She did not really believe that Mr. Nichols could find anything to report. Doubtless, the name had been a fictitious one. Yet who had played the joke upon Rosanna and for what purpose?
“There’s more to the affair than what appears on the surface,” she reflected. “If only I had the chance, I’d do a little investigating.”
Penny smiled at the thought, little dreaming that such an opportunity was to present itself very shortly.
CHAPTER III
An Arrogant Guest
That evening at the dinner table Penny told her father about the unsuccessful trip to Brookport.
“It looks like someone played a practical joke on your friend,” he commented.
“But who could be so mean, Dad? Rosanna has had such a desperately hard time to get along. Now if she wastes money going to Raven Ridge on a fruitless visit, it won’t seem fair.”
“Well, it’s likely to amount to just that,” Mr. Nichols returned. “I tried to locate that attorney, Elfhedge today.”
“Any luck?”
“No, I doubt if such a person exists.”