“An’ she jus’ doted on dat w’ite chile, Dorky did. Who could ’a’ done it?” persisted the amazed negro.
“We are going to see. Hurry, now, and put the bays to the barouche, and bring it around to the door.”
“Is me or Uncle Pompous to dribe?”
“You. Hasten!”
“Nebber heard ob sich a fing in all my born days! Man to steal a w’ite chile? Wot ebber any man want ’long ob a chile wot don’t ’long to him passes me. Trouble ’nuff wid dem we has to ’vide fo’,” muttered Puck to himself as he ran away to do his errands.
Miss Fronde passed into the house, went upstairs, put on her bonnet, mantle and gloves, covered Ducky Darling’s little curly black head with one of Owlet’s hats, and came down, leading the child, into the hall, where she found the two gentlemen ready, and waiting for her.
The carriage was at the door. They entered it, Mr. Merritt lifting the little darky to a seat beside her mistress, and were soon on their way.
An hour’s rapid drive brought them to the village.
They drew up before the Goeberlin House, where Mr. Merritt got out to make inquiries concerning the suspected man, who, if he stopped any time in the little town, must have put up there, as it was the only hotel of any sort in the place.
He entered the office to interview the clerk, while Roma remained with her companions in the carriage, anxiously awaiting the result of the lawyer’s investigation.