t though she had been there three days, I had not asked nor
had mother, but yet we must have heard it. I fancy it was Jackson, or
Johnson, or Jones, or it might be Brown, but it was a common name as
there's no recollecting. When mother took the child first, she thought
she'd never know the one from the other; but afterwards she used to say
that the mother might find out the difference. Both was much of a size,
and my boy was much changed."

"But," said Brandon, "there might be more or fewer teeth, or a
difference in the colour and length of the hair, or in the shape of the
limbs, though the features and complexion might be changed by the
convulsions. Your child was probably more emaciated than the other. A
mother's eye might have seen differences that you in your hurried
examination did not."

"Oh, the other appeared to be teething too; but, as you say, I think it
is most like she did see the difference, but being out of the country I
heard nothing about it."

"When did this happen?" asked Brandon.

"Thirty-four years ago and more we sailed from London Docks for
Sydney," said Mrs. Peck.

"Where did you lodge in London when this affair took place?"

"At a lodging-house in ---- Street, near the Docks; I think the number
was 39, but I am not quite sure."

"Can you tell me the name of the ship the mother of the present
proprietor of Cross Hall went to America in?" asked Brandon.

"No, but we sailed, as I told you, on the 14th May, 18-, in the
'Lysander,' and the other ship was to sail for New York on the next
day."

"Are you sure this woman was going to America?"

"Yes, for the landlady told us so, and I could see when we was in her
room that she was making preparations for a voyage. I think there's no
doubt of that."

"Was there no mark on the child's clothes? no name on the boxes you
must have seen when you were exchanging the two children?" asked
Brandon.

"Not as I recollect of, nor mother either, for we have sometimes talked
over it and wondered about it. Our time was so short that we took no
notice of such things."

"And how did you two precious colonists like Sydney?" asked Brandon.

"Oh, well enough. We held our heads high there, for we was free people,
you know."

"Though you had both done what you deserved hanging for," said Brandon,
under his breath. "Where did Phillips meet with you and your
daughter?--for I suppose Mrs. Phillips is your daughter: though your
first experiment in child-steali