“I need your assistance,” he said. “Get me some strong cord or rope, so I may secure my birds. After that we will look further.
“I will get you the rope in a minute,” replied Joe, starting up the stairs.
It was prudent that she should move cautiously, expecting, as she did, that she was to find enemies in the house. But she had barely reached the top of the stairs before the well-known voice of Little Hickory came to her ears, sending a thrill of joy to her heart.
“Where is Joe?” he asked.
“Here!” she replied, bursting into the room; and regardless of the others present, she threw herself into his arms, sobbing:
“I am so glad you have come, Rob.”
“I hope nothing more has happened here to harm you, Joe. Dr. Menter got home this evening, and upon hearing of my predicament he would not rest until he had seen me. Then he called ’Squire Hardy out of his bed, and demanded my release in such terms that I was given up. But he has come with us. Thank him, Joe, for what we owe to him.”
Joe now saw that the genial doctor was present, and he stepped forward to grasp her hand. She also saw Larry, who was clasped in his mother’s arms. Besides these twain there were others present, whom she did not recognize in her joy, while she murmured her thanks to Dr. Menter for the kind assistance he had given Rob.
“I am his debtor still,” replied the physician. “I am glad I got home as I did. I wish I had been here before, for I might have saved you much suffering.”
Then Joe acted very queerly, as it seemed to the others, for she suddenly sprang back, exclaiming: