“Now, dearie, don’t get excited,” soothed the woman in accents that only made Freda worry more. “It will be all right. I sent for you to come here because I wanted to have a chance to talk to you alone. Now if you’ll sit down——”
“What do you mean?” asked Freda, quickly. “I don’t know you. What do you want?”
“Just to have a little talk with you. I thought it better to take this means than to go to your house. Sit down. You and your mother are trying to establish a claim to some property; aren’t you?”
“Yes, that is well known. But what do you——”
“Never mind about that. I will tell you all in due time. Have you any papers to prove your claim?”
“Any papers?” asked Freda, suspiciously.
“Yes—deeds, mortgages or the like. I have studied law, and I may be able to help you. I have had experience in many disputed claims.”
“We don’t know where——” Freda was about to say that they did not know where the papers were, when she thought better of it. Was it right to confide thus in a stranger?
“Now, dearie, tell me everything,” said the woman. “You can trust me. Or, better still, if you will come with me to the country hotel where I am stopping we will not be disturbed. Better come with me,” and in her eagerness she caught Freda by the arm.
“No, no! I’ll not go!” gasped the girl. “I want to find my mother. Who are you, and why do you ask me these questions? Did you send me that false message? What was your purpose in so deceiving me?”