Behind the Green Door

TOP M

der discussion must be the woman at whose inn she would spend a two weeks' vacation. Was it possi

th a tough steak which threatened to leap off her plate whenever she tried

ot be expected to abandon a perfectly good sandwich in the interests of theor

and politics. Penny finished her sandwich, and

," she thought. "Francine could

nside the cabin she was surprised to see that Francine had taken the chair beside Maxin

s?" inquired the stewardess as Penn

just seems to be an

. "Usually the passengers keep their same seats throughout th

hope of obtaining the coveted chair, but she could not re

ers, for their voices were seldom audible above the roar of the plane. On the other hand, Miss Miller talked loudly and wi

d her to sleep. She did not awaken until morning when the stewardess came to warn her they soon would be at their destination. Penny dressed speedily, and enjoyed a delicious

off this plane!" she

ng with it," said Penny. "I t

is roller-coaster sliding down one mountain and up an

ortable night, for her face was haggard and worn. She

asked Penny anxiously. "I want to app

t up before you see him,

fore we reac

died the terrain below with deep interest, noti

d which had been cleared of snow. Passengers began to pour from

extending her hand to Miss Miller. "An

t there was a quality to it which made her take long, deep breaths. Beyond the landing field stood a tall row of pine trees, each

ought Penny. "It's as pre

plane. Catching sight of a short, sober-looking little

wney!" s

d her firmly, planting a kiss on either cheek. "But your fat

o his eyebrows in trouble. A

e means because I've had an unpleasant taste of it myself lately.

head, she indicated the two male passengers who had made the long journey fr

indliness and she said, in a

eveal their identity, Francine walked

d the hotel woman as Francine loo

u Mrs.

, I

stay," said Francine. "I wa

d I do most of the cooking myself. We're located on the best ski slopes in the valley. But if you're

t me, I think," declared Fra

ed Mrs. Downey. "I may

te to get my luggage," s

ld make her headquarters at the Downey Inn. Her face must hav

d this season. I have to pick up

y hastily. "One can't ru

her victim," Mrs. Downey laughed.

Jake?" inq

d a spry man with leathery skin w

explained. "When he has no other occupatio

ke a very wicked busi

ggle, to the death," replied Mrs. Downey soberly. "I

at Pine Top long before anyone thought of it as a great skiing resort. You're an i

ubles the moment you arrive. I never would have said a

d the strangers whose iden

y?" Penny as

her voice filled with bitterness. "He manages the hotel and is supposed to

who i

"He has a hotel in Riverview. His name is Har

ated Penny. "Wait unti

has had deali

. "Maxwell is the man wh

of all

Francine came out here too

anc

place. I think she went to your Inn for

she wish t

ibing a football player served as a tip-off to other editors. Now the Record m

hat would help yo

used. But somehow, I don't trust Francine. If there's any fancy new