As the passengers alighted he recognized Amos Bangs in the crowd. The rich manufacturer looked around anxiously, and presently caught sight of Mrs. Bangs, who had come to meet him in a carriage. Randy slipped out of sight.

 

"Well?" demanded Amos Bangs, as soon as he and his wife were together.

 

"Oh, Amos!" the woman cried, and could not go on.

 

"Is that all you can say, Viola?" demanded the husband, harshly.

 

"I can do nothing with the girl."

 

"And she knows where the papers are?"

 

"She does."

 

"How did it happen?"

 

"When Mr. Tuller called upon me she played the eavesdropper². She saw us open the safe and take out the papers, and when I went and hid the papers she followed me."

 

"But you said you were sure nobody knew where the papers were."

 

"I thought so at the time, but I was mistaken."

 

"How did it come out?"

 

"The girl did not sweep and dust the parlor³ to suit me, and I took her to task about it. She threw down her broom and said she would take no words from me. Then I told her to pack her trunk and leave the house. She grew more impertinent than ever, and said she would go, but I would have to pay her her wages regularly anyway. I asked what she meant. Then she told me to go and look for the papers I had hidden."

 

"And they were gone?"

 

"Yes. I was so overcome I nearly fainted," and Mrs. Bangs's face showed her deep concern.

 

"What next?"

 

"I went back to the girl and told her she must give the papers up or I would have her arrested. She laughed in my face. Oh, Amos, think of that horrid⁴ creature doing that!"

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