“I’ll take it.” Evelyn opened her bag and dropped the string inside it. “Was the package of papers which René carried off by mistake tied with that piece of string, Marian?” she inquired.
“No.” Marian walked beside Maynard, who suited his long stride to her shorter step. “When I gave the package to Captain La Montagne to carry for me it was secured by a rubber band. Do look out, Evelyn, or you will be run over,” as the younger girl, not heeding a speeding automobile, stepped off the curb. It was some seconds, owing to the congested traffic, before Maynard guided them safely across the street. Once on the other side Marian gave him no opportunity to resume conversation, but walked rapidly toward an old residence which had been remodeled and given over to physicians’ offices and a hair-dresser’s establishment on the first floor.
“We must hurry,” Marian explained. “Sorry, good-bye,” and slipping her hand inside Evelyn’s she hastened toward the shop. At the door, however, they both drew back to let several people pass and looking over her shoulder, Marian caught Maynard staring at her. A wave of color mantled her cheeks and turning in some confusion she ran into Dr. Hayden.
“I beg your pardon,” he exclaimed, drawing back. “I thought you saw me and waited for me to pass.”
“I am very stupid,” she laughed and bit her lip. “Don’t let me detain you.”
“I only wanted to catch Mr. Maynard, pardon me,” and the busy physician ran down the steps to where Maynard, having seen his beckoning hand, stood waiting.
“Have you seen Palmer?” asked Hayden.
“Yes.” Maynard pulled his companion toward the curb where they were out of earshot of passers-by. “Palmer has been unable to locate the taxi-driver, Sam.”
Hayden looked worried. “Too bad,” he muttered. “I saw Burnham this morning and urged him not to press the charge against Captain La Montagne until he had time to investigate the Frenchman’s assertion that Sam, the taxi-driver, had run out of the apartment and up the stairs just before he approached.”
“Well, that is reasonable,” commented Maynard. “I trust Burnham listened to you.”