in the two pictures, told how she had
punished Rosanna.

When she had finished, Mrs. Hargrave spoke. "I don't see how you will
ever forgive yourself."

"I couldn't bear to have her grow up rough and coarse like so many of
these modern children. I wanted to keep her away from all lowering
influences."

"Fiddle-dee-_dee_!" said Mrs. Hargrave, beating a tiny hand on the arm
of her chair. "Fiddle-dee-dee and fiddle_sticks_ with your 'lowering
influences'! What did you do but leave her to her own thoughts and no
one to talk to but a stiff old woman and a houseful of servants? Well,
you have done it! What are you doing to find her?"

"I have put it in the hands of the police, and they have an extra shift
of detectives searching the city." Mrs. Horton trembled so she could
scarcely speak.

"Detectives, yes!" said Mrs. Hargrave. "Walking around the alley, two
and two, looking for all the little girls with long, black curls. That's
about all _that_ will do for you. Have you called Minnie?"

"I don't know where she lives," parried Mrs. Horton.

"Well, I _do_!" said Mrs. Hargrave.

She hurried to the telephone, and after a moment returned. "She will be
right over," she said.

"That does not seem necessary," said Mrs. Horton. She dreaded to see
Minnie.

"It does to me," said Mrs. Hargrave. She softened a little. "Now, my
dear," she said, "you are not able to carry this thing through alone. A
frightful thing has happened, and it is likely that we may never see our
little Rosanna again." She choked back the tears. "Have you spoken to
Mr. Culver?"

"Who is he?" asked Mrs. Horton. "The name sounds familiar."

"It ought to!" said Mrs. Hargrave. "A splendid fellow--your chauffeur."

"I thought his name was Carver," said Mrs. Horton. "You all write so
badly. No, I have not seen him; he is the cause, or part of the cause of
this dreadful affair."

"Not so much as I am if you are going to look at it like that," said
Mrs. Hargrave. "Next to Rosanna, his daughter is the nicest little girl
I ever saw. I am going to do something for her some day, and I will
thank you, my dear, not to abuse her. Now I want you to send for John.
_I_ want to see him if you don't."

"I think the police captain saw him," said Mrs. Horton.

"Shall I ring that bell or will you?" demanded her friend.

Mrs. Horton rose.

"Send for the chauffeur," she ordered the house boy.

"I think they's gone, ma'am," he said.

"Well, you run as fast as ever