Chapter XVI: Mrs. Leeds' Strategy

Penny was highly jubilant as she walked rapidly toward the house on the hill. The day had been an unusually successful one for her and with the photograph of Jacob Winters in her possession she felt that it would only be a matter of time until the mystery was solved.

"But I must act quickly or it may be too late," she thought.

Drawing near the house she saw Rosanna hurrying to meet her. Penny quickened her step as she observed that the girl appeared greatly agitated.

"Oh, Penny," Rosanna gasped, "Mrs. Leeds has locked me out of the house!"

"What?"

"When I tried to get in after leaving you a few minutes ago she met me at the front door. She said I couldn't come in because the house and everything surrounding it belongs to her now."

Penny laughed shortly. "She's been saying that ever since she came here."

"I know, but this is different, Penny. She has the will to prove it."

"The will?"

"Yes, she showed it to me. And it's true. My uncle left all his property to her."

"And where did she claim to have found this document?" Penny asked.

"Why, somewhere in the house. I was so upset I didn't think to inquire. Now that I know Uncle Jacob left everything to her, I shall leave at once."

Penny caught Rosanna by the arm. "Don't be in too much of a hurry to get away," she advised. "It may be that Mrs. Leeds' claims are false."

"But I saw the will for myself."

"Perhaps it was forged."

"I never thought of that," Rosanna gasped. "Do you think she would resort to such a trick?"

"I believe she'd do almost anything to gain a fortune."

Penny had been thinking swiftly. She recalled the secretive actions of Mrs. Leeds and Max Laponi when they were closeted together in the library. They had been engrossed in writing a document of some sort. Doubtless it was the will which Mrs. Leeds now claimed to have found.

Penny's face puckered into a worried frown. Mrs. Leeds' unexpected action might complicate the entire situation and ruin her own plans. She feared too that the woman actually had destroyed Jacob Winters' true will.

"She was burning it in the fireplace that day when I came upon her," Penny thought. "That's why she feels so safe about forging another one in her own favor."

"What were you saying?" Rosanna inquired.

Penny had not realized that she was speaking aloud.

"Only thinking," she responded. "We'll go in and talk with Mrs. Leeds."

"But we can't get in for she has locked all the doors. Our luggage is sitting out on the porch."

"Very considerate of her I must say," Penny grinned. "But we can get in all right." She produced the key which she had found in Max Laponi's room.

"Weren't you smart to keep it!" Rosanna cried.

"That remains to be seen. But come on, let's beard Mrs. Leeds in her den."

Penny boldly walked up to the front door. It was locked as Rosanna had said, so inserting her key she opened it.

As the girls entered, they heard Alicia calling shrilly to her mother and an instant later Mrs. Leeds came storming into the hall.

"What is the meaning of this outrage?" she demanded furiously.

"That is what we should like to know," Penny retorted. "Why did you lock us out?"

"Because this is my house. Jacob Winters left everything to me and I have the will to prove it."

"May I ask where you found it?" Penny inquired.

The question confused Mrs. Leeds. She began to stammer.

"Why, I--that is, it's none of your affair, Miss Nichols!"

"I disagree with you there. I am interested in seeing Rosanna treated fairly. May I examine the will?"

Mrs. Leeds hesitated and the girls thought that she would refuse the request. However, the woman said:

"I will permit you to read it if you promise not to destroy it."

"Destroying wills isn't in my line," Penny returned pointedly.

Mrs. Leeds tossed her head angrily. An expression of bitter hatred which she made no attempt to hide, came into her eyes. She went to the living room desk and from a pigeon hole removed a document which she offered Penny.

"There, read it for yourself."

Penny inspected the will briefly. Since neither she nor Rosanna had ever seen Jacob Winters' handwriting it was impossible to tell if the document had been forged.

To Rosanna's astonishment, she suddenly seemed to experience a change of attitude regarding Mrs. Leeds' claim to the property.

