nearer she reached its end the more a new and
uncomfortable anxiety beset her. Joseph said nothing. He had never
complained nor admired, and as far as sociability was concerned he
might have been one of those other, wooden Indians which began to
appear on the streets of the towns, before shops where tobacco
was sold. She looked at Joe, sometimes, wondering if he saw these
effigies of his race and what were his opinions on the matter. But
his face remained stolid and she decided that he was indifferent to
all such slight affairs.

It was when they first stepped out of their train into the great
station at New York, that the full realization of her undertaking came
to her. Even Joseph's face now showed some emotion, of dismay and
bewilderment, and her own courage died in that babel of noises and the
crowding rush of people, everywhere.

"Why, what has happened? Surely, there must have been some fearful
accident, or they would not all hurry so."

Then she saw among the crowd, men in a uniform she recognized, from
the description her uncle had once given her, and remembered that he
had then told her if ever she were in a strange place and needed help
it was to such officers she should apply. When this advice had been
given, a year before, neither had imagined it would so soon be
useful. But it was with infinite relief that she now clutched Joseph's
hand and impelled him to go with her. Gaining the side of an officer,
she caught his arm and demanded:

"What is the matter? Where are all the people hurrying to?"

"Why--nowhere, in special. Why?"

The policeman had, also, been hastening forward as if his life
depended upon his reaching a certain spot at a certain time, but now
he slackened his speed and walked quietly along beside this odd girl,
at the same moment keeping his eye upon a distant group of gamins bent
on mischief. It had been toward them he had made such speed, but a
brother officer appearing near them he turned his attention upon
Margot and her escort.

"Oh! I thought there was something wrong. Is it always such a racketty
place? This New York?"

"Always. Why, 'tis quiet here to-day, compared to some."

"Are you an officer of the law? Is it your business to take care of
strangers?"

"Why, yes. I suppose so."

"Can I trust you? Somebody must direct me. I was to take a cab and
go--to this address. But I don't know what a cab is from any other
sort of wagon. Will you help me?"

"Certainly. Give me t