"So your visit to Kendon was made for the purpose of claiming Crocker's money," Mr. Nichols said musing. "What did you expect to find in our cottage?"
"I don't know, sir," Michael returned soberly. "I thought possibly there might be letters or photographs which would establish my true identity."
"Were you the person whom I mistook for a robber a few nights ago?" Penny questioned.
"Yes," Michael admitted. "I shouldn't have been prowling about the house, but in the day time I never had a chance to search. When you heard me in the living room I ran out the door and hid in the woods."
"And I suppose it was you who took a package of letters from the attic trunk," Penny went on.
"I did take some letters, but they were valueless. To tell you the truth, I haven't a scrap of evidence to support my claim."
"I think we may be able to help you," Mr. Nichols said slowly. "But you must answer several questions. I recall that when you first came to our cottage you told us you intended to see Mr. Crocker on business. Yet to my knowledge you never went to see him."
"I don't wonder that my actions appear contrary, sir. I intended to visit Herman Crocker immediately, but while I was at your cottage, a remark was dropped which led me to believe that another person who claimed to be Walter Crocker already had called upon my uncle."
"That is true," the detective nodded. "There is another young man who claims to be Walter Crocker."
"You see my position, sir. I had no proof of anything. I was afraid that someone had played a joke on me. For that reason I gave a false name and said nothing of the matter. I thought I would wait a few days until I had gained more information."