The five now conferred a bit and it was agreed that this time the inquisitive Mr. Locke would surely trouble them no more.
"With Locke out of the way," promised Paul to Dora, "the road to our fortune is clear."
A moment later Paul left the apartment, descended in the elevator, and jumped into a taxicab and was off.
Locke from his cab had, of course, seen all this, had seen Paul and Dora on the balcony and the departure. But he knew nothing of the three men who had gone to the same apartment.
He waited until Paul passed out of sight, then stepped out of his cab, making a careful calculation as to the exact location of the woman's apartment, for he had determined to find out about her. From the hall boy he learned that it was De Luxe Dora, of whom he knew, and it was only a matter of seconds when he was admitted.
Dora swept over graciously toward him.
"Will you answer me one question?" he asked, in answer to a query from her.
She nodded assent.
"How long have you known Mr. Balcom's son?"
"He is an old friend," she replied. "I'm expecting him to return at any moment. Won't you be seated? Please excuse me just a moment."