"And has the villain done so?"
"Partly, but he frequently follows me about when he gets the chance, and I do not like it."
"If he does so in the future I'll cowhide him," cried Horace Sumner. "But I have discovered his true character, and sent him off, and in the future I imagine he will not dare approach you."
"If he does not, I will be thankful, papa."
Horace Sumner passed his hand over his brow, and heaved a deep sigh.
"Everything seems to go wrong of late years," he said. "The disappearance of little Howard has undermined my whole prosperity."
"And you have given up looking for him?" questioned Laura.
"Yes. What is the use? I have had detectives on the case for years, and it has cost me thousands of dollars."
"And they have learned nothing?"
"Nothing further than that a man took the child to Philadelphia."