The question was asked of Waldstricker, who lifted his shoulder with a long breath. "Yes," he replied. "I've a little plan to get hold of Bishop! I'm certain sooner or later he'll land back here among his own people. If I can whet their appetites with money, they'll turn him over the moment he appears." "No doubt," observed Young. "But the Skinners--What have the Skinners to do with him?" Waldstricker thought a moment, inhaling the smoke the while. "The girl, Tessibel, who sings at church might be of great assistance to me," he said presently. "How?" interjected Deforrest. "Why, she goes among the squatters daily and would be likely to know if Bishop sneaked into any of their huts. If I can interest her in the reward--I've an idea she'll be of service to me." "Perhaps," responded Young, in a meditative manner. Waldstricker looked at Helen smilingly. "I think I started to give you an account of what happened yesterday," he said. "Did I tell you I came to see you, dear?" Helen sat down and resumed her work. "Yes, Ebenezer, but I was out!" she smilingly nodded. "I'm so sorry. If I'd known, I wouldn't have gone to town!" "It didn't matter at all." Then he laughed, coloring a little. "Of course, I always hate missing you." A loving look passed between the two, and Waldstricker proceeded, "But as long as I was here, I thought I'd speak to Skinner. On the way down the hill I met his daughter coming up. Rather startling personality, that girl! But she's woefully ignorant!" "She hasn't had much chance, poor little thing," excused Helen. "She really has a beautiful voice, though." "So I've noticed on Sundays." "And she studies every minute," Professor Young thrust in, "and is so eager to learn; she's advanced amazingly!" He laughed in a reminiscent manner. "One day," he proceeded, much amused, "she ran up the hill after me. I didn't notice her until she was at my side, all out of breath. 'Well, some little girl's been running,' I said." "I want to learn things," she panted. "Then I asked, 'What things?' and she answered, 'Oh, all about readin' and writin' and the things big rich folks know. If I had books, I'd learn 'em too.' ... Naturally I bought the books." "Naturally," laughed Waldstricker. "Well, I stopped to ask where she was going and if her father was at home. Then she told me that she was on her way to a seeress, Mother Moll, she called her, wasn't it?" "Yes," assented Young, nodding his head. "The old woman lives on the north side of the gully." Waldstricker bent forward and pursued. "I went into the hut with the girl." He stopped and his lip took an upward curve. "The old hag tells fortunes from a pot, a steaming pot full of boiling water, I think." Here he turned suddenly on Deforrest. "That's got to stop, Young. It's against the Bible, prophesying and the like."