Simon. Mrs. Manning, gardening has not been the sole occupation of my life. Before I entered your service I was a policeman.
May. Well?
Simon. Now, a policeman picks up a great many things in the course of his experience, and, in my short career, I have gained a morsel of information that may be useful to you.
May. I do not understand you.
Simon. Mrs. Manning, I was a short time ago, one of the humble instruments that rescued an unfortunate woman from the beastly brutality of a ruffian. I say one, the other was my billy. She was a poor fallen creature, who, in a drunken brawl was cruelly beaten. As I said, we rescued her in an almost dying condition. She was taken to Belleview hospital. As this was the only real service I performed during my brief career, I was interested in her case, and frequently called to see her. I was told she could not live. In the kindest manner possible for a policeman, I informed her of the fact. In return she told me she was a wife and mother, that her husband still lived.
May. I do not understand how this can interest me. I pity the poor woman. Can I help her?
Simon. You can help her to find her husband.
May. I?
Simon. Yes, for you know him. She gave me his name,——Matt Winsor.