CHAPTER II
Helping a Stranger
Christopher Nichols saw for himself that the rumble seat was empty. He looked quickly up and down the village street. Walter Crocker was nowhere to be seen.
"Well, that fellow certainly did a speedy disappearing act," the detective commented. "We weren't inside the real estate office five minutes."
"He might at least have thanked us for the ride," said Penny. "Dad, I suppose you'll say this is silly, but I thought he acted as if he were afraid we'd recognize him."
"What made you think that?"
"In the first place he insisted upon riding in the rumble seat. And he kept pulling his hat down over his eyes."
"I'll agree he did act queerly," the detective admitted. "But he's gone now, so we'll just forget about him."
"Oh, all right," laughed Penny. "I keep forgetting that this is your vacation."