The Secret Pact

by Mildred A. Wirt

  CHAPTER 22 _GHOSTS OF THE PAST_

  "Peter Fenestra," murmured Louise. "Can there be any doubt that he is thecustomer Ellis Saal meant?"

  "Not in my opinion," rejoined Penny.

  "Isn't it possible that he went into the shop to have a photograph taken,or for some other reason?"

  "Possible but not probable. No, Lou, we should have guessed long ago thatFenestra is an ex-sailor. It's all becoming clear now."

  "Then I wish you would explain to me."

  "Don't you see? Anchor Joe, John Munn, Fenestra, and perhaps a fourth manmust have been good friends at one time. They had their tattoos with thatphrase, _All for one, one for all_, pricked on their backs. Then Fenestramust have done something which made the others angry. They followed himhere to get even with him."

  "What makes you think that?" Louise asked dubiously.

  "Anchor Joe gave us a good broad hint. Then we know that he and at leastone other man have kept watch of the Fenestra farm."

  "What can the man have done to offend them?"

  "I can't guess that part," admitted Penny. "Another thing, why shouldFenestra decide to have his octopus tattoo removed?"

  "And who pushed John Munn off the bridge?" Louise added. "We're as muchin the dark as ever."

  "Not quite," amended Penny. "I feel that if only we could get into thatstorm cave, we might learn the answer to some of our questions."

  "You're not thinking of investigating it tonight?"

  Penny shook her head. "I can't without Dad's permission. It's a pity,too, because I know a big story is awaiting me, if only I could go outthere and get it."

  "I'm sure of one thing. We'll never dare print a word against Fenestrawithout absolute proof."

  "No," agreed Penny, her eyebrows knitting in a frown, "it would lead tolegal trouble."

  Deciding that nothing more could be learned by waiting, the girlsreturned to the parked car. Motoring toward Louise's home, they discussedvarious angles of the baffling case. Confronting them always was the factthat Peter Fenestra's reputation in Riverview was excellent, while AnchorJoe and John Munn appeared to be persons of questionable character.

  "You never learned why Joe was wanted by the authorities?" Louiseinquired, alighting at her doorstep.

  "No, I haven't seen Mr. Moyer since that day at the cottage. I'mreasonably sure Joe is still at liberty."

  "He may be the one at the bottom of all the trouble," declared Louise."We tend to suspect Fenestra of evil doing because we dislike him soheartily."

  "That's so, Lou. The best way is to have no opinions and wait for facts.But waiting wears me to a frazzle!"

  After parting from her chum, Penny did not drive home. Instead, sheturned into Drexel Boulevard, and presently was ringing the doorbell ofthe Judson home.

  The door was opened by Matthew Judson. Penny had not expected to meet theformer publisher. Somewhat confusedly she inquired for Pauletta.

  "My daughter isn't here now," replied Mr. Judson. "I expect her homewithin a few minutes. Won't you wait?"

  "No, thank you," Penny declined. "I'll drop in some other time."

  "I wish you would stay," urged Mr. Judson. "I find an empty house sodepressing."

  Penny hesitated, and then followed the former publisher to the livingroom. Mr. Judson had been reading the newspaper. He swept it from a chairso that the girl could sit opposite him.

  "Tell me how you are getting on with your newspaper," he urged in afriendly tone.

  Penny talked entertainingly, relating the various difficulties whichbeset a young publisher.

  "I've even received threatening notes," she revealed. "Or rather, one. Ithink it was left on my desk by a man named Peter Fenestra."

  "Fenestra?" Mr. Judson's face darkened.

  "Yes," answered Penny, watching the publisher attentively. "Do you knowhim?"

  "Only by reputation. He's a scoundrel!" His voice grew quite intense.

  "Can you tell me anything definite against him?"

  "No--no, I can't. I only advise you to have nothing whatsoever to do withhim."

  The telephone rang and Mr. Judson arose to answer it. During his absence,Penny thought swiftly. Dared she mention the clipping which she had foundin the publisher's desk? She did not wish to antagonize him, yet therewere many questions she longed to ask.

  Mr. Judson presently returned. Penny decided to risk his anger.

  Casually she introduced the subject by mentioning that she was using Mr.Judson's former office and desk as her own.

  "Yesterday I came upon a clipping caught beneath the lower drawer," shesaid quietly. "It concerned a man named Matthew Jewel. He bore a strikingresemblance to you."

  The publisher raised his eyes to stare intently at Penny. His handsgripped the chair arms so hard that the knuckles became a bluish-white.Splotches of red appeared on his forehead.

