Part 5 (1/2)
”The truth is I've been 'at liberty' for the past year or two,” the actress admitted with an embarra.s.sed 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.