The girls did not choose their usual route which led along the road. Instead they cut through the woods, intending to approach Mr. Crocker's place from the direction of the barn.
When Susan and Penny emerged from the trees they were on Mr. Crocker's farm. They could see two men standing by the barn.
"There is Herman Crocker now!" exclaimed Penny as they halted. "But who is with him?"
"It looks a little like Michael Haymond," said Susan.
"It's not Michael," Penny corrected. "Why, I do believe it's Walter Crocker!"
"Old Herman's nephew!"
"Yes, I'm sure it is he."
"But Penny, you said he disappeared," Susan protested. "You thought Old Herman was responsible——"
"It seems I was wrong," Penny admitted ruefully. "I may have misjudged Herman Crocker completely. I thought he was an unscrupulous person, but it doesn't look so much like it now."
"They're having some sort of argument," Susan observed. "I wish we could hear what they're saying."