There was a little scream, for the woman had slapped her.
"I'd like to get at that woman, Clip," said Bob, indignantly.
They heard the door open--the door of the room adjoining.
The partition was very thin, and it was easy to hear what was going on. Not only this, but Clip discovered an auger hole about eighteen inches above the floor, of sufficient size to enable him to look through it.
"Who was that black boy?" he heard the little girl say. "He's a funny-looking boy."
"He's come to stay here with the other boy," answered the woman, glad to find something of interest to take the place of the complaints.
"They are sleeping in the next room, so you need not be afraid if I go down and leave you."
"Yes, if you will be a good girl," said the woman, willing to promise anything.
Then there was a little pause, spent in undressing the child.
"Now, get into bed, and go to sleep as soon as you can."
"No," answered the woman, shortly. "Your papa wants you to stay with me."
"Won't I never see my papa again?" asked the child, almost ready to cry.
"Yes; perhaps he'll come to see you next week," answered the woman, fearing that the child might sob and compel her to remain upstairs.
"Clip," said Bob, who had taken Clip's place at the hole in the partition, "there's no doubt of it. The girl has been stolen. I wish I could go into the room, and asked her about her father and her home."
He went to the door and tried it, but it was firmly locked, and it was quite useless to try to get out.
Meanwhile, Joe and his wife were conversing downstairs.
"Joe," said the woman, "I hope I'll get rid of that brat soon. She's a heap of trouble."
"Brown. He's the man that's got charge of the job. She's got a rich father, who'll shell out liberal to get her back."
"Don't you wish you knew, old woman?" said Joe, with a grin. "I can take care of it."
"Haven't I the care of the child? It don't trouble you."
"It's all right, old lady. You won't be forgotten."
"How much more is Brown to pay you?" asked the woman, appearing dissatisfied.
The woman's eyes sparkled. To her this seemed a vast sum of money.
"What do you want money for?" demanded Joe, impatiently.
"Well, I can't say yet, old lady, but maybe you'll get ten dollars."