The Secret Pact

  CHAPTER 18 _PAULETTA'S EXPLANATION_

  Penny compressed the facts given her by Ellis Saal into a brief, livelyfeature story for the _Weekly Times_. She was careful not to divulge thatthe man had removed a tattoo from a customer, but to Louise she confidedthe entire story.

  "All unwittingly, Mr. Saal gave me just the clue I need," she declaredenthusiastically. "It will be a gigantic step forward if I learn theidentity of his mysterious customer."

  "What's to be gained by it?" asked Louise as she slugged a story andspeared it on a hook. "What will be proven?"

  "Well, if I'm ever going to solve the mystery I must gather every fact Ican," Penny said defensively. "I aim to learn the meaning of thosestrange tattoos and, above all, the reason why John Munn was pushed fromthe bridge."

  "You have your work cut out for you," responded Louise dryly.

  "But Mr. Saal's information helps. You remember I told you that JohnMunn's tattoo bore the word _All_. Anchor Joe's was exactly the sameexcept for the word, _One_. And now Ellis Saal has a customer with twowords on his back: _For One_. Why, I believe I have it!"

  Penny sprang from her chair, eyes dancing with excitement.

  "You have what?" asked Louise calmly.

  "It came to me like a flash--the meaning of those tattooed words! If wehaven't been dumb!"

  "Kindly stop jumping around, and explain."

  "Mr. Saal told me he thought several sailors might have had a sentenceincorporated in their tattoo. That is, only a word or two was used ineach design, but taken as a whole it would make sense."

  "And you think you have the phrase?"

  "I do, Louise! Why couldn't it be: _All for one, one for all_?"

  "If the men were close friends, that would be fairly logical. But thewords we have to juggle don't make such a sentence, Penny."

  "Obviously there must be a fourth sailor whose tattoo includes the words,'for all,'" argued Penny. "Then it would fit perfectly."

  "Just because four men were pals, you think they would have such nonsensetattooed on their backs?"

  "That's my theory."

  "If you're right, then the mystery is solved."

  "Far from it," corrected Penny. "I haven't learned who pushed John Munnfrom the bridge or why. You remember how Anchor Joe talked about someonewho had 'ratted'? The four of them must have been in on a scheme, and oneman betrayed his comrades."

  "Better bridle that imagination before it takes you for too wild a ride,"chuckled Louise.

  "Then you think there's nothing to my theory?" Penny demanded in aninjured tone.

  "I think that if you speculate upon it much longer we'll never get anywork done," Louise replied, turning once more to her typewriter. "Theseheadlines must be composed if ever we expect to get another paper on thestreet."

  Disappointed that her chum did not take the matter more seriously, Pennywent to consult Old Horney in the composing room. The pressman had provento be worth many times the small salary which the girls paid him. Notonly had he made the rotary presses ready for service, but he had cleanedand oiled every useable piece of machinery in the building. Eagerly heawaited the day when Penny would print the _Weekly_ in her own plant.

  "Everything's all set," he told her with a worshipful grin. "Whenever yougive the word, we can go to press."

  "That's fine," Penny praised. "Louise and I have been having a fewdifficulties, financial and otherwise. But I hope it won't be long now."

  She talked with Old Horney about various technical problems, thenreturned to her desk. Slipping a sheet of paper into her typewriter, shecomposed a letter to a well known steamship, the _Dorasky_.

  Slipping it into her pocket, she opened the door of Louise's office.

  "Do you mind staying here alone for awhile?"

  "No, of course not. Where are you going?"

  "To mail an important letter. Then I want to drive out to Fenestra's farmand see Mrs. Weems."

  "I'll look after everything until you get back," Louise promised. Sheglanced curiously at the letter but did not ask to whom it was directed.

  Penny dropped the stamped envelope into a convenient corner mailbox, andthen drove toward the outskirts of the city. Nearing Drexel Boulevard itsuddenly occurred to her that she never had found time to revisit MatthewJudson's home.

