Still Tom was not going to give up so easily. He shouted to Koku, and when the giant joined him and when Eradicate had come shuffling out the three began a hurried search around the house for the secret listener.
“Well, I guess he got away,” sighed Tom. He was greatly disappointed when it was evident that no one was to be caught.
“He suah has,” agreed Eradicate.
“What sort of man was it?” asked Tom. “I suppose it was a man, Rad, and not a woman?”
“Oh, yes, Massa Tom! It suah was a man aw right! An’ he was a sorta big man, but stoopin’ ober like, leanin’ down an’ tryin’ to look under de window shade.”
“Why didn’t you jump on him, Rad?”
“Dat’s jest what I was tryin’ to sneak up an’ do, Massa Tom. But I done sneezed jest when I got by de piazzy, an’ he done hears me an’ jumps away.”
“By golly! I cotch him ef I been dar!” cried the giant. “I take ’um in my two hands—so. I squoze ’urn—so!”
Truly there would have been but little chance for the trespasser had Koku got his hands on him.
“Ha! Ha!” chuckled Eradicate. “He go so fast, Giant, dat he make you look like a worm crawlin’ along!”