The Girl Detective Megapack: 25 Classic Mystery Novels for Girls

by Mildred A. Wirt

  Penny was silent for a moment. Then she said quietly:

  “I don’t blame you for feeling the way you do. Perhaps we are taking a chance to remain here tonight. I shouldn’t do it only I feel that it will give me an opportunity to clear up the mystery.”

  “But if you suspect Max—”

  “I do suspect him of a great many things, but I’m not certain of his game yet, Rosanna. Besides, I must have absolute proof before I dare notify the police. Tonight I intend to watch the mouth of the tunnel.”

  “I can’t permit you to do it by yourself. If you insist on taking such a chance I’ll go with you!”

  Penny remonstrated but at length it was agreed that shortly after nightfall the two would steal down to the lake’s edge and lie in wait at the mouth of the tunnel for the mysterious ghost to appear.

  For a long time the two girls sat staring out across the lake, each absorbed with her own thoughts. What would the night bring forth?

  “I believe I’ll walk down to Caleb Eckert’s cabin and chat with him for a few minutes,” Penny remarked a little later as her companion arose from the bench. “Want to come along?”

  “No, I think I’ll go inside. The air is growing chilly and my sweater is upstairs.”

  “I’ll be glad to wait for you.”

  “If you don’t mind, I believe I’ll just rest. You go on alone.”

  “You really don’t mind?”

  “Of course not. But I doubt if you’ll find Caleb at home. He usually goes fishing about this time of day.”

  “Well, I may as well see anyhow. I want to ask him about that picture of Jacob Winters. I intend to keep annoying him until he gives me a satisfactory answer.”

  As Rosanna returned to the house, Penny walked swiftly in the direction of the cabin.

  “I’m only wasting my time,” she thought. “Caleb has no intention of ever producing that photograph.”

  Penny rapped on the door, noticing that it was partly ajar. There was no response. She knocked a second time.

  Far out on the lake she could see a small rowboat with one lone fisherman. No doubt it was Caleb, she decided.

  She started away from the cabin, then abruptly halted as she was struck with a sudden thought. With Caleb out on the lake she would have an excellent opportunity to search his shack for the photograph of Jacob Winters. She felt convinced she would find it there.

  “Entering people’s private quarters seems to be a bad habit of mine,” she chuckled. “Still, it’s all in a good cause.”

  Penny surveyed the lake again. The rowboat was nearly out of sight.

  After a moment of indecision, she pushed open the cabin door and entered. Caleb had left everything in a clutter and she scarcely knew where to begin her search.

  She looked in the desk and in several table drawers. She searched in the magazine rack and even in the kitchen cupboard. She was growing discouraged when she finally opened a closet and peered up at the high shelves. Far above her head was a stack of old papers.

  Although Penny had given up hope of finding the picture, she brought a chair and climbing up on it, took down the papers.

  As she lifted the stack, an object which had been lying on the shelf was brushed to the floor. She bent down to pick it up. To her amazement and delight it was a photograph.

  She stared in disbelief at the man’s face and then turned the photo over to read what had been written on the back.

  “Jacob Winters.”

  “And Caleb told me he didn’t know where he could get a photograph!” Penny thought indignantly. “All the time he had this one hidden here on the shelf. Why, I’m positive this picture came out of the album Rosanna and I found. Very likely Caleb tore it out himself!”

  Hastily replacing the papers on the shelf, Penny tucked the photograph into her pocket and prepared to leave the cabin. She was highly elated over her discovery.

  “This will prove quite a valuable addition to my collection of evidence,” she chuckled. “No wonder Caleb was afraid to have me see it.”

  CHAPTER XVI

  Mrs. Leeds’ Strategy

  Penny was highly jubilant as she walked rapidly toward the house on the hill. The day had been an unusually successful one for her and with the photograph of Jacob Winters in her possession she felt that it would only be a matter of time until the mystery was solved.

  “But I must act quickly or it may be too late,” she thought.

  Drawing near the house she saw Rosanna hurrying to meet her. Penny quickened her step as she observed that the girl appeared greatly agitated.

