“Of course we start down town immediately,” declared Dorothy, “I know the address.”
“Well Dorothy,” said Tavia, mysteriously, “Mr. Akerson may be a shrewd business man, and be playing a skillful game, but I am not one whit afraid to go directly to his office, and see the whole thing through to the end!”
“It’s exactly what I intend to do,” said Dorothy, decidedly. “This, I rather feel, may be our unexpected opportunity to quickly squelch the well-laid plans of this man. But, Tavia, aren’t you just a little bit dubious about going alone? Hadn’t we better return home first?”
“No, we’ll take the next car downtown, and we must work together to lay bare the real facts!” declared Tavia as they ran for a downtown Broadway car.
With unhesitating steps, Tavia led Dorothy, without any of the confusion of her own first visit, directly to Mr. Akerson’s offices.
The same switchboard operator sat sleepy-eyed at the telephone, and the same young person conducted the girls through the office suite, the only difference was that the hour was near twelve, and most of the desks were empty, as the clerks had left the building for lunch.
The offices seemed strangely quiet, as the girls sat, with their hearts beating wildly, waiting for the door marked “_Private_” to open. When it did, Mr. Akerson came forth with a genial smile.
“I arrived a little ahead of you,” said he, and he led the girls into his private office.
“But where is Mrs. White?” demanded Dorothy.
“Evidently delayed in reaching here,” answered Mr. Akerson, pulling his watch from his pocket. “No doubt she’ll be here directly.”
With this the girls had to be content. Dorothy watched the door, expecting to see Aunt Winnie enter at every sound.
“Well,” said the man, balancing himself on his heels, “and what is the decision in regard to the apartment you wanted?”
Tavia shot a meaning glance in Dorothy’s direction and Dorothy quickly suppressed a start of surprise at the man’s words. She decided instantly that she must watch Tavia’s every glance, if she were to follow the hidden meaning.
“Haven’t decided yet,” carelessly answered Tavia. “Besides, there’s plenty of time.”
“Are you sure it was an apartment you wanted, or”—the man wheeled about his desk chair and arranged himself comfortably before continuing—“was it just a woman’s curiosity?” He smiled broadly at the girls; his look was that of a very kindly disposed gentleman.