“Ahem! You will please step this way,” he said to her at once, at the same time indicating by a wave of his hand that she was to enter his private office. “I was here first,” said one of the girls, shrilly. “I’ve been here an hour,” said another, wearily. “I will attend to you all in a few moments,” said the man, pompously, as he stepped into the office behind Dollie and closed the door after them. CHAPTER IV. SILAS JOHNSON’S PROPOSAL. Ten minutes later, when Dollie Marlowe emerged from the private door, her face was flushed and her eyes were blazing. “The whole thing was a hoax!” she whispered over and over. “That man lured us all there for no purpose but to insult us.” “I guess that is right,” said a voice at Dollie’s side. The young girl looked around quickly and recognized the consumptive. “I got tired of waiting,” went on the girl, “besides, I had a presentiment that the thing was all a hoax, but just for the joke of the thing, do tell me what he said to you.” There was a tone in her voice that awakened Dollie’s sympathy. It was plain that the girl was both discouraged and disappointed. “He told me he would make an actress of me, put me on the stage, make me famous, and all that, but he expected me to pay him for my tuition. The idiot! As if I had any money to spend that way,” cried Dollie, indignantly. “Is that all he said?” asked the other girl, slyly. “I don’t believe you’d be so mad if that had been his only proposition.” Dollie’s anger was so violent that she was glad to relieve it, and the young girl looked so sympathetic that she didn’t mind telling her. “He told me I would have to wear tights,” she stammered, furiously, “and, oh, he said a lot more, but I cannot repeat it.” The sick girl burst into a roar of bitter laughter. “Same old gag,” she said, shortly. “Well, I’m glad I didn’t tarry. No danger of his interesting himself in my direction.” “It was disgusting,” said Dollie, who could not understand her laughter. “I’d have given a dollar to have heard you go for him,” said the girl, looking at her admiringly. “I didn’t dare to say very much,” said Dollie, more quietly, “I remembered what you said about his having us arrested.” “You learn quickly,” said the companion, “do you live in New York?” “I am here with my sister, and we have no money,” said Dollie, frankly. “We are trying to get work, that is why I came here this morning.” “Haven’t you any friends who can help you?” asked the girl, with interest. “Not a soul,” said Dollie, her lips quivering a little. “I don’t know what we will do. We can’t live without money.” They walked on together for a moment in silence, then the sick girl spoke in a cautious manner. “Mr. Max, that man you just left, has money, I suppose, and he looks like a man who would spend it freely.” “Well, what of it?” asked Dollie, turning to stare a little.