“Why?”
“Because we have enemies who are going to take you from us. There, don’t look frightened, but we are afraid of your cousin.”
“How can he take me if I do not want to go?” asked Nellie.
“The law might say that you should go,” answered Tom.
“I’d like to hear them say that I was to leave you and Biddy.”
“Tom, now don’t scare that child. You’re not going from us; get on your things, for you and Tom are to go before me.”
Hardly had these words escaped from Biddy’s lips before there was a knock at the door, and the Irishwoman saw the red face of her cousin peeping in at the door.
“You nasty spalpeen,” cried she, trying to make a grab for his head, “what are youse doing here? Get out wid youse.”
“I have some friends with me, Biddy, calling upon Mr. Cooper, and the pretty young lady.”
“Nellie, will you go in the bedroom, dear?” asked Tom, but the detective raised his hand.