“Holy smoke!” Patsy interrupted. “I’ve got you.”
He darted away at top speed with the last in search of Margaret Hanson.
Nick already had turned, and was hurrying toward the distracted nurse, who still was seeking here and there like one bereft of her senses. Tears were streaming down her cheeks when the detective approached her and grasped her arm, saying firmly yet kindly:
“Come, come, my girl; calm yourself. What’s the trouble?”
“It’s Amy, sir,” moaned the girl. “I can’t find her.”
“You left her here?”
“Yes, sir, when I went to aid that woman. I told her to stay right here and tend the baby. Oh, I must find a policeman, and——”
“Stop a moment,” said Nick, detaining her. “I can do more than a policeman. I am a detective. Compose yourself, now, and tell me just what occurred. I will help you find the child. How old is she?”
Glancing sharply around, Nick had seen plainly that the child would be easily discovered unless she had strayed to a considerable distance, which was quite improbable in the short time the nurse had been absent. The circumstances,[Pg 5] moreover, already led him to suspect something far more serious.
Somewhat encouraged by his assurances, the nurse governed her agitation and hastened to reply.