"Do you know that man, Nan? He looks as though he were going to speak to us."
Nan looked up just as a tall thin man approached them. He lifted his hat and said:
"I beg pardon, young ladies, but could you inform me where the Widow Bragley lives?"
Nan pointed out the cottage and the man thanked her and passed on.
"What a peculiar way he had of talking," said Bess, as they resumed their walk.
"I noticed that he talked like a Southerner," replied Nan. "I wonder what business he can have with Mrs. Bragley."
"Hard to tell," said Bess. "I only hope it isn't a bill collector to bother the poor thing." And then the schoolgirls passed on their way.
The stranger soon reached the cottage of Mrs. Bragley. He scanned it carefully and noted its poverty. A contented smile stole over his face as he said to himself:
"I imagine there won't be any trouble in getting what I came for. A little money here will go a long way."