“Oh, he’s strong for you, all right,” admitted Jennie, nodding. “He thinks you are about the only girl who ever came into his sweet young life——”
“What nonsense!” said Nancy, blushing, but smiling, too.
“All right. He’s willing to go to desperate lengths to help you, just the same,” and Jennie smiled in remembrance of the red-haired youth’s enthusiasm.
“I guess it’s mostly talk. Scorch dearly loves to talk,” said Nancy.
“He wanted John to help him rob ‘Old Gordon’s’ private safe,” laughed Jennie. “He says he believes there are papers in that safe that would explain all about you. He wanted John to stay over that night and stand watch while he, Scorch, opened the safe with something he called a jimmy!”
“The ridiculous boy!” said Nancy.
“But I tell you!” exclaimed Jennie, “John works for a man who knows your Mr. Gordon. John is going to get Mr. Pennywell to find out—if he can—from Mr. Gordon if he really knows more about your folks than he is willing to tell you. Mr. Pennywell is a client—and a good client—of your Mr. Gordon. Hateful old thing!”
“But perhaps he isn’t hateful,” Nancy objected, shaking her head.
“I bet he is. Scorch says he is hiding something. That boy is bright.”
“Really brilliant—when it comes to his hair,” suggested Nancy, laughing.