“I have to t’ank you,” he said, with an accent, “for what you have done. My little Felicia, she tell me. She is all I have left now. When I come on my way home and hear da shooting, my heart it jump like a frog into my mouth-a. I run home quick as I can, and call, call, call for her. She do not answer. Den I t’ink somet’ing have happen to her, and I start to run dis way fast. When I come here to da edge of da woods I see you coming dis way, and I stop. You bring my little Felicia back-a to me, and I t’ank you.”
The child seemed to look at her father in surprise, as if she were not accustomed to hearing him speak thus freely.
“We are happy to be of service to you and little Felicia, Mr. Delores,” said Merry quietly.
The man was seen to start a bit, while he gripped his rifle still harder.
“You know my name?” he said, a bit harshly.
“Yes.”
“How?”
“We have come far to find you.”
This seemed to put him more than ever on his guard.
“What do you want?”