CHAPTER 19 MRS. WEEMS’ REPORT
Several minutes elapsed before the door was opened by Peter Fenestra. He glanced alertly about the yard, and then his gaze fell upon the envelope. Penny heard him mutter to himself as he picked it up.
Fenestra’s face became convulsed with rage as he tore open the flap and saw the message. Still muttering, he crumpled the paper and thrust it into his pocket. Entering the house, he slammed the door.
With Peter at home Penny dared not try to see Mrs. Weems. As she hesitated, debating, Anchor Joe came from his hiding place. He did not see the girl.
“Joe!” she called softly.
The sailor turned. Recognizing her, he ran in the opposite direction across the yard. Keeping low behind a hedge, he started toward the river.
“Joe! Come back!” Penny called again.
Paying no heed, the sailor fled through the fields. Soon he was hidden by tall trees and bushes.
Penny felt deeply disturbed, wondering if Anchor Joe made a practice of watching the Fenestra home. She was inclined to believe that this had not been his first visit there.
Unexpectedly the farmhouse door swung open. Penny barely had time to step behind a large maple before Peter Fenestra came down the path. He went directly to the barn, and a few minutes later backed out his automobile.
“Good!” thought Penny. “He’s likely driving to Riverview. Now I can talk to Mrs. Weems without fear of interruption.”
As soon as the car had disappeared down the main road, she ran to the kitchen door and knocked. When it was not opened immediately, she thrust her head inside and called the housekeeper’s name.
“Here I am,” answered Mrs. Weems, hurrying from the dining room. “I hope you’ve come to take me home, Penny Parker!”
“No, only to receive your report.” Penny sank into a chair beside the stove. “You don’t act very pleased with your new job.”
“It’s a dreadful place. I was crazy to say I would stay here.”
“Haven’t you learned anything?”
“I’ve learned that Peter Fenestra is one of the most disagreeable men I ever met in my life! There’s no satisfying him. He requires a slave, not a housekeeper!”
“But what about the storm cave?” Penny asked. “Were you able to find out what Fenestra stores in it?”
“Of course not. The padlock always is locked, and he keeps the key in his pocket.”
“But he does have something hidden there?” Penny questioned eagerly. “He goes down into it at night?”
“I’ve seen him enter the cave once since I came here.”
“When was that?”
“Last night after I had gone to bed. I heard the door close, so I went to the window and watched.”
“How long did he stay there, Mrs. Weems?”
“About three hours I’d judge. It was after two o’clock when he returned to his room.”
“What can he have hidden in the cave?”
“Nothing in my opinion,” declared Mrs. Weems. “I think he cooks something. At least he builds a fire.”
“What makes you think that?”
“I could see smoke seeping out from the cracks of the cave door.”
Penny frowned. “I can’t guess what he could be cooking,” she said. “Surely he doesn’t have a still down there.”
“I doubt it very much. Probably you’ve built up a great mystery about nothing.”
Pouring hot water over the dishes, Mrs. Weems began to wash them. Penny picked up a towel and automatically wiped and stacked them away.
“I didn’t imagine that this house was being watched,” she replied. “Only a few minutes ago I saw Anchor Joe steal to the door and leave a letter for Mr. Fenestra.”
“Anchor Joe!”
“Mr. Moyer never caught him it seems. But why should the fellow come here? What message did he leave Fenestra?”
“I heard a knock on the front door,” Mrs. Weems admitted. “Fenestra answered it, and when he came back into the kitchen he was in a dreadful temper.”
“The letter upset him?”
“I didn’t know he had received one.”
“Yes, Anchor Joe left it on the doorstep. It may have been a threatening note. I’d give a lot to know.”
“Fenestra has been very nervous since I came here,” Mrs. Weems contributed. “If he hears any unusual sound in the yard he immediately becomes alert.”
“As if he were afraid for his life?”
“Yes, he does act that way. I doubt if he’ll stay here much longer. His clothes are all packed in suitcases.”
“That is important information,” declared Penny. “Oh, dear, if only we knew why he’s being threatened, and why he intends to leave! I believe I’ll go upstairs and inspect his room.”
“You’ll learn nothing there,” responded Mrs. Weems. “Fenestra is a careful man. He leaves no papers lying about.”
“It will do no harm to look.”
