nt with herself, and doubt whether she
had done right.

Matters were in this state, when one morning Emily came screaming in
from the garden, "The child!--Master Christie!--Where is he?--Where is
he?"

The house was alarmed. The garden searched, the adjoining paddock. The
child was gone.

Emily was examined, and owned, with many sobs and hysterical cries, that
she had put him down in the summer-house for a minute, while she went to
ask the gardener for some balm, balm tea being a favorite drink of hers.
"But there was nobody near that I saw," she sobbed.

Further inquiry proved, however, that a tall gypsy woman had been seen
prowling about that morning; and suspicion instantly fastened on her.
Servants were sent out right and left; but nothing discovered; and the
agonized mother, terrified out of her wits, had Falcon telegraphed to
immediately.

He came galloping down that very evening, and heard the story. He
galloped into Gravesend, and after seeing the police, sent word out he
should advertise. He placarded Gravesend with bills, offering a reward
of a thousand pounds, the child to be brought to him, and no questions
asked.

Meantime the police and many of the neighboring gentry came about the
miserable mother with their vague ideas.

Down comes Falcon again next day; tells what he has done, and treats
them all with contempt. "Don't you be afraid, Mrs. Staines," said he.
"You will get him back. I have taken the sure way. This sort of rogues
dare not go near the police, and the police can't find them. You have no
enemies; it is only some woman that has fancied a beautiful child. Well,
she can have them by the score, for a thousand pounds."

He was the only one with a real idea; the woman saw it, and clung to
him. He left late at night.

Next morning out came the advertisements, and he sent her a handful by
special messenger. His zeal and activity kept her bereaved heart from
utter despair.

At eleven that night came a telegraph:--

"I have got him. Coming down by special train."

Then what a burst of joy and gratitude! The very walls of the house
seemed to ring with it as a harp rings with music. A special train, too!
he would not let the mother yearn all night.

At one in the morning he drove up with the child and a hired nurse.

Imagine the scene! The mother's screams of joy, her furious kisses, her
cooing, her tears, and all the miracles of nature at such a time. The
servants all mingled with