"Goodness!" gasped Bess. "Is it a nice place?"
The girl grinned. "'Cordin' ter what you thinks is nice. I 'spect you'd like the Auditorium Annex better. But Mother Beasley's is pretty good when you ain't got much to spend."
Bess looked at Nan curiously. The latter was eager to improve this acquaintanceship so strangely begun, and for more than one reason.
"Could you show us to Mother Beasley's—if it isn't very far away?"
Nan asked.
"Aw, say! What d'ye think? I ain't nawthan' ter do but beau greenies around this burg? A swell chaunc't I'd have to git any eats meself. I gotter sell these posies, I have."
"But you can eat with us!" Nan suggested.
"Oh, Nan!" Bess whispered. "Do you s'pose we can find any clue to those girls there?"
"I hope so," returned Nan, in the same low voice.
"Goodness! I'm just as excited as I can be," her chum went on to say. "We'll be regular detectives. This beats being a movie actress, right now."
Nan smiled, but in a moment was grave again. "I'd do a great deal for that lovely Mrs. Morton," she said. "And even funny old Si Snubbins had tears in his eyes at the last when he begged us to find his Celia."