now, yet I always see him as the little babe I held to my
breast. If you know where he is, tell me. I must see him somehow,
though he must never know who I am."
"What about the girl, your daughter?" the man questioned. "She must be
a comfort to you now, and well takes the place of--of your son."
"Nothing can ever take his place," the woman vehemently declared. I
thought so once, fool that I was. But I know better now when it is too
late. Where is he? For God's sake, tell me!"
"And you have had no word from him?" the man asked.
"Nothing. I do not even know the woman's name who took him. I thought
I would never want to know."
"Then, madame, it is better for you to remain in ignorance. It would
do you no good now to learn anything about him. I, at any rate, shall
not enlighten you."
"You won't?"
"No, not now."
"Then why have you come here to-night to inflict this torture upon me?
What good can it do to increase the agony of my tormented soul? Surely
I have endured enough already."
"I come, madame, merely as a stand-between. Business with me has been
dull of late, as I have just told you. Therefore, when one door closes
another opens. I am not a man to let a good opportunity of earning a
few honest dollars slip. I know your story, and, accordingly, am here
to receive payment."
"Payment! For what?" the woman asked in amazement.
"For silence. I suppose you don't want this matter known?"
"Good heavens, no! What would my husband and daughter think? Why, I
could never face the world again."
"Very well, madame. I am pleased to know that you realise the
situation," and the man smiled blandly upon his victim. He was
succeeding much better than he had expected. "I shall see that this
matter is kept a profound secret."
"Oh, will you?" and the woman looked her relief.
"Indeed I will, providing you make it worth while. I am always open
for business."
The woman looked keenly at the man.
"Do I understand that you want to be paid for keeping silent?" she at
length found voice to ask.
"Certainly. That's what I'm here for. Business is business, remember,
and if I cannot make a living at my regular profession, I must turn to
the next best thing that offers."
"But this is a hold-up. Are you not afraid to do such a thing?"
"Afraid! Of what?"
The sudden flush that mantled the woman's face plainly showed that she
understood. The man noted it, and smiled.
"You realis
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