“The prisoner, who seemed to be still under the influence of drink, made a long and rambling statement about a baby, a crossed cheque, and a lady, but she was interrupted by the magistrate, who told her she ought to be ashamed of herself. This was one of the most disgraceful cases that had ever come before him.
“Mr. Ramsden asked that the accused should be remanded to enable the police to make enquiries, as a further charge would be preferred against her, that she, being an unlicensed person, had undertaken the charge of fifteen infants under two years of age.
“The magistrate accordingly desired the case to stand over until the 18th. It appears that the police found several names and addresses at the prisoner’s house, which are supposed to be those of parents or other relatives of the unfortunate little ones. They are diligently following up these clues, and Sir John Jenkins expressed a hope that the publicity given to the case would induce all who could give evidence to come forward.”
As Major Jones concluded, there was a stir and a sudden rush amongst the ladies; Miss Prudence Semaphore had fainted.
CHAPTER XVIII.
A DETECTIVE ON THE TRACK.
Boarding-house life tends to make one selfish; “each for himself and God for us all,” is the boarders’ motto. Where people come and go, drifting in and out like weeds upon the tide, deep interests or affections are rare, but even in boarding-houses men are sometimes thoughtful, and women sympathetic. This is especially true in cases of illness. The medical lady and Mrs. Dumaresq rushed to the assistance of Prudence when she stumbled off the sofa in a dead faint. She was conveyed to her room, smelling-salts, strong brandy-and-water from Major Jones’ private store, burnt feathers, and other powerful but unpleasant remedies were applied until she opened her eyes and gasped:
“Where am I? What has happened?”
Before anyone could answer, memory apparently came back to her, for she went into a fit of the wildest hysterics.
“There now! there now!” said Mrs. Dumaresq soothingly.
“Don’t talk to her like that, or she will be twice as bad,” observed Miss Lord in a low stern voice. “Now, Miss Semaphore,” she continued sharply, “that is quite enough. Just you stop laughing and crying, or I shall try the effect of a pail of cold water on you.”