ade a detour by way of the kitchen, and adjoining
the kitchen was the "cold closet," which was the refuge they sought,
and where already were stored some of the Christmas goodies. This
closet had but one door and a securely shuttered window, and once the
door was gained by the pursuer she would have the small miscreants in
a trap. This she had seen and this it was which had given her that
triumphant expression.

The captain also gained the pantry door just after it had closed
behind Mrs. Benton and her prisoners, and to her repeated request to
be admitted, received the enigmatical answer:

"Time enough when I've pumped these little cisterns dry."

"Are the children in there with you?"

"Certain."

"You won't hurt them, will you? Please don't punish them to-day. I
can't bear it."

To which the grim jailer responded:

"You go along back to 'Forty-niner,' Jessie darlin, and be happy.
We're all mighty comfortable in here and lots of good victuals, if so
be we get hungry. Plenty to drink, too, for I just brought in a crock
of fresh water to cool my eggs in. I've got my knittin' work and am as
happy as an oyster. Go back, for I ain't ready to talk yet. When I am
I'll come out and bring these naughty children with me."

So Jessica returned to her old friend's side; and in listening to his
talk about the hospital and the friends she had made there for
herself, as well as about Mr. Ninian Sharp and the lawyer, Morris
Hale, the evening quickly passed and bedtime came.

When the ranch mistress rose to say good-night, she went to the still
closed door of the closet, and asked:

"Aren't you coming out now, Aunt Sally?"

The old lady opened the door and pointed complacently to a distant
corner of the roomy apartment where, upon a pile of soft blankets that
had been stored within, lay the two little boys, sound asleep and the
picture of innocent comfort.

"There, Gabriella, you see they're all right. I wouldn't hurt a hair
of their bonny heads, not for another ranch as fine as this one.
But here them and me stay till I worm the truth out of 'em about
that candy and that magic staff. Where that candy come from that
there staff has gone. You hear me and believe me. Oh, I know what I
know! Good-night. Don't you worry. Me and them is all right, as I
said, and my head's level. I went to sleep a-watchin' t'other
time, but I shan't this. There's more in my mind than nonsense. This
chair is as comfortable as a lounge. I slippe