Part 1 (2/2)
”I certainly would, if you were going.”
”If!” exclaimed Penny indignantly. ”Of course we're going! We leave Thursday by plane. Dad needs a vacation and this time I know he won't try to wiggle out of it at the last minute.”
”Well, I hope not,” replied Jerry in a skeptical voice. ”Your father needs a good rest, Penny. But I have a sneaking notion you're in for a disappointment again.”
”What makes you say that, Jerry? Dad promised me faithfully--”
”Sure, I know,” he nodded, ”but there have been developments.”
”An important story?”
”No, it's more serious than that. But you talk with him. I may have the wrong slant on the situation.”
Not without misgiving, Penny went on to her father's private office and tapped on the door.
”Come in,” he called in a gruff voice, and as she entered, waved her into a chair. ”You arrived a little sooner than I expected, Penny. Mind waiting a few minutes?”
”Not at all.”
Studying her father's lean, tired-looking face, Penny decided that something _was_ wrong. He seemed unusually worried and nervous.
”A hard day, Dad?” she asked.
Mr. Parker finished straightening a sheaf of papers before he glanced up.
”Yes, I hadn't intended to tell you until later, but I may as well. I'm afraid our trip is off--at least as far as I'm concerned.”
”Oh, Dad!”
”It's a big disappointment, Penny. The truth is, I'm in a spot of trouble.”
”Isn't that the usual condition of a newspaper publisher?”
”Yes,” he smiled, ”but there are different degrees of trouble, and this is the worst possible. The _Star_ has been sued for libel, a matter of fifty odd thousand.”
”Fifty thousand!” gasped Penny. ”But of course you'll win the suit!”
”I'm not at all sure of it.” Anthony Parker spoke grimly. ”My lawyer tells me that Harvey Maxwell has a strong case against the paper.”
”Harvey Maxwell?” repeated Penny thoughtfully. ”Isn't he the man who owns the Riverview Hotel?”
”Yes, and a chain of other hotels and lodges throughout the country.
Harvey Maxwell is a rather well known sportsman. He lives lavishly, travels a great deal, and in general is a hard, shrewd business man.”
”He's made a large amount of money from his hotels, hasn't he?”
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