noon
Jennie 's big brother John , who had already taken some interest in Nancy 's mystery , took the girls to town with him . His employer , who knew Mr. Gordon , had never been able to get the lawyer to talk about Nancy Nelson , although he had started the subject with him several times . The girls did a little shopping for themselves , and some errands for Mrs. Bruce , and then had a nice luncheon . It was past noon then and they were sure that Scorch would be at home -- for it was evidently his home address that he had given to them . They asked a policeman how to find Payne Street and he kindly put them on a car which took the two girls to the corner of that thoroughfare . It was a street of small cottages , and empty lots , and goats , and many , many dirty-faced children . Some of these last ran after Nancy and Jennie and made faces at them as they sought out Number 307 .