"Off with you then at once. I don't want to pry into any secrets; but, Leslie, when you have done with her, bring her or send her back to me.

You know the old address in Maida Vale. Good-by for the present."

CHAPTER XXVII

TELL ME THE TRUTH, LESLIE.

"This is a wonderful thing for me," said Annie as she stood up. Leslie turned and looked at her without replying. "I mean that my fourteen shillings can now last me nearly another week. By that time, if I get this situation, I shall have saved money and be quite independent.

Leslie, you cannot imagine what a load will be lifted from my mind, and you will have done it. I shall thank you to the longest day I live."

"But I don't want to do it," said Leslie; "you don't know how dreadful I feel. Pray, don't say any more to me. I am not good now, not at all. I want to be away by myself, to fight this thing out to the bitter end.

But here we are. I'll do my best for you, Annie, only for Heaven's sake don't thank me."

The girls found themselves now in Queen Victoria Street. They reached the house where Mr. Parker's offices were, went upstairs to the second floor, and presently entered a room where several clerks were busy.

"You must take the initiative now," said Annie, touching Leslie on the arm. "They know me, for I have been here often; but they do not know you. Go up to one of the clerks and say that you wish to see Mr.

Parker."

Again Leslie found herself hesitating, but then she quickly made up her mind. She must go on with what she meant to do at any cost.

She crossed the room, therefore, quickly, and stood before a desk where an elderly man with gray hair was writing.

"I have come to see Mr. Parker," said Leslie; "is he in?"

"Mr. Parker is in, miss," was the reply; "but he is specially engaged."

"Is he likely to be disengaged soon?" asked Leslie.

"Within half an hour perhaps. He is interviewing some young ladies for a--"

"Oh, I know," said Annie, who had followed Leslie across the room. "Be quick, Leslie, quick."

"I want to see Mr. Parker on that very subject," replied Leslie.

"What, miss," said the clerk, "are you one of the candidates?"

"No, not exactly; but, all the same, I have come on that very business.

If you will give me a sheet of paper I will write a note."

The man handed her one, and she scribbled a few words:

"Leslie Gilroy wants to see you at once. Please don't engage a secretary finally until you have heard what I want to say."

She folded up the paper and handed it to the clerk.

"Will you take that to Mr. Parker now?" she said. "He will look at it even while he is talking with another person."

"Oh, how good you are!" whispered Annie in her ear.

Another clerk motioned to the girls to seat themselves on a bench not far from the door. The elderly clerk with the gray hair went into a room at the opposite side. He was absent for a couple of minutes. When he returned he went straight up to Leslie.

"Mr. Parker will see you in five minutes," he said. "Will you come this way?"

"May I come too?" asked Annie.

Leslie looked at the clerk.

"Certainly, miss, bring your friend." He spoke in a respectful tone, and ushered the girls into a small and comfortably furnished apartment.

Having supplied them with a newspaper each, he left them.

"This suspense is almost intolerable," said Annie. "You promise, Leslie, that you will plead very, very hard."

"I will do my best," answered Leslie.

"But I know you are hating it," said poor Annie. "I see it in your face."

"Don't talk to me about that, Annie. I have made up my mind; but I cannot, cannot talk it over with you."

Just then the door was opened, and Mr. Parker himself came in. He glanced at Annie in some annoyance and surprise, and gave Leslie that cold, level glance which had almost broken her heart on the day of the picnic.

"I understand that you want to speak to me?" he said.

Leslie rose.

"I do," she said. "Can I see you by yourself?"

"You can, if you have come on a very urgent matter; but, as a rule, I never see anyone here except on business."

"This is truly a matter of business."

"Has Miss Colchester anything to do with it?"

"Yes."

"Then I had better see you alone. Come this way."

He took no further notice of Annie, but ushered Leslie into the next room. Closing the door, he asked her to seat herself.

"Now, what is it?" he said.

"I can scarcely tell you how painful it is to me to come to you to-day,"

began Leslie.

"Then why do you do it?" said Mr. Parker.

"Because I want to ask you for a favor."