"However, an initial inspection has led us to believe that the stone bears ancient writings. You understand that it will take exhaustive study before the museum would venture to state this as a fact."

"The stone couldn't have been faked?" Penny asked thoughtfully.

"Always that is a possibility," Mr. Kaleman acknowledged as he unlocked the door of a bas.e.m.e.nt room. "However, the stone has weathered evenly, it appears to have been buried many years, and there are other signs which point to the authenticity of the writing."

The curator switched on an electric light which disclosed a room cluttered with miscellaneous objects. There were empty mummy cases, boxes of excelsior, and various stuffed animals. At the rear of the room was a large rust colored stone which might have weighed a quarter of a ton.

"Here it is," Mr. Kaleman declared, giving the rock an affectionate pat.

"Notice the uniform coloring throughout. And note the lettering chiseled on the surface. You will see that the grooves do not differ appreciably from the remainder of the stone as would be the case if the lettering were of recent date. It is my belief--don't quote me, of course--that this writing may open a new and fascinating page of history."

Penny bent to inspect the crude writing. "'Here laeth Ananias'" she read slowly aloud. "Why, that might be a joke! Wasn't Ananias a dreadful prevaricator?"

"Ananias was a common name in the early days," Mr. Kaleman said, displeased by the remark. "Now on the underside of this stone which you cannot see, there appears part of a quaint message which begins: 'Soon after you goe for Englande we came hither.'"

"What does it mean?" questioned Jerry.

"This is only my theory, you understand. I believe the message may have been written by an early settler and left for someone who had gone to England but expected to return. The writing breaks off, suggesting that it may have been continued on another stone."

"In that case, similar rocks may be found near here," Jerry said thoughtfully.

"It is an interesting possibility. On the underside, this stone also contains a number of Indian characters, no doubt added at a later date.

So far we have not been able to decipher them."

"Just why does the stone have historical value?" Penny interposed.

"Because there never was any proof that English colonists settled in this part of the state," Mr. Kaleman explained. "If we could prove such were the case, our contribution to history would be a vital one."

Penny and Jerry asked many other questions, and finally left the museum.

Both had been impressed not only with the huge stone but by the curator's sincere manner.

"Mr. Kaleman certainly believes the writing is genuine," Penny declared thoughtfully. "All the same, anyone knows a carved rock can be made to look very ancient. And that name Ananias makes me wonder."

"The Chief may be right about it being a fake," Jerry returned. "But if it is, who planted the stone on Gleason's farm? And who would go to so much unnecessary work just to play a joke?"

Frowning, the reporter started to cross the street just as an automobile bearing Texas license plates went past, close to the curb. As Jerry leaped backwards to safety, the automobile halted. Two men occupied the front seat, and the driver, a well-dressed man of fifty, leaned from the window.

"Excuse me, sir," he said, addressing Jerry, "we're trying to locate a boy named Ted Wiegand. He and his sister may be living with a family by the name of Breen. Could you tell me how to find them?"

"Sorry, but I can't," Jerry answered. "I never heard either of the names."

"Why, I know both Ted and Rhoda Wiegand," Penny interposed quickly.

"They're living at the Dorset Tourist Camp."

"How do we get there?" the driver of the Texas car inquired.

Jerry provided the requested information. Thanking him, the stranger and his companion drove on down the street.

"I wonder who they can be?" Penny speculated, staring after the car. "And why did they come all the way from Texas to see Rhoda and Ted?"

"Friends of yours?" Jerry asked carelessly.

"I like Rhoda very much. Ted seems to be a rather questionable character.

I wonder--"

"You wonder what?" the reporter prompted, helping Penny into the parked automobile.

"It just came to me, Jerry!" she answered gravely. "Those men may be officers from Texas sent here to arrest Ted for something he's done! I never meant to set them on his trail, but I may be responsible for his arrest!"

CHAPTER 5 _STRANGERS FROM TEXAS_

Jerry smiled broadly as he edged the car from its parking s.p.a.ce by the curb.

"You certainly have a vivid imagination, Penny," he accused. "Those two men didn't look like plain-clothes men to me. Anyway, if Ted Wiegand had committed an illegal act, wouldn't it be your duty to turn him over to the authorities?"

"I suppose so," Penny admitted unwillingly. "Ted stole one of Truman Crocker's chickens today. It was a dreadful thing to do, but in a way you couldn't blame him too much. I'm sure the Breens needed food."

"Stealing is stealing. I don't know the lad, but if a fellow is crooked in small things, he's usually dishonest otherwise as well. Speaking of Truman Crocker, he was the man who hauled the big rock to the museum."

"Was he?" Penny inquired, not particularly interested in the information.

"I understand he does a great deal of rock hauling around Riverview. A queer fellow."

Becoming absorbed in her own thoughts, Penny had little to say until the car drew up in front of the Parker home.

"Won't you come in?" she invited Jerry as she alighted.

"Can't tonight," he declined regretfully. "I have a date at a bowling alley."

Mr. Parker had been called downtown to attend a meeting, Penny discovered upon entering the house. Unable to tell him of her trip to the museum, she tried to interest Mrs. Weems in the story. However, the housekeeper, who was eager to start for a moving-picture theatre, soon cut her short.

"Excuse me, Penny, but I really must be leaving or I'll be late," she apologized, putting on her hat.

"I thought you were interested in mystery, Mrs. Weems."

"Mystery, yes," smiled the housekeeper. "To tell you the truth, though, I can't become very excited over an old stone, no matter what's written on it."

After Mrs. Weems had gone, Penny was left alone in the big house. She sat down to read a book but soon laid it aside. To pa.s.s the time, she thought she would make a batch of fudge. But, no sooner had she mixed the sugar and chocolate together than it seemed like a useless occupation, so she set aside the pan for Mrs. Weems to finish upon her return from the movie.

"I know what I'll do!" she thought suddenly. "I wonder why I didn't think of it sooner?"

Hastening to the telephone she called her chum, Louise, asking her to come over at once.

"What's up?" the other inquired curiously.

"We're going to carry out a philanthropic enterprise, Lou! I'll tell you about it when you get here!"