"I may have made a mistake," Penny acknowledged. "This paper seems to give everything to you, Mrs. Leeds."

"I am glad you are coming to your senses at last, Miss Nichols."

"I suppose Rosanna and I may as well take our things and leave," she went on.

"Your luggage is ready," the woman said with satisfaction. "Alicia and I packed for you."

"Very thoughtful," Penny murmured ironically. "However, I think I'll just run upstairs and see if anything was missed."

"Why, yes, you may do that if you like." Now that she was assured of victory, Mrs. Leeds felt that she could afford to make slight concessions.

No sooner had the bedroom door closed behind the two girls than Rosanna faced Penny with a puzzled look.

"Did you really think the will was genuine, Penny?"

"No, of course not, but I decided that probably we could gain our ends best by appearing to give in to Mrs. Leeds."

As she spoke, Penny ran her hand under the pillow of the bed and brought forth the revolver which she had taken from Max Laponi's room.

"Penny, what do you intend to do with that weapon?" Rosanna demanded anxiously.

"Don't worry, I'm not planning on committing any murders. But it may come in handy tonight."

"You just told Mrs. Leeds that we would leave the house immediately," Rosanna reminded her in bewilderment.

"I know, but that doesn't mean we'll leave the grounds. We'll appear to go away, but after dark we'll sneak back to the entrance of the tunnel."

"To watch for the ghost?"

"Yes, that's my plan. You'll not be afraid to go with me, will you?"

"No," Rosanna returned quietly. "Only I can't see what good it will do now. Mrs. Leeds definitely has the property and anything we learn about the ghost can't alter the situation."

"I'm not so sure of that," Penny smiled.

She was so jubilant as they prepared to take their luggage and leave the house that Mrs. Leeds regarded her slightly with suspicion. However, the woman was reassured to see the girls drive away in their car.

Rosanna and Penny dined early at Andover but the former ate little. Although she made every effort to carry on a cheerful conversation it was obvious to her companion that she was completely discouraged.

"Cheer up," Penny advised optimistically. "I tell you everything will come out right yet. Even if my own plan fails, there are still lawyers to be hired. Mrs. Leeds can't take over the property legally until the court approves."

"She'll have things fixed up her way," Rosanna maintained gloomily. "I'll have no money to hire a lawyer. I must try to find myself a job."

"Father will help you get one if you need it."

"I've accepted so many favors from you already," Rosanna protested.

"You have not!" Penny cut in. "This trip to Raven Ridge has been sheer fun for me. And unless I'm mistaken tonight will prove the most exciting of all."

"I'm afraid so," Rosanna shuddered.

She glanced curiously at her companion. She could not understand Penny's eagerness to return to the mouth of the tunnel. In her own opinion the mysterious ghost was none other than Max Laponi and she had no desire to encounter him again.

"Do you still want to go through with the plan?" she inquired doubtfully.

"I certainly do. I'd never feel satisfied if I left Raven Ridge without solving the mystery. It's about time we start for the tunnel too."

They left the restaurant, returning to Penny's car which had been parked outside.

"Probably our friend the ghost won't put in an appearance much before midnight," Penny remarked as they drove slowly toward Raven Ridge, "but it will be wise I think to allow ourselves plenty of time to find a good hiding place."

It had grown dark and the girls were pleased to note that heavy clouds would hide the moon and stars.

Some distance from the Winters' house they parked in a dense thicket near the road. Before alighting, Penny removed a small package from the side pocket of the car.

"What's that?" Rosanna asked curiously.

"Dynamite," Penny chuckled.

"Dynamite!"

"In the form of evidence. Unless I'm mistaken, this little package will produce some startling results!"

"You're talking in absolute riddles."

"Just be patient and you'll soon know what I mean," Penny declared teasingly. "I'd tell you now only it would ruin the surprise."

She locked the automobile and afoot they quietly stole down a steep winding trail which led to the entrance of the old mine.