He had hardly concealed himself when the machine stopped in front of the other dwelling.
A big Swede, still carrying his emigrant bundle, descended from the machine, and called out cheerily in his native language to the occupants within the vehicle. Burke, peeping cautiously, saw two buxom Swedish lassies, still in their national costumes, step down to the street. The machine turned and passed on down the street.
Burke saw the man point out the sign of the employment agency, and the girls chattered gaily, cheered up with hopes of work, as he led them up the steps.
The door closed behind them.
Burke quietly walked around the front of the house and up the steps after them. He had made no noise as he ascended, and as he stood by the wall of the vestibule he fancied he detected a bitter cry, muffled to an extent by the heavy walls.
He examined the sign, and saw that it was suspended by a small wire loop from a nail in the door jamb.
Bobbie reached upward, took the sign off its hook, and turned it about.
"Well, just as I thought!" he exclaimed.
On the reverse side were the tell-tale letters, "Y.W.C.A."
"They are ready for all kinds of customers. I wonder how they'll like me!" was the humorous thought which flitted through his mind as he quietly turned the knob. It opened readily.