"You ARE in prison, my dear," returned the now irrepressible Alfred. "A
prison of love--you and our precious boys." He stooped and implanted a
gracious kiss on her forehead, then turned toward the table for his hat.
"Now," he said, "I'll just run around the corner, set up the drinks for
the boys, and bring the officer home with me," and drawing himself up
proudly, he cried gaily in parting, "I'll bet there's not another man in
Chicago who has what I have to-night."
"I hope not," groaned Zoie. as the door closed behind him. Then,
thrusting her two small feet from beneath the coverlet and perching on
the side of the bed, she declared to Aggie that "Alfred was getting more
idiotic every minute."
"He's worse than idiotic," corrected Aggie. "He's getting dangerous. If
he gets the police around here before we give that baby back, they'll
get the mother. She'll tell all she knows and that will be the end of
Jimmy!"
"End of Jimmy?" exclaimed Zoie, "it'll be the end of ALL of us."
"I can see our pictures in the papers, right now," groaned Aggie. "Jimmy
will be the villain."
"Jimmy IS a villain," declared Zoie. "Where is he? Why doesn't he come
back? How am I ever going to get that other twin?"
"There is only one thing to do," decided Aggie, "I must go for it
myself." And she snatched up her cape from the couch and started toward
the door.
"You?" cried Zoie, in alarm, "and leave me alone?"
"It's our only chance," argued Aggie. "I'll have to do it now, before
Alfred gets back."
"But Aggie," protested Zoie, clinging to her departing friend, "suppose
that crazy mother should come back?"
"Nonsense," replied Aggie, and before Zoie could actually realise what
was happening the bang of the outside door told her that she was alone.