?" asked the lady who was teaching the class, looking
in some surprise after the hurrying figure.

"It's Pinky Swett," answered the child from Grubb's court. "She wanted
to see our teacher."

"Who is your regular teacher?" was inquired.

"Don't remember her name."

"It's Edith," spoke up one of the girls. "Mrs. Martin called her that."

"What did this Pinky Swett want to see her about?"

"Don't know," answered the child as she remembered the money Pinky had
given her and the promise of more.

The teacher questioned no further, but went on with her work in the
class.

CHAPTER XVI.

_IT_ was past midday when Mr. Dinneford returned home after his
fruitless search. Edith, who had been waiting for hours in restless
suspense, heard his step in the hall, and ran down to meet him.

"Did you see the baby?"' she asked, trying to keep her agitation down.

Mr. Dinneford only shook his head,

"Why, not, father?" Her voice choked.

"It could not be found."

"You saw Mr. Paulding?"

"Yes."

"Didn't he find the baby?"

"Oh yes. But when I went to Grubb's court this morning, it was not
there, and no one could or would give any information about it. As the
missionary feared, those having possession of the baby had taken alarm
and removed it to another place. But I have seen the mayor and some of
the police, and got them interested. It will not be possible to hide the
child for any length of time."

"You said that Mr. Paulding saw it?"

"Yes."

"What did he say?" Edith's voice trembled as she asked the question.

"He thinks there is something wrong."

"Did he tell you how the baby looked?"

"He said that it had large, beautiful brown eyes."

Edith clasped her hands, and drew them tightly against her bosom.

"Oh, father! if it should be my baby!"

"My dear, dear child," said Mr. Dinneford, putting his arms about Edith
and holding her tightly, "you torture yourself with a wild dream. The
thing is impossible."

"It is somebody's baby," sobbed Edith, her face on her father's breast,
"and it may be mine. Who knows?"

"We will do our best to find it," returned Mr. Dinneford, "and then do
what Christian charity demands. I am in earnest so far, and will leave
nothing undone, you may rest assured. The police have the mayor's
instructions to find the baby and give it into my care, and I do not
think we shall have long to wait."

An ear they thought not of, heard all this. Mrs. Dinneford's suspicions