"No, no!" said Merriam. "There's nothing wrong here."
He hung up and turned to face the room.
Crockett was still leaning against the table. Margery was clutching the arm which a moment before had gripped her, and Jennie had jumped down from the table and caught hold of his other arm. But the financier appeared very little ruffled. He even smiled at Merriam, not unpleasantly.
"Well, Mr. Merriam," he said, "suppose we sit down and talk it over--if these ladies will release me, that is."
"Mr. Merriam!" Then the message had been from Rockwell, and Crockett had got the name after all. How much more had he learned? Merriam was quite willing to talk in the hope of finding that out.
"Very well," he said. "Let him go, Margery,--Jennie."
"I'll dance for both of you!" cried Jennie, whose cheeks were decidedly flushed.
"No!" said Merriam. "Sit down, please."
"Sit down, Jen!" seconded Margery, viciously.
"Oh, well!" Jennie plopped petulantly into a chair.