"Just what I need!" she thought triumphantly. "This will be a great deal better than a snapshot!"
Slipping the photograph into her pocket she went on with her search. In one drawer of the desk she found nothing but old tax receipts showing payments paid by Herman Crocker for both the cottage property and his farm.
Penny knew she would not have time to examine each receipt in turn so she opened a second drawer. It was crammed with old checks and bank statements. In the very bottom was a thick green book.
Penny opened it up and saw that it was a detailed expense account running back many years. She was about to toss the book carelessly aside, when a notation on one of the pages caught her eye. The item read:
"Paid to the Glenhaven Orphan's Home—$100.00 for keep of Michael Gladwin."
Penny stared at the notation for an instant, and then turned toward her father.
"Dad, I've found something important!" she exclaimed. "This account book—"
Before she could finish, there was a loud pounding on the door.
"Herman Crocker is coming up the road!" Susan Altman called excitedly. "Hurry or he'll be here!"