"No; he left on the seven o'clock train for Chicago this morning. After an all-night conference between him and Mr. Presby, it was decided that daddy must go into the city early this morning to see that Mr. Thompson whom you girls met at the wreck of the car on your journey to Chicago. I don't know what it is all about, but I suspect it is money," concluded Ruth with a trace of bitterness in her tone. "When I think how happy you girls are in your little home without wealth, I sometimes wish I had never known luxury. But what did you want to see father about?" demanded Ruth suddenly.
"I—I wanted to tell him something. Oh, please don't ask me now, Ruth, dear. Is—is he at home or at the office?"
"At home, I think. The office will not be open to-day, this being a holiday."
"Then I am going to Chicago to see him," declared Barbara firmly.
Ruth gazed at her incredulously.
"You can't mean that?"
"But I do."
"Alone?"
"Unless Aunt Sallie will accompany me. I would rather she did not to-day."