“Now what are you doing way out here in the woods?” Bob asked, as soon as the child had calmed sufficiently to answer.
“Baby no way off,” the child sobbed. “Baby live back there,” and the chubby arms pointed in the direction in which Bob had been going.
“Did you run away?” Bob asked kindly.
“Baby no run way. Bad mans come in house. Hurt my mama,” the child sobbed.
Instantly Bob was on the qui vive.
“Is the man there now?” he asked quickly.
“Yeth, he hurt my mama,” the child repeated.
“How many bad men are there?” he asked.
“One man—two.” The baby gulped down its sobs.
“Better not take any chances,” Bob muttered, as he retraced his steps as quickly as possible to where Rex and Jack were sleeping.