The spatting feet and the childish voices rocketed down upon them. The boards thumped roaringly, and into the little tunnel drizzled sand from the cracks. They were passing by——
Then a boy’s voice shouted:
“Lookit! There’s a tin cup!”
Douglas glowered at the forgotten cup gleaming on the stone outside. He started to move toward it, intending to drive or lure the children away without letting them peer under the bridge and find the woman. But he was too late.
Down the slope ran two skinny children, boy and girl, to grab the prize. Their quick eyes darted under the bridge. They stopped, and, for a second, stood open-mouthed. Then across their faces shot a cunning look. Upward they jumped again at top speed, and into the road their twinkling legs vanished. And out pealed their voices in malicious glee, screaming at the other youngsters:
“Hey! Oo-ee! Lookit! That ’ere ’tective feller has got Snake Sanders’s woman under the bridge!”
CHAPTER XII
THE LAW COMES
Douglas stopped, wheeled, stared at the woman. In her face now burned dull anger.
“Ther’ now, ye went an’ done it,” she droned. “Wha’d ye go an’ leave that cup ther’ for? Ye fool!”
“Are you——” He hesitated. “Is that true—what they’re saying?”