Before the woman could enter the room he met her and cut her short.
"I want you to go upstairs," he said, taking the market basket she carried from her.
She looked surprised.
"What for?"
"There was a sneak-thief around, and I want you to see if Mary lost anything."
"A thief? Did he get——"
"No, I didn't give him the chance."
The woman at once turned and went up the flight of stairs leading to the top floor. She had not seen Ferris, and the tall boy breathed a sigh of relief as he turned to listen to what Macklin had to say.
"We've got a good chance ter git him out o' der way."
"Out of the way?" whispered Ferris.