The keeper, who was at heart a kind man, took compassion on the gentle helplessness of this poor child, and strove to comfort him with hopes of a speedy relief; but James only shook his head, and great tears rose and trembled in his eyes. He could have stood abuse bravely, but kindness melted his young heart, and tears dropped like rain from his downcast eyes while that sympathetic voice filled the dungeon. As he sat thus the shadow of another official fell across the threshold of his cell, and a loud and indifferent voice called out, “James Laurence!” The boy started up and followed this man into the prison yard. He had scarcely stepped upon the stone-flags, when two officers passed him, leading a woman toward the female prison. The boy saw her face, and flinging out his arms cried out, “Mother! mother! oh, mother!” CHAPTER LII. THE SECOND ARREST. Smith had acted with a stern, secret energy. Without consulting his wife, or any one but an iron-hearted detective, he had quietly arrested little James Laurence, and lodged him in the Tombs. Early the next morning, while Mrs. Laurence was busy cooking her meagre breakfast, a strange man stepped into the kitchen, boldly, as if it had been his own home, and told her to get her things, and not attempt to raise a muss about it, because it was of no use; her son was caught, and nicely caged. She was known to be his accomplice—in fact, the person who had no doubt set him on. At any rate he had a warrant against her, as a receiver, and she had better obey it just then and there. The stolen goods had been found in her out-house, and he was after the money sharp; must search the house for that, but not till she was disposed of according to law. Was she ready? Mrs. Laurence heard all this in stern astonishment. She had been cutting bread, and stood with the knife in one hand, grasping the loaf in the other, motionless as stone. “Me? Me, and my son James? Are you speaking of us?” she said at last. “What have you done with him? What do you want of me?” “Just as if you didn’t know. Well, if you will have it, I want you to step out before a justice, and answer for yourself.” “Answer for what?” “For stealing! Robbery! I think they’d call this burglary, only the boy was in the house, and so, of course, could only break out, if breaking was to be done.” “Stealing! Robbery!” These words fell from the woman’s lips like lead dropping on marble. A stupor of astonishment seemed turning her to stone. “My boy! James, my boy! You said something strange about him; horribly strange, it seems to me.” “I said that we had him safe in the Tombs, where you will be mighty quick, or I’m mistaken. But, come along; it’s the best way. The gentleman wanted me to get through without making a fuss in the neighborhood. So get your things, and——” “What is this? Mother, who is this man?”