“Isn’t that for Mrs. Marborough to decide?” Penny asked dryly. “The rock is on her land, you know.”
“To be sure, to be sure,” Mr. Franklin nodded, brushing aside the matter of ownership as if it were of slight consequence.
Mrs. Marborough had gone into the house for a coat. Reappearing, she followed Mr. Franklin and the two girls down the trail where the huge stone lay.
“Did you ever notice this rock?” Penny questioned the mistress of Rose Acres.
“Never,” she replied, “but then I doubt that I ever walked in this particular locality before.”
Jay Franklin stooped to examine the carving, excitedly declaring that it was similar to the marking of the Gleason stone.
“And here are other characters!” he exclaimed, fingering well-weathered grooves which had escaped Penny’s attention. “Indian picture writing!”
“How do you account for two types of carving on the same stone?” Louise inquired skeptically.
“The Indian characters may have been added at a later date,” Mr. Franklin answered. “For all we know, this rock may be one of the most valuable relics ever found in our state! From the historical standpoint, of course. The stone has no commercial value.”
“I imagine the museum will want it,” Penny said thoughtfully.