“Common roughs, madam.”
“Yes! yes! did any of these men have a child with them?”
“Beg pardon, madam?”
“I ask you if either of these rough-looking men had a child with him, a fair-haired, blue-eyed little boy, of about two years old.”
“No, madam, certainly not.”
“You are sure?”
“Perfectly sure, madam.”
“Well, waiter, attend to me. We have lost a child—and have some reason to suppose that the child was brought to this house this afternoon.”
“It has not, madam, I can assure you.”
“We have cause to believe, then, that he will be brought here—Drusilla, dear, give me one of your cards and one of these advertisements—Now here, waiter, is a description of the child; and here is our address. If such a child should be brought here, I desire that you will detain him, and those who bring him, and send for us. Do this and you shall be richly rewarded.”