Penny Nichols and the k.n.o.b Hill Mystery.

by Joan Clark.

CHAPTER I

A Cottage at k.n.o.b Hill

Penny Nichols, hair flying in the wind, came running up the steps of the Altman porch. She did not need to ring the bell, for just at that moment Susan, her dark-haired chum, appeared in the open doorway.

"Why, h.e.l.lo, Penny," greeted the Altman girl. "You're all out of breath."

"I ran most of the way from home," replied Penny.

"I was hoping you'd drop in today. Come on into the house."

"No, I can't, Susan," said Penny hurriedly. "I just ran over to say good-by."

"Good-by?" echoed Susan blankly. "You're not going away, Penny?"

"Yes, Dad took a sudden notion he wanted to spend a quiet vacation at a place called k.n.o.b Hill. We're motoring down there this afternoon."

"Well, I like that!" exclaimed Susan. "You didn't say a thing about it when we were playing tennis yesterday."

"How could I when I didn't know anything about it myself until an hour ago? That's the way Dad does things, Susan."

"I suppose you're going off on another one of those exciting mystery cases," Susan said enviously.

"I only wish we were," sighed Penny. "This vacation won't be a bit exciting. Dad just wants a complete rest at a quiet place. He says he'll not even think about work while we're gone."

"What sort of place is k.n.o.b Hill?"

"From all I can learn it's just a dead spot on the map," Penny declared. "And we've rented a cottage sight unseen."

"Oh, it may not be half bad," said Susan encouragingly. "You'll probably be able to do a lot of interesting things--swim, hike or ride."

"Not at k.n.o.b Hill," replied Penny, shaking her head. "It isn't a summer resort place at all. There will be absolutely nothing to do except eat, sleep, and grow fat."

Susan laughed as she glanced at her chum's slender figure. Penny was too active and athletic ever to be plump. She had sparkling blue eyes, golden hair, and a natural smile. It was very easy for her to make friends.

"I haven't finished my packing yet," said Penny. "I'll have to get back home or I'll keep Dad waiting."

"I'm terribly sorry to see you go," Susan told her. "Don't forget to send me a postcard now and then."

Penny promised that she would write often, and then, aware that time was slipping away, said a hurried farewell. Reaching her own home, a large white house on Hilburn Street, she found her father washing the car in the back yard.

Christopher Nichols was a tall, slim man with graying hair. For many years he had been in charge of the Nichols Detective Agency and was well known not only in Belton City but throughout the state. Many persons believed that Penny had inherited her father's sleuthing ability, for even at the age of fifteen she had shown remarkable talent in solving mystery cases.

As Penny paused for a moment to chat with her father before going into the house, she noticed the tired lines of his face.

"Dad really needs a long rest," she thought. "I ought to be glad we're both running off to a quiet place like k.n.o.b Hill."

"h.e.l.lo, Penny," Mr. Nichols greeted his daughter. "I'll have this cleaning job done in another ten minutes. Then I'm ready to start whenever you are."

"You seem anxious to get away from Belton City," Penny smiled. "You're not trying to escape from any creditors?"

"Nothing like that," laughed Mr. Nichols. "I'm just sick and tired of the Nichols Detective Agency. For two weeks I intend to forget everything remotely connected with investigation work. Why, if a thief broke into the house tonight and stole our diamonds, I'd not interest myself in the case!"

"That's what you say now," chuckled Penny. "Anyway, we haven't any diamonds."

"Inspector Harris tried to tempt me with a case only today," the detective went on, his face becoming serious again. "I told him I couldn't take it."

"You've earned the right to your vacation," Penny declared.

Mr. Nichols glanced quickly at his daughter.

"You're not very anxious to go to k.n.o.b Hill, are you, Penny?" he asked.

"Why--what makes you think that?" Penny stammered. The question had caught her off guard.

"I pride myself that I've learned a few simple things during my twenty years as a detective. Faces aren't hard to read--especially yours."

"Dear me," said Penny, "I didn't suppose I was an open book. Just what does my face tell you?"

"That you're bored at the thought of going to a dull place such as k.n.o.b Hill. It's selfish of me to drag you along----"

"No, it isn't, Dad!" Penny broke in. "You've needed this rest for years and I'd not think of letting you go off by yourself. Why, for all your wonderful detective ability, you can never find your own slippers!"

"That's so," Mr. Nichols chuckled. "Well, I hope the two weeks won't turn out to be too monotonous for you."

Penny left her father to finish cleaning the car and ran into the house. Mrs. Gallup, the kindly housekeeper who had looked after the girl since the death of her mother, was preparing luncheon in the kitchen.

"I've laid out all your things on the bed," she told Penny. "And your suitcase is down from the attic."

"Thank you, Mrs. Gallup," said Penny. "I'll soon have everything packed."

By the time she had completed the task, the housekeeper announced luncheon. Throughout the meal Mr. Nichols laughed and carried on in a high mood, declaring that he felt like a youngster let out of school.

"What shall I do about your mail, sir?" inquired Mrs. Gallup when it was time for Penny and her father to leave.

"Forward letters to me at k.n.o.b Hill in care of Judd Kilkane," the detective instructed. "But don't give anyone my address unless it is a matter of great importance."

"I'll be careful about that," Mrs. Gallup promised. "And I do hope you have a good rest in the country, Mr. Nichols."

She watched from the doorway until the car disappeared down the street.

Penny settled herself for a long ride. She switched on the radio and from force of habit turned the dial to the police station broadcast.

"Not that station," said Mr. Nichols.