“Not yet. Not quite yet. But there will be, of course there will be. I’ve set a lot of people hunting that extremely ‘stylish’ young maiden, so I thought I’d best come down and get my dinner and let you know that all’s being done that can be. Don’t worry, Miss Greatorex. A capable girl like Dorothy isn’t easy to lose in a city full of policemen, if she’ll only use her tongue and ask for guidance. Probably she has gone back to the ‘Powell’ already, hoping to find us all there. Before I eat I’ll telephone again and inquire, although I did so just a little while ago, as I came in.”
The more he talked the less he convinced his listeners that it would be that “all right” he had so valiantly asserted. Even Molly’s hunger suddenly deserted her and she pushed away a plate of especially enticing dessert with a shake of her head and an exclamation:
“Papa’s talking—just talking! Like he always does when he takes me to the dentist’s! His voice doesn’t ring true, Auntie Lu, and you know it. You needn’t smile and try to look happy, for you can’t. Dorothy is lost! My precious Dolly Doodles is lost—is LOST!”
For a moment nobody answered. Miss Greatorex echoed the exclamation in her own sinking heart, realizing at last how fully she had depended upon the Judge’s ability to find the girl, until he had once more appeared without her. He had promptly sent a messenger to telephone again and awaiting the reply made a feint of taking his soup. Mrs. Hungerford kept her eyes fixed upon her plate, not daring just then to lift them to Miss Greatorex’s white face; and altogether it was a very anxious party which sat at table then instead of the merry one which all had anticipated.
When their pretence of a meal was over and they rose, the Judge looked at his watch. Then he said:
“We have only time left to reach the ‘Prince’ in comfort. It is a long way up and across town to the dock on East river. You three must start for it at once. I’ll step into a store near by for a few things I need and follow you. Of course, Dorothy knew all about her trip, the steamer she would sail by, and its landing place. Even if she didn’t know that most of the officers would know and direct her.
“I now think that having missed us at the ‘Powell’ she has gone straight to the other boat and you will find her there. I’ll follow you in time for sailing and till then, good-by. A hack is ready for you at the door.”
Then he went hastily out, and Mrs. Hungerford said:
“Brother is wise. We certainly shan’t find Dolly here, and we may at the ‘Prince.’ Have you all your parcels, both of you? Then come.”
They followed her meekly enough but at the street entrance Miss Greatorex rebelled. Her anxiety gave a more than ordinary irritation to her temper and harshness to her voice, and her habitually ungracious manner became more repellent than ever as she announced: