red to lose sight of the boy
for one moment, yet he more than feared the slightest demonstration
unsupported.

He was in terror lest he find the situation changed when next he
approached the fortune-teller's cabin, a few hours later, but the little
blond boy, half nude, was playing in the lush grass before the open door.
The visitor was bolder now, being accompanied by officers of the law; so
bold indeed that he was able to pity the grief of the poor,
unintelligible squaw, volleying forth a world of words of which every
tenth phrase was "Alchie Loyston." By what argument she sought to detain
him, what claims she preferred, what threats she voiced, can never be
known. The sheriff of the county was obdurate, deaf to all intents and
purposes. He shook his head glumly when it was suggested that she might
remain with the child until his mother should arrive in response to the
telegram already sent. "Might poison him--Indians are queer cattle!
Mocking-birds will do that if the young ones are caged, through the bars,
by jing!"

All night long, like some faithful dog, she lay on the floor outside the
door of the room where they kept the child, her face to the threshold;
and on the inner side, in emulation and imitation, little Archie lay on
the floor and echoed her every groan and responded to her lightest
whisper. But sleep was good to him, and when he was quite unconscious the
officers took him up and placed him on a bed, while they awaited in great
excitement and with what patience they could muster the response to the
telegram sent by Bayne, couched in guarded phrase and held well within
the facts:

Child here in the Qualla Boundary, answering to description in
advertisements. Says his name is Archie Royston. Will not talk
further. Well-treated. Held for identification. Awaiting advices.

XIV.

Lillian, at her home in Glaston, replied by wire in that tumult of
emotion which each new lure was potent to excite, despite the quicksands
of baseless hope that had whelmed its many precursors. Still, she
expected only another instance of deliberate and brazen fraud, or crafty
and sleek imposture, or, worse still, honest mistake. The little
suit-case, packed with all that the child might need, which had journeyed
through so many vicissitudes, so many thousand miles, was once more in
her hand as she took the train. She never forgot that long night of
travel, more poignant tha