“I don’t see how I can manage that,” said Jane. She could think of no possible way of overcoming that difficulty.
“She’s an old German woman—Lena Kraus,” continued Dean. “I’ve found out that she always washes on Wednesdays. When she goes up on the roof in the afternoon to get the clothes will be our time. It will be your job to see that she stays there until I am through. It will not take me more than half an hour.”
“But what will I do if she starts to come down? How will I stop her?”
“You’ll have to use your wits. Keep her talking as long as you can. When she starts down come with her. Press the elevator button four times. I’ll leave the door of the Hoff apartment open and very likely will hear it in time to get away.”
“But how’ll you get their door open?”
Dean smilingly drew forth a key.
“I borrowed the superintendent’s bunch last night, pretending I had lost the key to my locker in the basement. I knew he had a master-key that unlocks all the apartment doors, and there was no trouble in picking it out. I had some wax in my hand and made an impression of it right under his nose.”
“How clever,” cried Jane, “but suppose the Hoffs do not go off to-morrow. What will we do then?”
“You are taking tea with young Hoff this afternoon, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” said Jane, “that is, he asked me to. I am to meet him at the Biltmore at five.”