"How could you be so wicked as to steal my boy?" demanded Mrs. Fitch, with pardonable indignation, judging that Jasper was the kidnapper.
"I wouldn't have done it for five thousand dollars!" said Jasper, impetuously.
"He didn't 'teal me, mamma," said little Harry, coming opportunely to Jasper's defense.
"Who did, then, my darling?"
"It was big, ugly man. Jasper good boy—kind to Harry."
Mrs. Fitch, prompt to remedy her injustice, held out her hand to Jasper, which he took respectfully.
"Excuse me," she said; "but I thought, as Harry was with you, that you had been concerned in his kidnapping."
"I never saw him till this morning," said Jasper. "Chance drew me to a lonely house where he was confined."
"And you rescued him! How can I thank you?"
"I would have done so if I could, but I can't take the credit of it. Your husband offered a reward, which the kidnapper thought best to accept. He did not dare to bring him back himself, and having no one else to employ, asked me to become his agent in restoring him. Of course, I was very glad to do it."