Page:The Van Roon (IA thevanroon00snaiiala).pdf/206



"Not a bit o' use, don't I tell you." The Clerk was growing angry.

June pretended not to hear. Her heart beating fast she went on with her search for the parcel; yet in the midst of it she grew aware that somebody was approaching the counter. She dare not pause to look who it was, for she knew only too well that it was almost bound to be Uncle Si.

The Clerk uttered another snarl of protest as he turned away to attend to the new comer. As he did so, June breathed a prayer that her eye might fall on the parcel in that instant, for her only hope now was to seize it and fly. That, however, was not to be. She had omitted to notice the place in which it had been put, and do as she would she could not find it now.

At this crucial moment, there emerged from the inner office her friend of the green corduroy. She simply leapt at what was now her one remaining chance.

"Oh, I'm so glad you've come," cried June, in a voice that was a little frantic: "You remember my bringing a brown paper parcel here, don't you—about two hours ago?"

The tone, tinged as it was with hysteria, caused Green Corduroy to look at June with mild astonishment. "I've lost the ticket you gave me for it, but I'm sure you remember my bringing it." Her brain seemed