“Here’s Patience,” he said suddenly.
Patience Welcome entered almost immediately. She was dressed in the same somber black as her mother. She wore a heavy veil pushed back from the brim of her hat. Harvey presented her to Miss Masters.
“I’ve good news for you, mother,” exclaimed Patience after acknowledging the introduction. “I’ve got a place in that office I went into when I left you. I begin work tomorrow. Then when I came out and missed you I was terribly frightened, but the elevator man told me you had come in here. And so I found you.”
“Your mother has been telling me something about the search for your sister,” said Miss Masters. “Perhaps I may be able to help you. Could you tell me something about it?”
“Thank you,” replied Patience, “we need help. It seems as if we had exhausted all our own resources. But we mustn’t stop now. Mother is worn out.”
“Perhaps,” said Miss Masters, “it would be better if this young man should take your mother home. You and I may be able to talk the situation over more confidentially if we are alone.”
“You think you can help us?” inquired Patience eagerly.
Miss Masters was thoughtful. “Yes,” she said, “I believe I have unusual facilities for helping you. I know a great deal about Chicago—”
“Then,” said Patience, “I’ll put our case in your hands. I know I can trust you. Somehow, I feel better already.”