"Clip," he said, "I think the little girl has been stolen from her home. I think it is the same one we heard about the other day."
"I pity de poor girl. De ol' woman shook her, and treated her bad."
"If we could only run away from this place and take the little girl with us, it would be a capital idea. I would like to get her away from these wretches."
"I'm wid you, Massa Bob," said Clip, enthusiastically.
"Hush!" said Bob, suddenly raising his finger.
A little girl's voice was heard, and it was easy to judge that she was ascending the stairs.
Bob put his ear to the keyhole.
"Take me home to my papa!" said the poor child. "I don't want to stay here."
"I'll whip you," said a harsh voice, "if you are not good. It's time little girls were a-bed. I'm going to put you to bed, and you can sleep till morning."
"I don't want to go to bed."