u. She had somebody's
baby round in Grubb's court, and it was 'most starved to death. I heard
it said it belonged to some of the big people up town, and that she was
getting hush-money for it, but I don't know as it was true. People will
talk."

"Do you know what became of that baby?" asked Edith, with ill-repressed
excitement. Her face was still very pale, and her forehead contracted as
by pain.

"No, ma'am. The police came round asking questions, and the baby wasn't
seen in Grubb's court after that."

"You think it was Pinky Swett whom you saw just now?"

"I'm dead sure of it, sir," turning to Mr. Dinneford, who had asked the
question.

"And you are certain it was the little boy named Andy that she had with
her?"

"I'm as sure as death, sir."

"Did he look frightened?"

"Oh dear, yes, sir--scared as could be. He pulled back all his might,
but she whisked him along as if he'd been only a chicken. I saw them go
round the corner of Clayton street like the wind."

Mr. Paulding now joined them, and became advised of what had happened.
He looked very grave.

"We shall find the little boy," he said. "He cannot be concealed by this
wretched woman as the baby was; he is too old for that. The police will
ferret him out. But I am greatly concerned for Mr. Hall. That child is
the bond which holds him at safe anchorage. Break this bond, and he may
drift to sea again. I must go after him."

And the missionary hurried away.

For over an hour Edith and her father remained at the mission waiting
for some news of little Andy. At the end of this time Mr. Paulding came
back with word that nothing could be learned beyond the fact that a
woman with a child answering to the description of Andy had been seen
getting into an up-town car on Clayton street about one o'clock. She
came, it was said by two or three who professed to have seen her, from
the direction of Briar street. The chief of police had been seen, and he
had already telegraphed to all the stations. Mr. Hall was at the central
station awaiting the result.

After getting a promise from Mr. Paulding to send a messenger the moment
news of Andy was received, Mr. Dinneford and Edith returned home.

CHAPTER XXIII.

_AS_ Edith glanced up, on arriving before their residence, she saw for
a moment her mother's face at the window. It vanished like the face of
a ghost, but not quick enough to prevent Edith from seeing that it was
almost colorless and had a scar