“For what?” Captain Tucker asked, puzzled.
“Hair.”
Joe, conscious only of the stale stench of the room, marveled that his uncle could detect the smell of soap. He poked into the corners. Petey, lounging in the doorway, watched the search narrowly.
“What’s this bird been pulling, Cap?”
“Kidnaping,” Captain Tucker threw at him.
Petey went white. “So help me, Cap. I’m out of it. You ain’t got a thing on me. Take my oath. I ain’t touching nothing like that. Who’d he snatch?”
There was no answer. Lady, pawing, had brought a ball of paper out from under the bureau. Captain Tucker opened the wad.
“Hair,” he said.
“There’s blood, too,” Joe cried.
The blind man whistled soundlessly. “A shaved off mustache and a cut lip.”