“Possibly they were told that if they did not keep quiet something would happen to the girls,” added Roger. He closed his teeth with a snap. “Oh, I just wish I had my hands on those rascals!”
“It’s maddening, isn’t it, Roger, to stand around here and not be able to do anything?” groaned Dave. In his mind’s eye he could picture the misery endured by Jessie and his sister while they were being held captives.
At last the train for Crumville came in, and they lost no time in jumping on board.
“Thank heaven, we are on the last leg of this journey!” breathed Roger, as they settled down in a seat.
“Right you are, Roger!” answered Dave.
But then their faces grew exceedingly thoughtful. What dire news might await them at their journey’s end?
CHAPTER XIX
THE DEMAND FOR MONEY
“Oh, what shall we do—what shall we do?”
It was Mrs. Wadsworth who uttered the words. She sat in the luxuriously furnished living room of the Wadsworth mansion, wringing her hands while the tears stood on her cheeks. In front of her was the rich jewelry manufacturer, pacing up and down and biting his lip in deep thought.
“Don’t take it so hard, Alice, my dear,” said the husband in a husky voice. “It’ll come out all right—I am sure it will.”