But at the Fenmore the girls had their first disappointment, for none of the Dalwoods was at home. Nor did any of the neighbors know where they had gone. For persons in New York, even in the same apartment house, are not very likely to become acquainted with one another, and often families may live in adjoining flats for a long time, without passing beyond the bowing stage. As for keeping track of the comings and goings of their neighbors, it is never thought of, unless something out of the ordinary occurs. Echoes only answered the knocking of Ruth and Alice, and the two girls faced each other in the hallway with anxious looks on their faces. "What shall we do?" asked Ruth. "None of them is home. How can we warn Russ?" "I don't know. I've got to think!" exclaimed Alice. "Come in our place and let's sit down a minute. We can make a cup of tea. I was so hungry, and to leave that nice little meal--well, we just had to do it, that's all." Tea was soon in process of making, and while the girls set out some cakes and a jar of jam for a hasty meal they did some rapid thinking. "Did you ever hear Russ say where it was he was having his patent attachment made?" asked Alice. "I never did," confessed Ruth. "He said it was somewhere on the East Side, but that's very indefinite." "Then the only thing to do is to find Russ and tell him," decided Alice, as she removed, with the tip of her tongue, a spot of jam from a forefinger. "We've just got to find him. "Now I'll tell you what we'll do, Ruth. You stay here and as soon as Mrs. Dalwood, or Billy, or perhaps even Russ comes home, you tell them all about this plot." "But what will you do?" "I'll go find Russ." "What! Alone?" "Why not? We can't both go. Oh, I see!" and a light broke over the face of Alice. "You mean you think it's _your_ place to warn him. Well, maybe it is. I'm sure he would like----" "Now, Alice, I didn't mean that at all, and you know it. I meant you oughtn't to be going about New York alone, and it's getting late. It will soon be dark." "Nonsense! It isn't six o'clock yet." "I know. But I can't allow you. We'll both go." "But someone ought to be here to tell them as soon as one comes home." "We can write a note and leave it under the door. Then we can leave a note for daddy. He'll be worried when he comes back and finds us gone. That's the best plan, Alice. Leave a note for Russ, and then you and I will try to find him. They may know at the studio where he has gone. Or he may be there yet." "All right!" agreed Alice, after a moment's thought. CHAPTER XXIII THE MISSING MODEL Two notes were quickly written. One was left on the table in the girls' apartment, telling their father that they were going out for a little while, to try to locate Russ on a matter of some importance connected with the moving pictures.