"No, thank you, I don't wish to meet him," said the housekeeper coldly. "And if the cottage is robbed during the night, kindly don't blame me."
"All right, I won't," laughed Penny.
The bedroom which the guest was to occupy adjoined Mr. Nichols' sleeping quarters. Long after the house had settled down for the night, Penny could hear sounds from that part of the cottage. Either her father or Mr. Haymond was very restless.
"It may have been unwise to take a stranger into the house," the girl reflected, "but he seemed honest enough. I don't see why Mrs. Masterbrook had to act so hateful about it."
For some time Penny remained awake thinking over the information which Michael Haymond had given about himself. He had not told where he lived nor had he mentioned the nature of his business with Herman Crocker. She had fancied that the young man had seemed somewhat shaken by her reference to Walter Crocker.
"I may have imagined that part," she told herself. "Dad didn't seem to notice anything wrong."
Shortly Penny fell asleep. Several hours later she found herself wide awake again. She did not know what had aroused her.
Although Penny had left the curtains up, the room was dark. She could still hear the rain pattering against the tin roof.
Then the girl became aware of another sound. She heard a floor board creak. Someone was moving softly down the hallway.
"I wonder who is up at this hour?" she thought.