“Yes, I hadn’t intended to tell you until later, but I may as well. I’m afraid our trip is off—at least as far as I’m concerned.”
“Oh, Dad!”
“It’s a big disappointment, Penny. The truth is, I’m in a spot of trouble.”
“Isn’t that the usual condition of a newspaper publisher?”
“Yes,” he smiled, “but there are different degrees of trouble, and this is the worst possible. The Star has been sued for libel, a matter of fifty odd thousand.”
“Fifty thousand!” gasped Penny. “But of course you’ll win the suit!”
“I’m not at all sure of it.” Anthony Parker spoke grimly. “My lawyer tells me that Harvey Maxwell has a strong case against the paper.”
“Harvey Maxwell?” repeated Penny thoughtfully. “Isn’t he the man who owns the Riverview Hotel?”
“Yes, and a chain of other hotels and lodges throughout the country. Harvey Maxwell is a rather well known sportsman. He lives lavishly, travels a great deal, and in general is a hard, shrewd business man.”
“He’s made a large amount of money from his hotels, hasn’t he?”