Part 27 (2/2)
”An Indian show is coming to town next week!”
Mr. Parker turned his head to gaze at the billboard. To Penny's amazement, he suddenly slammed on the brake, bringing the car to a lurching halt at the side of the road.
”That's it!” he cried, his eyes on the huge sign. ”The motive! I couldn't figure it out, but now I have the clue I need! Penny, we'll put a crimp in Jay Franklin's little game, or my name isn't Anthony Parker!”
CHAPTER 19 _PUBLICITY PLUS_
Completely mystified by her father's remarks, Penny waited for him to explain.
”Don't you get it?” he asked, waving his hand toward the big signboard.
”The finding of those stones bearing Elizabethan and Indian writing was perfectly timed! It's all a publicity stunt for the coming show!”
”How could it be?” Penny questioned, scarcely able to accept her father's theory. ”I found one of the rocks myself. I know I wasn't hired by any Indian show!”
”It was pure luck that you stumbled into the stone, Penny. If you hadn't, someone hired by the Indian show would have brought it to light.”
”But where does Jay Franklin figure in, Dad? You don't think he's connected with the publicity scheme as you call it!”
”Franklin wouldn't have sufficient imagination to pull off a stunt like that,” Mr. Parker declared. ”No, he may actually believe in the authenticity of the stones. At any rate, he saw an opportunity to make a little money for himself and seized it.”
”Why should an Indian show go to the trouble of having stones carved and planted in various fields? It doesn't make sense.”
”The resulting publicity should draw state-wide attention to the show, Penny. It's just the sort of idea which would appeal to a clever publicity agent. Every newspaper in Riverview except the _Star_ has fallen for it, giving columns of s.p.a.ce to the story.”
”I still don't see how the show will gain. Its name never has been mentioned in connection with the finding of the stones.”
”Of course not, Penny. That would be too crude. But at the proper time, the publicity agent will twist all of the stories to his own purpose.”
”Dad,” said Penny sadly, ”in the past you have accused me of having wild ideas. I think the score is even now.”
”I'll have that show traced,” Mr. Parker declared, paying no heed to his daughter. ”Since it is coming to Riverview next week it can't be far away now. I may find it worth while to call on the publicity agent and have a little chat with him.”
Penny was gazing at the billboard again, reading the dates.
”Dad, the show will play here during Pilgrimage Week,” she declared.
”What a shame! It's certain to take away customers from a much more worthwhile event.”
”There may not be an Indian show,” responded Mr. Parker grimly. ”Not when I get through with the outfit!”
Immediately upon arriving at home, the publisher called the newspaper office, delegating City Editor DeWitt to obtain complete information about the Indian Show and to report to him. All evening he talked of his theory until both Penny and Mrs. Weems confessed that they were a bit weary of redskins.
”I shall write an editorial for tomorrow's _Star_,” Mr. Parker announced.
”Even if I haven't absolute facts, I'll drop a few broad hints about those fake stones!”
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