"I certainly did. Why do you suppose she's going to Pine Top? For the
skiing?"
"Unless I'm all tangled in a knot, she's after a big story for the
_Record_. And I just wonder if those two mysterious-looking gentlemen
aren't the reason for her trip!"
CHAPTER
3
_TRAVELING COMPANIONS_
Francine Sellberg paid for her ticket and turned so that her gaze fell
squarely upon Penny and Louise. Abruptly, she crossed over to where they
sat.
"Hello, girls," she greeted them breezily. "What brings you to the
airport?"
As always, the young woman reporter's manner was brusque and
business-like. Without meaning to offend, she gave others an impression
of regarding them with an air of condescension.
"I came to see Penny off," answered Louise before her chum could speak.
"Oh, are you taking this plane?" inquired Francine, staring at Penny with
quickening interest.
"I am if it ever gets here."
"Traveling alone?"
"All by my lonesome," Penny admitted cheerfully.
"You're probably only going a short ways?"
"Oh, quite a distance," returned Penny. She did not like the way Francine
was quizzing her.
"Penny is going to Pine Top for the skiing," declared Louise, never
guessing that her chum preferred to withhold the information.
"Pine Top!" The smile left Francine's face and her eyes roved swiftly
toward the two men who sat at the opposite side of the room.
"We are to be traveling companions, I believe," remarked Penny
innocently.
Francine's attention came back to the younger girl. Her eyes narrowed
with suspicion.
"So you're going out to Pine Top for the skiing," she said softly.
"And you?" countered Penny.
"Oh, certainly for the skiing," retorted Francine, mockery in her voice.
"Nice of the _Record_ to give you a vacation."
By this time the silver-winged transport had wheeled into position on the
apron, and passengers were beginning to leave the waiting room. The two
men who had attracted Penny's attention, arose and without appearing to
notice the three girls, went outside.
"You don't deceive me one bit, Penny Parker," said Francine with a quick
change of attitude. "I know very well why you are going to Pine Top, and
it's for the same reason I am!"
"You seem to have divined all my secrets, even when I don't know them
myself," responded Penny. "Suppose you tell me why I am going to Pine Top
mountain?"
"It's perfectly obvious that your father sent you, But I am afraid he
over-estimates your journalistic powers if he thinks you have had enough
experience to handle a difficult assignment of this sort. I'll warn you
right now, Penny, don't come to me for help. On this job we're rivals.
And I won't tolerate any bungling or interference upon your part!"
"Nice to know just where we stand," replied Penny evenly. "Then there
will be no misunderstanding or tears later on."
"Exactly. And mind you don't give any tip-off as to who I am!"
"You mean you don't care to have those two gentlemen who were here a
moment ago know that you are a reporter for the _Record_."
"Naturally."
"And who are these men of mystery?"
"As if you don't know!" Francine made an impatient gesture. "Oh, why
pose, Penny? This innocent act doesn't go over worth a cent."
Louise broke indignantly into the conversation. "Penny isn't posing! It's
true she is going to Pine Top for the skiing and not to get a story.
Isn't it?"
"Yes," acknowledged Penny unwillingly. She was sorry that her chum had
put an end to the little game with Francine.
The reporter stared at the two girls, scarcely knowing whether or not to
believe them.
"Why not break down and tell me the identity of our two fellow
passengers?" suggested Penny.
"So you really don't know their names?" Francine flashed a triumphant
smile. "Fancy that! Well, you've proven such a clever little reporter in
the past, I'll allow you to figure it out for yourself. See you in Pine
Top."
Turning away, the young woman went back to the desk to speak once more
with the ticket man.
"Doesn't she simply drip conceit!" Louise whispered in disgust. "Did I
make a mistake in letting her know that you weren't on an assignment?"
"It doesn't matter, Lou. Shall we be going out to the plane before I miss
it?"
The huge streamliner stood warming up on the ribbon of cement, long
tongues of flame leaping from the exhausts. Nearly all of the passengers
already had taken their seats in the warm, cozy cabin.
"Good-bye, Lou," Penny said, shaking her chum's hand.
"Good-bye. Have a nice time. And don't let that know-it-all Francine get
ahead of you!"
"Not if I can help it," laughed Penny.
