"We'll get to those later," Mr. Nichols nodded.
The detective made a swift but thorough inspection of the kitchen. He examined the floor boards to see if any had been pried loose and even poked into the rag bag.
"Here's something!" he said triumphantly, pulling out a piece of white cloth.
"Why, that is the same material I saw in Turner's store!" Penny exclaimed.
"Yes, it was used to make the wick of the lantern. We'll keep it for evidence."
Mr. Nichols stuffed the cloth into his coat pocket.
"I've looked all through the cupboards," Penny reported. "I'm going back and examine some of those papers now."
"All right," her father agreed.
Penny had never seen such a disordered desk. Apparently, Herman Crocker had kept every letter, receipt, and paper which ever came into his possession, tossing all together in one untidy heap.
Penny thumbed rapidly through the letters, discarding all which were of a strictly business nature. Suddenly she came upon a photograph which had turned yellow with age. A glance assured Penny that it was a likeness of Herman Crocker when he had been some years younger.