nnected with the
Rattler, if they had ever heard of such a person. At last they did find
a sister-in-law, who pronounced George Jones to be a good fellow, so far
as she knew. He sent home to his mother regularly, and lately had had
out his brother Sam, and a good job too, to have him out of the way, only
what must he do but go and marry that there trollopy girl, as was no
good.

Yes, George had written to say they had come safe to Toronto, but she did
not hear as he said anything about a child. The letter was to his
mother, who had taken it into the country when she went to stay with her
daughter. This deponent didn't know the address, and her husband was out
with a yacht.

Nothing could be done but to pursue the mother to a village about five
miles off, where she was traced out with some difficulty, and persuaded
to refer to her son George's letter, where he mentioned the safe arrival
of Mr. and Mrs. Sam, but without a word about their bringing a child with
them. This omission seemed to dash all former hopes, so as to show Frank
how strong they had been, and besides, there had been more than time for
Herbert to have written after reaching Toronto.

However, the one step of knowing George Jones's address had been gained,
and with no more than this, they had to return, intending to see whether
Ida had any notion as to what was to be done.

It was evening when Lord Northmoor came in. Mrs. Morton was alone, and
as she looked up, was answered by his air of disappointment as he shook
his head.

'Oh, it is so dreadful,' she exclaimed, 'it is all over the place! We
met Mr. Brady and his sisters, and they cut Ida dead. She is quite
broken-hearted, indeed, she is.'

'Then she has told you all?'

'She could not help it. Mrs. Rollstone came to ask me if it was true--as
a friend, she said, I should say it was more like an enemy, and Mrs. Hall
came too, wanting to see Ida, but I saw her instead. The wicked woman to
have given in! And they have gone and told every one, and the police
will be after my poor child.'

'No, they would not interfere unless I prosecuted, and that I certainly
should not do unless it proved the only means of tracing my child. I
came home intending to ask Ida if she gave any directions about him. It
seems certain that he was not brought to Toronto.'

'Indeed! She made sure that he would be there!' exclaimed Mrs. Morton,
much dismayed. 'Let me go and see. She is so much upset altogeth