"We've got to do something about that child, Ogden. He's been worrying uncle Peter again, and I'm not going to have it. I warned him once that, if he did it again, awful things would happen to him, but he didn't believe me. I suppose, Jerry--what sort of a man is your friend, Mr. Smethurst?" "Do you mean Smithers, Miss Ann?" "I knew it was either Smithers or Smethurst. The dog man, I mean. Is he a man you can trust?" "With my last buck. I've known him since we were kids." "I don't mean as regards money. I am going to send Ogden to him for treatment, and I want to know if I can rely on him to help me." "For the love of Mike." Jerry Mitchell, after an instant of stunned bewilderment, was looking at her with worshipping admiration. He had always known that Miss Ann possessed a mind of no common order, but this, he felt, was genius. For a moment the magnificence of the idea took his breath away. "Do you mean that you're going to kidnap him, Miss Ann?" "Yes. That is to say, _you_ are--if I can persuade you to do it for me." "Sneak him away and send him to Bud Smithers' dog-hospital?" "For treatment. I like Mr. Smithers' methods. I think they would do Ogden all the good in the world." Jerry was enthusiastic. "Why, Bud would make him part-human. But, say, isn't it taking big chances? Kidnapping's a penitentiary offence." "This isn't that sort of kidnapping." "Well, it's mighty like it." "I don't think you need be afraid of the penitentiary. I can't see aunt Nesta prosecuting, when it would mean that she would have to charge us with having sent Ogden to a dogs' hospital. She likes publicity, but it has to be the right kind of publicity. No, we do run a risk, but it isn't that one. You run the risk of losing your job here, and I should certainly be sent to my grandmother for an indefinite sentence. You've never seen my grandmother, have you, Jerry? She's the only person in the world I'm afraid of! She lives miles from anywhere and has family prayers at seven-thirty sharp every morning. Well, I'm ready to risk her, if you're ready to risk your job, in such a good cause. You know you're just as fond of uncle Peter as I am, and Ogden is worrying him into a breakdown. Surely you won't refuse to help me, Jerry?" Jerry rose and extended a calloused hand. "When do we start?" Ann shook the hand warmly. "Thank you, Jerry. You're a jewel. I envy Maggie. Well, I don't think we can do anything till they come back from England, as aunt Nesta is sure to take Ogden with her." "Who's going to England?" "Uncle Peter and aunt Nesta were talking just now of sailing to try and persuade a young man named Crocker to come back here." "Crocker? Jimmy Crocker? Piccadilly Jim?" "Yes. Why, do you know him?" "I used to meet him sometimes when he was working on the _Chronicle_ here. Looks as if he was cutting a wide swathe in dear old London. Did you see the paper to-day?"