Briar
street got home and told her story, there was a ripple of excitement in
that part of Grubb's court where she lived, and a new interest was felt
in the poor neglected baby. Mr. Paulding's visit and inquiries added to
this interest. It had been several days since Pinky Swett's last visit
to the child to see that it was safe. On the morning after Edith's call
at the mission she came in about ten o'clock, and heard the news. In
less than twenty minutes the child and the woman who had charge of it
both disappeared from Grubb's court. Pinky sent them to her own room,
not many squares distant, and then drew from the little girl who was in
Edith's sewing-class all she knew about that young lady. It was not much
that the child could tell. She was very sweet and good and handsome, and
wore such beautiful clothes, was so kind and patient with the girls, but
she did not remember her name, thought it was Edith.

"Now, see here," said Pinky, and she put some money into the child's
hand; "I want you to find out for me what her name is and where she
lives. Mind, you must be very careful to remember."

"What do you want to know for?" asked the little girl.

"That's none of your business. Do what I tell you," returned Pinky, with
impatience; "and if you do it right, I'll give you a quarter more. When
do you go again?"

"Next week, on Thursday."

"Not till next Thursday!" exclaimed Pinky, in a tone of disappointment.

"The school's only once a week."

Pinky chafed a good deal, but it was of no use; she must wait.

"You'll be sure and go next Thursday?" she said.

"If Mother lets me," replied the child.

"Oh, I'll see to that; I'll make her let you. What time does the school
go in?"

"At three o'clock."

"Very well. You wait for me. I'll come round here at half-past two, and
go with you. I want to see the young lady. They'll let me come into the
school and learn to sew, won't they?"

"I don't know; you're too big, and you don't want to learn."

"How do you know I don't?"

"Because I do."

Pinky laughed, and then said,

"You'll wait for me?"

"Yes, if mother says so."

"All right;" and Pinky hurried away to take measures for hiding the baby
from a search that she felt almost sure was about being made. The first
thing she did was to soundly abuse the woman in whose care she had
placed the hapless child for her neglect and ill treatment, both of
which were too manifest, and then to send her away under the new as