Penny Nichols and the Mystery of the Lost Key Part 5

Nichols remarked as they hurried to the parked car. "Getting in after dark it wouldn't be so pleasant to find all the rooms taken."

At exactly nine o'clock the twinkling lights of the Mt. Ashland Hotel were sighted, and a few minutes later the automobile drew up in front of the large white rambling building. An attendant took the car and they all went inside.

"I doubt if you'll get rooms here tonight, sir," a bellboy told the detective as he carried the luggage to the main desk. "There's been a big rush of guests this week-end."

Mr. Nichols was not disturbed. At the desk he merely gave the clerk his name, claiming the two rooms which he had reserved by wire.

"We saved two very fine rooms for you," the clerk returned politely.

"Both overlook the valley."

While Mr. Nichols signed the register, Penny and Rosanna sat down nearby.

Their attention was drawn to the main entrance. A large touring car had pulled up to the door. A pompous looking woman of middle age and a younger woman, evidently her daughter, had alighted. Both were elegantly if somewhat conspicuously dressed. Several suitcases, hat boxes and miscellaneous packages were unloaded. The older woman carried a fat lapdog in her arms.

"They seem to have brought everything but the bird cage," Penny said in an undertone.

The two women walked up to the desk.

"I am Mrs. Everett Leeds," the one with the dog announced a trifle too loudly. "I have a reservation."

"Just a minute please," the clerk requested.

It seemed to Penny that he looked disturbed as he thumbed through his cards.

"There is no occasion for delay," Mrs. Leeds declared blandly. "My daughter and I always engage the same room--305."

"Why, that was the number of one of the rooms a.s.signed to my party," Mr.

Nichols observed.

"There's been some mix-up," the clerk said in distress. He turned again to the two women. "Your reservation isn't on file, Mrs. Leeds. When did you send the wire?"

"I reserved the room by letter," the woman informed him coldly.

"It was never received here I am sure."

"No doubt the letter was lost."

"You are certain it was sent?"

"Of course I am," Mrs. Leeds declared icily. "My daughter mailed it.

Didn't you, Alicia, my dear?"

A queer expression pa.s.sed over the girl's face. It struck Penny that she probably had forgotten to post the letter. However, Alicia staunchly maintained that she had.

"It's most provoking that you have misplaced the reservation," Mrs. Leeds said irritably to the clerk. "But of course we can have the room?"

"I am afraid that is impossible, Mrs. Leeds. The room you wanted was reserved for two young ladies." With a nod of his head the clerk indicated Penny and Rosanna.

Mrs. Leeds and her daughter turned to stare somewhat haughtily.

"What other room can you give us then?" the woman demanded angrily.

The clerk cast Mr. Nichols a despairing glance. He knew he was in for trouble.

"Practically everything is taken, Mrs. Leeds. In fact the only available room is on the top floor."

"And you expect us to take that?" Mrs. Leeds cried, her voice rising until everyone in the lobby could hear. "I never heard of such outrageous treatment. Call the manager!"

Penny had risen to her feet. She moved quickly forward.

"There's no need to do that," she said pleasantly. "If Rosanna doesn't mind, I am perfectly willing to exchange rooms with Mrs. Leeds."

"Why, of course," Rosanna agreed. "It doesn't matter to me where I sleep."

Satisfied at having her own way, Mrs. Leeds quieted down. She even thanked the girls graciously for the sacrifice they had made. The clerk gave out the keys.

"Why did you do that?" Mr. Nichols asked gruffly as he and the girls followed a bellboy to the elevator. "Your room up by the roof will be hot as blazes."

"I know, but I didn't see any sense in making such a fuss over a room, Dad. Besides, it's only for one night."

"I'd insist that you girls take my room if it had a double bed."

Penny shook her head.

"No, you came here for a rest. Rosanna and I really won't mind."

The three entered the elevator and a minute later Mrs. Leeds and her daughter likewise stepped into the lift.

"I hope you girls will not find it uncomfortable on the top floor," Mrs.

Leeds remarked, trying to make pleasant conversation.

"It isn't very warm tonight," Penny returned politely. "Besides, it will only be for one night. We're going on to Raven Ridge in the morning."

The elevator was whizzing them upward.

"Did you say Raven Ridge?" Mrs. Leeds questioned sharply.

"Yes."

A queer expression had come into Mrs. Leeds sharp, blue eyes. She seemed on the verge of speaking, then apparently changed her mind.

The elevator stopped at the third floor. Without a word, the woman urged her daughter out the door, following her down the hall.

CHAPTER IV A Face at the Window

The little room on the top floor of the hotel was as hot and unpleasant as Mr. Nichols had predicted. Even with all the windows open wide the air still seemed close.