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โ€œIโ€”I don't understand it,โ€ said the old man, turning pale.

โ€œI do. He has cut a hole in the door, slipped back the bolt, and escaped. When could this have happened?โ€

โ€œI don't know. Yes, I do remember, now, being disturbed last night by a noise in the entry. I got out of bed, and looked out, but could see no one.โ€

โ€œDid you come up-stairs?โ€

โ€œPart way.โ€

โ€œWhen was this?โ€

โ€œPast midnight.โ€

โ€œNo doubt that was the time he escaped.โ€

โ€œThat accounts for the door being locked,โ€ said the old man, thoughtfully.

โ€œWhat door?โ€

โ€œThe outer door. When I got up this morning, I found the key had disappeared, and the door was locked. Luckily we had an extra key, and so opened it.โ€

โ€œProbably he carried off the other in his pocket.โ€

โ€œAh, he is a bold lad,โ€”a bold lad,โ€ said Foley.

โ€œYou may find that out to your cost. He'll be likely to bring the police about your ears.โ€

โ€œDo you think so?โ€ said the old man, in alarm.

โ€œI think it more than probable.โ€

โ€œBut he don't know the house,โ€ said Foley, in a tone of reassurance. โ€œIt was dark when he left here, and he will not be apt to find it again.โ€

โ€œPerhaps not, but he will be likely to know you when he sees you again. I advise you to keep pretty close.โ€

โ€œI certainly shall,โ€ said the old man, evidently alarmed by this suggestion. โ€œWhat a pity that such a bold lad shouldn't be in our business!โ€

โ€œPerhaps you'll wish yourself out of it before long,โ€ muttered Peg.

As if in corroboration of her words, there was a sharp ring at the door-bell.

The old man, who was constitutionally timid, turned pale, and looked helplessly at his companion.

โ€œWhat is it?โ€ he asked, apprehensively.

โ€œGo and see.โ€

โ€œI don't dare to.โ€

โ€œYou're a coward,โ€ said Peg, contemptuously. โ€œThen I'll go.โ€

She went down stairs, followed by the old man. She threw open the street door, but even her courage was somewhat daunted by the sight of two police officers, accompanied by Jack.

โ€œThat's the man,โ€ said Jack, pointing out Foley, who tried to conceal himself behind Mrs. Hardwick's more ample proportions.

โ€œI have a warrant for your arrest,โ€ said one of the officers, advancing to Foley.

โ€œGentlemen, spare me,โ€ he said, clasping his hands. โ€œWhat have I done?โ€

โ€œYou are charged with uttering counterfeit coin.

โ€œI am innocent.โ€

โ€œIf you are, that will come out on your trial.โ€

โ€œShall I have to be tried?โ€ he asked, piteously.

โ€œOf course. If you are innocent, no harm will come to you.โ€

Peg had been standing still, irresolute what to do. Determined upon a bold step, she made a movement to pass the officers.

โ€œStop!โ€ said Jack. โ€œI call upon you to arrest that woman. She is the Mrs. Hardwick against whom you have a warrant.โ€

โ€œWhat is all this for?โ€ demanded Peg, haughtily. โ€œWhat right have you to interfere with me?โ€

โ€œThat will be made known to you in due time. You are suspected of being implicated with this man.โ€

โ€œI suppose I must yield,โ€ said Peg, sulkily. โ€œBut perhaps you, young sir,โ€ turning to Jack, โ€œmay not be the gainer by it.โ€

โ€œWhere is Ida?โ€ asked Jack, anxiously.

โ€œShe is safe,โ€ said Peg, sententiously.

โ€œYou won't tell me where she is?โ€

โ€œNo. Why should I? I am indebted to you, I suppose, for this arrest. She shall be kept out of your way as long as it is in my power to do so.โ€

Jack's countenance fell.

โ€œAt least you will tell me whether she is well?โ€

โ€œI shall answer no questions whatever,โ€ said Mrs. Hardwick.

โ€œThen I will find her,โ€ he said, gaining courage. โ€œShe is somewhere in the city, and sooner or later I shall find her.โ€

Peg was not one to betray her feelings, but this arrest was a great disappointment to her. Apart from the consequences which might result from it, it would prevent her meeting with John Somerville, and obtaining from him the thousand dollars of which she had regarded herself certain. Yet even from her prison-cell she might hold over him in terrorem the threat of making known to Ida's mother the secret of her child's existence. All was not lost. She walked quietly to the carriage in waiting, while her companions, in an ecstasy of terror, seemed to have lost the power of locomotion, and had to be supported on either side.





CHAPTER XXIV. โ€œTHE FLOWER-GIRL.โ€

โ€œBY gracious, if that isn't Ida!โ€ exclaimed Jack, in profound surprise.

He had been sauntering along Chestnut Street, listlessly, troubled by the thought that though he had given Mrs. Hardwick into custody, he was apparently no nearer the discovery of his foster-sister than before. What steps should he take to find her? He could not decide. In his perplexity he came suddenly upon the print of the โ€œFlower-Girl.โ€

โ€œYes,โ€ said he, โ€œthat is Ida, plain enough. Perhaps they will know in the store where she is to be found.โ€

He at once entered the store.

โ€œCan you tell me anything about the girl that picture was taken for?โ€ he asked, abruptly of the nearest clerk.

The clerk smiled.

โ€œIt is a fancy picture,โ€ he said. โ€œI think it would take you a long time to find the original.โ€

โ€œIt has taken a long time,โ€ said Jack. โ€œBut you are mistaken. It is the picture of my sister.โ€

โ€œOf your sister!โ€ repeated the clerk, with surprise, half incredulous.

There was some reason for his incredulity. Jack was a stout, good-looking boy, with a pleasant face; but Ida's beauty was of a delicate, refined

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