thinks she may do the same."

"Then she did do that,--and she dropped her,--and maybe killed her!"

Elise voiced her new theory with a fresh burst of grief, and the idea
struck a chill to Patty's heart. She took no stock in the kidnapping
theory, for Winnie had left the child with Azalea, who would have fought
off a horde of marauders before she let them carry off the little one.
No, whatever had happened was doubtless Azalea's doing. But Elise's
notion of an accident to Fleurette might come somewhere near the truth.

"Of course that's it," Elise went on, excitedly. "The idea of a girl
throwing a baby about! What did she do, Winnie? I mean did she let go
of her?"

"Oh, yes, ma'am! She often would throw Fleurette clear up in the air
and catch her as she came down."

"She _is_ athletic," conceded Patty. "Over at the Gales' gymnasium she
does all sorts of stunts. But I don't want her doing them with my baby!"
she broke down, and cried piteously.

"Sometimes," vouchsafed Winnie, "Miss Azalea would toss the baby into
the bassinette, instead of laying her down. She always pitched her
straight in,--and baby liked it! You see, Miss Thorpe was very gentle
with the child, and never missed her aim. But I was fair frightened to
watch her."

"You ought not to have allowed it, Winnie," Patty said, severely. "Why
didn't you tell me, if you couldn't make Miss Thorpe stop it?"

"Miss Thorpe told me you wanted her to do it, ma'am. She said it
was good exercise for the child, and,--you know her father does
it,--and,--begging your pardon,--Miss Thorpe is even more skilful
than Mr. Farnsworth."

"Well,--it's his baby!" defended Patty. "Oh, Winnie, suppose an accident
did happen,--and Miss Thorpe hurt Fleurette in some dreadful way,--and--"

"And ran away, in sheer fright!" suggested Elise.

"No: she'd be more likely to run to the doctor's. Our doctor lives near
here. I'm going to telephone him--I'm 'most sure Azalea would do that."

Doctor Marsh was not in, but his office boy said he had not had any call
from Azalea by telephone or in person.

Patty was quite calm now. Her efficient self had risen to the emergency
and she was quickly considering what was best to do.

"I'm going to telephone Bill," she said, as if thinking aloud,--"but
first, I'm going to call up the Gales, and see if Zaly could have taken
Fleurette over there. You know Azalea is utterly lawless,--it's
impossible to imagine what she will do. Oh, Elise, you'v