Francine had left the waiting room and was walking with a brisk step
toward the plane. Not wishing to be the last person aboard, Penny stepped
quickly into the cabin. All but two seats were taken. One was at the far
end of the plane, the other directly behind the two strange men.
Penny slid into the latter chair just as Francine came into the cabin. As
she went down the aisle to take the only remaining seat, the reporter
shot the younger girl an irritated glance.
"She thinks I took this place just to spite her!" thought Penny. "How
silly!"
The stewardess, trim in her blue-green uniform, had closed the heavy
metal door. The plane began to move down the ramp, away from the
station's canopied entrance. Penny leaned close to the window and waved a
last good-bye to Louise.
As the speed of the engines was increased, the plane raced faster and
faster over the smooth runway. A take-off was not especially thrilling to
Penny who often had made flights with her father. She shook her head when
the stewardess offered her cotton for her ears, but accepted a magazine.
Penny flipped carelessly through the pages. Finding no story worth
reading, she turned her attention to her fellow passengers. Beside her,
on the right, sat the over-painted woman, her hands gripping the arm
rests so hard that her knuckles showed white.
"We--we're in the air now, aren't we?" she asked nervously, meeting
Penny's gaze. "I do hope I'm not going to be sick."
"I am sure you won't be," replied Penny. "The air is very quiet today."
"They tell me flying over the mountains in winter time is dangerous."
"Not in good weather with a skilful pilot. I am sure we will be in no
danger."
"Just the same I never would have taken a plane if it hadn't been the
only way of reaching Pine Top."
Penny turned to regard her companion with new interest. The woman was in
her early forties, though she had attempted by the lavish use of make-up
to appear younger. Her hair was a bleached yellow, dry and brittle from
too frequent permanent waving. Her shoes were slightly scuffed, and a
tight-fitting black crepe dress, while expensive, was shiny from long
use.
"Oh, are you traveling to Pine Top, too?" inquired Penny. "Half the
passengers on this plane must be heading for there."
"Is that where you are going?"
"Yes," nodded Penny. "I plan to visit an old friend who has an Inn on the
mountain side, and try a little skiing."
"This is strictly a business trip with me," confided the woman. She had
relaxed now that the transport was flying at an even keel. "I am going
there to see Mr. Balantine--David Balantine. You've heard of him, of
course."
Penny shook her head.
"My dear, everyone in the East is familiar with his name. Mr. Balantine
has a large chain of theatres throughout the country. He produces his own
shows, too. I hope to get a leading part in a new production which will
soon be cast."
"Oh, I see," murmured Penny. "You are an actress?"
"I've been on the stage since I was twelve years old," the woman answered
proudly. "You must have seen my name on the billboards. I am Miss Miller.
Maxine Miller."
"I should like to see one of your plays," Penny responded politely.
"The truth is I've been 'at liberty' for the past year or two," the
actress admitted with an embarrassed laugh. "'At liberty' is a word we
show people use when we're temporarily out of work. The movies have
practically ruined the stage."
"Yes, I know."
"For several weeks I have been trying to get an interview with Mr.
Balantine. His secretaries would not make an appointment for me. Then
quite by luck I learned that he planned to spend two weeks at Pine Top. I
thought if I could meet him out there in his more relaxed moments, he
might give me a role in the new production."
"Isn't it a rather long chance to take?" questioned Penny. "To go so far
just in the hope of seeing this man?"
"Yes, but I like long chances. And I've tried every other way to meet
him. If I win the part I'll be well repaid for my time and money."
"And if you fail?"
Maxine Miller shrugged. "The bread line, perhaps, or burlesque which
would be worse. If I stay at Pine Top more than a few days I'll never
have money enough to get back here. They tell me Pine Top is
high-priced."
"I don't know about that," answered Penny.
As the plane winged its way in a northwesterly direction, the actress
kept the conversational ball rolling at an exhausting pace. She told
Penny all about herself, her trials and triumphs on the stage. As first,
it was fairly interesting, but as Miss Miller repeated herself, the girl
became increasingly bored. She shrewdly guessed that the actress never
had been the outstanding stage success she visioned herself.
Penny paid more than ordinary attention to the two men who sat in front
of her. However, Miss Miller kept her so busy answering questions that
she could not have overheard their talk, even if she had made an effort
to do so.
Therefore, when the plane made a brief stop, she was astonished to have
Francine sidle over to her as she sat on a high stool at the lunch stand,
and say in a cutting tone:
"Well, did you find out everything you wanted to know? I saw you
listening hard enough."
