The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1915-08-12
CHAPTER XVII,

And that was almost the last thing
that Freddie's vaguely working mind
expected her to say. "She,' he
thought, Ought to be afraid of me. I
am a man; she is a girl. 1 have a
club; she hasn't. I am to take her
to Sweetzer, dead or alive. l can
crack her head like an egg. So why
does she tell me not to be afraid?
Why does she say she won't hurt me?
Maybe she's got a gun. Maybe she
knows something."
All the while her magnificent, COM
passionate eyes held him spellbound.
He heard something fall heavily to
the floor. He looked to see what t
was. It was his club. He tried to
pick it up, but seemed to lack the
necessary muscular control.
What's your name?" asked
Celestial.
Freddie Douglas
do you belong in this house?"
Eyes, ma'am."
Then we must be friends, because
[ belong here, too
you going to live with us?"
Celestial nodded.
Honor bright?" asked Freddie sus-
piciously.
1t was then no longer necessary for
Freddie to take sudden action. If
Celestial was going to live on in the
same house it would be a simple mat
ter at some more propitious moment
when she wasn't looking at a fellow,
for instance) to turn her over to
Sweetzer.
Nevertheless, it seemed to Freddie
that the matter required thought, and
he skunk off to think. 1t required time
and luck. He had less good luck at
thinking than at anything else.
His proposition was this: Sweetzer
had paid a thousand dollars for
Celestial and had lost her. He had
said to Freddie in effect, "Get her
back There's money in It" How
much money was there in it? Sup
pose there was so much, how could
Freddie turn it into more? Probably
Mrs Baxter would also pay money
to know what had become of Celestia.
Freddie knew that his father needed
more money to pay the rent, and the
bright spots in his brain began to
work
First he went to Sweetzer.
WELL" said Sweetzer.
Il shouldn't wonder" said Freddie,
"if I was going to find her. I got
a clue
Good"
How much money is there in it"
"A dollar
So
smile, turned on his heel and started
to walk away.
Hold on, Freddie; 1 was kiddin'
you"
You mustn't kid me. 1t drives me
crazy. 1 shouldn't wonder if I could
find her for"-his lips trembled at
their own audacity-" fifty
SWeetzer's face did not even show
surprise.
You take me where she is" he
said, and I'll go you the fifty.
A dull spot on Freddie's brain tried
to make him say "All right, come
along" but bright spot suddenly
interviewed and made him say instead:
All right, find her sure"
Next Freddie went to Mrs. Bakers
HO141e. "A LdXlCdD Was UIdWA UP wv |
the curb and the front door was aJar'
Freddie simply walked into the mousse
There were voices in the front par
Tor. Freddie simply stepped to the
portieres, which served the front par
lor as a door, and stood, listening.
SO help me God, l have told the
truth" Mrs. Baxter was saying, ana
freddie judged she was crying.
SO help me Gawd-Mister-M1 mister
what did you say your name was"
Barclay"
Mr., Barclay, 1 wouldn't worry If
was you. She came to no harm with
me, and I'm as bad as they make EN-
Look here" said Tommy. "What
would you do in my placer"
Id offer big money for news of her.
Money acts quicker than lightning.
Why" said Tommy, "I'd give a
thousand dollars just to know that
She was SAFE"
freddie, the ferret, stepped into the
'oom from between the portieres.
she's safe!" he said, with fine
dramatic instinct
Safe!" cried Tommy. where is
sue? You've seen her? Who is this
Young MANI"
Hes called Freddie the Ferret,
e~1d Mrs. Baxter, because he often
LUIS things that other people cang.