“Yes! Yes!” said Old Hosie, catching her excitement.
“You look for him here in this crowd—and, also, if you can see to it, send some one to get the foreman and his people. I’ll look for Mr. Harper at his hotel. We’ll meet here at the office.”
With that they hurried away on their respective errands. Arrived at the National House, where Billy Harper lived, Katherine walked into the great bare office and straight up to the clerk, whom the mass-meeting had left as the room’s sole occupant.
“Is Mr. Harper in?” she asked quickly.
The clerk, one of the most prodigious of local beaux, was startled by this sudden apparition.
“I—I believe he is.”
“Please tell him at once that I wish to see him.”
He fumbled the white wall of his lofty collar with an embarrassed hand.
“Excuse me, Miss West, but the fact is, I’m afraid he can’t see you.”
“Give him my name and tell him I simply must see him.”