My demands for an explanation came back through the Dead Letter Office, and when I followed them up by a journey to the address given, it was to learn that my man--a chief boatman in the coast-guard service--had died three months before, leaving no effects beyond a pound or two and the contents of his sea-chest--no will--and, so far as could be traced, no kith or kin.

So far, Mr.Hucks, the business does not look promising." "All right, Glasson.

You keep a child for two years on charity, and then get into a sweat on losing him.

I trust your scent, and am not disheartened--yet." "The boy has considerable natural refinement." "You didn't keep him for _that_ ?" "It has often suggested to me that his parentage was out of the ordinary--that he probably has relatives at least--er--well-to-do.
But the main point is that he did not escape to-day of his own accord.
He was kidnapped, and in circumstances that convince me there has been a deliberate plot.

To my mind it is incredible that these children, without collusion--" But here Doctor Glasson pulled himself up and sat blinking.
"Eh?
Was there more than one ?" queried Mr.Hucks, sharp as a knife.
"There was a small girl, not one of my charges.