Then followed a period of anxious waiting.
It was broken by the return of Russ, rather disheveled, tired and excited, but with his precious model safe in the taxicab with him and Mr. Pertell.
"Why, Russ, where have you been?" cried Mrs. Dalwood.
"I just wish I'd been there!" exclaimed Billy. "Was there a fight, Russ?"
"A—little one," he admitted, with a glance at the girls. "But it was soon over."
"And where are the men now?" asked Alice.
"Safe in jail."
Then he told what had happened.
After Alice and Ruth had gone home in the taxicab he had called for Mr. Pertell, explaining what had occurred. A special officer was engaged, and the three went to the address in Jersey City, where Wolley and Brisket had gone with the model. The place was in a rather disreputable neighborhood. In a back room, which was approached with caution, the two plotters were found with a draughtsman whom they had hired to make drawings of the model.
The two scoundrels were taken by surprise and easily overpowered, after a short resistance. The draughtsman was an innocent party, and was allowed to go, after promising to give evidence against Wolley and Brisket. The latter were put under arrest, and with his precious model safe in his possession Russ started for home.