“All right,” Mabel agreed, “and, Shirley, be very careful.”
“I shall be, never fear,” was the reply, and the young girl bade her friend good-bye and started for the rendezvous.
CHAPTER XI.—THE MEETING.
It was fifteen minutes to six when Shirley reached the hotel. At the Vine Street entrance she hesitated a few moments, for now that the time for action was at hand, she grew nervous. It took her but an instant to shake off this uneasy feeling, however, and she entered the hotel boldly.
She took a seat in a far corner of the lobby, where she could see all who came and went without being too exposed, and then she waited. Six o’clock came, but there was no sign of Jones.
“I reckon he is a little late,” said Shirley to herself.
A quarter after six; half-past six and still no Jones.
Shirley arose to go.
“I guess he didn’t get my letter in time,” she said.
She made her way to the door. But just as she would have passed out a hurrying figure bumped into her. Shirley drew back to let the man pass, and cried out suddenly: