"But now that I DO realise it," continued Zoie, earnestly, her fingers
on his lips, lest he again interrupt, "if you'll only have a little
patience with me, I'll--I'll----" again her eyes fell bashfully to the
coverlet, as she considered the possibility of being ultimately obliged
to replace the bogus twins with real ones.
"All the patience in the world," answered Alfred, little dreaming of the
problem that confronted the contrite Zoie.
"That's all I ask," declared Zoie, her assurance completely restored,
"and in case anything SHOULD happen to THESE----" she glanced anxiously
toward the door through which Aggie had borne the twins.
"But nothing is going to happen to these, dear," interrupted Alfred,
rising and again assuming an air of fatherly protection. "I'll attend
to that. There, there," he added, patting her small shoulder and nodding
his head wisely. "That crazy woman has got on your nerves, but you
needn't worry, I've got everything fixed. Donneghey sent a special
officer over with me. He's outside watching the house, now."
"Now!" shrieked Zoie, fixing her eyes on the bedroom door, through which
Jimmy had lately disappeared and wondering whether he had yet "slipped"
down the fire-escape.
"Yes," continued Alfred, walking up and down the floor with a masterly
stride. "If that woman is caught hanging around here again, she'll get a
little surprise. My boys are safe now, God bless them!" Then reminded of
the fact that he had not seen them since his return, he started quickly
toward the bedroom door. "I'll just have a look at the little rascals,"
he decided.
"No, dear," cried Zoie. She caught Alfred's arm as he passed the side of
her bed, and clung to him in desperation. "Wait a minute."
Alfred looked down at her in surprise.
She turned her face toward the door, and called lustily, "Aggie! Aggie!"
"What is it, dear?" questioned Alfred, thinking Zoie suddenly ill, "can
I get you something?"
Before Zoie was obliged to reply, Aggie answered her summons.
"Did you call?" she asked, glancing inquiringly into Zoie's distressed
face.
"Alfred's here," said Zoie, with a sickly smile as she stroked his hand
and glanced meaningly at Aggie. "He's GOT the OFFICER!"
"The OFFICER?" cried Aggie, and involuntarily she took a step backward,
as though to guard the bedroom door.
"Yes," said Alfred, mistaking Aggie's surprise for a compliment to his
resource; "and now, Aggie, if you'll just stay with Zoie for a minute
I'll have a look at my boys."