Neither spoke for some moments. Then Cora said:
"It was someone in the hall, but the person has gone down the stairs."
"I wonder who it could be? Lena would come in."
"Perhaps that little, frowsy Christine. She seems to stay out of nights. I heard her last night when you were sleeping. I really think she came in very late, crept upstairs, and then I am sure she tried this door."
"She did! Why did you not call me?"
"Well, I was positive it was she, and I did not want to make trouble.
You see she has been listening again."
"She belongs to another tribe and has only come here lately," said Helka. "I have always suspected she was sent to spy on me. If it were not just to-night—this very night—I would call her to an account."
"If the child is under orders," intervened Cora, "you can scarcely trust her to do otherwise than spy. But what do they want to know about you that they cannot readily find out?"
"You could scarcely understand it dear. We have rival tribes, and they each want me—or my money."
"There is another step! There seems to be so many noises to-night."