What do I do with the blotter?

Hint 1 of 14:

It has some ink on it.

Hint 2 of 14:

Maybe the ink will tell you something.

Hint 3 of 14:

Of course it will!  Otherwise it wouldn't be in the game!

Hint 4 of 14:

It would be nice if you had some paper to print the ink on.

Hint 5 of 14:

Unfortunately, you don't.  You'll have to find some other smooth surface.

Hint 6 of 14:

The sink is smooth.

Hint 7 of 14:

It's also dirty.

Hint 8 of 14:

You can try using the blotter on the sink, but it's too dirty to read the ink.

Hint 9 of 14:

You need to clean the sink.

Hint 10 of 14:

The sink needs polished.

Hint 11 of 14:

Fortunately, the captain left some polish lying around in the storage room on
the lower floor.

Hint 12 of 14:

Now all you need is a cloth to put the polish on.

Hint 13 of 14:

A handkerchief would be good here.

Hint 14 of 14:

Use the polish on the handkerchief from the trunk, then use the handkerchief
on the sink.