  "Matthew Jewel?" he murmured at last.

  "Yes, Mr. Judson, but you have nothing to fear from me. I shall notexpose you."

  "Then you know?"

  "The likeness was unmistakable. I read the clipping, too."

  The publisher arose, nervously walking to the fireplace. His handstrembled as he fingered an ornament on the shelf.

  "I searched everywhere for that clipping when I cleaned out my desk," hemumbled. "I've gone through every imaginable torture fearing it would befound. And now I am to be exposed!"

  "But I assure you I have no intention of telling anyone," said Pennyearnestly. "Your past is your own."

  "A man's past never is his own," responded Mr. Judson bitterly.

  "I shouldn't have mentioned it. I hoped I might be able to help you."

  "You haven't told Pauletta?"

  "No, nor any other person."

  Mr. Judson's tenseness relaxed slightly. He paced across the room andback, then faced Penny.

  "All my life," he said very quietly, "I have tried to spare Pauletta theknowledge that her father was--a convict. I haven't much to offer, butI'll give anything within reason to keep the story out of the paper."

  "You don't understand," interrupted Penny. "I have no intention ofprinting the information, or of telling anyone. I want nothing from you.But I do wish you would tell me the true story. I am sure there wereextenuating circumstances."

  Mr. Judson sagged into an armchair. "None," he said. "None whatsoever. Iused money which did not belong to me. My wife was desperately sick atthe time and I wanted her to have the care of specialists. She died whileI was serving my sentence."

  "Why, you did have a reason for taking the money," said Penny kindly."You should have been granted a pardon."

  "A theft is a theft. When I left prison, I made a new start here, anddevoted myself to Pauletta who was then a little girl."

  "How old was she?" inquired Penny.

  Mr. Judson gave no indication that he heard the question. He resumed:

  "The truth had been kept from Pauletta. She believes that I was abroadduring those years I spent in prison. Here in Riverview I prospered,people were kind to me. I made money and made it honestly. The future wasvery bright until a year ago."

  "Then you gave up your newspaper," commented Penny. "Why?"

  "Can't you guess?"

  "Blackmail?"

  Mr. Judson nodded. "One day a man came to me, a man I had known inprison. He threatened to expose me unless I paid him a large sum ofmoney."

  "And you agreed?"

  "I did."

  "Wasn't that rather foolish? People would have been charitable if you hadadmitted the truth."

  "I considered it from every angle, particularly from Pauletta'sstandpoint. I gave the man what he asked, although it cost me the_Morning Press_. But that was not the end."

  "He still bothers you?"

  "Yes, I'll pay as long as I have a penny. I've thought of taking Paulettaand going away, but he would trace me."

  "Who is the man, Mr. Judson?"

  "I can't
tell you."

  "Is it either Anchor Joe Landa or Peter Fenestra?"

  Mr. Judson's face did not alter. "I can't tell you," he repeated.

  "I wish you would talk to Dad," Penny said after a moment. "He might beable to help you."

  "No," returned Mr. Judson, growing agitated again, "you gave your promisethat you would not tell."

  "Of course, I'll keep it," responded Penny. "It does seem to me, though,that the easiest thing would be to admit the truth and be rid of the manwho robs you. Pauletta would understand."

  Mr. Judson shook his head. "I have made my decision," he said. "As longas I can, I shall abide by it."

  There was nothing Penny could do but bid Mr. Judson good evening andleave the house. His secret troubled her. If he had told her the entiretruth, it seemed very foolish of him to meet the demands of ablackmailer.

  "I wonder if Mr. Judson did tell me everything?" she mused. "I had afeeling that he was keeping something back."

  The car rolled into the driveway of the Parker home. As Penny jumped outto open the garage doors, a man, who had been sitting on the backdoorstep, arose. His face was hidden, but she knew it was not her father.

  "Who is it?" she called uneasily.

  The voice was reassuring. "It's Horney, Miss Penny. I've been waitin' foryou."

  "What brings you here?" she asked, hurrying to meet him. "I hope nothingbad has happened at the _Times_."

  "Everything's fine there. I've got a letter I thought you would want tosee right away. Found it tonight when I was sweeping up. It answers a lotof questions you've been askin'."

  Penny took the paper from Old Horney's gnarled hand. "Not about MatthewJudson?" she asked.

  "Read it and you'll see," encouraged the pressman. "Judson wasblackmailed just as I always thought. And by the man who signed thisletter."