This was done and the little party was soon turned toward home.
They were closer to Paris than the girls had realized, and half an hour later they came in sight of the point from which they had started upon the long chase the day before.
As the boat drew close to the little landing, a woman with fiery red hair, her sleeves rolled up and a frown on her face, came hurrying toward them, and just as Jenkins leaped ashore and tied the boat up, she seized him by the ear with her right hand.
“Tom Jenkins,” she cried, “it’s about time you were getting home. What do you mean by running away from me and not coming back?”
“But, Martha,” protested Jenkins, his face turning red in confusion, “I was only helping these young people out. One of ’em had been kidnapped, and——”
“And you had to go along and see the fun, I suppose.”
“Well, not exactly,” said Mr. Jenkins. “I——”
“You come with me,” said Mrs. Jenkins decisively.
She gave Jenkins’ ear a sharp twist, and the latter howled with pain.
“Ow! Leggo my ear!” he screamed.