airies and such like, because the last they had had
hurt his back and had to be left in the workhouse. Yes, she had heard
tell that they had got the child from Mother Bet, of whom Gerard had a
vague idea as one of the horrible hags, who not only beg themselves,
but provide outfits for beggars, including infants, to excite
compassion. Either she or one of her crew had picked up the child and
disposed of his clothes; and then finding him too old and intelligent
to be safely used for begging purposes, she had sold or hired him out
to these acrobatic performers, who had gone off into that vague and
unknown region, the country. Liz had no notion what was their real
name, nor where they would go, only that they attended races and fairs;
and as soon as the actual pleasure of communicating information was
over, she was seized with a panic, implored Mr. Godfrey to make no use
of her information, and explained that the people of the house were
quite capable of killing her, if they suspected her of betraying any of
their transactions. It was impossible to bring any authorities to bear
on the quest; and Mr. Dutton held it wisest only to write a note
telling Mr. Egremont that he had obtained evidence that the child was
living, and that he was going in pursuit, but thought it safer to say
no more at present. He gave the note to Mark at his office. 'I cannot
trust myself to see your cousin,' he said. 'I might be tempted to say
more than was consistent with Godfrey's honour towards his informant.'

'I think you are right,' said Mark. 'You had better leave me with only
indefinite knowledge, for I shall be hard pressed. Do you not go home
first?'

'Yes, I go to pack up a few things and fetch Monsieur. A run in the
country will do him good, and he may be a valuable auxiliary. I shall
find no one at Springfield at this hour.'

'What is your plan?'

'I shall venture so far as to apply to the police for the names of the
usual attendants at races and fairs, and for some idea of their
ordinary rounds. I have no doubt that these are known at the chief
offices. For the rest, I must use my eyes. But tell your cousin that,
with God's blessing, I hope to bring him back to her.'

'He will,' said Ursula, when Mark gave her the message, and from that
moment she was calmer. She did not fret Mark with questions even as
much as Annaple did, she tried to prevent her father from raging at the
scant information, and she even endeavoured