"You can't harm anything in this cottage," said Penny. "Come right in."
The young man stepped over the threshold, removing his limp felt hat. He had sandy hair, Penny observed, and penetrating blue eyes which roved swiftly about the room.
"It's a nasty night," said Mr. Nichols. "Have you walked far?"
"All the way from Kendon."
"Then you went right past Herman Crocker's place. It's a large house to the left of the road."
"The rain is coming down so fast I couldn't see very far ahead of me," the young man replied. "This was the first light I saw along the way."
"It may be that Mr. Crocker has gone to bed," Penny remarked. "I imagine he retires early."
"Will he be expecting you?" inquired the detective.
"Why, no, he won't," the young man replied after a slight hesitation. "I suspect he'll be very much surprised to see me."
"We have a telephone," Penny said. "If you like, I'll call Mr. Crocker for you. He might be willing to drive up and get you."