“Why didn’t you give this information to the police immediately?” demanded Mr. Deming.
“I’m trying to explain. I stopped my car—your car, I mean. Mr. Parker seemed stunned so I offered to take him to the hospital. Of course at that time I didn’t know who he was.”
“Dad didn’t seem much hurt?” Penny inquired quickly.
“He had a few scratches, but nothing serious. We started for the hospital. Before we got there Mr. Parker changed his mind and decided he didn’t want to go. He asked me to take him to a hotel or a rooming house.”
“How strange!” exclaimed Penny. “Why didn’t he ask to go home?”
“Because he didn’t remember he had a home,” Mrs. Botts replied. “I guess the accident must have stunned him. Anyway, he said his name was Lester Jones. Since he wanted a room and was willing to pay, I figured I could bring him here.”
“So you turned my home into a hotel,” Mr. Deming remarked rather grimly.
“I—I didn’t think you would be back this winter. I wouldn’t have done it, Mr. Deming, only I needed extra money. My sister in Kansas has been sick and I’ve had to send her funds.”
“Mrs. Botts, I’ve always paid you well,” her employer responded. “Had you told me you needed more money, I would have assisted you. But go on.”
“Well, I brought Mr. Parker here and gave him a room. Right off I noticed how queer he acted. He didn’t seem to be sure who he was, and he kept going through some papers he carried in a portfolio, trying to puzzle things out.”