* * * * *
Everett went forth from the interview discomfited, but none the less firm in his evil purpose. Only a few days later, when Lem Crabbe's scow was slowly making its way from Ithaca to Tarrytown, habeas corpus papers were served upon Horace Shellington to produce the twins in court and to give reasons why they should not be given to their father.
Horace held a consultation with Ann, and it was decided that they should appeal to the court for time, procuring a doctor's certificate to prove that Floyd was too ill even to know of the proceedings. This having been done, it placed an unlooked-for stay upon Everett Brimbecomb; but he secured a court order instructing the sheriff to guard the children at the Shellington home until the boy was well enough to be taken out. So, a deputy was stationed in the house.
* * * * *
In the meantime Lon watched eagerly for the coming of Lem. When at last he espied the scow fastened in its accustomed place, he went down to carry the news to the owner. After explaining the matter as far as it had gone, he ventured: "Lem, be ye carin' for Flea yet?"
"Why?" demanded Lem suspiciously.
"'Cause we can make some money outen her, if ye gives up yer claim on her."
"Ye mean to sell her?"
Lem's words sounded hoarse as he wheezed them out.
"'Tain't sellin' her," explained Lon. "A whollopin' good-lookin' feller wants her, and he says he'll buy yer off and give me money fer her. Will ye do it, Lem?"
"Nope, I won't! I want her myself. I been waiting long 'nough fer her."
"But wouldn't ye ruther have a pocketful of money? I would, I bet ye!"
"Lon, be ye goin' to do me dirt?" asked Lem darkly.
Lon straightened his shoulders.
"Nope, I told him ye had to be buyed off, afore I could say nothin'. But I thought ye liked money, Lem."
"So I do; but I like Flea better. I helped ye get 'em when they were babies, Lon, and ye said--"
Cronk flung out his arms.
"I said as how ye wasn't to mention aloud, even to me, that the kids wasn't mine. Ye has Flea, if ye say so, and I'll tell the lawyer--"
"Be it that good-lookin' feller what ye give the fifty dollars to what wants Flea?" Cronk nodded. "I thought ye wouldn't let me marry her," Lem cried, "and now ye be goin'--"