The Secret Pact Part 15

"The cottage is still there!" Penny cried as they presently ascended to higher ground. "I can see it."

"Several trees are down," observed Louise. "One has fallen across the porch."

"A beautiful birch, too," murmured Penny. "Anchor Joe will have a job clearing it away."

Approaching the cottage, the girls saw no glimpse of the workman. Penny called his name several times.

"I wonder where he went?" she murmured.

The girls rounded the corner of the cottage. As their eyes fell upon the giant birch which had demolished the porch railing, they were startled to see a slight movement among the leaves. A hand lay limp against the trunk.

"Anchor Joe!" gasped Penny in horror. "He's pinned beneath the tree!"

CHAPTER 10 _A WORD TO THE WISE_

Penny and Louise stooped beside the groaning man who lay pinned on his side beneath the tree. As they attempted to move him he writhed in pain and pleaded with them not to touch him.

"The tree will have to be lifted," declared Penny. "I'll go for help."

Leaving Louise to encourage Anchor Joe, she ran the entire distance to the main road. The nearest house was the one owned by Peter Fenestra.

However, as she hastened in that direction, she observed a truck filled with telephone linemen coming toward her. Hailing the men, she told them what had occurred.

"I am afraid Anchor Joe is badly hurt," she added. "I'll telephone for a doctor while you go on to the cottage."

One of the linemen offered to make the call, leaving her free to guide the other four men to the Parker camp. Reaching the spot, the men raised the fallen tree. Carefully they lifted Anchor Joe who had lapsed into unconsciousness.

"Bring him into the cottage," Penny directed, going ahead to open doors.

One of the rooms had been furnished as a bedroom with an old cot, a chest of drawers and odd pieces brought from the Parker home. Penny spread a blanket over the mattress and the injured man was stretched upon it.

"He's seriously hurt, isn't he?" she asked anxiously.

"Afraid he is," admitted one of the linemen. "Heat up some water and I'll do what I can until the doctor gets here."

Penny and Louise hastened to the kitchen to struggle with the wood-burning range. By the time they had the fire going well they heard voices in the yard. Glancing out the window they saw a lineman coming toward the cottage and walking beside a doctor who carried a light, black bag.

"It's Doctor Griswold," observed Louise. "He made a quick trip from town."

Penny ran to open the door for the two men. Then, at the doctor's bidding, she went to the kitchen again for the boiling water.

"You carry it in," urged Louise. "I can't bear to see poor Anchor Joe."

The linemen had left by the time Penny reentered the bedroom. The doctor was working over Anchor Joe, and she observed in relief that he had recovered consciousness.

"Where do you feel pain?" the doctor inquired as he unfastened the man's s.h.i.+rt.

"My back and chest, doc," the sailor mumbled. "Feels like all my insides is crushed."

"Hardly that," said the doctor cheerfully, "or you wouldn't be telling me about it. Now let's see."

He took Anchor Joe's pulse, then gently probed his chest and sponged a break in the skin. Carefully he turned the man upon his back.

Penny drew in her breath, nearly dropping the pan of water. Across Anchor Joe's back was tattooed the sprawling figure of an octopus. She bent closer. Beneath the front arms of the repulsive sea creature appeared a single word: _One_.

"John Munn's tattoo was exactly the same, save for the word!" thought Penny. "It was 'All' while this is 'One.' What can be the significance?"

Even the doctor was startled by the strange tattoo for he glanced at it curiously as he probed.

"You are a sailor?" he inquired.

"That's right," muttered Anchor Joe. "Ouch, doc! Take it easy, will you?"

Penny could not remain silent. "Joe, do you know a man named John Munn?"

she asked.

"Sure I know him," the sailor mumbled. "We s.h.i.+pped together on the _Dorasky_."

"Your tattoo is very similar to his."

Anchor Joe's pain-glazed eyes turned upon Penny as if he were seeing her for the first time. He made an effort to pull the blanket over his back.

"We had 'em put on together," he muttered. "Jack an' John, and that rat, Otto--"

"Please don't talk to the patient," said the doctor significantly. "He should be kept quiet."

"I'm sorry," apologized Penny.

She did not speak again until the doctor had completed his examination and had bandaged Anchor Joe's cuts and bruises.

"What do you advise, doctor?" she asked. "Will it be necessary to remove Joe to a hospital?"

"Neither advisable nor desirable for at least twenty-four hours," he replied. "I find no indication of internal injury, but it is best to be safe. The patient should be kept quiet, in bed, for at least a day or two."

"It's something of a problem to care for him here," said Penny frowning.

"Do you suggest a nurse?"

"Any woman who has had practical experience in caring for the sick would do."

"Mrs. Weems may be willing to come," said Penny. "I'll telephone home at once and learn what arrangements can be made."

When the doctor left, Penny accompanied him as far as the first house.

From there she telephoned her father, who promised to get Mrs. Weems and come at once to the cottage.

Louise was uneasily waiting by the time Penny returned. Outside the bedroom they held whispered consultation.