he said, when it came to his turn to
speak, "about all inquiries which are made by strangers."

"You can hardly consider me a stranger," answered Wilding, simply. "I
was one of your poor lost children here, in the bygone time."

The Treasurer politely rejoined that this circumstance inspired him with
a special interest in his visitor. But he pressed, nevertheless for that
visitor's motive in making his inquiry. Without further preface, Wilding
told him his motive, suppressing nothing. The Treasurer rose, and led
the way into the room in which the registers of the institution were
kept. "All the information which our books can give is heartily at your
service," he said. "After the time that has elapsed, I am afraid it is
the only information we have to offer you."

The books were consulted, and the entry was found expressed as follows:

"3d March, 1836. Adopted, and removed from the Foundling Hospital, a
male infant, named Walter Wilding. Name and condition of the person
adopting the child--Mrs. Jane Ann Miller, widow. Address--Lime-Tree
Lodge, Groombridge Wells. References--the Reverend John Harker,
Groombridge Wells; and Messrs. Giles, Jeremie, and Giles, bankers,
Lombard Street."

"Is that all?" asked the wine-merchant. "Had you no after-communication
with Mrs. Miller?"

"None--or some reference to it must have appeared in this book."

"May I take a copy of the entry?"

"Certainly! You are a little agitated. Let me make a copy for you."

"My only chance, I suppose," said Wilding, looking sadly at the copy, "is
to inquire at Mrs. Miller's residence, and to try if her references can
help me?"

"That is the only chance I see at present," answered the Treasurer. "I
heartily wish I could have been of some further assistance to you."

With those farewell words to comfort him Wilding set forth on the journey
of investigation which began from the Foundling doors. The first stage
to make for, was plainly the house of business of the bankers in Lombard
Street. Two of the partners in the firm were inaccessible to
chance-visitors when he asked for them. The third, after raising certain
inevitable difficulties, consented to let a clerk examine the ledger
marked with the initial letter "M." The account of Mrs. Miller, widow,
of Groombridge Wells, was found. Two long lines, in faded ink, were
drawn across it; and at the bottom of the page there appeared this note:
"Account closed, September 30th, 1837.