“I promise not to excite him.”
“The answer is no! Now I wish you would help me by bringing in the washing. I must start supper.”
Penny obediently took the basket and unpinned sheets and pillow cases from the line. She had just finished when she observed a tall, well-built young man with military stride, approaching through the trees. He tipped his hat politely.
“I beg your pardon,” he said, “I am trying to find the Parker cottage.”
“Your search is at an end,” answered Penny. “You’ve come to the right place.”
“Do you have a man working here named Joe Landa?”
“Why, yes, we have.”
“Where may I find him, please?”
“Joe is confined to his bed,” explained Penny. “Unless it is very important I am afraid we can’t allow you to talk with him today.”
“It is important,” said the stranger. “I am Clark Moyer, from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”