Jim and Phil turned quickly to the speaker.

It was Eileen Pederstone, wrapped up snugly in a warm, fur coat. Apparently she was alone.

214

“Great Scot, lassie!––what are you doing here?”

“Good evening, gentlemen!” she said politely.

Phil returned her salutation, with a very uneasy feeling inside.

“Little ladies should be sleeping in their beds,” put in Jim in a tone of admonition.

“I wouldn’t mind if I were now,” she returned. “I just couldn’t resist coming down here when I heard of the breakaway from jail, and so many of the men felt they had to rush off from our place.

“I coaxed daddy to bring me down. I lost him somewhere in the crowd half an hour ago.”

“Ugh-huh!––and what else?” inquired Jim.