In less than ten minutes Simms re-entered the chamber, bringing two papers in his hand.
“Here is the Times of yesterday morning and the Express of yesterday evening, sir. I got them both of the news agent close by.”
“Give them to me!” exclaimed Alexander, eagerly grasping the papers.
He hastily examined the Times. Yes, there was the advertisement still standing. He turned to the Evening Express, and there also it stared him in the face, with a new date, the date of the day of publication, and with a still higher raised reward.
Five thousand pounds were now offered to any person or persons who should restore the child, or give such information as should lead to restoring him to his distracted mother.
“Not found up to yesterday evening! Poor Drusilla! poor, poor Drusilla! and poor little Lenny!” groaned Alick, as his eyes were rivetted upon the advertisement.
Then a bright thought struck him; a Heavenly inspiration filled him. His countenance became eager and irradiated.
“I will go in search of her child! I will devote all my days and nights, all my mind and all my means to the search; and I will find him, if he is not dead. If he is above ground I will find him! And when I find him I will go and lay him in his mother’s lap and ask her forgiveness, and she will grant it me for the child’s sake! Oh! I prayed Providence to give me the power of doing her a service, and now I have got it. It cannot be but I shall find her child, and so regain her love!” he murmured.
Then looking up from his paper he called out:
“Simms!”