h in hand."

"On production of the child and proof of its identity?"

Mrs. Bray took time to answer. "I do not mean to have any slip in this
matter," she said. "It was a bad business at the start, as I told Mrs.
Dinneford, and has given me more trouble than I've been paid for, ten
times over. I shall not be sorry to wash my hands clean of it; but
whenever I do so, there must be compensation and security. I haven't the
child, and you may hunt me to cover with all the police hounds in the
city, and yet not find him."

"If I agree to pay your demand," replied Mr. Dinneford, "it can only be
on production and identification of the child."

"After which your humble servant will be quickly handed over to the
police," a low, derisive laugh gurgling in the woman's throat.

"The guilty are ever in dread, and the false always in fear of
betrayal," said Mr. Dinneford. "I can make no terms with you for any
antecedent reward. The child must be in my possession and his parentage
clearly proved before I give you a dollar. As to what may follow to
yourself, your safety will lie in your own silence. You hold, and will
still hold, a family secret that we shall not care to have betrayed. If
you should ever betray it, or seek, because of its possession, to annoy
or prey upon us, I shall consider all honorable contract we may have at
an end, and act accordingly."

"Will you put in writing, an obligation to pay me one thousand dollars
in case I bring the child and prove its identity?"

"No; but I will give you my word of honor that this sum shall be placed
in your hands whenever you produce the child."

Mrs. Bray remained silent for a considerable time, then, as if
satisfied, arose, saying,

"You will hear from me by to-morrow or the day after, at farthest.
Good-morning."

As she was moving toward the door Mr. Dinneford said,

"Let me have your name and residence, madam."

The woman quickened her steps, partly turning her head as she did so,
and said, with a sinister curl of the lip,

"No, I thank you, sir."

In the next moment she was gone.

CHAPTER XXV.

_NOTHING_ of all this was communicated to Edith. After a few weeks
of prostration strength came slowly back to mind and body, and with
returning strength her interest in her old work revived. Her feet went
down again into lowly ways, and her hands took hold of suffering.

Immediately on receipt of Freeling's letter and affidavit, Mr. Dinneford
had taken steps