"Look upon it in that light, and I will continue the case. In the child's clothes you find a fifty-pound note, and a letter, unsigned, to the effect that the little one has no protector, is alone in the world, and beseeching you to take charge of it and save it from destitution and degradation. No scruples as to the child being a Christian would disturb you then; you would act as humanity dictated. In the case I have imagined you would not be at war with your conscience; why should you be at war with it now?" "Still I must reflect; and I have a question or two to ask. The name of the mother?" "Not to be divulged." "The name of the father?" "The same answer. Indeed, I do not know it myself." "Where is the child?" "At the Salutation Hotel, in the charge of a woman I brought with me." "My decision must be made to-night?" "To-night." "Supposing it to be in the affirmative, what position do you occupy in the matter in the future?" "None whatever. The task undertook executed, I retire, and have nothing further to do with it. Anything you choose to communicate with me would be entirely at your discretion. Voluntarily I should never make reference to it." "What has passed between us, you informed me, is not to be disclosed to any other person?" "To no other person whatever." "Am I to understand that it has been disclosed to no other?" "You are. Only Dr. Spenlove and the gentleman who intrusted me with the commission have any knowledge of it." "How about the woman who is now taking care of the child at the Salutation Hotel?" "She is in entire ignorance of the whole proceeding." "Is she not aware that you have come to my house?" "She is not. In the event of your deciding to undertake the charge I myself will bring the child here." "Is the mother to be made acquainted with my name?" "It is an express stipulation that she is to be kept in ignorance of it." "And to this she consented willingly?" "Willingly, for her child's good and her own." "Is Dr. Spenlove to be made acquainted with it?" "He is not." "And the gentleman whose commission you are executing?" "Neither is he to know. It is his own wish." "The liberal allowance for the rearing of the child: by whom will it be paid?" "By a firm of eminent London lawyers whose name and address I will give you, and to whom I shall communicate by telegram to-night. All the future business will be solely between you and them without interference from any living being." "Mr. Moss, I thank you; you have performed the office of a friend." "It was my desire, Cohen. Then you consent?" "No. I must have time for reflection. In an hour from now you shall have my answer." "Don't throw away the chance," said Mr. Moss very earnestly. "Remember, it is for Rachel's sake." "I will remember it; but I must commune with myself. If before one hour has passed you do not see me at the Salutation Hotel you will understand that I refuse." "What will you do then, Cohen? How will you manage?"