Penny Nichols and the Mystery of the Lost Key Part 26

CHAPTER XV Penny's Evidence

The bedroom door opened and Max Laponi entered.

Penny Nichols had lowered herself to the narrow ledge not an instant too soon. There had been no time to pull the window down after her.

As she heard the man walk across the room she huddled fearfully against the wall, feeling certain that he would notice the open window immediately. Her position was a precarious one. She dared not move lest even a slight sound betray her to the man inside. On the other hand, it was doubtful how long she could remain where she was without losing her footing. She knew that if she once glanced downward her courage would fail her.

Penny could hear Laponi muttering to himself.

"I thought I left that window down," she heard him say. "If anyone has been in here--"

He crossed to the bed and ran his hand under the pillow. Penny peeped through the window just as he removed a shiny object.

"Another revolver!" she gasped. "That's one I missed."

The sight of the weapon seemed to rea.s.sure Laponi for he appeared relieved. He next crossed over to the bureau and searched for the diamond ring. Penny was very glad that she had not touched it.

"I guess everything is the same as I left it," the man muttered to himself. "Still, I'd have sworn I left that window down."

As Penny huddled flat against the wall, he moved over toward it. She held her breath, waiting. Would he look out? If he did, then all was lost.

Laponi stood for some minutes at the open window, seemingly absorbed in his thoughts. Then he abruptly slammed it down and turned away.

"That was a narrow escape!" Penny congratulated herself. "If I ever get out of this mess I'll take care not to get myself into another position like it!"

She cautiously crept along the ledge until at last she was able to stretch out her hand and grasp the sill of the next window. After pulling herself through she quietly closed it behind her. Then she tiptoed to the bedroom door and looked out. No one was in sight.

Carefully secreting the articles which she had taken from Laponi's room, she darted past his door and safely on to the bedroom which she shared with Rosanna. The latter arose as she burst in upon her.

"How you startled me, Penny."

She was due for another shock as Penny dropped the revolver upon the dresser.

"Penny, where did you get that thing?" she demanded nervously.

"Not so loud or someone may hear you," Penny warned. "It came from Laponi's room, and that's not all I found either."

She drew forth the letter and the missing key. Rosanna stared incredulously.

"Surely they can't be mine, Penny."

"I suspect they are. Take a look at this letter and tell me if you notice anything wrong."

Rosanna studied the letter briefly, then shook her head.

"It reads just like the one I received."

"That's the point. Notice the name at the top."

"Why, it looks as if it might have been changed!" Rosanna cried.

"And I think it has been. It's my opinion that Max Laponi found your letter and the missing key. He's a rank impostor."

"Then you believe he is the one who has been frightening the household by playing on the pipe organ?"

"I haven't made up my mind about that yet," Penny returned thoughtfully.

"But one thing I'm certain about. Laponi is a dangerous man."

"Let's get away from here right away."

Penny laughed shortly. "I should say not! This mystery is growing more exciting every minute. I mean to discover Max Laponi's little game!"

"But he may harm us," Rosanna protested. "Especially if he suspects you've searched his room."

"Laponi is armed," Penny admitted with a frown. "But for that matter so are we."

"You wouldn't dare to carry that revolver!"

"I most certainly would. Not that I'd care to use it, but it might serve as protection."

"It seems to me we should call in the police."

Penny shook her head. "Not yet. But I do intend to wire my father. I'm going to ask him to learn all he can about Laponi. It may turn out that the man has a prison record."

"You suspect that because you found the revolver in his room?"

"Well, honest citizens don't carry weapons without permits."

"You're thinking of doing it," Rosanna challenged.

Penny laughed. "This is an extra special emergency. But I have another reason for believing that Laponi is a crook. I suspect he has a stolen ring in his possession."

She then told of finding the diamond ring under the dresser scarf.

"All diamonds look somewhat alike," she acknowledged, "but I'm sure I've seen that ring before."

"Where?"

"In Bresham's Department Store. I think it's the same ring that was stolen the afternoon I met you there."

"Laponi does bear a slight resemblance to the shoplifter," Rosanna admitted thoughtfully. "Only the store thief was a much older man."

"Disguised perhaps. Oh, I may be wrong, but at least it will do no harm to have Father look into the matter."

"When he gets your wire, Penny, he'll probably be so alarmed that he'll send word for you to start back to Mt. Ashland at once."