Caleb’s face tightened. “Mrs. Leeds,” he said severely, “I repeat, things in this house must not be disturbed.”
Mrs. Leeds drew herself up proudly. “Unquestionably, the will leaves everything to me.”
“That may be,” Caleb acknowledged, “but this girl here has a claim too.” He indicated Rosanna.
Mrs. Leeds froze her with a glance. Her eyes snapped like brands of fire as she listened to Rosanna’s account of the letter and key. But a look of relief, which was not lost upon either of the girls, came over her face as she learned that they had been misplaced.
“The story sounds ridiculous to me,” Mrs. Leeds declared coldly. “If you can’t produce the letter or the key, what proof have you that you actually are Jacob Winters’ niece?”
“I could get evidence within a few days,” Rosanna declared. “The letter and key may show up too.”
“I think perhaps you dropped them in the car,” Penny interrupted. “Let’s look now.”
Leaving Mrs. Leeds and Caleb embroiled in another argument, they went outside where the automobile had been parked near the house. A careful search of the flooring and pockets of the car did not reveal the missing letter or key. Rosanna was completely discouraged.
“Do you think Mrs. Leeds could have picked it up?” she asked gloomily.
“I don’t see how,” Penny returned thoughtfully. “But there’s one thing certain. She intends to make trouble. You surely don’t intend to go away from here while she and her daughter are camped in the house?”