  "Pauletta owes me an explanation for the way she acted the other day,"she thought. "I have a notion to stop and see if she's alone."

  Penny impulsively spun the wheel, and followed the boulevard to theJudson home. The iron gate stood open. She drove through, up the curve ofcement to the house.

  In response to her knock, an untidy colored maid admitted her to a dark,dusty living room. As she awaited Pauletta, her wandering gaze noted anumber of significant details. The walls had not been decorated in manyyears, upholstered furniture had assumed a moth-eaten appearance, and theentire room seemed spiritless.

  Pauletta came slowly down the circular stairway. She hesitated as sherecognized Penny, but could not retreat.

  "How do you do," she said somewhat stiffly. "Nice of you to call."

  "I think you know why I came," said Penny. "We were unable to talk when Iwas here before."

  "I've told you all there was to it," Pauletta declared, seating herselfopposite the girl. "Frankly, I can't see that the affair is any of yourconcern. I wore the disguise because I didn't wish to be recognized onboard the _Goodtime_."

  "Your explanation isn't very satisfactory, I'm afraid. Tillie Fellows isstaying at our home now."

  "What of it?"

  "She was robbed that night on the boat."

  "We discussed it before," Miss Judson said in exasperation. "You insultme by suggesting that I may have snatched the girl's pocketbook! Whyshould I steal when my father is wealthy? I've always had everything Iwant."

  "I should like very much to believe you," said Penny quietly. "But unlessyou are willing to offer a complete explanation, I am afraid I can't."

  "Very well, if I must, I'll tell," Miss Judson replied angrily. "You mayhave read in the newspapers that I am engaged to marry Major HowardAtchley?"

  "The story escaped me."

  "I admire Howard very much," resumed Pauletta, still in an icy tone. "Hecomes from an excellent family, is well-to-do, and in Father's opinionwill make me a good husband."

  "Your opinion differs?" Penny inquired softly.

  "I do not love Howard, and I never shall. On the night you saw me aboardthe _Goodtime_ I had gone with another friend of mine, Carl Feldman,intending to enjoy the excursion trip."

  "Your father knew nothing about it?"

  "I told him I was going with another girl."

  "Oh, I see."

  "There was nothing wrong about it," Pauletta said irritably. "But I'mfairly well known. I realized that if I were recognized, Father or Howardmight learn about it. Then there would be trouble, for Howard is a veryjealous person."

  "So you resorted to the wig and glasses?"

  "Yes, that was my sole reason. Major Atchley met me at the boat. Beforejoining him I threw the bundle of clothing into the river. Now are yousatisfied with my explanation?"

  "I am," said Penny. "In fact, I never believed that you had robbedTillie."

  "You certainly acted that way."

  "Perhaps, I only wanted to learn the truth."

  Miss Judson did not reply. Her cold stare made it evident that shedisliked Penny and regarded her as a meddler.

  "Is there anything else you wish to know?" she asked after a lengthysilence.

  "Nothing, Miss Judson. I was only thinking that I would like to help youand your father."

  "Thank you. We don't require assistance."

  "Perhaps you don't," said Penny, "but your father needs friends. Headmitted to me that if it weren't for you he would be tempted to endeverything."

  The words stunned Pauletta. "Father never said that!" she exclaimed.

  "He did."

  "I can'
t believe it. Why, Father's the most cheerful person in theworld!"

  "In your presence, possibly. The loss of the _Morning Press_ must havebeen a heavy blow to him."

  "Father wasn't forced to give up the paper," Pauletta protested. "He didit because he was tired of working so hard."

  "Was that what he told you?"

  "Why, yes. I know of no other reason."

  "The general belief seems to be that your father speculated on the stockmarket, losing large sums of money."

  "That can't be true," denied Pauletta. "To my knowledge Father nevergambled. He may have bought a few stocks from time to time, but only forinvestment."

