Behind the Green Door

  CHAPTER 4 _PINE TOP MOUNTAIN_

  Penny was startled by the remarks of the two men because she felt certainthat the Mrs. Downey under discussion must be the woman at whose inn shewould spend a two weeks' vacation. Was it possible that a plot was beinghatched against her father's friend? And what did Francine know about it?

  She glanced quickly toward the young woman reporter who was doing battlewith a tough steak which threatened to leap off her plate whenever shetried to cut it. Apparently, Francine had not heard any part of theconversation.

  Being only human, Penny decided that despite her recent comments, shecould not be expected to abandon a perfectly good sandwich in theinterests of theoretical honor. She remained at her post and waited forthe men to reveal more.

  Unobligingly, they began to talk of the weather and politics. Pennyfinished her sandwich, and sliding down from the stool wandered outdoors.

  "I wish I knew who those men are," she thought. "Francine could tell meif she weren't so horrid."

  Penny waited until the last possible minute before boarding the plane. Asshe stepped inside the cabin she was surprised to see that Francine hadtaken the chair beside Maxine Miller, very coolly moving Penny'sbelongings to the seat at the back of the airliner.

  "Did you two decide to change places?" inquired the stewardess as Pennyhesitated beside the empty chair.

  "I didn't decide. It just seems to be an accomplished fact."

  The stewardess went down the aisle and touched Francine's arm. "Usuallythe passengers keep their same seats throughout the journey," she saidwith a pleasant smile. "Would you mind?"

  Francine did mind for she had cut her lunch short in the hope ofobtaining the coveted chair, but she could not refuse to move. Frowning,she went back to her former place.

  Actually, Penny was not particular where she sat. There was no practicaladvantage in being directly behind the two strangers, for their voiceswere seldom audible above the roar of the plane. On the other hand, MissMiller talked loudly and with scarcely a halt for breath. Penny wasrather relieved when an early stop for dinner enabled her to gain aslight respite.

  With flying conditions still favorable, the second half of the journeywas begun. Penny curled up in her clean, comfortable bed, and the gentlerocking of the plane soon lulled her to sleep. She did not awaken untilmorning when the stewardess came to warn her they soon would be at theirdestination. Penny dressed speedily, and enjoyed a delicious breakfastbrought to her on a tray. She had just finished when Francine staggereddown the aisle, eyes bloodshot, her straight black hair looking as if ithad never been combed.

  "Will I be glad to get off this plane!" she moaned. "What a night!"

  "I didn't notice anything wrong with it," said Penny. "I take it youdidn't sleep well."

  "Sleep? I never closed my eyes all night, not with this roller-coastersliding down one mountain and up another. I thought every minute we weregoing to crash."

  Maxine Miller likewise seemed to have spent an uncomfortable night, forher face was haggard and worn. She looked five years older and hermake-up was smeared.

  "Tell me, do I look too dreadful?" she asked Penny anxiously. "I want toappear my best when I meet Mr. Balantine."

  "You'll have time to rest up before you see him," the girl repliedkindly.

  "How long before we reach Pine Top?"

  "We should be approaching there now." Penny studied the terrain belowwith deep interest, noting mountain ranges and beautiful snowy valleys.

  At last the plane circled and swept down on a small landing field whichhad been cleared of snow. Passengers began to pour from the cabin,grateful that the long journey was finally at an end.

  "I hope I see you again," said Penny, extending her hand to Miss Miller."And the best of luck with Mr. Balantine."

  Eagerly, she gathered together her possessions and stepped out of theplane into blinding sunlight. The air was crisp and cold, but there was aquality to it which made her take long, deep breaths. Beyond the landingfield stood a tall row of pine trees, each topped with a layer of snowlike the white icing of a cake. From somewhere far away she could hearthe merry jingle of sleigh bells.

  "So this is Pine Top!" thought Penny. "It's as pretty as a Christmascard!"

  A small group of persons were at the field to meet the plane. Catchingsight of a short, sober-looking little woman who was bundled in furs,Penny hastened toward her.

  "Mrs. Downey!" she cried.

  "Penny, my dear! How glad I am to see you!" The woman clasped her firmly,planting a kiss on either cheek. "But your father shouldn't havedisappointed me. Why didn't he come along?"

