It was
also out of Sarah Jane's visual line, so she knew nothing of
the stranger's advent.
"And you're here all by yourself?" insinuated Billy's new
friend. "And the folks next door, where are they?"
"Mrs. Garner's at the Aid an' Mr. Garner's gone to
Memphis. That is they little boy a-settin' in they yard on
they grass," answered the child.
"I've come to fix your Aunt Minerva's water pipe," said
truth-loving Mr. Jones. "Come, show me the way; I'm the
plumber."
"In the bath-room?" asked the child. "I did n' know it
needed no fixin'."
He led the agreeable plumber through the hall, down the long
back-porch to the bathroom, remarking "I'll jes' watch you
work." And he seated himself in the only chair.
Here is where Billy received one of the greatest surprises
of his life. The fascinating stranger grabbed him with a
rough hand and hissed:
"Don't you dare open your mouth or I'll crack your head
open and scatter your brains. I'll eat you alive."
The fierce, bloodshot eyes, which had seemed so laughing and
merry before, now glared into those of the little boy as the
man took a stout cord from his pocket, bound Billy to the
chair, and gagged him with a large bath towel.
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