Part 15 (1/2)
”I can,” Penny nodded.
”Then if you do, ask him to come here and see me.”
As if the matter were completely settled, Mrs. Marborough started to reenter the house. She did not invite the girls to accompany her.
However, sensing that they were puzzled by her lack of hospitality she said apologetically:
”I would invite you in only the house isn't fixed up yet. After everything is cleaned and straightened, you both must come to tea.”
Without giving the girls an opportunity to say that they shouldn't mind a disorderly house, she gently closed the door.
”Well, at least Mrs. Marborough didn't slam it in our faces this time,”
Penny remarked cheerfully. ”Lou, we're making progress!”
”Progress toward what?” Louise demanded.
”I'm not sure yet,” Penny laughed as they started for their car. ”All the same, I have a feeling that we're on our way!”
CHAPTER 11 _JAY FRANKLIN'S TRICKERY_
”Morning, Dad,” Penny greeted her father as she slid into a vacant chair at the breakfast table. ”What's news and why?”
”No news.” Mr. Parker lowered his paper, and folding it, devoted himself to a plate of bacon and eggs.
”Just fourteen pages of well-set type, I suppose. Isn't there anything about that big stone Lou and I found at the Marborough place?”
”Not a line. I told you the _Star_ would play that yarn down.”
”Why are you so convinced it's all a hoax?” Penny demanded, reaching across the table for the coffee percolator.
”Must I give you a diagram?” the publisher asked wearily. ”After you've been in the newspaper business as long as I have, you don't need reasons.
You sense things.”
”Just like a bloodhound!” Penny teased. ”How about the other papers?
Aren't they carrying the story either?”
”They are,” Mr. Parker admitted a bit grimly. ”The _News_ used a half page of pictures today and went for the story in a big way.”
”I may subscribe to a rival paper just to keep posted on the latest developments,” Penny teased.
”Nothing really new has come out. Jay Franklin is trying to sell the Marborough stone to the museum at a fancy price, and the inst.i.tution officials are seriously considering his proposition.”
”Then, in their opinion the stone is an authentic one?”
”Experts have been known to be wrong,” Mr. Parker insisted. ”I claim no knowledge of ancient writing, but I do have common sense. For the time being, at least, I shall continue to play down the story.”
Penny finished breakfast, and before starting to school, telephoned Jay Franklin. Relaying Mrs. Marborough's message, she requested him to visit the old lady as soon as it was convenient. Somewhat to her surprise he promised that he would call at Rose Acres that afternoon.
During school, Penny kept thinking about the Marborough stone and her father's theory that the writing and symbols it bore were fakes. It occurred to her that Truman Crocker's opinion might be interesting for the old man had worked with rocks his entire life.