"Let me git 'im, sheriff," Sandy thrust in. "I'd like the job, sir. Eh?"
"Mebbe I better myself. It's my duty to take him."
Tess smiled at the speaker and getting up moved a step toward him.
"Let me bring 'im, sir," she entreated. "I'll get 'im. Please let me!"
Charmed by her beauty and the sweetness of her voice, the sheriff glanced doubtfully from the frowning elder to the lawyer.
"Mebbe it isn't quite regular, but if Mr. Young says it'll be alright, I'm willing," he decided finally.
Young nodded, and Tess rose and started toward the stairs. Passing Sandy and Waldstricker, she had to draw aside her skirts to avoid touching them.
The dwarf, seated on the floor beside Boy, was mending a train of cars when Tessibel's white face appeared at the door.
"Andy," she said, trying to speak calmly. "Remember about the hands stronger'n Waldstricker's? Nobody can hurt you. But--but--"
At her hesitation the little man scrambled to his feet. He'd heard men's voices from the room below but had paid no particular attention. Now, he knew the long-dreaded calamity'd happened. He looked pitifully up at the speaker.
"They've come for me?" he gasped.
"Yes, dear, and you must go. But remember all the time, God's hands're stronger'n Waldstricker's," repeated Tess. "Nothing can hurt you.... Come, dear."
A few moments later, the three of them entered the living room, but stopped short at the sound of the elder's angry voice.
"I'll send you and your squatter woman to Auburn with him, if you don't look out," he said.
"Do what you please," snapped the lawyer.
Holding the dwarf's hand, Tess went directly to the sheriff.
"Here's Andy, sir," she faltered. "Be awful kind to him, please, sir. He's so little!"
Still dry-eyed and showing a quiet dignity, she stepped to Young's side while the sheriff adjusted the handcuffs to himself and to Andy and led him out into the sunshine.
At the door, Waldstricker allowed Letts to precede him, then turned.
Shaking his fist, he threatened, "I'll get you two, next."
"Very well," Young answered. "Do anything you like, only get out ... now."
The sound of retreating footsteps had hardly died away when Tess dropped into a chair and began to cry, the baby wailing in sympathy. Deforrest put his hands on her shoulders.
"There, there, Tess, you musn't do that! Dress yourself and Boy quickly. We're going to Auburn, too."