He stepped closer, softly.

“Jest a kid,” he added.

There was the sound of a controlled sob; her body quivered; and Carrigan knew that she was struggling with some great grief.

“Cinderella!” he called gently and touched her shoulder.

Her head turned. Two marvelously deep-blue eyes shone up to him. Her lower lip was trembling; but when she saw him she stiffened with astonishment.

“What do you want?” she asked.

“A beautiful girl, five feet five and a half, one hundred and twenty pounds.”

“Carrigan!” she stammered. “Is it really you?”

He dropped the bundle to the floor and turned slowly.

“Look me over.”