The
nurse had thought it strange, but suspected nothing wrong till she
reached home and found that Elizabeth had not returned. She did not
return; and since that day, in spite of all the efforts of Scotland
Yard and the private-detective agencies, nothing had been seen or heard
of her. The reward offered for her recovery had risen from 1000 pounds
to 4000 pounds.
It had been a crime of a masterly simplicity, and Sir Tancred had been
sure that the child would not be forthcoming till the reward satisfied
the cupidity of the child-stealers. He had reason to believe that the
present reward did satisfy the cupidity of the child-stealers; and
after a thoughtful glance at the Biggleswades, he turned to Tinker.
Tinker could be of help to him.
He turned to him and said:
"Do you remember my telling you of a little girl, Elizabeth Kernaby,
who was stolen a week or two ago?"
"Elizabeth Kernaby, aged seven, blue eyes, long flaxen hair, speaks
with a lisp, and answers to the name of Bessie," said Tinker glibly, in
the manner of one reciting a lesson.
"Quite right," said Sir Tancred approvingly; "you'll be another
Sherlock Holmes some day. Well, I have reason to believe that the
little girl with the Biggleswades is Elizabeth Kernaby.
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