Scott did not for a moment entertain the idea that Meg was wise from any supernatural power. He believed she knew something of his private affairs, and that she had a secret to sell. He had no idea what the secret was, or how she had gained possession of it, but what she had told him, together with some other facts 225 that he possessed, strongly convinced him that she was interested in his affairs in some way. But while Meg thought that Scott’s sole object was to find his wife, his ideas lay entirely in another direction.
“I can tell you something that you would like to know, a great secret, but you will have to pay me well.”
“Do you know where my wife is?”
“No, but I can find her.”
“Is this the secret you wish me to pay a big price for?”
“Oh, no, it is something that would make you wish you had never been born, if you knew it.”
“Well, here is your money,” said Scott, dropping three silver dollars in her hand. “Leave me your address, and when I want your assistance I will call on you.”
“Yes,” said Scott, as he was left again to himself, “I am sure she is the same, and she pretends to know all about Irene, and she thinks, no doubt, I will pay her a fabulous price for imparting the knowledge to me, but she is mistaken. It would do me no good to know. Poor, foolish girl,” he said, as he stood with folded arms, gazing out upon the street. “How easily she was flattered. God knows I pity her for her vanity. I wish she might have looked ahead, and seen the misery in store for her. She will soon be left alone again, for that villain will go in search of another weak-minded victim.”
At that moment a carriage, drawn by a pair of unruly horses, dashed down the street. An infirm old woman, who was at that moment crossing, screamed in affright. A score of hands went up to stay the fractious animals, 226 and in a measure checked their speed, but there was but one who had the courage to do more, and the old woman would have been trampled to death had it not been for the aid of a woman who, springing quickly forward, caught the bridle and held it firmly until stronger hands came to her rescue. Scott, seeing the danger, lost no time in going to offer assistance.
“Are you hurt?” the lady asked of the old woman, who stood trembling in every limb.