Part 13 (2/2)
Then he gave a little, forced laugh and said:
”I'm obliged to make a trip to Was.h.i.+ngton, on business, and I thought perhaps I'd pick up the--ah--the box, there, and s.h.i.+p to Dorfield.
The old desk isn't valuable, except--except that it's--ah--antique and--unusual. I'd like to get it back and I'll return to you the money you paid for it, and the freight charges. If you'll write a note to the railway company, saying the box was wrongly addressed and asking that it be delivered to my order, I think I can get it.”
Josie agreed to this at once. She wrote the note and also gave Professor Dyer the freight receipt. But she refused to take his money.
”There might be some hitch,” she explained. ”If you get the box, and it reaches Dorfield safely, then I'll accept the return of my money; but railroads are unreliable affairs and have queer rules, so let's wait and see what happens.”
The Professor a.s.sured her, however, that there was no doubt of his getting the box, but he Would wait to pay her, if she preferred to let the matter rest. When he had gone away--seeming far more cheerful than when he came--Mary Louise said to Josie:
”This is a very unfortunate and embarra.s.sing affair, all around. I'm so sorry we took that furniture from Mrs. Dyer before her husband came home and gave his consent. It is very embarra.s.sing.”
”I'm glad, for my part,” was the reply. Josie's blue eyes were s.h.i.+ning innocently and her smile was very sweet. Mary Louise regarded her suspiciously.
”What is it, Josie!” she demanded. ”What has that old desk to do with--with--”
”The German spy plot? Just wait and see, Mary Louise.”
”You won't tell me?”
”Not now, dear.”
”But why did you s.h.i.+p the thing to Was.h.i.+ngton, if it is likely to prove a valuable clue?”
”Why ask questions that I can't answer? See here, Mary Louise: it isn't wise, or even safe, for me to tell you anything just yet. What I know frightens me--even _me!_ Can't you wait and--trust me?”
”Oh, of course,” responded Mary Louise in a disappointed voice. ”But I fail to understand what Professor Dyer's old desk can possibly have to do with our quest.”
Josie laughed.
”It used to belong to the Dudley-Markhams.”
”The Dudley-Markhams! Great heavens, But--see here--they left Dorfield long before this war started, and so--”
”I'm going out,” was Josie's inconsequent remark. ”Do you think those are rain clouds, Mary Louise? I hate to drag around an umbrella if it's not needed.”
CHAPTER XV SUSPENDERS FOR SALE
The two girls parted at the Liberty Shop. Mary Louise went in ”to attend to business,” while Josie O'Gorman strolled up the street and paused thoughtfully before the windows of Kasker's Clothing Emporium.
At first she didn't notice that it was Kasker's; she looked in the windows at the array of men's wear just so she could think quietly, without attracting attention, for she was undecided as to her next move. But presently, realizing this was Kasker's place, she gave a little laugh and said to herself: ”This is the fellow poor little Mary Louise suspected of being the arch traitor. I wonder if he knows anything at all, or if I could pump it out of him if he does? Guess I'll interview old Jake, if only to satisfy myself that he's the harmless fool I take him to be.”
With this in mind she walked into the store. A clerk met her; other clerks were attending to a few scattered customers.
”Is Mr. Kasker in?” she asked the young man.
”In his office, miss; to the right, half way down.”
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