rows of whispering pines. "We could have gone on to An

e road was dark and the rustling of the

ve stone, half hidden by the luxuriant growth of shrubbery an

ne here," Ros

The caretaker may be

ible and made a dash for the porch. Penny knocked seve

. "If it fits I'll begin to think there's some

mpatient for action, Penny turned the handle of

is already unlo

se we won't

y n

em right. The people

nlocked. Besides, you have a key, Rosanna. And ac

Her hand groped for the electric switch. She found the button by t

oom. The ceiling was beamed, the furniture was rustic

th. There was no fire but logs

out coming in here," R

es, it looks to me as if you were expected, for everything seems in readiness fo

w more comfortable they took more interest in their surroundings. The room was plainly but exp

ting life," Penny commented, picking u

her often

saw that her friend's eyes were fastened upon the window. All col

it?" Penn

clutched

n," she whispered. "A m