"Eavesdropping isn't my method," replied Penny indignantly. "It's stupid
and is employed only by trash fiction writers and possibly _Record_
reporters."
"Say, are you suggesting--?"
"Yes," interrupted Penny wearily. "Now please go find yourself a roost!"
Francine ignored the empty stools beside Penny and went to the far side
of the lunch room. A moment later the two men, who had caused the young
woman reporter such concern, entered and sat down at a counter near
Penny, ordering sandwiches and coffee.
Rather ironically, the girl could not avoid hearing their conversation,
and almost their first words gave her an unpleasant shock.
"Don't worry, Ralph," said the stout one. "Nothing stands in our way
now."
"You're not forgetting Mrs. Downey's place?"
"We'll soon take care of _her_," the other boasted. "That's why I'm going
out to Pine Top with you, Ralph. I'll show you how these little affairs
are handled."
CHAPTER
4
_PINE TOP MOUNTAIN_
Penny was startled by the remarks of the two men because she felt certain
that the Mrs. Downey under discussion must be the woman at whose inn she
would spend a two weeks' vacation. Was it possible that a plot was being
hatched against her father's friend? And what did Francine know about it?
She glanced quickly toward the young woman reporter who was doing battle
with a tough steak which threatened to leap off her plate whenever she
tried to cut it. Apparently, Francine had not heard any part of the
conversation.
Being only human, Penny decided that despite her recent comments, she
could not be expected to abandon a perfectly good sandwich in the
interests of theoretical honor. She remained at her post and waited for
the men to reveal more.
Unobligingly, they began to talk of the weather and politics. Penny
finished her sandwich, and sliding down from the stool wandered outdoors.
"I wish I knew who those men are," she thought. "Francine could tell me
if she weren't so horrid."
Penny waited until the last possible minute before boarding the plane. As
she stepped inside the cabin she was surprised to see that Francine had
taken the chair beside Maxine Miller, very coolly moving Penny's
belongings to the seat at the back of the airliner.
"Did you two decide to change places?" inquired the stewardess as Penny
hesitated 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. "Usually
the passengers keep their same seats throughout the journey," she said
with a pleasant smile. "Would you mind?"
Francine did mind for she had cut her lunch short in the hope of
obtaining 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 practical
advantage in being directly behind the two strangers, for their voices
were seldom audible above the roar of the plane. On the other hand, Miss
Miller talked loudly and with scarcely a halt for breath. Penny was
rather relieved when an early stop for dinner enabled her to gain a
slight respite.
With flying conditions still favorable, the second half of the journey
was begun. Penny curled up in her clean, comfortable bed, and the gentle
rocking of the plane soon lulled her to sleep. She did not awaken until
morning when the stewardess came to warn her they soon would be at their
destination. Penny dressed speedily, and enjoyed a delicious breakfast
brought to her on a tray. She had just finished when Francine staggered
down the aisle, eyes bloodshot, her straight black hair looking as if it
had 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 you
didn't sleep well."
"Sleep? I never closed my eyes all night, not with this roller-coaster
sliding down one mountain and up another. I thought every minute we were
going to crash."
Maxine Miller likewise seemed to have spent an uncomfortable night, for
her face was haggard and worn. She looked five years older and her
make-up was smeared.
"Tell me, do I look too dreadful?" she asked Penny anxiously. "I want to
appear my best when I meet Mr. Balantine."
"You'll have time to rest up before you see him," the girl replied
kindly.
"How long before we reach Pine Top?"
"We should be approaching there now." Penny studied the terrain below
with deep interest, noting mountain ranges and beautiful snowy valleys.
At last the plane circled and swept down on a small landing field which
had 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 the
plane into blinding sunlight. The air was crisp and cold, but there was a
quality to it which made her take long, deep breaths. Beyond the landing
field stood a tall row of pine trees, each topped with a layer of snow
like the white icing of a cake. From somewhere far away she could hear
the merry jingle of sleigh bells.
"So this is Pine Top!" thought Penny. "It's as pretty as a Christmas
card!"
A small group of persons were at the field to meet the plane. Catching
sight 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 have
disappointed me. Why didn't he come along?"
"He wanted to, but he's up to his eyebrows in trouble. A man is suing him
for libel."
