Mrs. Dainty leaned over Aunt Charlotte's chair, and together they read the hastily pencilled note.
"Dear Aunt Charlotte:--I guess you remember Sue, I've forgotten what her other name is, but she's the girl that worked for Uncle Steve, and was so good to me when I was sick. She called to-day, and says my aunt is sick and thinks she _must_ see me, and you needn't think I'm stolen, because Uncle Steve is dead, so he couldn't steal me again.
"My aunt doesn't live in the city. Sue meant to ask you if I could go, but you were away, and she said I ought to go so I did. I'll be right home as soon as my aunt has told me what Sue says she's _got_ to tell.
"The dear child has not told us _where_ her aunt lives, only that she is _not_ in the city. What are we to do?"
Aunt Charlotte's face was pale as she asked the question, and the hand which held the note shook so that the bit of paper rustled like a leaf as it lay against her silk gown.
"We can do nothing to-night," Mrs. Dainty replied, "but to-morrow at daybreak the search must commence. I try to find comfort in the fact that the girl, Sue, seemed to be honest, and certainly she was straightforward if she intended to ask us if she might take Nancy to her aunt, and to insist that she write a note explaining her absence."
"I am sure that the girl's intentions are honest, but I am _not_ so sure of the woman who sent her to get Nancy. Steve Ferris is dead, but while it was he who once stole Nancy, it was his wife who helped him to keep her. I am frightened, and I can not believe that she has sent for her only for the pleasure of seeing her."
Mrs. Dainty turned quickly to see if Dorothy had heard what Aunt Charlotte had said, but Dorothy was questioning the maid to learn when she had last seen Nancy. Aunt Charlotte's words, which surely would have frightened her, had passed unnoticed. It was late before any member of the household could think of sleeping, and when at last Dorothy lay dreaming of Nancy, her long lashes were wet with tears.
Mrs. Dainty had tried to comfort and cheer her by telling her that _this_ time they knew with whom Nancy was staying, and that Sue, who had once before helped them to find her, would, doubtless, bring her back.