“Is it where has he gone? If I knew that, would I come to you to find him for me? Where has he gone? Och! but I’d be the thankful woman this day if I could lay my eyes on him.”
Mrs. Devlin wept wildly.
“Stop your crying, woman dear,” said a sympathizer; “sure the police will have him found for you in two twos. Isn’t that what they’re here for?”
“When did you miss him?” asked the sergeant.
“Miss him! Amn’t I missing him every minute since he went from me, and the children along with me crying for their da, and them with no da left them?”
“When did you see him last?” said the sergeant, varying the form of his question.
“I seen him,” said Mrs. Devlin, “e’er last night. He came home, and him after spending the evening at Jimmy O’Loughlin’s.”
“Had he drink taken?”
Mrs. Devlin hesitated. One of her supporters in the crowd encouraged her to speak out boldly.