"Lydia! Lydia! where are you?"
But no response came in Lydia's sweet voice, for at that moment the poor child was far away, hidden in a thick wood, and watched over by a wretch who threatened to kill her if she made the least outcry, so that she dared not utter a sound, although there was no stopping the tears that poured down her cheeks. The scoundrels had stolen both the money and the child, the beauty and grace of the latter being so marked that they coveted her for their own business, knowing well how strong an attraction she would be.
At this moment M. Sito, manager of the circus with whose animals Nalla and Steady had been stabled, happened along, and seeing that the children were in some grievous trouble, kindly inquired what was the matter, and if he could be of any assistance.
When Nadine apprised him of Lydia's mysterious disappearance he knitted his brows, and thought deeply for a moment. He had noted the pretty child, and had himself entertained the thought that she might easily be trained to be a great success in the circus, and knowing only too well how many evil characters there had been in the town during the fair, his quick intelligence carried him to the right conclusion.
But he would not let his suspicions be known to Nadine until they were confirmed. Adopting, therefore, an air of cheerful confidence, he said, patting Nadine encouragingly:
"Don't worry. Lydia is not far off. She has perhaps gone for a stroll through the streets and has lost her way. We will go and look for her, eh?"
Just then Cæsar returned accompanied by two gendarmes to whom Nadine at once addressed herself, explaining her great trouble as best she could in spite of the sobs that choked her utterance.
The brigadier, a tall handsome man, who had not, however, a good expression, twirled his superb mustache with a grand air as he said in a patronizing tone:
"Is it all true what you have been telling me? I give you warning that we gendarmes are not to be trifled with. It will go hard with you if you are making a great deal out of nothing. You assert that some one has taken away your little sister, and robbed you of all your money?"
"It is unhappily only too true," responded Nadine with a fresh burst of tears. "Won't you help us recover them? Oh! It is dreadful!"