The Secret Pact Part 30

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 fas.h.i.+oned 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?"