"Isn't this out of season?" Penny asked before she stopped to think.
Herman Crocker glanced at her with an expression which she was unable to fathom.
"Seasons make no difference to me," he answered shortly. "I go hunting when I please."
They walked on in silence. When they were near the house Penny said casually:
"Oh, by the way, my father and I met your nephew last night."
"My nephew?"
"Why, yes, Walter Crocker. He told us he was on his way to visit you."
Penny saw the old man glance quickly toward her. She could tell that her words had disturbed him.
"Oh, I couldn't think who you meant at first," he muttered. "Yes, Walter was here last night. But he's gone back to the city."
Penny allowed the subject to drop, yet she wondered if Herman Crocker were telling the truth. Had the younger man really visited his uncle for the purpose of claiming an inheritance? He had seemed very bitter toward the old fellow. From her observation of Walter Crocker she did not believe that he was a person who would be easily discouraged in his ambitious designs.