Then Mary Louise tumbled into a little crumpled heap on the floor by the couch and buried her curly black head in its great pillows. “Oh, it isn’t fair; it isn’t fair,” she wailed. “Danny would have paid back the money. Danny’s uncle never meant to steal! If his oil well was only out of Mexican hands, everything would have been all right anyway.” And Mary Louise’s small fists beat the pillows to give vent to her emotions.
Suddenly the telephone peeled out again, quite briskly this time.
“Yes,” said Mary Louise, feeling with her free hand for a handkerchief as she balanced the receiver with the other. The voice that answered her was Josie’s, and as Mary Louise heard her she let the tears dry upon her checks, for Josie was both angry and excited—an unusual thing for the clever, active girl.
“Mary Louise,” she cried, “it’s the very deuce! Just as the train slowed up for Albuquerque, that man O’Hara leaped from the car window and has completely disappeared! It’s an outrage!” she raved on. “But we’ll get him yet. Crocker and I are both taking this west bound train that comes in a few minutes, so I won’t be back after all. Don’t worry, Mary Louise, we’ll get him yet,” Josie consoled. “We’ve got our dander up now and we’re on the job ourselves, and we’re going to finish it.”
Then Josie hung up the receiver and dashed to the ticket window.
Mary Louise, left alone, felt a great throb of gratitude. At least O’Hara was safe for the time being. Now she must run instantly and tell the news to Danny. However, the “instantly” extended into a moment or two, while she made sure that her brown eyes were not tear-stained, and that her little nose was powdered and quite presentable. Then she ran out into the garden to hunt for her adopted soldier.
She had not far to seek for he was visible through the open window of the garage, busily polishing the car which was in dire need of his ministrations.
“Come here, Danny,” she directed, perching herself upon the bench just outside the building.
Nothing loth, Danny threw down the chamois and rolling down his sleeves, came toward her.
“Danny,” continued the girl, “I’ve something rather hard to tell you.”