He was silent for a few seconds, and Mrs. Everest said, seriously, “What has this to do with Bethany?”
“Why, don’t you see, the child is his heir or heiress—sole heiress. The papers didn’t say anything about her. They merely stated that Hittaker was without other relatives. Now, as I figure it out, Smalley or some of his gang read that account with as much interest as I did. Some of them would know about Smith—Bethany’s father—having married Hittaker’s niece. I believe that on the strength of the old man’s meanness they are counting on the assurance that when he recovers from his knockdown blow he will be likely to seek Bethany out and leave his money to her rather than to charity.
“Well!” said Mrs. Everest, in astonishment. “Well, Barry Mafferty, you are a clever man.”
“Smalley is going to kidnap the little young one,” he went on, positively, “as sure as fate, and hold her for a ransom from the Judge and old Hittaker, so I’ve come to you to talk about it.”
“Why didn’t you go to the Judge?”
Barry wrinkled his forehead. “Upon my word, I don’t know, unless it is that I don’t believe I could bend him to my views as I think I can you and your husband, for I want you to consult him.”
“What do you think the Judge would do?” she asked.
“He’s a very straightforward man,” said Barry, thoughtfully. “He wouldn’t shilly-shally with fellows like Smalley. He’d run him out of town. Now, I’d like to catch him. There was a famous child-kidnapping case some time ago in New York. I believe Smalley was in it from something I read at the time, and beside that I’ve heard of him as a kidnapper. If we caught him red-handed now, this capture might throw light on the former case. Anyhow, I’d like to see Smalley shut up. It would be for his good.”
Mrs. Everest’s face had got very red, and Barry, seeing it, smiled in gratification. “I knew you would be with me,” he went on, “in trying to catch him. Anything about children appeals to you.”
Mrs. Everest tried to speak, but could not. Her voice was shaking with anger and emotion. “The vile wretch!” she ejaculated at last. “I hope the Lord will put some charity in my heart for him, but now I am so angry, so angry! To steal a little one—a mere baby!”