The doors to the Martell offices were two in number, one marked “Private” and the other, “Entrance.” The boys waited for a few seconds, and then walked softly over to the latter door. They heard a murmur of voices, but could not make out what was being said.
“Perhaps they are in the office marked ‘Private,’” whispered Jack, and tiptoed his way in that direction, followed by his cousins.
In front of the door to this office they could hear slightly better. The murmur of voices was at times quite distinct, and they caught the words: “Supplies,” “Canned goods,” “Immediate delivery,” “Motor trucks,” “Machinery,” “Cash payment,” “Night work,” and a number of others. Then the murmur of voices grew a little more animated, and finally they heard Nelson Martell exclaim: “I think we ought to have a thousand dollars at least in advance!”
“Better make it two thousand,” came from Slogwell Brown.
There was an exclamation from the strange men, and then the voices sounded lower so that the Rovers could not hear what was being said. Suddenly, however, one of the strangers cried out:
“Oh, I forgot! I have an important engagement in less than half an hour. I must go at once.”
“I guess it’s time we got out of here!” exclaimed Jack, and started to retreat, as did the others.
The Rover boys had just reached a place in front of the elevators when the door to one of the back offices opened and much to their surprise Nappy Martell and Slugger Brown came out. Evidently they had been sent off by their fathers while their parents had been doing business with the two strange men.
“Hello! what are you fellows doing here?” grumbled Nappy, gazing at them suspiciously.
“Did my father come up here?” questioned Randy, before the others could speak. “We want to see him,” continued the quick-witted Rover. “Maybe he’s in Mr. Benson’s office, fellows,” he added. “Come on.”