Part 9 (1/2)

The Ogre brought down his clenched fist heavily on the table.

”Listen to me, you children. For all you know, and for all I know, you're nothing but a lot of paupers; and if you don't want to find yourself inside a workhouse you'll leave it to me to make the best of things. So now you've got it.”

We had got it. I saw d.i.c.k's cheeks blanch. I was conscious that my own went pale. If the awful thing at which he hinted was true, then things were miles worse than I had ever supposed. But was it true? And how, with him sitting there, were we going to look for proof of either its truth or falsehood?

Just as I was beginning to fear that I should make a goose of myself and cry, I heard someone come up the front doorsteps and ask,--

”Is Miss Boyes at home? Miss Molly Boyes?”

I rushed out into the hall. There, standing at the hall door, which was wide open, was the handsomest man I had ever seen. He was very tall and sunburned. He had his cap in his hand, so that you could see that he had short curly hair. And his moustache was just beginning to come. I wondered if he was a harbinger of more trouble. He did not look as if he was; but he might be.

”I am Molly Boyes.”

”My name is Sanford. I am afraid I ought to apologise for my intrusion, but I am a cousin of Hetty Travers, who tells me you are a friend of hers. I am staying a few miles from here, and she has written to say that she is afraid you are in trouble, and to ask me to run over and see if I can be of a.s.sistance.”

Hetty's cousin! That did not sound like trouble. How sweet of her to think of me, and to send that great strong man! She might have guessed what was happening to us--the dear!

”I am in trouble. I have lost my mother. And now, there is Mr Miller.”

”Mr Miller? Who is he?”

The children had already trooped into the hall. Then d.i.c.k appeared. I introduced him.

”This is my brother d.i.c.k. d.i.c.k, this is Mr Sanford, a cousin of Hetty Travers. You have heard me speak of Hetty. Mr Sanford has come to know if he can be of any a.s.sistance to us.”

”If you really would like to do something to help us--”

There d.i.c.k stopped, as if in doubt.

”I should,” said Mr Sanford.

I rather fancied from the way he smiled that he had taken a liking to d.i.c.k upon the spot. I did so hope he had.

”Then perhaps you'll lend me a hand in chucking this man Miller through the window. He's almost a size too large for me. Come inside here.”

We all trooped back into the morning-room, Mr Sanford and d.i.c.k in front. d.i.c.k pointed to the Ogre.

”You see that individual. His name's Miller. He's taken possession of the place as though it belongs to him; he's made free with my mother's property and papers; and when I ask him to leave the house he talks about treating me to a good sound thras.h.i.+ng.”

”He does, does he? Is he a relation of yours?”

”Relation! He's not even an acquaintance. He came here uninvited when my mother lay dead, took advantage of the state of mind we were in to gain a footing in the house, and now we can't get rid of him.”

Mr Sanford turned to me.

”Is it your wish, Miss Boyes, that this person should leave the house?”

”It is very much my wish. He knows it is.”

”You hear, sir. I hope it is not necessary to emphasise the wish which Miss Boyes has expressed so clearly.”