  "Then you feel sure he did not dispose of the _Press_ because he neededmoney?"

  Pauletta hesitated before she answered. "It never occurred to me before,but Father has been rather close the past year. I thought it was sheercarelessness when he let this place run down. He always gave meeverything I wanted."

  "Why does he favor your marriage to the Major?"

  "Perhaps money does enter into it," Pauletta said slowly. "Many timesFather has reminded me that I would have every luxury as Howard's wife."

  "Your friend Carl is poor?"

  "He has a fairly good position, but not much money. Father always seemedto like Carl. That was why I couldn't understand when he asked me not tosee him again."

  "I am sure your father thinks only of your welfare."

  "But I would rather marry Carl and be poor always than to have richeswith Howard."

  "You've not told your father that?"

  "Why, no. It never occurred to me that money had influenced him."

  "There's another rumor," said Penny. "I suppose I shouldn't mention it."

  "I wish you would."

  "I've heard it said that your father disposed of the _Press_ because hehad been blackmailed."

  "By whom?"

  "I haven't the slightest idea. It was only a rumor."

  "There may be truth in it," Pauletta replied in a low voice. "You'veopened my eyes, Miss Parker. I've been very blind."

  "Then you think someone may have forced your father to pay money?"

  "I don't know. But Father has acted strangely ever since he gave up thepaper. Once a month, on the fourth, he receives a visit from a queerlooking man. Always he tries to get me out of the house before the fellowcomes."

  "Don't you know his name?"

  "No, Father has never told me. The man seldom stays longer than tenminutes."

  "Can you describe him?"

  "Not very well because I never saw him at close range. I should say he'smiddle-aged, dark and cruel looking. Not at all the sort Father wouldchoose for a friend."

  "Your father offers no explanation as to why the man comes?"

  "None. He refuses to discuss the subject. I've noticed, though, that fordays after the fellow leaves he's very nervous and uneasy."

  "Excuse me for asking so many questions, Miss Judson, but do you know ofany reason why your father might be blackmailed?"

  "No, I don't. I am sure he's never been involved in anythingdishonorable."

  Penny had no more to tell, and she was convinced that Pauletta had givena truthful account of the situation. Feeling that she was notparticularly welcome, she arose to leave.

  "I am glad you came," Pauletta said, extending her hand. "Please excusemy rudeness. There were so many things I failed to understand."

  "You must forgive me, too," replied Penny. "I didn't mean to meddle. Itruly want to help your father."

  "I wish I could help him, too," said Pauletta in a troubled voice. "Inthe past I fear I've been very selfish and inconsiderate."

  "There's a way to help if you're willing to do it."

  "I don't understand."

  "You say that on the fourth of each month a man comes here to see yourfather. If you tried could you learn his name?"

  "I might drop in upon them at an awkward moment, compelling Father tointroduce me."

  "Are you willing to do it?"

  "Why, yes, but I fail to see what will be gained."

  "Perhaps nothing, perhaps a great deal," replied Penny. "If the man is ablackmailer, it should help for us to know his name."

  "I'll learn what I can."

  "Then until the fourth, good-bye. And please, not a word to Mr. Judson.We must work secretly."

  Reflecting upon the information given her by Pauletta, Penny drove ontoward Peter Fenestra's home. A quarter of a mile away she parked thecar, and set off afoot, hoping to attract no attention should the ownerbe at home.

  It was well that she took the precaution. She was three hundred yardsfrom the grounds when suddenly she saw a man emerge from behind the barn.At a glance she observed that he was too short to be Peter Fenestra.

  As Penny paused to watch, the man moved stealthily across the yard to thefront door of the farmhouse. His face turned slightly in her direction,and she recognized Anchor Joe.

  "What can he be doing here?" she thought in amazement.

  The question soon was answered. Glancing quickly about, Anchor Joedropped a white envelope on the front porch. Then he pounded severaltimes on the door before darting to the shelter of the lilac bushes.