"What do you think of this?" exclaimed the pawnbroker, unfolding the shawl.
"A very fine baby," said Mr. Loveday, "though I don't pretend to be a judge--and fast asleep."
"Proving," added the pawnbroker, "that it's been well stuffed."
"Stuffed!"
"Had plenty to drink--got its belly full. That's the artfulness of it."
"The baby's artfulness?" inquired Mr. Loveday, much mystified.
"No--of the trick that's been played upon me. Put comfortably to sleep, satisfied, so that it shouldn't excite suspicion by as much as a whimper."
"But explain," said Mr. Loveday, as much in the dark as ever. "Is it your baby?"
"No, sir," replied the pawnbroker, energetically, "it is not."
"Then how comes it here?"