"In a certain sense that is a fact. Don't look worried; there is no fear of any trouble in the future; only she made it a condition that the safe should go with the child, and that, when the girl was twenty-one years of age, it should be given to her in case the mother did not make her appearance and claim the property. It stands this way, Cohen: The mother took into consideration the chance that the gentleman she is marrying may die before her, in which event she stipulated that she should be free to seek her child. That is reasonable, is it not?" "Quite reasonable." "And natural?" "Quite natural. But I should have been informed of it." "It escaped me--it really escaped me, Cohen; and what difference can it make? It is only a mother's fancy." "Yes, only a mother's fancy." "I'll lay a thousand to one you never hear anything more about it. Put the box away, and don't give it another thought." Aaron lifted it from the table. "It is heavy, Mr. Moss." "Yes, it is heavy." "Do you know what it contains?" "I haven't the slightest idea." "It must be something that the mother sets store on--jewels, perhaps." "Nothing more unlikely. The poor woman didn't have a shilling to bless herself with. I shouldn't trouble about it if I were you." "I have gone too far," said Aaron, sighing; "I cannot retreat." "It would be madness to dream of such a thing. Remember what depends upon it. Cohen, in case anything occurs I think I ought to tell you what has been passing in my mind." "In case anything occurs!" repeated Aaron in a hollow tone, and with a startled look. "The poor child," continued Mr. Moss, "has had a hard time of it. We almost dug her out of the snow last night; the exposure was enough to kill an infant of tender years, and there's no saying what effect it may have upon her. If it had been a child of my own I should be alarmed for the consequences, and I should scarcely expect her to live through it." Aaron gasped. "The idea distresses you, but we must always take the human view. Should she not survive no one can be blamed for it. How is your own dear little girl?" "She is well," replied Aaron mechanically. He passed his hand across his eyes despairingly. "Good-night again," said Mr. Moss. "I have sent my telegram to the London lawyers. Don't forget that I shall be at the Salutation till eleven in the morning."