But Bab again was fated to be disappointed. Mr. Stuart had not yet returned, his secretary informed her. Barbara decided to wait awhile. She inquired as to where she might find Mr. Stuart, but the secretary could not say. He informed her that there were important business conferences on for that day, though Mr. Stuart might be looked for at any moment.
Bab went down and dismissed the taxicab, then returned to the office to wait. An hour went by, and still Mr. Stuart had not returned. So she entered into conversation with the not unwilling secretary by asking him if he knew Mr. Bonner, a Chicago broker.
"Yes, I know him. Is he an acquaintance of yours?" he asked curiously.
"I've met him. Where is his office?"
The secretary told her, then added:
"You're not going to see him, are you?"
"I must see Mr. Stuart," replied Barbara evasively. "I'd better go, for he may go home without returning to the office."
"That may be," said the secretary. "If he comes in, whom shall I tell him called?"
"Miss Barbara Thurston," she answered, as she hurried away.
Bab had some difficulty in getting past the clerks in the outer room, but was finally ushered into Mr. Bonner's private office.