“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!”

[38]

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.”

[39]

“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