at?" queried Peg, her suspicions at once roused.

"No one told me. I saw her with you in the street."

Peg at once conceived the idea that her visitor was aware of the fact
that that the child was stolen--possibly he might be acquainted with the
Crumps, or might be their emissary. She therefore answered, shortly,--

"People that are seen walking together don't always live together."

"But I saw the child entering this house with you."

"What if you did?" demanded Peg, defiantly.

"I was about," said the artist, perceiving that he was misapprehended,
and desiring to set matters right, "I was about to make a proposition
which might prove advantageous to both of us."

"Eh!" said Peg, catching at the hint. "Tell me what it is, and perhaps
we may come to terms."

"It is simply this," said Bowen, "I am, as I told you, an artist. Just
now I am employed to sketch a flower-girl, and in seeking for a face
such as I wished to sketch from, I was struck by that of your child."

"Of Ida?"

"Yes, if that is her name. I will pay you five dollars for the privilege
of copying it."

Peg was fond of money, and the prospect of earning five dollars through
Ida's instrumentality, so easily, blinded her to the possibility that
this picture might prove a means of discovery to her friends.

"Well," said she, more graciously, "if that's all you want, I don't know
as I have any objections. I suppose you can copy her face here as well
as anywhere."

"I should prefer to have her come to my studio."

"I sha'n't let her come," said Peg, decidedly.

"Then I will consent to your terms, and come here."

"Do you want to begin now?"

"I should like to do so."

"Come in, then. Here, Ida, I want you."

"Yes, Peg."

"This young man wants to copy your face."

Ida looked surprised.

"I am an artist," said the young man, with a reassuring smile. "I will
endeavor not to try your patience too much. Do you think you can stand
still for half an hour, without much fatigue?"

Ida was easily won by kindness, while she had a spirit which was roused
by harshness. She was prepossessed at once in favor of the young man,
and readily assented.

He kept her in pleasant conversation while with a free, bold hand, he
sketched the outlines of her face and figure.

"I shall want one more sitting," he said. "I will come to-morrow at this
time."

"Stop a minute," said Peg. "I should like the money in advance. How do I
know that you will come again?"