  “Oh, Penny,” Rosanna gasped, “Mrs. Leeds has locked me out of the house!”

  “What?”

  “When I tried to get in after leaving you a few minutes ago she met me at the front door. She said I couldn’t come in because the house and everything surrounding it belongs to her now.”

  Penny laughed shortly. “She’s been saying that ever since she came here.”

  “I know, but this is different, Penny. She has the will to prove it.”

  “The will?”

  “Yes, she showed it to me. And it’s true. My uncle left all his property to her.”

  “And where did she claim to have found this document?” Penny asked.

  “Why, somewhere in the house. I was so upset I didn’t think to inquire. Now that I know Uncle Jacob left everything to her, I shall leave at once.”

  Penny caught Rosanna by the arm. “Don’t be in too much of a hurry to get away,” she advised. “It may be that Mrs. Leeds’ claims are false.”

  “But I saw the will for myself.”

  “Perhaps it was forged.”

  “I never thought of that,” Rosanna gasped. “Do you think she would resort to such a trick?”

  “I believe she’d do almost anything to gain a fortune.”

  Penny had been thinking swiftly. She recalled the secretive actions of Mrs. Leeds and Max Laponi when they were closeted together in the library. They had been engrossed in writing a document of some sort. Doubtless it was the will which Mrs. Leeds now claimed to have found.

  Penny’s face puckered into a worried frown. Mrs. Leeds’ unexpected action might complicate the entire situation and ruin her own plans. She feared too that the woman actually had destroyed Jacob Winters’ true will.

  “She was burning it in the fireplace that day when I came upon her,” Penny thought. “That’s why she feels so safe about forging another one in her own favor.”

  “What were you saying?” Rosanna inquired.

  Penny had not realized that she was speaking aloud.

  “Only thinking,” she responded. “We’ll go in and talk with Mrs. Leeds.”

  “But we can’t get in for she has locked all the doors. Our luggage is sitting out on the porch.”

  “Very considerate of her I must say,” Penny grinned. “But we can get in all right.” She produced the key which she had found in Max Laponi’s room.

  “Weren’t you smart to keep it!” Rosanna cried.

  “That remains to be seen. But come on, let’s beard Mrs. Leeds in her den.”

  Penny boldly walked up to the front door. It was locked as Rosanna had said, so inserting her key she opened it.

  As the girls entered, they heard Alicia calling shrilly to her mother and an instant later Mrs. Leeds came storming into the hall.

  “What is the meaning of this outrage?” she demanded furiously.

  “That is what we should like to know,” Penny retorted. “Why did you lock us out?”

  “Because this is my house. Jacob Winters left everything to me and I have the will to prove it.”

  “May I ask where you found it?” Penny inquired.

  The question confused Mrs. Leeds. She began to stammer.

  “Why, I—that is, it’s none of your affair, Miss Nichols!”

  “I disagree with you there. I am interested in seeing Rosanna treated fairly. May I examine the will?”

  Mrs. Leeds hesitated and the girls t
hought that she would refuse the request. However, the woman said:

  “I will permit you to read it if you promise not to destroy it.”

  “Destroying wills isn’t in my line,” Penny returned pointedly.

  Mrs. Leeds tossed her head angrily. An expression of bitter hatred which she made no attempt to hide, came into her eyes. She went to the living room desk and from a pigeon hole removed a document which she offered Penny.

  “There, read it for yourself.”

  Penny inspected the will briefly. Since neither she nor Rosanna had ever seen Jacob Winters’ handwriting it was impossible to tell if the document had been forged.

  To Rosanna’s astonishment, she suddenly seemed to experience a change of attitude regarding Mrs. Leeds’ claim to the property.

  “I may have made a mistake,” Penny acknowledged. “This paper seems to give everything to you, Mrs. Leeds.”

  “I am glad you are coming to your senses at last, Miss Nichols.”

  “I suppose Rosanna and I may as well take our things and leave,” she went on.

  “Your luggage is ready,” the woman said with satisfaction. “Alicia and I packed for you.”

