er
instigators had disappeared. Just as they had kept well behind the
fighting line when the struggle was hottest, so now were they nowhere to
be found when by their deluded followers as well as by the police they
most were wanted. Stoltz, too, had been spirited away, and was in hiding
somewhere among the outlying wards, but with a crack in his skull, said
the doctor who gave first aid to the wounded, that would neutralize "the
wheels in his head" for months to come. This at least was comfort to
many, and the Wallaces were in sore need of comfort, for up to eight
o'clock on this second morning of the strike not one word had been heard
of the loved husband and father. At six the Colonel himself had ridden
over to the Amity Works with a little escort, finding the neighborhood
deserted, and only a few scowling, skulking rioters left. Taking Fred
with him, he had patrolled the streets, and then given his anxious guide
a chance to visit his home. "Stay as long as necessary, corporal; but--
I've heard about last night, and shall want you later to-day after
you've found your father."

But when and how were they to find father was the question. Jim, under
the influence of opiates, still slept heavily. The policemen told off to
search came back crestfallen to say they could hear nothing of the old
man. No one had seen him since he left the shops the previous day.
Anxiety deepened with every minute, and at nine o'clock poor Mrs.
Wallace had practically abandoned hope. "They've murdered him," she
sobbed; "I know they have. They hated him for standing by his duty."

And even as she spoke there was a stir and excitement on the street
without. "Police patrol coming!" said some one, and come it did at rapid
trot, but without clang of bell or warning cry. It reined up abruptly in
front of the little cottage, and then there went up a shout of delight,
and Mrs. Wallace, rushing from the house, sobbing anew in relief from
dread and sorrow, seized and clasped her husband in her arms as with
calm dignity he stepped from the wagon. The police seemed desirous of
creating a pleasant impression. They were assiduous in their care of Mr.
Wallace. They begged Mrs. Wallace to understand that he had had the best
breakfast money could buy. There was evident cause of embarrassment and
something to be explained and extenuated, yet everybody crowded around
Wallace, and nobody seemed to care to listen to them. They hung about as
though they wanted to sh