Page:Augusta Seaman--Jacqueline of the carrier pigeons.djvu/171

Rh He shall strengthen thine heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord!”

“What thou hast read does truly give me new courage,” said Jacqueline. “Thanks, Jan! Thou art indeed a help and a comfort. And now I will go up to the dove-cote to see if perchance a pigeon has come with some  message for the burgomaster.”

A week had passed since the disappearance of the boy, and not a sign or a token had  come to the anxious watchers in Belfry Lane,  to indicate his whereabouts or his fate. After the first shock caused by Dirk’s message, Jacqueline had gone straight to Adrian Van der Werf and explained the situation,  imploring him to assist in trying to find and  rescue her brother. The burgomaster was deeply distressed at the misfortune that had  come to his little “jumper,” and was much  mystified as to the cause of this continued  persecution of two innocent children by an  unknown man.

But as to offering any assistance, that he