“I’m afraid there’s no honor among thieves,” Doris observed dryly.
“If only we had back the money we gave away!” Iris said regretfully. “We need it so badly.”
“How much did you give the rascal?” Jake asked bluntly.
“Nearly eight hundred dollars in all. Only yesterday we went to the bank and drew out five hundred. It was practically our last cent.”
Jake crossed over to the swindler and jerked him roughly out of the chair into which he had slumped. Quickly he went through his pockets and brought out a fat billfold. From this he extracted a number of bills which he placed upon the table.
Eagerly Azalea and Iris counted the money. In all it came to five hundred and fifty-two dollars.
“I’m afraid that’s all you’ll get back,” Jake told them. “He’s likely spent the rest.”
“It’s better than losing everything,” Azalea declared gratefully, “and we have our bonds which we can sell.”
“What do you want done with these birds?” Jake next asked. “I have a private grudge with Jeffery so he’s going to jail, but you can do what you please with the other two, for all of me.”
Azalea and Iris looked doubtfully at each other, and the Sullys, observing their indecision, began to plead for their freedom.