She said no more for just then Michael Haymond came up the path with an armful of wood.
After carrying it to the kitchen he returned to the porch. Mr. Nichols motioned him into a rocker.
"I'm afraid I'm not doing very much to earn my wages," the young man said apologetically. "My chief occupation around here seems to be eating and sitting."
"I'm well satisfied," replied the detective.
Although Penny had thought that her father was unwise to hire Michael she liked the young man a great deal. He was quiet, unassuming, and did his tasks willingly. Whenever he had a spare moment he usually spent it with a book. Penny had read the titles with surprise. Michael devoted himself to volumes of philosophy and history and he studied textbooks of mathematics and French.
"Rather deep stuff," Mr. Nichols had commented, looking at one of the philosophy volumes.
"I never had a chance to attend college, sir," Michael had replied, flushing. "I'm trying to educate myself a little."
During the afternoon both Mr. Nichols and Michael absented themselves from the cottage. Mrs. Masterbrook decided that she would walk down to the village. Penny was delighted to be left alone in the house.
The moment that everyone was gone she hastened to the attic. It was a low-ceiling room, dimly lighted by two gable windows. Dust and cobwebs were everywhere.
The attic contained an old chest of drawers, the footboards of a bed, two trunks, a chair with a broken leg, and several boxes of dishes.