"Then it's all right," declared Alice, in a tone of relief.
"Yes—and no," returned Russ. "It's all right, for the time being, but I don't like what has happened. Simp Wolley must be getting desperate to come here in broad daylight and rummage the house under the pretense of being a plumber. It shows, too, that he must be watching this place, or he wouldn't have known when I went out."
"Hadn't you better notify the police?" suggested Mr. DeVere.
"I'll think about it," agreed Russ. "Of course he hasn't really done anything yet that they could arrest him for, unless coming into our apartment without being invited is illegal, and he could wriggle out of a charge of that sort. No, I'll keep my eyes open. In a little while, after I obtain my patent, and the attachment is on the market, he can't bother me. But I don't mind admitting that I'm worried."
"Then sit down and have something to eat with us," urged Alice, and Ruth, with a nod and a blush, seconded the request. "You'll be eating some of your own salt, anyhow," Alice suggested, in fun.
Russ lost a little of his apprehensive air as the meal progressed. Perhaps it was because Ruth sat opposite. Alice said as much to her sister afterward, when they were getting ready for bed.
"Don't be silly!" was Ruth's sole reply.
Mr. DeVere attended several rehearsals at the moving picture theater and, one morning, said:
"Girls, how would you like to come and see me in my new rôle? We have a dress rehearsal to-day, so to speak, and we'll "film" the play, as they call it, to-morrow."
"Oh, let's go, Ruth!" cried Alice, clapping her hands. "I know you'll enjoy it!"