"They could not trace him in that city?"
"No. The half-decomposed body of a man was found, a month later, in the Schuylkill River, and the detectives thought it must be his remains."
"But there was no child with him?"
"No, nor had the police seen anything of the little one."
"Howard must be dead," said Laura, softly, and her blue eyes filled with tears.
"I am afraid so," returned the father; and then the subject changed.
Meanwhile Hal had left the outer office and hurried up Nassau Street in the direction of Park Row. On a previous visit to this vicinity he had noticed a first-class costumer's establishment, where everything in the shape of a disguise could be bought.
At the door he hesitated for a moment, and then entered with a brisk step.
A fat, pleasant-looking man came to wait on him.
"I wish to obtain a perfect disguise," Hal explained. "Something for my face, besides some clothing."