"Yes? Is there anything the matter, Miss Shirley? You are not ill, are you?"
There was a sharp note of anxiety in the young man's voice, and even in her excitement it made Shirley's heart leap to hear it.
"No, there is nothing the matter with me," she said, trying to steady her voice, "but something has happened that I think you ought to know at once. I don't know whether I ought to tell it over the phone. I'm not sure but I may be overheard."
"I will come to you immediately. Where can I find you?"
Her heart leaped again at his willingness to trust her and to obey her call.
"In Mr. Barnard's private office. If you ask for me they will let you come right in. There is one thing more. If there is anything important your father was to decide this morning, could you get him to wait till you return, or till you phone him?"
There was a second's hesitation, and the reply was politely puzzled but courteous:
"He is not in the office at present and will not be for an hour."
"Oh, I'm so glad! Then please hurry!"
"I will get there as soon as I can," and the phone clicked into place.