"Oh, that _is_ bad," murmured Mrs. Downey. "I know what legal trouble
means 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 of
her head, she indicated the two male passengers who had made the long
journey from Riverview to Pine Top. "You don't by any chance know either
of those men?"
Mrs. Downey's face lost its kindliness and she said, in a grim voice: "I
certainly do!"
Before Penny could urge the woman to reveal their identity, Francine
walked over to where she and Mrs. Downey stood.
"Did you wish to see me?" inquired the hotel woman as Francine looked at
her 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 you
keep 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're
located on the best ski slopes in the valley. But if you're looking for a
place with plenty of style and corresponding prices you might prefer the
Fergus place."
"Your lodge will exactly suit me, I think," declared Francine. "How do I
get 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, moving
away.
Penny was none too pleased to know that the girl reporter would make her
headquarters at the Downey Inn. Her face must have mirrored her
misgiving, for Mrs. Downey said apologetically:
"Business hasn't been any too good this season. I have to pick up an
extra tourist whenever I can."
"Of course," agreed Penny hastily. "One can't run a hotel without
guests."
"I do believe Jake has snared another victim," Mrs. Downey laughed. "That
woman with the bleached hair."
"And who is Jake?" inquired Penny.
Mrs. Downey nodded her head toward a spry man with leathery skin who was
talking with Maxine Miller.
"He does odd jobs for me at the Inn," she explained. "When he has no
other 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 year
at 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 skiing
resort. You're an institution here, Mrs. Downey. Surely you aren't
serious about giving up your lodge?"
"Yes, I am, Penny. But I shouldn't start telling my troubles the moment
you arrive. I never would have said a word if you hadn't asked me about
those two men yonder."
She gazed scornfully toward the strangers whose identity Penny hoped to
learn.
"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 is
supposed to be the owner. Actually, the other man is the one who provides
all the money."
"And who is he?"
"Why, you should know," replied Mrs. Downey. "He has a hotel in
Riverview. 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 for
libel!"
"Well, of all things!"
"I believe I understand why Francine came out here too," Penny said
thoughtfully.
"Francine?"
"The girl who just engaged a room at your place. I think she went to your
Inn 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 about
Maxwell bribing a football player served as a tip-off to other editors.
Now the _Record_ may hope to get evidence against him which they can
build 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 work
to be done at Pine Top, I aim to look after it myself!"
CHAPTER
5
_OVER THE BARBED WIRE_
Mrs. Downey laughed at Penny's remark, not taking it very seriously.
"I wish someone could uncover damaging evidence against Harvey Maxwell,"
she declared. "But I fear he's far too clever a man to be caught in
anything dishonest. Sometime when you're in the mood to hear a tale of
woe, I'll tell you how he is running things at Pine Top."
"I'd like to learn everything I can about him," responded Penny eagerly.
Mrs. Downey led the girl across the field to the road where the bob-sled
and team of horses had been hitched. Jake, the handy man, appeared a
moment later, loaded down with skis and luggage. Maxine Miller, Francine,
and a well-dressed business man soon arrived and were helped into the
sled.
"This is unique taxi service to say the least," declared Francine, none
too well pleased. "It must take ages to get up the mountain."
"Not very long," replied Mrs. Downey cheerfully.
Jake drove, with the hotel woman and her guests sitting on the floor of
the sled, covered by warm blankets.
"Is it always so cold here?" shivered Miss Miller.
"Always at this time of year," returned Mrs. Downey. "You'll not mind it
in a day or two. And the skiing is wonderful. We had six more inches of
snow last night."
Penny thoroughly enjoyed the novel experience of gliding swiftly over the
hard-packed snow. The bobsled presently passed a large rustic building at
the base of the mountain which Mrs. Downey pointed out as the Fergus
hotel.
"I suppose all the rich people stay there," commented Miss Miller. "Do
you know if they have a guest named David Balantine?"
"The producer? Yes, I believe he is staying at the Fergus hotel."
At the next bend Jake stopped the horses so that the girls might obtain a
view of the valley.
"Over to the right is the village of Pine Top," indicated Mrs. Downey.
"Just beyond the Fergus hotel is the site of an old silver mine,
abandoned many years ago. And when we reach the next curve you'll be able
to look north and see into Canada."
A short ride on up the mountain brought the party to the Downey Lodge, a
small but comfortable log building amid the pines. On the summit of a
slope not far away they could see the figure of a skier, poised for a
swift, downward flight.
Mrs. Downey assigned the guests to their rooms, tactfully establishing
Penny and Francine at opposite ends of a long hall.
"Luncheon will be served at one o'clock," she told them. "If you feel
equal to it you'll have time for a bit of skiing."
"I believe I'll walk down to the village and send a wire to Dad," said
Penny. "Then this afternoon I'll try my luck on the slopes."
"Just follow the road and you'll not get lost," instructed Mrs. Downey.
Penny unpacked her suitcase, and then set forth at a brisk walk for the
village. She found the telegraph station without difficulty and
dispatched a message to her father, telling him of Harvey Maxwell's
presence in Pine Top.
The town itself, consisting of half a dozen stores and twice as many
houses, was soon explored. Before starting back up the mountain Penny
thought she would buy a morning newspaper. But as she made inquiry at a
drug store, the owner shook his head.
"We don't carry them here. The only papers we get come in by plane.
They're all sold out long before this."
"Oh, I see," said Penny in disappointment, "well, next time I'll try to
come earlier."
"I beg your pardon," ventured a voice directly behind her. "Allow me to
offer you my paper."
Penny turned around to see that Ralph Fergus had entered the drugstore in
time to hear her remark. With a most engaging smile, he extended his own
newspaper.
"Oh, I don't like to take your paper," she protested, wishing to accept
no favor however small from the man.
"Please do," he urged, thrusting it into her hand. "I have finished with
it."
"Thank you," said Penny.
She took the paper and started to leave the store. Mr. Fergus fell into
step with her, following her outside.
"Going back up the mountain?" he inquired casually.
"Yes, I was."
"I'll walk along if you don't mind having company."
"Not at all."
Penny studied Ralph Fergus curiously, fairly certain he had a special
reason for wishing to walk with her. For a time they trudged along in
silence, the snow creaking beneath their boots.
"Staying at the Downey Lodge?" Fergus inquired after awhile.
"Yes, I am."
"Like it there?"
"Well, I only arrived on the morning plane."
"Yes, I noticed you aboard," he nodded. "Mrs. Downey is a very fine
woman, a very fine woman, but her lodge isn't modern. You noticed that, I
suppose?"
"I'm not especially critical," smiled Penny. "It seemed to suit my
needs."
"You'll be more critical after you have stayed there a few days," he
warned. "The service is very poor. Even this little matter of getting a
morning newspaper. Now our hotel sees that every guest has one shoved
under his door before breakfast."
"That would be very nice, I'm sure," remarked Penny dryly. "You're the
manager of the hotel, aren't you?"
Ralph Fergus gave her a quick, appraising glance. "Right you are," he
said jovially. "Naturally I think we have the finest hotel at Pine Top
and I wish you would try it. I'll be glad to make you a special rate."
"You're very kind." It was a struggle for Penny to keep her voice casual.
"I may drop around sometime and look the hotel over."
"Do that," he urged. "Here is my card. Just ask for me and I'll show you
about."
Penny took the card and dropped it into her pocket. A few minutes later
as they passed the Fergus hotel, her companion parted company with her.
"He thought I was an ordinary guest at Mrs. Downey's," Penny told
herself. "Otherwise, he never would have dared to make such an open bid
for my patronage."
Upon returning to the lodge she told Mrs. Downey of her meeting with
Ralph Fergus.
"It doesn't surprise me one bit," the woman replied angrily. "Fergus has
been using every method he can think of to get my guests away from me. He
has runners out all the time, talking up his hotel and talking mine
down."
Penny sat on the edge of the kitchen table, watching Mrs. Downey stir a
great kettle of steaming soup.
"While I was coming here on the plane I heard Fergus and Maxwell speaking
about you."
"You did, Penny? What did they have to say? Nothing good, I'll warrant."
"I couldn't understand what they meant at the time, but now I think I do.
They said that nothing stood in their way except your place. Maxwell
declared he would soon take care of you, and that he was on his way to
Pine Top to show Fergus how such affairs were handled."
Mrs. Downey kept on stirring with the big spoon. "So the screws are to be
twisted a bit harder?" she asked grimly.
"Why do they want your place?" Penny inquired.
