y from gratitude what I demand from you, because it is
your interest to comply with my request."

"You speak of carrying the child to her mother. She is in New York."

"You are mistaken," said Peg, coolly. "She is in Philadelphia."

"With you?"

"With me."

"How long has this been?"

"Nearly a fortnight."

John Somerville paced the room with hurried steps. Peg watched him
carelessly. She felt that she had succeeded. He paused after awhile, and
stood before her.

"You demand a thousand dollars," he said.

"I do."

"I have not that amount with me. I have recently lost a heavy sum, no
matter how. But I can probably get it to-day. Call to-morrow at this
time,--no, in the afternoon, and I will see what I can do for you."

"Very well," said Peg.

Left to himself, John Somerville spent some time in reflection.
Difficulties encompassed him--difficulties from which he found it hard
to find a way of escape. He knew how impossible it would be to meet
this woman's demand. Something must be done. Gradually his countenance
lightened. He had decided what that something should be.

CHAPTER XXIII. THE LAW STEPS IN.

WHEN Peg left Mr. John Somerville's apartment, it was with a high degree
of satisfaction at the result of her interview. She looked upon the
thousand dollars as sure to be hers. The considerations which she had
urged would, she was sure, induce him to make every effort to secure
her silence. With a thousand dollars, what might not be done? She would
withdraw from the coining-business, for one thing. It was too hazardous.
Why might not Dick and she retire to the country, lease a country-inn,
and live an honest life hereafter. There were times when she grew tired
of the life she lived at present. It would be pleasant to go to some
place where she was not known, and enrol herself among the respectable
members of the community. She was growing old; she wanted rest and
a quiet home. Her early years had been passed in the country. She
remembered still the green fields in which she played as a child, and to
this woman, old and sin-stained, there came a yearning to have that life
return.

It occurred to her to look in upon Jack, whom she had left in
captivity four days before. She had a curiosity to see how he bore his
confinement.

She knocked at the door, and was admitted by the old man who kept the
house. Mr. Foley was looking older and more wrinkled than ever. He had
been disturbed of his rest the n