There was one more ordeal, and one more danger to run. The outer door was locked, but the key was in the lock. There was a creaking sound as Bob turned it. But he opened the door successfully, and once more they breathed freely in the clear air of morning. As the door opened they heard a muttered sound from Joe Springer. It sounded like "more whisky!" He was probably dreaming of his potations of the previous night.
Bob hurried along his two companions till they had reached a point some half a mile distant from the place of their imprisonment. Then he thought it best to question the little girl.
Little Maud's Escape from her Abductors.
"What is your name?" he asked, gently.
"Don't you know my name?" asked the child, in surprise. "My name is Maud."
"What is your other name?"
"Pearson—my name is Maud Lilian Pearson."
"Just as I thought, Clip," said Bob, triumphantly. "This is the little girl that was stolen from her parents in St. Louis."
"Yes; my papa lives in St. Louis. Will you take me to him?"