Emily was examined, and owned, with many sobs and hysterical cries, that
she had put him down in the summer-house for a minute, while she went to
ask the gardener for some balm, balm tea being a favorite drink of hers.
“But there was nobody near that I saw,” she sobbed.
Further inquiry proved, however, that a tall gypsy woman had been seen
prowling about that morning; and suspicion instantly fastened on her.
Servants were sent out right and left; but nothing discovered; and the
agonized mother, terrified out of her wits, had Falcon telegraphed to
immediately.
He came galloping down that very evening, and heard the story. He
galloped into Gravesend, and after seeing the police, sent word out he
should advertise. He placarded Gravesend with bills, offering a reward
of a thousand pounds, the child to be brought to him, and no questions
asked.
Meantime the police and many of the neighboring gentry came about the
miserable mother with their vague ideas.
Down comes Falcon again next day; tells what he has done, and treats
them all with contempt. “Don't you be afraid, Mrs. Staines,” said he.
“You will get him back. I have taken the sure way. This sort of rogues
dare not go near the police, and the police can't find them. You have no
enemies; it is only some woman that has fancied a beautiful child. Well,
she can have them by the score, for a thousand pounds.”
He was the only one with a real idea; the woman saw it, and clung to
him. He left late at night.
Next morning out came the advertisements, and he sent her a handful by
special messenger. His zeal and activity kept her bereaved heart from
utter despair.
At eleven that night came a telegraph:--
“I have got him. Coming down by special train.”
Then what a burst of joy and gratitude! The very walls of the house
seemed to ring with it as a harp rings with music. A special train, too!
he would not let the mother yearn all night.
At one in the morning he drove up with the child and a hired nurse.
Imagine the scene! The mother's screams of joy, her furious kisses, her
cooing, her tears, and all the miracles of nature at such a time. The
servants all mingled with their employers in the general rapture, and
Emily, who was pale as death, cried and sobbed, and said, “Oh, ma'am,
I'll never let him out of my sight again, no, not for one minute.”
Falcon made her a signal, and went out. She met him in the garden.
She was much agitated, and cried, “Oh, you did well to bring him to-day.
I could not have kept it another hour. I'm a wretch.”
“You are a good kind girl; and here's the fifty pounds I promised you.”
“Well, and I have earned it.”
“Of course you have. Meet me in the garden to-morrow morning, and I'll
show you you have done a kind thing to your mistress, as well as me. And
as for the fifty pounds, that is NOTHING; do you hear? it is nothing at
all, compared with what I will do for you, if you will be true to me,
and hold your tongue.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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