For over an hour Tavernake endured the smells and the bad
atmosphere of that miserable little music-hall, watching eagerly
each time the numbers were changed. Then at last, towards the
end of the program, the manager appeared in front.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he announced, "I regret very much to
inform you that owing to the indisposition of the young lady,
Miss Beatrice Franklin and her father are unable to appear
to-night. I have pleasure in announcing an extra turn, namely
the Sisters De Vere in their wonderful burlesque act."
There was a murmur of disapprobation mingled with some cheering.
Tavernake left his place and walked around to the back of the
hall. Presently the manager came out to him.
"I am sorry to trouble you, sir," Tavernake said,"but I heard
your announcement just now from the front. Can you give me the
address of Professor Franklin? I am a friend, and I should like
to go and see them."
The manager pointed to the stage-doorkeeper.
"This man will give it you," he announced, shortly. "It's quite
close. I shall look in myself after the show to know how the
young lady is."
Tavernake procured the address and set out in the taxicab which
he had kept waiting. The driver listened to the direction
doubtfully.
"It's a poor sort of neighborhood, sir," he remarked.
"We've got to go there," Tavernake told him.
They reached it in a few minutes, a miserable street indeed.
Tavernake knocked at the door of the house to which he was
directed, with sinking heart.
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