"Because I take a few of their guests away from them. If my lodge closed
up they could raise prices sky high, and they would do it, too!"
"They offered me a special rate, whatever that means."
"Fergus has been cutting his room rents lately for the sole purpose of
getting my customers away from me. He makes up for it by charging three
and even four dollars a meal. The guests don't learn that until after
they have moved in."
"And there's nothing you can do about it?"
Mrs. Downey shook her head. "I've been fighting with my back to the wall
this past season. I don't see how I possibly can make it another year.
That is why I wanted you and your father to visit here before I gave up
the place."
"Dad might have helped you," Penny said regretfully. "I'm sorry he wasn't
able to come."
At one o'clock Mrs. Downey served a plain but substantial meal to
fourteen guests who tramped in out of the snow. They called loudly for
second and third helpings which were cheerfully given.
After luncheon Penny sat for a time about the crackling log fire and then
she went to her room and changed into her skiing clothes.
"The nursery slopes are at the rear of the lodge," Mrs. Downey told her
as she went out through the kitchen. "But you're much too experienced for
them."
"I haven't been on skis for nearly two years."
"It will come back to you quickly."
"I thought I might taxi down and look over the Fergus hotel."
"The trail is well marked. Just be careful as you get about half way
down. There is a sharp turn and if you miss it you may find yourself
wrapped around an evergreen."
Penny went outside, and buckling on her skis, glided to the top of a long
slope which fell rather sharply through lanes of pine trees to the wide
valley below. As she was studying the course, reflecting that the crusted
snow would be very fast, Francine came out of the lodge and stood
watching her.
"What's the matter, Penny?" she called. "Can't you get up your nerve?"
Penny dug in her poles and pushed off. Crouching low, skis running
parallel, she tore down the track. Pine trees crowded past on either side
in a greenish blur. The wind whistled in her ears. She jabbed her poles
into the snow to check her speed.
After the first steep stretch, the course flattened out slightly. From a
cautious left traverse, a lifted stem turn gave her time to concentrate
her full attention on the route ahead. She swerved to avoid a boulder
which would have broken her ski had she crashed into it, and rode out a
series of long, undulating hollows.
Gathering speed again, Penny made her decisions with lightning rapidity.
There was no time to think. Confronted with a choice of turns, she chose
the right hand trail, slashing through in a beautiful christiana. Too
late, she realized her error.
Directly ahead loomed a barbed wire fence. There was no opportunity to
turn aside. Penny knew that she must jump or take a disastrous fall.
Swinging her poles forward, she let them drop in the snow close to her
ski tips. Crouching low she sprang upward with all her strength. The
sticks gave her leverage so that she could lift her skis clear of the
snow. Momentum carried her forward over the fence.
Penny felt the jar of the runners as they slapped on the snow. Then she
lost her balance and tumbled head over heels.
Untangling herself, she sat up and gazed back at the barbed wire fence.
"I wish all my friends at Riverview could have seen that jump!" she
thought proudly. "It was a beauty even if I did land wrong side up."
A large painted sign which had been fastened to the fence, drew her
attention. It read: "Skiers Keep Out."
"I wonder if that means me?" remarked Penny aloud.
"Yes, it means you!" said an angry voice behind her.
Penny rolled over in the snow, waving her skis in the air. She drew in
her breath sharply. An old man with a dark beard had stepped from the
shadow of the pine trees, a gun grasped in his gnarled hands!
CHAPTER
6
_PENNY TRESPASSES_
"Can't you understand signs?" the old man demanded, advancing with
cat-like tread from the fringe of pine trees.
"Not when I'm traveling down a mountain side at two hundred miles an
hour!" Penny replied. "Please, would you mind pointing that cannon in
some other direction? It might go off."
The old man lowered the shotgun, but the grim lines of his wrinkled,
leathery face did not relax.
"Get up!" he commanded, prodding her with the toe of his heavy boot. "Get
out of here! I won't have you or any other skier on my property."
"Then allow me to make a suggestion," remarked Penny pleasantly. "Put up
another strand of barbed wire and you'll have them all in the hospital!"
She sat up, gingerly felt of her left ankle and then began to brush snow
from her jacket. "Did you see me make the jump?" she asked. "I took it
just like a reindeer. Or do I mean a gazelle?"
"You made a very awkward jump!" he retorted. "I could have done better
myself."