She told him the street and number, which he gave to the driver, who took them to the destination. Merriwell paid the driver the ten dollars in addition to his regular charge, and the hansom rolled away.
“Here is where I have been hiding,” said the girl. “I have taken pains to slip out and in when I fancied I would not be observed by any one who might be looking for me. I did not like to let you come here, Mr. Merriwell, but circumstances compelled me to do so.”
“You know I stand ready to aid you, Miss Dugan, in any possible way.”
They were on the steps, and she seemed hesitating over something.
“Oh!” she finally exclaimed, “I wish I had a friend here!”
“You have; I am your friend.”
“I do not mean that. I wish I had a friend in this, house—a girl friend. But even then, I could not trust the secret to her. It is for your ears alone. Mr. Merriwell, you will understand better when you hear my story and see what I have to show you. To make everything clear to you, I must show you the doll.”
Again the doll!
“I am willing to look at it,” he said, with a laugh.
“It is in my room,” she said, with sudden determination. “You must come there to see it.”