“And if one has a rush message to send after that hour?”
“Well, you can get me at my house,” the man answered. “I live over behind the Albert’s Filling Station.”
“Thank you,” responded Francine, flashing Penny a mocking smile. “I may have an important story to send to my paper any hour. I wanted to be sure there would be no delay in getting it off.”
Penny waited until the reporter had left the office and then said apologetically:
“I don’t suppose you’ve received any message for me?”
“We always telephone as soon as anything comes in,” the man replied. “But wait! You’re Penelope Parker, aren’t you?”
“In my more serious moments. Otherwise, just plain Penny.”
“I do have something for you, then. A message came in a few minutes ago. I’ve been too busy to telephone it to the lodge.”
He handed Penny a sheet of paper which she read eagerly. As she anticipated, it was from her father, and with his usual disregard for economy he had not bothered to omit words.
“Glad to learn you arrived safely at Pine Top,” he had wired. “Your information about H. M. is astonishing, if true. Are you sure it is the same man? Keep your eye on him, and report to me if you learn anything worth while. I am held here by important developments, but will try to come to Pine Top for Christmas.”