“Oh, dear,” she said, “what shall I do? Oh, my head, and I shall get soaking wet. I wonder what I shall do? I can’t stay here; it is too close by. I must get away, for even now they may have missed me. I don’t know where it will be, but I must find my way to somewhere. If I go to Mrs. Platts I must tell her all, and then she will know I am a gypsy, and I would rather die than have her know that.”
CHAPTER X.
SCOTT’S VALET.
Scott Wilmer sat in his office surrounded by books and papers, which were lying about on tables and desk in great disorder. His brow was clouded, and, leaning his head on his hand, he looked from one pile of papers to another, and taking up his pen he wrote:
“Wanted—Boy. A good steady boy to work in law office. Must be active and willing to work; neat in appearance and of good behavior. Scott Wilmer, 173 —— Street, Detroit.”
The advertisement was inserted in the evening papers and the next morning a score or more of boys appeared. There was one among them who impressed Scott more than all the rest, and whom Scott requested to step into his office. He was a fine looking boy of perhaps fourteen or fifteen years of age, scrupulously neat in appearance and possessing a manner which quite captivated Scott.
“My name is Paul Leroy,” he said, as he gracefully 71 accepted the chair Scott offered. “I thought perhaps I might fill the place of errand boy, if you will only let me try, and if you did not like me——”
“That is always understood,” said Scott. “The duties which I wish you to perform are not at all arduous, and I think you can fill the place without trouble.
“Would you like a chance to study?”