CHAPTER 3The Early Bird dropped into the factory of the Harley Cosmetic Co., so he explained, to reassure Miss Harley that she need not worry once Mr. Clackworthy had taken the financial helm. He would not admit to himself, much less to any one else, that his interest was largely in the good-looking president personally.
Just as James was making his laborious adieu, Miss Harley, glancing out of the window, saw none other than Mr. Thackery Striker approaching the entrance.
“Goodness!” she exclaimed. “There’s the old octopus himself. There isn’t a soul in the office but us, for Perkins went downtown. Please, Mr. Early, won’t you wait just a few minutes? You—you can step into the back office; I don’t want to see that man alone!”
“I gotcha,” said The Early Bird grimly, “an’ if that walkin’
