“What will be done with her when they do find her?” she inquired tremulously. “Will she be sent to prison if she is proved guilty?”
John shrugged his shoulders.
“That will be for Aunt Mattie to decide. But you know she has talked nothing but reform school since the child came to her.”
“Maybe I can persuade her to give Elsie another chance,” murmured Mary Louise hopefully.
“Maybe,” agreed John as he shook hands with Mr. Gay and departed.
Mary Louise turned to her father after the man left.
“I have some things to tell you, Daddy,” she said. “Some clues I followed up this afternoon. Do you want to hear them?”
“By all means,” returned Mr. Gay.
“One thing I learned is that the gypsies stole those chickens. At least—the wife of the colored man who lives in back of Dark Cedars claims that they did.”
Mr. Gay smiled.