"I can be relied on for anything. Oh, Mr. Larkin, if you knew what I feel you wouldn't waste time asking these questions."
He answered very gently:
"Mrs. Price, I appreciate your feelings to the full, but this is a hazardous undertaking. You don't want to rush into it without realizing what it means. There is the question of money for example—the ransom. Your family is known for its wealth. You can be pretty certain that the parties you're dealing with will hold the child for a large sum."
Suzanne clasped her hands on her breast and the tears, brimming in her eyes, spilled over, falling in a trickle down her cheeks.
"Oh, what's money!" she wailed. "I'd give all the money I have, I've ever had, I ever thought of having, to get my baby back."
Larkin was moved. He looked away from that pitiful, quivering face and his voice showed a slight huskiness as he answered:
"Well, that's all right, Mrs. Price—and don't take it so hard, don't let your fears get the upper hand. There's no harm can come to her; it's to their interest to take care of her. If we do our part cleverly, follow their instructions and keep our heads, you'll have her back in no time." He stopped, arrested by a sudden thought. "I say 'we,' but maybe I'm presupposing too much. Was it your intention to ask for my assistance?"
She dashed her tears away and leaned forward in eager urgence:
"Of course—that's why I came. And you will give it—you will? The letter says it has to be some one having no ties or interests with the family—some one I could trust. I couldn't think of any one at first, and then when I remembered you it was like an inspiration. Oh, you must do it—I'll pay you anything if you will."
Larkin's face satisfied her; she dropped back with a moan of relief.