“If anything happens to the child, the man responsible for it would better never been born—I'll pursue him with undiminished energy from this moment forth!” he panted.
“What could happen to him, Price?” asked Mahaffy.
“God knows, poor little lad!”
“Will you shut up!” cried Mahaffy savagely.
“Solomon!”
“Why do you go building on that idea? Why should any one harm him—what earthly purpose—”
“I tell you, Solomon, we are the pivotal point in a vast circle of crime. This is a blow at me—this is revenge, sir, neither more nor less! They have struck at me through the boy, it is as plain as day.”
“What did the overseer say?”
“Just that they found Miss Malroy gone from Belle Plain this morning, and the boy with her.”
“This is like you, Price! How do you know they haven't spent the night at some neighbor's?”