“Yes, sir,” responded Penny meekly.
Inwardly, she was raging. Someone deliberately had betrayed her to Harvey Maxwell and she had a very good idea who that person might be. From now on employes of the hotel would be told to keep watch for her. Never again would she be allowed in the lobby, much less in the vicinity of the Green Room.
Harvey Maxwell walked with Penny to the front door of the hotel and closed it behind her.
“Remember,” he warned, “stay away.”
As Penny started down the walk she heard a silvery laugh, and glancing sideways, saw Francine leaning against the building.
“You didn’t spend much time in the Green Room, did you?” she inquired.
“That was a dirty trick to play!” retorted Penny. “I wouldn’t have done it to you.”
“You couldn’t have thought that fast, my dear Penny.”
“I might tell Mr. Maxwell you’re a reporter for the Riverview Record. How would you like that?”
Francine shrugged. “In that case we both lose the story. All I want is an exclusive. After the yarn breaks in the Record, your father will be welcome to make use of any information published. So if you really want him to win his libel suit, you’ll gain by not interfering with me.”