Penny climbed the creaking stairs and was followed by Mrs. Weems.
“This is his room,” said the housekeeper, opening a door. “I haven’t made the bed yet.”
She busied herself smoothing covers while Penny wandered about. The room had no rug. It was furnished with an old fashioned dresser, a wash stand and a bed with a high headboard.
Penny opened the closet door. The hangers were dangling together, without clothing. Everything had been packed into two suitcases which stood against the wall.
“I’ve already inspected the luggage,” said Mrs. Weems as the girl bent to open one of the bags. “You’ll find nothing except clothing. I tell you, Peter Fenestra is a very cautious man.”
“I can believe it,” agreed Penny. “This room is as bare of evidence as Mother Hubbard’s cupboard.”
“Just what do you hope to find?”
“Well, I don’t know. What’s this?” Penny picked up a sheet of notebook paper from the dresser.
“Don’t get excited over that,” laughed Mrs. Weems.
“It’s only a grocery list which Fenestra made up. He doesn’t trust anyone to spend his money for him.”
“Is this Fenestra’s writing?” Penny studied the paper with intense interest.
“Yes, it is.”
“Mrs. Weems, I’ve seen this writing before!” Penny exclaimed. “I’m almost certain of it. There’s a marked resemblance!”
“A resemblance to what, Penny?”
“Why, to a threatening note I received. I guess I never told you. Someone left a message on my desk at the newspaper office, warning me to give up my paper.”
“And you think Peter Fenestra left it there?” inquired the housekeeper, smiling.
“This looks like the same writing.”
“Probably you are mistaken, Penny. Why should he have any interest in your paper?”
“He came to the office one day, questioning me about a story I ran concerning John Munn. I shall keep this and compare it with the note.”
Carefully folding the paper, Penny slipped it into her dress pocket. Mrs. Weems had finished making the bed and was ready to leave.
“I’ve learned everything I can for you,” she said. “Now I hope you’re willing to let me return home.”
“Please stay another day,” pleaded Penny. “I feel in my bones that we’re about to make an important discovery.”
“Those bones of yours!” complained the housekeeper. “Tell me, how is Tillie Fellows getting along?”
“Well, she tries hard, but I’ll admit Dad doesn’t like the arrangement.”
“Then I must return. It’s nonsense for me to stay here.”
Penny was paying no attention to Mrs. Weems’ words. She had picked up the waste paper basket and was examining the contents. There were a few advertising circulars, an unaddressed envelope and a crumpled ball of paper. The latter, Penny carefully smoothed.
“Mrs. Weems!” she exclaimed. “Look at this!”
The housekeeper hastened to her side. Curiously, she examined the paper. It bore no writing, only a crude drawing of an octopus.
“This must be the paper which Anchor Joe left on the doorstep only a few minutes ago!” cried Penny excitedly.
“You think it may have been intended as a warning to Peter Fenestra?” The housekeeper regarded the drawing rather dubiously.
“I’m sure of it, Mrs. Weems! Don’t you see? The drawing is a copy of the tattoo which both Anchor Joe and John Munn had on their backs!”
“Yes, it does look the same as Joe’s marking,” conceded the housekeeper. “But what does it mean? Why was it sent to Fenestra?”
“I wish I knew.”
“One thing is clear. That boatman your father hired is a downright scamp.”
“He’s wanted by the government. We know that. But Fenestra may be a rascal, too. Why should Anchor Joe threaten him unless he’s done something he shouldn’t?”
“Why indeed? This is a case for the police, not one for you or me,” declared Mrs. Weems with finality. “I am ready to leave here whenever you are. I’ve decided not to bother giving Fenestra notice.”
“You can’t go now. You can’t!” moaned Penny. “Stay until after Thursday, at least. I’m positive everything will be cleared up by then.”
“Why Thursday?”
“Well, I have a little matter coming up on that day. Besides, I’ve sent off a letter which may help solve the mystery. Please, Mrs. Weems, do this one favor and I’ll never ask another.”
“Until next time, you mean. But to please you I’ll stay until Friday. Not a day longer. However, I warn you, if I see Anchor Joe prowling about, I shall summon the sheriff.”
“That’s all right with me,” grinned Penny. “I must skip now before Fenestra gets back from town. Just keep your eye on him and report to me if anything unusual happens.”
