“He mentioned Otto when I was in the room,” nodded Penny. “I wish we dared question Joe, but the doctor advised against it.”
“I don’t think we should annoy him now. Perhaps later on he’ll tell us about the tattoo and its meaning.”
“Perhaps,” echoed Penny. “However, if I am any judge of character, Anchor Joe isn’t the talkative type. As soon as he gets over the shock of this accident, he’ll lock those lips of his. We’ll learn nothing.”
“Why are you so convinced there’s a deep mystery connected with the tattoo?”
“I can’t explain it, Lou. I just know there is. I’ll never rest until I learn the significance of those words, All and One.”
Within a half hour Mrs. Weems and Mr. Parker arrived at the cottage, bringing a supply of linen, food, and comforts for the injured man. The housekeeper agreed to assume charge until Anchor Joe could be safely removed to a hospital.
When Mr. Parker drove to Riverview the girls accompanied him. During the ride Penny questioned her father regarding Anchor Joe.
“I know almost nothing about him,” he replied. “He was sent to me by the Acme Employment Agency, and I didn’t bother to ask for a recommendation.”
“I’ve learned that he’s a friend of John Munn,” revealed Penny. “As soon as he’s able to get about again, I mean to ask him a number of things.”
Mr. Parker drove Louise to her home, and at Penny’s request dropped her off at the Weekly Times office.