  “Very thoughtful,” Penny murmured ironically. “However, I think I’ll just run upstairs and see if anything was missed.”

  “Why, yes, you may do that if you like.” Now that she was assured of victory, Mrs. Leeds felt that she could afford to make slight concessions.

  No sooner had the bedroom door closed behind the two girls than Rosanna faced Penny with a puzzled look.

  “Did you really think the will was genuine, Penny?”

  “No, of course not, but I decided that probably we could gain our ends best by appearing to give in to Mrs. Leeds.”

  As she spoke, Penny ran her hand under the pillow of the bed and brought forth the revolver which she had taken from Max Laponi’s room.

  “Penny, what do you intend to do with that weapon?” Rosanna demanded anxiously.

  “Don’t worry, I’m not planning on committing any murders. But it may come in handy tonight.”

  “You just told Mrs. Leeds that we would leave the house immediately,” Rosanna reminded her in bewilderment.

  “I know, but that doesn’t mean we’ll leave the grounds. We’ll appear to go away, but after dark we’ll sneak back to the entrance of the tunnel.”

  “To watch for the ghost?”

  “Yes, that’s my plan. You’ll not be afraid to go with me, will you?”

  “No,” Rosanna returned quietly. “Only I can’t see what good it will do now. Mrs. Leeds definitely has the property and anything we learn about the ghost can’t alter the situation.”

  “I’m not so sure of that,” Penny smiled.

  She was so jubilant as they prepared to take their luggage and leave the house that Mrs. Leeds regarded her slightly with suspicion. However, the woman was reassured to see the girls drive away in their car.

  Rosanna and Penny dined early at Andover but the former ate little. Although she made every effort to carry on a cheerful conversation it was obvious to her companion that she was completely discouraged.

  “Cheer up,” Penny advised optimistically. “I tell you everything will come out right yet. Even if my own plan fails, there are still lawyers to be hired. Mrs. Leeds can’t take over the property legally until the court approves.”

  “She’ll have things fixed up her way,” Rosanna maintained gloomily. “I’ll have no money to hire a lawyer. I must try to find myself a job.”

  “Father will help you get one if you need it.”

  “I’ve accepted so many favors from you already,” Rosanna protested.

  “You have not!” Penny cut in. “This trip to Raven Ridge has been sheer fun for me. And unless I’m mistaken tonight will prove the most exciting of all.”

  “I’m afraid so,” Rosanna shuddered.

  She glanced curiously at her companion. She could not understand Penny’s eagerness to return to the mouth of the tunnel. In her own opinion the mysterious ghost was none other than Max Laponi and she had no desire to encounter him again.

  “Do you still want to go through with the plan?” she inquired doubtfully.

  “I certainly do. I’d never feel satisfied if I left Raven Ridge without solving the mystery. It’s about time we start for the tunnel too.”

  They left the restaurant, returning to Penny’s car which had been parked outside.

  “Probably our friend the ghost won’t put in an appearance much before midnight,” Penny remarked as they drove slowly toward Raven Ridge, “but it will be wise I think to allow ourselves plenty of time to find a good hiding place.”

  It had grown dark and the girls were pleased to note that heavy clouds would hide the moon and stars.

  Some distance from the Winters’ house they parked in a dense thicket near the road. Before alighting, Penny removed a small package from the side pocket of the car.

  “What’s that?” Rosanna asked curiously.

  “Dynamite,” Penny chuckled.

  “Dynamite!”

  “In the form of evidence. Unless I’m mistaken, this little package will produce some startling results!”

  “You’re talking in absolute riddles.”

  “Just be patient and you’ll soon know what I mean,” Penny declared teasingly. “I’d tell you now only it would ruin the surprise.”

  She locked the automobile and afoot they quietly stole down a steep winding trail which led to the entrance of the old mine.

  CHAPTER XVII

  The Man in the Boat

  Penny and Rosanna approached the mine entrance cautiously, fearing that someone in the vicinity might observe their movements. However, the place seemed deserted.

  “The rowboat is gone,” Penny commented as she pulled aside a clump of bushes to survey the spot where it had been hidden.

