While this conversation was going on there were unseen listeners.
Behind a portière Mrs. Barnes, the nurse, and John Linden heard every word that was said.
“And what do you think now, sir?” whispered Mrs. O’Keefe (to give her real name).
“It is terrible. I would not have believed Curtis capable of such a crime. But is it really true, Mrs. Barnes? Is my lost boy alive?”
“To be sure he is.”
“Have you seen him?”
“I know him as well as I know you, sir, and better, too.”
“Is he—tell me, is he a good boy? Curtis told me that he might be a criminal.”
“He might, but he isn’t. He’s as dacent and honest a boy as iver trod shoe leather. You’ll be proud of him, sir.”
“But he’s in California.”