CHAPTER X RATHER QUEER INDEED Mary Louise found the door of the office, which was located on the third floor of the Chambers Building, locked. However, the sign: "Peter Conant, Attorney at Law," was painted on the glass panel in big, distinct letters, so she was sure she had made no mistake. She slowly paced the hall, waiting, until the elevator stopped and Mr. Conant stepped out and approached the door, his morning paper in one hand, a key in the other. Running to him, the girl exclaimed: "Oh, Mr. Conant!" He stopped short and turned to face her. Then he stepped a pace backward and said: "Great heavens, it's Mary Louise!" "Didn't you recognize me?" she asked. "Not at first," he answered slowly. "You have grown tall and--and-- older, in two years." "Where is Gran'pa J-" "Hush!" with a startled glance up and down the hall. Then he unlocked the door and added: "Come in." Mary Louise followed him through the outer office and into a smaller room beyond, the door of which Mr. Conant carefully closed after them. Then he turned to look steadily at the girl, who thought he did not seem especially delighted at her appearance in Dorfield. Indeed, his first words proved this, for he asked sternly: "Why are you here?" "I left the school at Beverly because the girls made it so uncomfortable for me there that I could not bear it longer," she explained. "In what way did they make it uncomfortable for you?" "They jeered at me because--because--Gran'pa Jim is being hunted by the officers of the law, who accuse him, of doing something wicked." Mr. Conant frowned. "Perhaps their attitude was only natural," he remarked; "but there was no accusation against you, my child. Why didn't you stick it out? The scandal would soon have died away and left you in peace."