The Commander had stayed late at the Headquarters one evening to finish
some important bit of work, and had given orders that she should not be
interrupted. The great building was almost empty save for the night
watchman, the elevator man, and one or two others.

She was hard at work when her secretary appeared with an air of reluctance
to tell her that the elevator man said there were three ladies waiting
downstairs to see her on some very important business. He had told them
that she could not be disturbed but they insisted that they must see her,
that she would wish it if she knew their business. He had come up to find
out what he should answer them.

The Commander said she knew nothing about them and could not be
interrupted now. They must be told to come again the next day.

The elevator man returned in a few minutes to say that the ladies
insisted, and said they had a great gift for the Salvation Army, but must
see the Commander at once and alone or the gift would be lost.

Quickly interested the Commander gave orders that they should be brought
up to her office, but just as they were about to enter, the secretary came
in again with great excitement, begging that she would not see the
visitors, as one of the men from downstairs had 'phoned up to her that he
did not like the appearance of the strangers; they seemed to be trying to
talk in high strained voices, and they had very large feet. Maybe they
were not women at all.

The Commander laughed at the idea, but finally yielded when another of her
staff entered and begged her not to see strangers alone so late at night;