Part 39 (2/2)
She looked surprised.
”What for?”
”There was a sneak-thief around, and I want you to see if Mary lost anything.”
”A thief? Did he get----”
”No, I didn't give him the chance.”
The woman at once turned and went up the flight of stairs leading to the top floor. She had not seen Ferris, and the tall boy breathed a sigh of relief as he turned to listen to what Macklin had to say.
”We've got a good chance ter git him out o' der way.”
”Out of the way?” whispered Ferris.
”Dat's wot I said.”
”You don't mean----”
Ferris stopped short.
”Yes, I do. You say he's an enemy ter you an' Hardwick?”
”He is that.”
”Den I'd git him outer der way.”
Ferris' lip twitched.
”What would you do with him?”
”I'll show yer.” Macklin scratched his matted hair. ”Give me dat potato bag in der closet.”
Ferris hesitated, and then, opening the closet in the corner, brought forth an unusually long potato sack.
Raising up the top part of Hal's body, Macklin slipped the sack over head and shoulders. Then he tied the string of the sack fast around Hal's waist.
The tough opened the door and pa.s.sed out into the hall way.
No one was in sight. Macklin returned to the room.
”Quick, catch him by der legs,” he said to Ferris. ”I'll take him by der shoulders, an' we'll have him outer sight in a jiffy.”
”Where--where will you take him?” faltered Ferris. His teeth were chattering, and his face was as pale as death.
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