  “Why, it is! Perhaps the ghost has come and left.”

  “I certainly hope not. That would ruin everything. Anyway, we’ll wait and see. It’s early yet.”

  After investigating the shore line thoroughly, they found an excellent hiding place in a dense thicket not far from the entrance to the mine. Then they settled themselves to wait.

  “What time is it?” Rosanna yawned.

  “Only a little after nine. We’ll have a long siege of it.”

  The night was cold and damp. Although both girls had worn sweaters they soon grew uncomfortable and huddled close together for warmth. Rosanna tried not to show her nervousness but even the screech of an owl startled her. She was aware of every sound and any unusual movement caused her to grow tense.

  “You’ll be a wreck long before midnight,” Penny declared. “We’re armed and there’s nothing to fear.”

  Rosanna made a supreme effort to relax but it was not until several hours had elapsed that she began to grow accustomed to her surroundings. Penny, on the other hand, found it difficult to remain awake.

  At first she riveted her attention upon the lake but as there was no evidence of a boat, soon lost interest. For a time she watched the twinkling lights at Raven Ridge but one by one they disappeared until the old mansion on the hill was cloaked in darkness.

  “Now that the household has gone to bed our ghost should be starting in on his night’s work,” she remarked hopefully to Rosanna.

  Another half hour dragged by. Still no one came. Even Rosanna found it increasingly difficult to fight off drowsiness.

  “I don’t believe the ghost is coming tonight,” she declared.

  “It begins to look that way. But perhaps it’s still too early. Surely it can’t be any more than midnight.”

  “It seems later than that,” Rosanna sighed. “My back is nearly broken.”

  A few minutes later, from far over the hills, the girls heard the faint chiming of a town clock. They counted twelve strokes.

  Minutes passed and still there was no sign of any visitor. At length, Penny arose to stretch her cramped limbs.

  �
��I thought I heard something just then!” Rosanna whispered tensely.

  Penny stood listening.

  “You’re right. I can hear oars dipping in and out of the water. It must be a boat coming this way.”

  Peering out through the bushes, the girls surveyed the lake. It was too dark to distinguish objects but they distinctly could hear the rhythmical splash made by the moving oars.

  “See anything?” Penny demanded.

  “Not yet—oh, yes, now I do. It is a boat, Penny.”

  “And it’s heading right for this spot! Let’s creep a little closer to the opening of the tunnel.”

  Stealthily they changed positions but remained well hidden by a screen of bushes.

  The boat by this time had drawn into the tiny cove. However, the night was so dark that neither of the girls was able to distinguish the features of the man who crouched in the stern.

  He beached the boat and carefully drew it up into the bushes. Next he lighted a lantern, but his back was toward the girls and they did not see his face.

  “Who can it be?” Rosanna whispered.

  Penny gripped her companion’s hand as a warning to remain silent.

  The man with the lantern looked quickly about and then moved swiftly into the mouth of the tunnel.

  “We must follow him,” Penny urged.

  They waited a minute, then noiselessly stole from their hiding place. As they peered into the dark mine tunnel they could see a moving light far ahead.

  Fearing that they might lose sight of the man, the girls hastened their steps. They did not walk as quietly as they imagined, for soon the man ahead paused.

  With one accord Penny and Rosanna froze against the tunnel wall.

  As the man turned to look back, the light from the lantern shone full upon his face.

  It was Caleb Eckert.

  Rosanna and Penny remained flat against the wall scarcely daring to breathe. Would they be seen?

  Apparently satisfied that no one was behind him in the tunnel, Caleb turned and walked slowly on.

  “That was a narrow escape,” Penny whispered. “He nearly saw us.”

  Rosanna was a trifle shaken. She had not expected to see Caleb Eckert.

  “I suspected it several days ago but I wasn’t absolutely certain,” Penny told her.

  “But what purpose can he have in playing such pranks?” Rosanna asked in bewilderment. “Caleb seemed rather nice even if he was gruff and outspoken. I never dreamed he’d resort to anything like this.”