  "He wanted to, but he's up to his eyebrows in trouble. A man is suing himfor libel."

  "Oh, that _is_ bad," murmured Mrs. Downey. "I know what legal troublemeans because I've had an unpleasant taste of it myself lately. But come,let's get your luggage and be starting up the mountain."

  "Just a minute," said Penny in a low tone. With a slight inclination ofher head, she indicated the two male passengers who had made the longjourney from Riverview to Pine Top. "You don't by any chance know eitherof those men?"

  Mrs. Downey's face lost its kindliness and she said, in a grim voice: "Icertainly do!"

  Before Penny could urge the woman to reveal their identity, Francinewalked over to where she and Mrs. Downey stood.

  "Did you wish to see me?" inquired the hotel woman as Francine looked ather with an inquiring gaze.

  "Are you Mrs. Downey?"

  "Yes, I am."

  "I am looking for a place to stay," said Francine. "I was told that youkeep an inn."

  "Yes, we have a very nice lodge up the mountain about a mile from here.The rooms are comfortable, and I do most of the cooking myself. We'relocated on the best ski slopes in the valley. But if you're looking for aplace with plenty of style and corresponding prices you might prefer theFergus place."

  "Your lodge will exactly suit me, I think," declared Francine. "How do Iget there?"

  "In my bob-sled," offered Mrs. Downey. "I may have a few other guests."

  "It won't take me a minute to get my luggage," said Francine, movingaway.

  Penny was none too pleased to know that the girl reporter would make herheadquarters at the Downey Inn. Her face must have mirrored hermisgiving, for Mrs. Downey said apologetically:

  "Business hasn't been any too good this season. I have to pick up anextra tourist whenever I can."

  "Of course," agreed Penny hastily. "One can't run a hotel withoutguests."

  "I do believe Jake has snared another victim," Mrs. Downey laughed. "Thatwoman with the bleached hair."

  "And who is Jake?" inquired Penny.

  Mrs. Downey nodded her head toward a spry man with leathery skin who wastalking with Maxine Miller.

  "He does odd jobs for me at the Inn," she explained. "When he has noother occupation he tries to entice guests into our den."

  "You make it sound like a very wicked business," chuckled Penny.

  "Since the Fergus hotel was built it's become a struggle, to the death,"replied Mrs. Downey soberly. "I truly believe this will be my last yearat Pine Top."

  "Why, you've had your home here for years," said Penny in astonishment."You were at Pine Top long before anyone thought of it as a great skiingresort. You're an institution here, Mrs. Downey. Surely you aren'tserious about giving up your lodge?"

  "Yes, I am, Penny. But I shouldn't start telling my troubles the momentyou arrive. I never would have said a word if you hadn't asked me aboutthose two men yonder."

  She gazed scornfully toward the strangers whose identity Penny hoped tolearn.

  "Who _are_ they?" Penny asked quickly.

  "The slim fellow with the sharp face is Ralph Fergus," answered Mrs.Downey, her voice filled with bitterness. "He manages the hotel and issupposed to be the owner. Actually, the other man is the one who providesall the money."

  "And who is he?"
br />   "Why, you should know," replied Mrs. Downey. "He has a hotel inRiverview. His name is Harvey Maxwell. He only comes here now and then."

  "Harvey Maxwell!" repeated Penny. "Wait until Dad hears about this!"

  "Your father has had dealings with him?"

  "Has he?" murmured Penny. "Maxwell is the man who is suing Dad forlibel!"

  "Well, of all things!"

  "I believe I understand why Francine came out here too," Penny saidthoughtfully.

  "Francine?"

  "The girl who just engaged a room at your place. I think she went to yourInn for the sole purpose of keeping an eye on me."

  "Why should she wish to do that?"

  "Francine is a reporter for the _Riverview Record_. Dad's story aboutMaxwell bribing a football player served as a tip-off to other editors.Now the _Record_ may hope to get evidence against him which they canbuild up into a big story."

  "I should think that would help your father's case."

  "It might," agreed Penny, "all depending upon how the evidence was used.But somehow, I don't trust Francine. If there's any fancy newspaper workto be done at Pine Top, I aim to look after it myself!"