“I was unable to find your name in the city directory, Mr. Reed,” explained the priest, his face beaming with happiness. “But at police headquarters I found that you had made inquiries, and that detectives were searching for the girl. I learned that you were living with your wife’s sister, and that you had no business address, having just come up from South America. So I telephoned to your sister-in-law, and your wife informed me that you had an appointment this morning at this office. I therefore came directly here with the girl, who, as you see, is safe and sound, but with an additional interesting experience or two to add to the large fund she already possessed.” He looked down at Carmen and smiled. “And now,” he concluded, laughing, as he prepared to depart, “I will not ask for a receipt for the child, as I see I have several witnesses to the fact that I have delivered her to the proper custodian.” He bowed and went to the door.
“Wait!” cried Reed, seizing him by the hand. “We want to thank you! We want to know you––”
“I will give you my card,” replied the priest. “And I would be very happy, indeed, if some time again I might be permitted to see and talk with the little girl.” He handed his card to Reed; then nodded and smiled at Carmen and went out.
“By Jove!” sputtered Harris, pushing the girl aside and making after him. But he was too late. The priest had already caught a descending elevator, and disappeared. Harris returned to the bewildered group. “I guess that knocks the Simití Company sky-high,” he exclaimed, “for here is the sole owner of La Libertad!”
Ketchim collapsed into a chair, while Reed, saying that he would keep his dinner engagement with Ketchim on the following day, picked up Carmen’s precious bundle and, taking her hand, left the room. “I am going home,” he called back to Harris; “and you be sure to come up to the house to-night. We’ll have to readjust our plans now.”
CHAPTER 5
“Reed,” said Harris the following day, as they sat in the dusty, creaking car that was conveying them to their dinner appointment with Ketchim, “who is this Ames that Ketchim referred to yesterday?”