"Is she staying here in Manchester, do you know?"

"Ay, she is. I hear as 'ow she's been here a week, waiting for her
son's trial to begin. I know where she's staying, too--25 Dixon
Street, just off Strangeways. An old man and an old woman live there,
and th' old man is very deaf. I hear she's practically got the house
to hersen."

This was what Mary had come to find out, and she was glad that she had
been able to obtain her information without ostensibly asking for it.
A little later she found her way towards Dixon Street, and with a
trembling hand knocked at the door of the house which had been
mentioned. As she heard footsteps in the passage her heart almost
failed her, for she realised the object which she had in mind, and she
believed that she would soon be face to face with the murderer of Ned
Wilson. Still, she was not to be shaken in her purpose, as she had
determined the night before, no matter who might suffer, Paul must not
suffer. A pale, near-sighted old woman opened the door to her.

"Is Mrs. Stepaside in?" asked Mary.

"Ay, she is."

"I would like to see her, if I may."

"Who might you be?"

"If you will take me to her I will tell her who I am."

The woman looked at her suspiciously.

"Has it got anything to do with the murder?" she said; and then added:
"Nay, the likes of you can have nowt to do with that!"

"Will you please take me to her?" said Mary.

"I don't know. She's noan so well this morning. Last night I left her
i' th' house alone. Me and my old man went over to Crumpsall to see
our lass. She said as 'ow she didn't mind being left alone, and so we
were away several hours. But I was sorry afterwards that we went, for
she was in a fair way when we come back. She looked just like a
corpse. You see, she's brooding over her son. Ay, but it's a terrible
business!"

"Will you please tell her a young lady wishes to see her?" urged Mary.

"She's in the little room behind, having her breakfast," said the
woman. "Ay, I s'pose I may as well."

She led the way and Mary followed her, and a minute later entered the
room where Paul's mother was.

"Here's a young woman come to see you."

Paul's mother rose as the woman spoke, and looked at Mary intently.

"I've something to say to you," said Mary, "something very important."

"What is it about?"

"I'll tell you when we are alone," was Mary's reply. And then, at a
nod from Paul's mother, the owner of the cottage left them