“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know, but I think he was afraid the bad men would carry Dick off, same as they tried to carry me.”
Frank’s face showed that he was thinking deeply.
“Why should they carry Dick off?” he asked himself. “It must be that there is treasure buried near here, and they are seeking to wring it from Delores. But the man took extra precautions to protect the boy, while he did not seem to fear for the safety of his own child, as he left her entirely alone. There is much about this affair that is not clear to me.”
Then Delores appeared at the door and announced that supper was ready. They went back to the dining-room, Merry carrying little Felicia in his arms.
The room was quite as pretty as the living-room. In the center stood the table, covered by a clean, white cloth, with the dishes and food upon it. A sideboard had been built in the wall. The chairs were of the rustic variety, plainly also the handiwork of Delores. The cook-room, in an ell-like part of the cabin, was shut off from view by a swinging spring-door.
“Welcome,” said Delores.
“Thank you,” bowed Frank. “Your hospitality is appreciated, you may be sure.”
“That’s right,” said Bart, as his eyes ran over the table. “Don’t believe I was ever hungrier.”