"Why, it's Walter Crocker's automobile!" Penny thought in amazement. "How did it get here?"
CHAPTER VIII
The Toy Lantern Clue
Penny stood staring at the car. She knew she could not be mistaken. It was the same automobile which Walter Crocker had upset in the ditch. She had last seen it there when she and her father had gone after Mrs. Masterbrook.
"I suppose Walter Crocker might have instructed his uncle to bring the car here," Penny mused. "But it seems very odd. Old Herman didn't want me to tell anyone about seeing his nephew here. I wonder——"
The girl's thoughts were rudely interrupted by the sound of a car coming up the lane. Glancing out the barn doors Penny saw Herman Crocker arrive in his battered old automobile. He parked beside her own car.
"Of course he'll know I am here," Penny told herself. "I must act as if I've noticed nothing out of the way."
She slipped out of the barn without being observed. As she approached the house, Old Herman climbed from the car, holding fast to Rudy's chain. The hound began to growl and tried to get away from his master.
"Good evening, Mr. Crocker," said Penny pleasantly. "I don't seem to be very popular with your dog."