t, and
patted her shoulder condescendingly.

"Control yourself, my dear," he said. "Control yourself; I'll get
your babies for you--trust me, I'll get them. And then," he added with
parting emphasis from the doorway, "I'll SETTLE WITH JIMMY!"

By uncovering one eye, Jimmy could now perceive that Zoie and Aggie
were engaged in a heated argument at the opposite side of the room. By
uncovering one ear he learned that they were arranging a line of action
for him immediately upon his reappearance. He determined not to wait for
the details.

Fixing himself cautiously on all fours, and making sure that he was
well covered by the pink comforter, he began to crawl slowly toward the
bedroom door.

Turning away from Aggie with an impatient exclamation, Zoie suddenly
beheld what seemed to her a large pink monster with protruding claws
wriggling its way hurriedly toward the inner room.

"Look!" she screamed, and pointing in horror toward the dreadful
creature now dragging itself across the threshold, she sank fainting
into Aggie's outstretched arms.

CHAPTER XXX

Having dragged the limp form of her friend to the near-by couch, Aggie
was bending over her to apply the necessary restoratives, when Alfred
returned in triumph. He was followed by the officer in whose arms were
three infants, and behind whom was the irate O'Flarety, the hysterical
Italian woman, and last of all, Maggie.

"Bring them all in here, officer," called Alfred over his shoulder.
"I'll soon prove to you whose babies those are." Then turning to Aggie,
who stood between him and the fainting Zoie he cried triumphantly,
"I've got them Aggie, I've got them." He glanced toward the empty bed.
"Where's Zoie?" he asked.

"She's fainted," said Aggie, and stepping from in front of the young
wife, she pointed toward the couch.

"Oh, my darling!" cried Alfred, with deep concern as he rushed to Zoie
and began frantically patting her hands. "My poor frightened darling!"
Then he turned to the officer, his sense of injury welling high within
him, "You see what these people have done to my wife? She's fainted."
Ignoring the uncomplimentary remarks of O'Flarety, he again bent over
Zoie.

"Rouse yourself, my dear," he begged of her. "Look at me," he pleaded.
"Your babies are safe."

"HER babies!" snorted O'Flarety, unable longer to control his pent up
indignation.

"I'll let you know when I want to hear from you," snarled the officer to
O'Flarety.

"But they'r