Nancy drew back with a shudder. "I hope she isn't much hurt," she faltered.
"'Urt?" repeated Joe indignantly. "It's me wot's 'urt, not 'er. Got 'er teeth in while I was tyin' 'er up an' 'alf gnawed me blinkin' thumb off!" He rummaged in his pocket, and, after a moment's search, produced a stray length of cord.
"What are you going to do?" asked Nancy.
"Tack her feet together and lock 'er in the room," was the answer. "I'm goin' over this 'ouse from top to bottom, an'——"
"Look! Look!" With a horrified expression in her face Nancy was pointing down toward the floor. Joe's eyes followed the direction of her finger, and a sudden oath escaped his lips.
"Blood!" he cried. "An' wet blood, too!"
He stepped into the room, and, snatching up the candlestick from the table, hurried back with it into the passage.
"Do you see?" whispered Nancy. "There's a trail of it—all along up to the door." She put her hand to her breast and fought back the numbing fear that seemed to be clutching at her heart.
With blazing eyes Joe turned on the prostrate woman.
"You she-devil!" he roared, shaking his fist. "If any 'arm's come to the doctor through you an' your filthy mates, I'll rip the skin off all three of yer."