eckynshaw about
it."

"No!" said Fitz, very decidedly. "After what I have said to you about
Checkynshaw, it would be absurd for you to consult him. Checkynshaw is
rich, and he is prejudiced against me--Checkynshaw is. This is a
question of abstract justice, not of personal feeling or personal
prejudice. I only ask for justice."

"We will think of it, Mr. Wittleworth, and give you an answer to-morrow
or next day," repeated Andre. "I am very much interested in what you
said about Mr. Checkynshaw's first child."

"In a question of abstract justice, Andre, it is hardly necessary for
an honest man to wait a single day before he does his duty. I prefer to
settle this little matter at once," added Fitz.

"But I have not the money in the house. I put it in the Savings Bank,"
replied the barber, anxious only to defer the final answer.

"But you can determine your duty in regard to my claim, and inform me
of your intentions."

"I have no intentions at present, and you will pardon me if I decline
to say anything more about it to-night."

Fitz began to think he was overdoing the matter. Andre appeared to be
slightly ruffled, and he deemed it prudent to proceed no further.

"Very well, Andre; if you do not see the justice of my claim, I will
not press it. You are an honest and a just man. If I had not known you
as such, I should not have troubled you. Of course my future opinion of
you must depend very much upon your decision in this matter. Not that I
care so much for the money, but I love justice. If I can afford you any
information in regard to Checkynshaw's child, I shall be glad to do
so."

"Mr. Wittleworth, I was in one of the cholera hospitals of Paris at the
time that child died--I think you said ten years ago."

"Is it possible!" exclaimed Fitz. "It was ten years ago last August."

"Do you know in what hospital the child was placed?" asked Andre, with
breathless interest.

"I do not, but my mother does. She has a letter written to her by the
present Mrs. Checkynshaw, in which she informed her that Marguerite had
died in the hospital. But Checkynshaw looked the matter up afterwards;
and he says the child did not die; that she was taken away by the
Sisters of Charity. That was all bosh."

"Could I see your mother?" asked Andre.

"Certainly; you can walk over to my house and see her if you like."

"I do not ask from an idle curiosity," added Andre. "The foreign
residents in Paris were generally taken to the