"It appeared as if the man who had been paying for the boy's keep feared an investigation," Penny commented.
"Yes, that is what I thought. I would have probed deeper into the matter but at that time I was taken ill. I went to a hospital for over a year, then I resumed my duties, only to give them up again a few months ago."
Mrs. Havers began to talk of her own ailments and the girls had little opportunity to ask additional questions about Michael.
"I am sorry that I've not been able to help you," the woman said regretfully as she escorted the girls to the door. "Of course the Michael of my story has no connection with the young man you are trying to trace."
"Probably not," Penny agreed. "Thank you for giving us so much of your time."
When the door had closed behind them, she turned eagerly to her chum.
"Susan, I didn't like to say so in front of Mrs. Havers, but why couldn't Michael Haymond and Michael Gladwin be the same person?"
"Michael is a common name."
"Yes, but many of the facts in Michael Haymond's life dovetail with those told us by Mrs. Havers."
"There may be a slight similarity," Susan acknowledged. "But we can never prove anything."