"We haven't got it here; it belongs to Colonel Baxter," Shirley answered.
But the old man didn't seem to believe them, for he poked his way into every corner of the shop, and in the dark-room he made a careful search, much to the amusement of the girls.
Then he sat down near Shirley and Bet as they framed more art prints.
"Now what's them for?" he asked. "Them pictures of birds?"
"Oh we expect to sell them to someone. Don't you think they're pretty?"
"Maybe," said old Pete. "That is somebody might like them. It's funny what people will buy."
But Peter Gruff was restless. He had hoped to find the fan and as he saw another print he picked it up and studied it carefully.
"Where did Colonel Baxter get the fan?" he asked.
"I don't know," answered Bet. "He has it, that's all I know."
Old Peter arose and once more started in a search of the rooms, unwilling to believe that the fan was not hidden in the shop. Wherever the girls wanted to work they stumbled into him.